Where is the benefit of straw breeding animals?

China produces a massive amount of crop straw, with approximately 700 million tons generated each year. However, in recent years, factors such as declining crop yields and the gradual shift in rural energy structures have led to an increase in straw waste and illegal burning. This has caused serious environmental pollution, traffic hazards, and the wasteful use of resources, drawing widespread public concern. So, how can we address this issue? Currently, there are four main approaches for utilizing straw: as fertilizer, animal feed, mushroom substrate, or fuel and industrial raw material. Professor Meng Qingxiang from China Agricultural University points out that straw gasification and briquetting technologies in China are still not mature. Only about 10% of straw is directly returned to the fields, while the utilization rate for feed has reached one-third. Therefore, developing the livestock industry using waste straw is particularly promising. However, whether straw can be used for raising livestock and achieving an industrial chain depends on whether it brings real benefits to farmers and growers. The guiding principle behind the "Opinions on Accelerating the Comprehensive Utilization of Crop Straw" issued by the State Council in July is to promote the comprehensive use of straw, improve agricultural efficiency, and increase farmers’ income. Where is the profit in raising animals with straw? To find out, this reporter recently visited a livestock conference in Heilongjiang Province, where participants toured a beef cattle farm and a green and yellow storage center. At Shuangying Niuye Industry Co., Ltd., located in Zhoujia Town, Shuangcheng City, more than 600 cattle are raised, requiring about 250,000 kilograms of corn stalks annually. In June, the company built a 2,000 cubic meter silage pit. Even though it's new, General Manager Niu Jigang already sees the benefits—shorter fattening periods, reduced waste, and cost savings. According to his calculations, using fermented straw instead of dry stalks can save 70,000 to 100,000 yuan per year. Additionally, the extended shelf life of silage reduces spoilage losses by nearly 20%, saving 0.07 to 0.1 yuan per 500 grams of straw. Compared to dry straw, silage also preserves nutrients better, reducing the need for other feed additives. The cost advantage of silage over pasture is even more significant. In Heilongjiang, the production cost of silage is around 0.1 yuan per kilogram, while pasture costs at least 0.4 yuan. With 3 tons of feed needed per cow annually, this can reduce feeding costs by over 900 yuan. Quality gains are also evident. At Qingyuan Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd. in Shuangcheng Happiness Township, a TMR full-mix diet machine prepares a balanced "nutritional package" for 834 cows. Xue Yingfeng, the head of the company, explained that silage improves satiety and stimulates digestive activity, making it ideal for ruminants. Since the farm was established, they’ve used silage, planting 1,000 mu of silage annually. Compared to dry straw, silage increases milk production by 20–30%. After introducing the TMR machine and adding soybean meal, milk output increased by another 2%. As a result, milk quality has improved, leading to higher profits. Small-scale dairy farms, like Double City Liu Tao Dairy Farm, have also benefited. By using a mix of blue and yellow silage, their average feed cost is 20% lower than similar farms, and milk production has increased to 6.5 tons per cow. According to statistics from the Heilongjiang Provincial Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, after implementing the straw livestock project, the income of farmers has significantly increased. The proportion of improved cows in the province rose from 35% before the project to 95% by 2007. Average dairy cow yield reached 5 tons, up 30% from pre-project levels, and beef carcass weight increased by 27.3% since 1991. In Ningxia, straw-based livestock farming has effectively solved the forage shortage after grazing bans. In 2007, the province had 320,000 dairy cows, 1.5 million beef cattle, and 10.55 million sheep. The total value of animal husbandry reached 5.6 billion yuan, accounting for 37.2% of total agricultural output. Compared to 2002, sheep numbers increased by 28.4%, dairy cows by 3.14 times, and beef cattle by 53.8%. Industrial management allows retail investors to benefit from straw-based livestock. Unlike grain production, silage requires specialized machinery and facilities, which demand higher investment. Wang Jiaqi, deputy director of the Beijing Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, believes that industrialization is the key solution. Shuangcheng Glory Fodder Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. purchases 10,000 mu of silage corn annually to serve 40,000 cows. They operate through contracts with farmers, providing seeds, mechanical harvesting, and stretch-film wrapping technology to produce high-quality silage. This approach solves the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in collecting and storing straw. The cost of straw is low, but can industrial operations remain profitable for smallholders? Rong Rongyao, head of RongYao Feed Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd., says it’s possible. The film used for wrapping costs 360 yuan per ton, and each bale weighs about 60 kg. The cost per kilogram of silage increases by only 0.01–0.04 yuan. With savings on collection and construction, most retailers can afford it. The company sells 45,000 tons of silage annually, expanding into Inner Mongolia and beyond. Recently, they started producing TMR rations for dairy cows, enhancing both nutrition and profitability. In demonstration areas, many breeding enterprises have joined the straw collection, storage, and processing process. In some regions, specialized farmer cooperatives have emerged. In Baoding and Langfang, Hebei, silage specialists have developed rapidly, conducting large-scale silage around cattle and sheep communities, selling to local farmers and earning 2–3 cents per kilogram. In Henan, cities like Xuchang and Xinxiang have experimented with professional silage companies, promoting order-based production and targeted supply, achieving commercial silage and scale breeding. Straw-based livestock farming benefits not only farmers. Since the State Council launched the straw livestock demonstration project in key agricultural provinces in 1992, the central government has invested 865 million yuan in straw and animal husbandry projects, establishing 604 state-level demonstration counties. This has promoted beef, mutton, and milk production in Central Plains, Northeast China, and North China, boosting farmers' incomes. However, it's not just farmers who benefit. RongYao Feed Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. signed a 2,000-mu contract with farmers in 2003, expanding to 10,000 mu by 2008. Farmers receive seeds and harvest support, increasing their net income by 150–200 yuan per mu compared to regular corn farming. In regions where straw and livestock are well-developed, even ordinary corn farmers benefit. In Henan, in 2007, 37.5 million tons of ammoniated straw were produced. Farmers bought corn stalks for 0.05 yuan per kilogram and wheat straw for 0.12 yuan, increasing their income by 2.42 billion yuan. In Linyi County, Shandong, the price of fresh corn stalks is 0.06–0.07 yuan per kilogram. During harvest season, there's panic buying, with farmers gaining 36.4 million yuan annually. With rising corn prices and tighter feed grain supplies, the demand for animal products continues to grow. According to Wang Zongli, deputy director of the Ministry of Agriculture's Animal Husbandry Division, developing animal husbandry through straw-based methods ensures food balance and reduces pressure on food security. Experts estimate that 5.6 kilograms of silage corn stalks provide the same energy as 1 kilogram of corn. Using 20 million tons of straw silage in Shandong alone could save 3.6 million tons of feed, equivalent to 20% of the province's annual corn production. This would be enough to raise 12 million pigs or 720 million chickens.

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