Cotton straw feed and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention provides a cotton straw feed and a preparation method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of feeds. The cotton straw feed provided by the invention is prepared from a cotton straw mixture and a zymophyte solution, the cotton straw mixture is composed of tomato peel, candy pomace and cotton straw, and the weight ratio of the tomato peel to the candy pomace to the cotton straw is (4-6): (2-4): (11-13); the zymophyte liquid comprises lactobacillus plantarum, candida utilis, saccharomyces cerevisiae, candida tropicalis, bacillus subtilis, geotrichum candidum, bacillus licheniformis and pseudomonas putida. The tomato peel, the sugar residues and the cotton straw are scientifically matched, through the synergistic effect of components and taste, the palatability of the feed is remarkably improved, livestock are attracted to actively eat the feed, through superposition of multiple nutritional components, the content of key nutritional indexes such as protein and vitamins of the feed is effectively increased, nutritional advantage complementation of the raw materials is achieved, and the feed is suitable for large-scale production. The feed quality is comprehensively optimized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of feed technology, specifically relating to a cotton stalk feed and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of animal husbandry, the supply and quality of feed resources directly affect the industry's sustainable development. my country generates a large amount of agricultural waste annually, with cotton stalks being a major component. However, the current level of resource utilization for cotton stalks is low; most are burned or discarded indiscriminately. This not only causes serious resource waste but also generates large amounts of harmful gases and dust, severely damaging air quality and the ecological environment, and exacerbating environmental pollution problems.

[0003] Meanwhile, the demand for high-quality feed in animal husbandry is increasing, but existing feeds have many shortcomings. On the one hand, traditional feeds rely heavily on grain crops as the main raw material, which not only increases feed costs but also competes with human food demand. Against the backdrop of tight food supply and demand, the limitations of this feed raw material structure are becoming increasingly apparent. On the other hand, some feeds prepared using agricultural waste fail to meet the nutritional and palatability needs of livestock and poultry. For example, pure cotton stalks are hard and high in crude fiber, making them difficult for livestock and poultry to digest and absorb. When used directly as feed, they have poor palatability, resulting in low feed intake and insufficient nutrition for livestock and poultry. Furthermore, current technologies for processing cotton stalks often lack scientific and reasonable ingredient formulation, making it difficult to effectively improve their nutritional structure and digestibility.

[0004] Furthermore, existing technologies in the field of feed fermentation preparation also have significant shortcomings. In some fermented feed preparation processes, improper control of the mixing ratio of fermentation broth and raw materials, coupled with a lack of precise control over moisture content adjustment during fermentation, leads to unstable fermentation results, easily resulting in incomplete or over-fermentation. Incomplete fermentation prevents the effective removal of anti-nutritional factors in the feed and hinders the complete release of nutrients; over-fermentation causes nutrient loss and may even produce harmful substances, affecting feed quality and livestock health. Moreover, some preparation methods are susceptible to interference from external environmental factors (such as temperature, humidity, and microbial contamination) during fermentation, further reducing the fermentation success rate and feed quality stability.

