UREA TREATMENT OF TEMPERATE CEREAL STRAWS FOR SHEEP IN IRAN

The nutritive value of straws from different varieties of wheat, barle y and triticale, treated (5% urea) or untreated was assessed in vivo i n sheep. Urea treatment reduced dry matter (DM) and crude fibre (CF) c ontents but increased crude protein (CP) and mineral contents. Nutrien t digestibility was also increased. The voluntary intake of dry matter of the straws was also measured. There was significant increase (P<0. 01) in nutritive value of treated straws but there were no significant differences among straws from different species. The voluntary intake of the straws followed the same trend.