Manufacture and utilization of bagasse-based ruminant feeds

Sugarcane bagasse was treated with NaOH at a 5.8% level (dry matter basis) in an industrial continuous process. The raw bagasse at 46% moisture content was dried in a rotary dryer to 18% moisture content (wet basis), ground in a wing beater through a 10mm screen, and 40% concentrated solutions of both NaOH and urea applied to the bagasse, moving at 12.6 kg/min. in a horizontal paddle type continuous mixer. The alkali-treated bagasse was incorporated into a complete ration for calves at a level of 34.4% in the diet; 37.3% undiluted sugar cane molasses was also used. Calves on this ration showed an average daily gain of 0.51 kg/head/day with feed efficiency being 13.2 kg feed/kg. wt. gain. Preliminary trials indicated that the ration can be successfully pelleted and its shelf life extended with propionic acid.