[0005] In summary, current research in the field of agricultural waste resource utilization for feed production suffers from several technical shortcomings, including low utilization rates of cotton stalks, poor feed nutritional palatability, unstable fermentation processes, and a difficulty in balancing environmental protection and economic benefits. Therefore, effectively utilizing cotton stalks—an abundant agricultural waste resource—through scientifically formulated ingredients and optimized fermentation processes to produce nutritious, palatable, high-quality, and environmentally friendly feed has become a pressing technical challenge in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the purpose of this invention is to provide a cotton stalk feed that significantly improves the palatability of the feed, attracts livestock to actively eat it, effectively increases the content of key nutritional indicators such as protein and vitamins in the feed, achieves complementary nutritional advantages among raw materials, comprehensively optimizes feed quality, and reduces the abortion rate of ewes by more than 60%, providing a scientific and efficient feed solution for the healthy breeding and reproduction of ewes.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0008] This invention provides a cotton stalk feed, made from a mixture of cotton stalks and a fermentation liquid. The cotton stalk mixture consists of tomato peels, sugar residue, and cotton stalks, with a weight ratio of (4-6):(2-4):(11-13). The fermentation liquid contains ≥1.5 × 10⁻⁶ Lactobacillus plantarum. 6 CFU / mL, Candida utilis ≥3.0×10 5 CFU / mL, Saccharomyces cerevisiae ≥1.0×10 6 CFU / mL, Candida tropicalis ≥1.2×10 5 CFU / mL, Bacillus subtilis ≥2.0×10 6 CFU / mL, Geotrichum candidiasis ≥1.0×10 4 CFU / mL, Bacillus licheniformis ≥5.0×10 4 CFU / mL and ≥3.0 × 10⁻⁶ Pseudomonas putidae 5 CFU / mL.

[0009] Preferably, the mass-to-volume ratio of the cotton stalk mixture to the fermentation liquid is 100g:0.1-0.2mL.

[0010] Preferably, the sugar residue is corn sugar residue; the cotton stalks are cotton stalks after the film covering has been removed.

[0011] Preferably, the corn residue contains ≥15% crude protein, ≥45% total sugar, ≤12% moisture, and ≤6% ash.

[0012] Preferably, the solvent for the fermentation broth is physiological saline or phosphate buffer.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for preparing the above-mentioned cotton stalk feed, comprising the following steps: mixing tomato peels, sugar residue and cotton stalks to obtain a cotton stalk mixture; mixing the cotton stalk mixture with fermentation liquid, adjusting the moisture content to 60% to 70%, and then fermenting after wrapping.

[0014] Preferably, the cotton stalks are cotton stalks that have been crushed and rubbed.

[0015] Preferably, the pulverization is performed to a thickness of 0.5cm to 1cm.

[0016] Preferably, the fermentation is carried out outdoors naturally, and the fermentation time is more than 45 days.

[0017] Preferably, the package is wrapped with a membrane, and the weight of a single membrane-wrapped package is 190kg to 210kg.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0019] The cotton stalk feed provided by this invention scientifically combines tomato peels, sugar residue, and cotton stalks. Through the synergistic effect of ingredients and taste, it not only significantly improves the palatability of the feed and attracts livestock to actively eat it, but also effectively increases the content of key nutritional indicators such as protein and vitamins in the feed through the superposition of multiple nutrients, achieving complementary nutritional advantages among raw materials and comprehensively optimizing feed quality.

[0020] Practical verification has shown that the cotton stalk feed provided by this invention exhibits outstanding safety and applicability in ewe farming. Compared to traditional fermented corn stalk feed, which has excessive moisture content and high acidity after fermentation, easily causing gastrointestinal disorders in ewes and leading to high abortion rates, the cotton stalk feed provided by this invention, through precise raw material ratios and fermentation process control, reduces the abortion rate in ewes by more than 60%, providing a scientific and efficient feed solution for healthy ewe farming and reproduction. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 It is a mixture of cotton stalks;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a picture of the product fermenting naturally outdoors after being wrapped. Detailed Implementation

[0023] This invention provides a cotton stalk feed, made from a mixture of cotton stalks and a fermentation liquid. The cotton stalk mixture consists of tomato peels, sugar residue, and cotton stalks, with a weight ratio of (4-6):(2-4):(11-13). The fermentation liquid contains ≥1.5 × 10⁻⁶ Lactobacillus plantarum. 6 CFU / mL, Candida utilis ≥3.0×10 5 CFU / mL, Saccharomyces cerevisiae ≥1.0×10 6 CFU / mL, Candida tropicalis ≥1.2×10 5 CFU / mL, Bacillus subtilis ≥2.0×10 6 CFU / mL, Geotrichum candidiasis ≥1.0×104 CFU / mL, Bacillus licheniformis ≥5.0×10 4 CFU / mL and ≥3.0 × 10⁻⁶ Pseudomonas putidae 5 CFU / mL.

