Process for the production of a fodder from straw or other lignocellulose-containingmaterials by alkali treatment, and, if desired, mixing of the alkali-treated materialwith other feedstuffs

摘要

Ruminant or horse fodders are made by treating dry or semi-dry lignocellulose containing raw materials e.g. straw, reeds, cottonseed hulls, sawdust, bark, bagasse, with dry alkali, without subsequent leaching. The product may be mixed with other feeds; it may be added to ensilable feeds for increasing the dry matter content, e.g. to 28 per cent. The initial or alkali-treated material is preferably heated to 100 DEG C. or higher e.g. by steaming, the semi-dry material being dried by vacuum or superheated steam. Gaseous ammonia, quick or slaked lime are the preferred alkalis; after treatment the ammonia may be volatilised off under reduced pressure, a solid alkali may be neutralised by acid e.g. phosphoric acid, or, when lime is used, by carbon dioxide.