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Cattle Roughage Production
In the beef cattle breeding industry, roughage refers to a category of feed that includes grasses, agricultural by-products such as crop stalks, alfalfa, husks, vines, and dried old leaves. These materials are rich in crude fiber and play a vital role in cattle diets.
**(I) Characteristics of Roughage**
1. **Wide Availability and Low Cost**
Roughage is one of the most affordable and widely available feeds for beef cattle. In pastoral regions, there are vast grasslands and pastures, while in agricultural areas, millions of tons of crop residues are produced annually. Additionally, weeds and other natural vegetation are often used as sources. The low investment required for processing, such as drying hay or using straw, makes it popular among farmers and ranchers.
2. **Low Nutritional Value**
The nutritional content of roughage is generally lower compared to other types of feed. However, leguminous hays tend to be more nutritious than grass hays, and hay itself is usually better than crop by-products. Some plant parts like pods, vines, and leaves can be just as valuable as hay, even surpassing it in certain cases. The nutritional value varies depending on the type of plant and how it's processed.
3. **High Crude Fiber and Poor Palatability**
Roughage is typically high in crude fiber, which makes it less palatable to animals. This limits its use as a primary feed source unless supplemented with higher-energy feeds. Digestibility is also relatively low, so careful management is needed to ensure proper nutrition for cattle.
**(II) Types of Roughage**
1. **Green Hay**
Green hay is made from the above-ground parts of plants like pasture grasses, weeds, or other vegetation. It is harvested before seeding and then dried naturally or through artificial methods to allow long-term storage. This type of feed comes in many varieties and can be made from almost any green plant.
2. **Straw Feed**
Straw is the residue left after crops are harvested. It consists of stems and leaves, with the leaves containing more nutrients. The less leaf loss during harvesting, the higher the nutritional value. Common straw feeds include corn stover, wheat straw, rice straw, and soybean vines.
3. **By-Products (Shell Feed)**
These are by-products obtained during the harvest and threshing of crops. They include husks, skins, and shells, such as wheat bran, rice bran, and soybean meal. Some of these materials have sharp edges or awns, making them unsuitable for direct feeding. They often need to be soaked or processed before being given to livestock.
4. **Leafy Shoots and Autumn Leaves**
In spring and summer, tender shoots and leaves have high moisture and low fiber, making them suitable as green feed. However, in autumn, leaves become drier and more fibrous, which classifies them as roughage rather than green feed.
Proper selection and management of roughage are essential for maintaining the health and productivity of beef cattle. Understanding the characteristics and types of roughage helps farmers optimize their feeding strategies and reduce costs.
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