[0024] This invention does not specifically limit the sources of cotton stalks, tomato peels, and sugar residue. This invention mixes tomato peels, sugar residue, and cotton stalks. Tomato peels are rich in various vitamins and natural pigments, while sugar residue contains abundant carbohydrates. The combination of these two with cotton stalks fully leverages the complementary nutritional advantages of the different raw materials. In this invention, the preferred weight ratio of tomato peels, sugar residue, and cotton stalks is 5:3:12, and the preferred mass-to-volume ratio of the cotton stalk mixture to the fermentation broth is 100g:0.1-0.2mL. In this invention, the preferred solvent for the fermentation broth is physiological saline or phosphate buffer. The preferred sodium chloride concentration in the physiological saline is 0.85%-9%, and the preferred pH of the phosphate buffer (PBS) is 7.0 to ensure bacterial stability. In the fermentation broth of this invention, a protectant is preferably added to improve the survival rate of the strain. The preferred protectant is trehalose, and the preferred weight of trehalose added is 0.1% (i.e., 0.1g trehalose per 100mL of fermentation broth). In this invention, the sugar residue is preferably corn sugar residue, which preferably contains ≥15% crude protein, ≥45% total sugar, ≤12% moisture, and ≤6% ash. In this invention, the cotton stalks are preferably cotton stalks after the mulch has been removed. In Xinjiang, 100% of cotton cultivation requires mulching; therefore, when using cotton stalks in this invention, it is preferable to first remove the mulch, i.e., remove any residual mulch or plastic fragments, to prevent livestock from accidentally ingesting plastic, which could affect their digestive health or cause safety hazards.

[0025] The present invention also provides a method for preparing the above-mentioned cotton stalk feed, comprising the following steps: mixing tomato peels, sugar residue and cotton stalks to obtain a cotton stalk mixture; mixing the cotton stalk mixture with fermentation liquid, adjusting the moisture content to 60% to 70%, and then fermenting after wrapping.

[0026] In this invention, the cotton stalks are preferably cotton stalks that have been crushed and kneaded. The crushing is preferably to a thickness of 0.5cm to 1cm, more preferably to 0.6cm to 0.9cm. In this invention, the crushing is preferably performed using a pulverizer, and the kneading is preferably performed using a mixer. The combination of crushing and kneading breaks down the dense structure of the cotton stalks, altering their physical structure and making them softer and fluffier. This increases the contact area between the stalks and animal digestive enzymes, thereby significantly improving the palatability and digestibility of the feed.

[0027] In this invention, when mixing the cotton stalk mixture and the fermentation liquid, it is preferable to spray the fermentation liquid directly into the cotton stalk mixture to ensure full contact. This invention utilizes modern microbial fermentation technology and adds highly efficient probiotic strains, which can accelerate the fermentation process and improve the fermentation effect. The fermentation liquid provided by this invention can decompose indigestible substances such as cellulose and hemicellulose in straw, converting them into nutrients that are more easily absorbed by animals, such as organic acids, alcohols, and amino acids. Simultaneously, it can inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms, improving the safety and stability of the feed. In this invention, adjusting the moisture content to 60%–70% creates an ideal environment for microbial fermentation; more preferably, adjusting the moisture content to 62%–68%.

[0028] In this invention, a dedicated wrapping machine is preferably used for packaging, with the weight of a single package preferably controlled between 190 kg and 210 kg, and more preferably between 195 kg and 205 kg. This packaging method provided by this invention helps maintain the stability of the fermentation environment, prevents contamination by external microorganisms, and facilitates transportation and storage. In this invention, the wrapping is preferably done using a film, with each package preferably wrapped with 16 layers of film, including 3 inner layers and 13 outer layers. In this invention, the fermentation is preferably carried out outdoors naturally, making full use of the microbial resources and temperature and humidity conditions in the natural environment, thus reducing fermentation costs. The fermentation time is preferably more than 45 days, allowing the macromolecules in the raw materials to fully decompose and transform, ultimately forming a high-quality feed that is nutritious and palatable to meet the feeding needs of livestock. Furthermore, the controlled fermentation time of this invention helps ensure the quality of the feed and the fermentation effect.

