Metabolisable energy straw

Figure 4. Energy production in the form of biofuels (straw and biogas), metabolisable energy in crops and fossil energy use for crop production ...

The digestibility of the organic matter of these straws rarely exceeds 0.5 and the metabolisable energy value is about 7 MJ/kg DM or, in the case of winter barley cultivars, less than this. Of the ash fractions, silica is the main component and straws generally are poor sources of essential mineral elements, as can be seen from the results of a comparison between hays and barley straws shown in Table 20.5. 

Maize straw, or corn stover, has a higher nutrient content and is more digestible than most other straws. It has a crude protein content of about 60 g/kg DM and a metabolisable energy value of about 9 MJ/kg DM. In North America, com stover is... 

In many of the intensive rice-growing areas of the world, particularly Asia, this straw is used as a food for farm animals. Its protein content and metabolisable energy value are similar to those of spring barley straw. It has an exceptionally high ash content, about 170 g/kg DM, which consists mainly of silica. The lignin content of this straw, about 60-70 g/kg DM is, however, lower than that of other cereal straws. In contrast to other straws, the stems are more digestible than the leaves. 

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