264 PRINCIPLES OP PEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



Oat Straw. — The most valuable straw for feeding is 

 oat straw. Its chemical composition is as follows : water, 

 9.2 per cent ; ash, 5.1 jier cent ; crude protein, 4.0 per cent ; 

 crude fiber, 37.0 per cent; nitrogen-free extract, 42.4 per 

 cent; and fat, 2.3 per cent. The net energy value is 21.2 

 therms per 100 pounds. 



Oat straw is one of the best of the non-nitrogenous rough- 

 ages for fattening cattle and sheep, being equal to timothy 

 hay. It is especially valuable when fed ^vith corn and corn 

 silage. It should be supplemented by nitrogenous con- 

 centrates or legume hays. Milk cows also may use some oat 

 straw to advantage. Breeding and stock cattle can use 

 large amounts of oat straw to good advantage, as can also 

 breeding ewes. Horses that are not at work may also use 

 it. It is too bulky for horses at hard work. 



Barley straw ranks next to oat straw in feeding value. 

 However, it should not be used to any great extent for fatten- 

 ing stock, milk cows, or work "horses. It may be used as a 

 part of the roughage for stock cattle and breeding animals, 

 except hogs. 



Wheat straw has a lower feeding value than barley straw. 

 It may be used as a part of the ration for wintering cattle 

 and sheep when no gain is desired. 



Rye straw has a lower feeding value than wheat straw. 

 It is best suited for bedding. 



Timothy, red top, millet, and flax straw have but little 

 feeding value. They may be used to a certain extent in 

 wintering stock cattle and sheep. 



Clover, alfalfa, soybean, and cowpea straw contain more 

 crude protein than the non-legume straws. Threshed clover 

 and alfalfa may be used as a part of the roughage for stock 