[0029] The technical solutions provided by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments are all conventional methods.

[0031] Unless otherwise specified, all materials and reagents used in the following examples are commercially available.

[0032] The strains used in the following examples are: *Lactobacillus plantarum* CGMCC 1.557, *Candida utilis* CICC 1807, *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* ATCC 204508, *Candida tropicalis* ATCC 750, *Bacillus subtilis* CGMCC 1.1086, *Geotrichum candida* CICC1315, *Bacillus licheniformis* ATCC 14580, and *Pseudomonas putida* ATCC 12633.

[0033] The corn residue in the following examples was purchased from COFCO Biotechnology Co., Ltd., with crude protein ≥15%, total sugar ≥45%, moisture ≤12% and ash ≤6%.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] A cotton stalk feed is prepared from a mixture of cotton stalks and a fermentation liquid, wherein the mass-to-volume ratio of the cotton stalk mixture to the fermentation liquid is 100g:0.1mL. The cotton stalk mixture consists of tomato peels, corn syrup, and cotton stalks after mulching removal, with a weight ratio of 4:2:11. The fermentation liquid contains 2×10⁻⁶ Lactobacillus plantarum. 6 CFU / mL, Candida utilis concentration was 4.0 × 10⁻⁶. 5 CFU / mL, Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2.0×10 6 CFU / mL, Candida tropicalis 2×10 5 CFU / mL, Bacillus subtilis concentration was 3.0 × 10⁻⁶. 6 CFU / mL, Geotrichum candida albicans concentration was 2.0 × 10⁻⁶. 4 CFU / mL, Bacillus licheniformis 6.0×10 4 CFU / mL and *Pseudomonas putida* were 4.0 × 10⁻⁶. 5 CFU / mL; the solvent in the fermentation broth is sterile physiological saline (sodium chloride concentration of 0.85%), and the fermentation broth contains 0.1% trehalose (the % here refers to the weight-volume ratio, that is, 0.1g trehalose per 100mL of fermentation broth).

[0036] The preparation method steps are as follows:

[0037] On October 15th, cotton stalks were harvested and, after removing the mulch, were first shredded to a size of 0.5cm using a shredder. Then, they were kneaded in a mixer and mixed with tomato peels and corn syrup to obtain a cotton stalk mixture. Fermentation bacteria were sprayed into the mixture to obtain the fermentation substrate. The moisture content of the substrate was adjusted to 60%, and the substrate was then packaged using a specialized wrapping machine. Each package weighed 190kg and was wrapped with 16 layers of film, including 3 inner layers and 13 outer layers. After wrapping, the mixture underwent natural outdoor fermentation for 50 days.

[0038] Example 2

[0039] A cotton stalk feed is made from a mixture of cotton stalks and a fermentation liquid, wherein the mass-to-volume ratio of the cotton stalk mixture to the fermentation liquid is 100g:0.2mL. The cotton stalk mixture consists of tomato peels, corn syrup, and cotton stalks, and the weight ratio of the tomato peels, corn syrup, and cotton stalks is 6:4:13. The fermentation liquid contains 3 × 10⁻⁶ Lactobacillus plantarum. 6 CFU / mL, Candida utilis concentration was 4.5 × 10⁻⁶. 5 CFU / mL, Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2.5×10 6 CFU / mL, Candida tropicalis 3×10 5 CFU / mL, Bacillus subtilis concentration was 3.5 × 10⁻⁶. 6 CFU / mL, Geotrichum candida albicans concentration was 2.5 × 10⁻⁶. 4 CFU / mL, Bacillus licheniformis was 6.5 × 10⁻⁶. 4 CFU / mL and Pseudomonas putida were 4.5 × 10⁻⁶. 5 CFU / mL; the solvent in the fermentation broth is sterile physiological saline (sodium chloride concentration of 0.85%), and the fermentation broth contains 0.1% trehalose (the % here refers to the weight-volume ratio, that is, 0.1g trehalose per 100mL of fermentation broth).

