Doombos et al. The economics of an ammoniated straw ration depend upon the availability of anhydrous ammonia and straw. In areas where there are large amounts of small grains, the use of anhydrous ammonia could become practical. It improves the amount of roughage that animals will consume, and it increases the crude protein equivalent. Straw intended for ammoniation should contain at least 12 percent moisture, preferably 15 to 20 percent.
Greater moisture allows more nitrogen in the feed.
You should submit a sample to a feed testing laboratory to assure the moisture content and feeding quality of your straw for adequate ammoniation. Moisture content can be determined by on-farm testing kits. The efficiency of ammoniation depends on temperature. The higher the temperature, the better the results. Generally it is advisable to ammoniate early in the fall before temperatures become too cold.