Wood Wastes for Animal Feeding

Wood could be more than a roughage material to the ruminant. Containing from 70 to 75 percent carbohydrate constituents, it could well be a source of energy to the animal, provided that these carbohydrates could be made available for digestion. The low digestibility has generally been attributed to a protective action by the lignin, the degree of protection varying at least partially with the degree of lignification. Thus, hardwoods with their lower lignin levels are more digestible as a class than are the softwoods. An essential factor is that cellulose be accessible to the action of rumen microorganisms. This accessibility can be improved by several procedures: Vibratory ball milling, ionizing radiation, or strong swelling agents such as alkali. All are able to increase the digestibility of wood residues.

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