Search

The successful application of fungal treated lignocellulosic biomass as an animal feed ingredient depends on its acceptance by animals. The objective of this study was to test the preference of fresh and stored fungal treated wheat straw (WS) by non-lactating Saanen goats. Three studies were conducted. Wheat straw was aerobically treated with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora (CS) and Lentinula edodes (LE) for 7 weeks before being stored at -20°C (fresh CS [CSf], fresh LE [LEf]) until use. The CSf and LEf were also anaerobically stored at 54°C (stored CS [CSs], stored LE [LEs]) for 7 weeks before being frozen at -20°C until use. In study 1, preference for individual feedstuffs was tested and included grass silage (GS), maize silage (MS), CSf, LEf and WS. Goats showed a strong preference for GS and were more reluctant to consume MS. Minor amounts of CSf, LEf and WS were consumed even when the preference time was extended to 2 h. Study 2 compared the preference of CSf, LEf and WS when included at 50% (as is basis) in a GS/MS based feed over 6 days. Goats had a higher (P < 0.05) intake rate of the CSf and LEf than the WS containing feed, with no significant difference observed between CSf and LEf. In study 3, the preference of goats between diets containing (50% as is basis) fresh and stored fungal treated WS was investigated. In an identical study design to study 2, the goats showed a higher intake rate for the CSs and LEs containing feeds. Wheat straw treated with C. subvermispora and L. edodes were significantly less preferred to GS and MS. This feeding study showed that fungal treated WS can be used as a major part in a diet for goat and the storage increases its palatability.