[0040] The preparation method steps are as follows:

[0041] Cotton stalks were harvested on October 20th. First, a shredder was used to crush the stalks to a size of 1cm. Then, the stalks were rubbed in a mixer and mixed with tomato peels and cornmeal residue to obtain a cotton stalk mixture. Figure 1 As shown; the fermentation liquid is sprayed into the cotton straw mixture to obtain the fermentation substrate; the moisture content of the fermentation substrate is adjusted to 70%, and it is packaged into bales using a special wrapping machine, with each bale weighing 210 kg. Each bale is wrapped with 16 layers of film, including 3 inner layers and 13 outer layers. After wrapping, it is fermented outdoors naturally (e.g., ...). Figure 2 (As shown), fermentation takes 48 days.

[0042] Example 3

[0043] A cotton stalk feed is made from a mixture of cotton stalks and a fermentation liquid, wherein the mass-to-volume ratio of the cotton stalk mixture to the fermentation liquid is 100g:0.2mL. The cotton stalk mixture consists of tomato peels, corn syrup, and cotton stalks after mulching removal, with a weight ratio of 5:3:12. The fermentation liquid contains 1.5 × 10⁻⁶ Lactobacillus plantarum. 6 CFU / mL, Candida utilis concentration was 3.0 × 10⁻⁶. 5 CFU / mL, Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1.0×10 6CFU / mL, Candida tropicalis 1.2×10 5 CFU / mL, Bacillus subtilis 2.0×10 6 CFU / mL, Geotrichum candida albicans concentration was 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. 4 CFU / mL, Bacillus licheniformis 5.0 × 10⁻⁶ 4 CFU / mL and *Pseudomonas putida* were 3.0 × 10⁻⁶. 5 CFU / mL; the solvent in the fermentation broth is sterile physiological saline (sodium chloride concentration of 9%), and the fermentation broth contains 0.1% trehalose (the % here refers to the weight-volume ratio, that is, 0.1g trehalose per 100mL of fermentation broth).

[0044] The preparation method steps are as follows:

[0045] Cotton stalks were harvested on October 15th. After harvesting, any remaining mulch was removed from the mulched cotton stalks, yielding mulched cotton stalks. First, the mulched cotton stalks were shredded to a size of 0.8cm using a shredder, then kneaded in a mixer, and finally mixed with tomato peels and corn syrup to obtain a cotton stalk mixture. Fermentation solution was sprayed into the cotton stalk mixture to obtain the fermentation substrate. The moisture content of the fermentation substrate was adjusted to 65%, and then packaged using a specialized wrapping machine. Each package weighed 200kg and was wrapped with 16 layers of film, including 3 inner layers and 13 outer layers. After wrapping, the mixture underwent natural outdoor fermentation for 45 days.

[0046] Comparative Example 1

[0047] The difference from Example 3 is the removal of the film cleaning step; all other steps are the same as in Example 3.

[0048] Comparative Example 2

[0049] The difference from Example 3 is that corn sugar residue is replaced with beet sugar residue, otherwise it is the same as Example 3.

[0050] Comparative Example 3

[0051] The difference from Example 3 is that only Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus plantarum in the fermentation liquid are retained, while the remaining bacteria in the fermentation liquid are removed. Otherwise, it is the same as Example 3.

[0052] Comparative Example 4

[0053] The difference from Example 3 is that the weight ratio of tomato peel, corn residue and cotton stalks is adjusted to 2:5:13, while the rest is the same as Example 3.

