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Absorptive Capacity of Different Materials Ordinarily Used for Bedding

Dairy Husbandry Department, South Dakota State College, Brookings, S. D.

ABSTRACT

Ten pounds of oat, wheat and rye straws cut and whole were soaked from one to two hours in sufficient urine to completely submerge the sacks containing the straws. The same procedure was followed in which well-water was used instead of urine. The materials were allowed to soak for one to two hours and then suspended and allowed to drain until dripping had ceased, after which the content of the sack was emptied into a tub and weighed.

The increase in weight of the bedding materials was assumed to be due to the amounts of urine or water retained by the various materials.

No appreciable difference in absorptive capacity was noted between cut and whole straws, and straws from different cereals. Such minor differences as are indicated might be due to the completeness of soaking, or draining. The temperature and humidity of the room in which the materials were soaked and allowed to drain were not maintained at the same point, which might result in a difference in weight. That the original moisture content of the materials used for bedding affect the absorptive capacity of the materials is indicated by the sawdust used in the Maryland experiments.

The data from the South Dakota Station indicate that the whole cereal straws provide satisfactory litter. Because of the abundance and cheapness of these straws, they can be recommended in preference to any other materials for this area. The manurial value of the cereal straws is also greater than the manurial value of sawdust or shavings, materials ordinarily substituted for cereal straws.

The data did not indicate greater absorptive powers for cut straws; therefore, it would not seem advisable to cut cereal straws for bedding except where storage room for straw is at a premium.