Effects of Length of Keeping and Drying on the Nitrogen Content of Low Quality and Urea-Treated Forages

The effects of length of keeping and drying on the nitrogen content of low quality forages were studied. The forages (scrubland straws; sorghum, maize and millet stubbles) were treated with 4.5% urea and kept for 90 days in laboratory jars acting as silos. The nitrogen content of treated forages remained significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of nontreated forages, regardless of the keeping length. Drying decreased the nitrogen content (P < 0.05) of treated forages. This content remained similar (P > 0.05) from day 15 (end of treatment) to day 90 (end of experiment). The study showed that it was better to use treated forages before drying to reduce nitrogen loss during drying.