[0054] Experimental Example 1

[0055] After the fermentation of Examples 3 and Comparative Examples 1-4 was completed, the pH value, crude protein content, neutral detergent fiber (DNF) degradation rate, and gossypol residue of the fermentation products were measured. The results are shown in Table 1. The cotton stalk feed obtained from Examples 3 and Comparative Examples 1-4 was fed to ewes, with 18 ewes in each group. Sufficient amount of feed was provided for the ewes to eat freely. The pre-feeding period was 10 days to adapt to the environment, and the formal experimental feeding was carried out for 80 days, for a total of 90 days.

[0056] Initial stage:

[0057] Non-pregnant period: Ewes were within 30 days after mating (pregnancy not confirmed) at the start of the experiment to avoid interference from early pregnancy hormonal fluctuations on weight gain data. Weight range: 45-55 kg (average weight difference between groups ≤5%).

[0058] 1. Feeding Management

[0059] Pre-feeding period: 10 days. All ewes are fed a basic diet (corn silage + concentrate) to adapt to the environment.

[0060] Formal experiment:

[0061] Free access to feed: Provide 120% of the previous day's feed intake daily (ensure sufficient intake), and record the daily feed intake and any remaining amount. Water: Provide free access to clean water, which should be changed daily. Trial duration: 80 days (covering the critical early to mid-pregnancy stages in ewes).

[0062] The following statistics were compiled: daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and ewe abortion rate. The method for calculating the ewe abortion rate was as follows:

[0063] Pregnancy confirmation: Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound on day 30 of the experiment (the number of pregnant ewes was recorded, such as 12 / 18 ewes in group 3 of Example 1).

[0064] Miscarriage diagnosis: Clinical symptoms: vaginal bleeding, expulsion of fetus. Ultrasound verification: A second scan at 60 days of gestation to confirm the number of viable fetuses.

[0065] The calculation formulas for each indicator are as follows:

[0066]

[0067] The results are shown in Table 2.

[0068] Table 1 Fermentation effect and nutritional indicators

[0069] Group pH value Crude protein (%) DNF degradation rate (%) Gossypol residue (ppm) Example 3 4.1 12.5 68 15 Comparative Example 1 4.8 9.3 42 85 Comparative Example 2 4.6 10.1 53 28 Comparative Example 3 4.9 8.7 35 92 Comparative Example 4 4.3 11.0 58 22

[0070] Table 2 Animal feeding effects

[0071] Group Daily weight gain (kg / day) Feed conversion ratio Ewe abortion rate (%) Example 3 1.36 3.2：1 5 Comparative Example 1 0.91 5.0：1 18 Comparative Example 2 1.02 4.3：1 12 Comparative Example 3 0.85 5.5：1 22 Comparative Example 4 1.18 3.8：1 9

[0072] The results above show that, compared with Example 3, Comparative Example 1, where the covering straw was not removed, resulted in a 467% increase in gossypol residue and a 260% increase in abortion rate, proving that removing the covering straw is a core step in ensuring safety. Compared with Example 3, the NDF degradation rate in Comparative Example 2 (beet pulp group) decreased by 22% because beet pulp fiber interfered with the decomposition of cotton straw by the microbial community. Compared with Example 3, Comparative Example 3, using only two types of bacteria, showed a 30% decrease in crude protein content, confirming the necessity of synergistic effects of eight types of bacteria on nutrient conversion. Compared with Example 3, Comparative Example 4, with a reduced proportion of tomato skin, resulted in a 13% decrease in daily weight gain because insufficient vitamin and pigment content affected palatability.

[0073] Comparative Example 5

[0074] The preparation method of corn silage is as follows:

[0075] Raw material preparation: Use ordinary corn stalks, which are directly shredded to 2-5cm after harvesting. Do not add cotton stalks or other hay; use only corn stalks.

[0076] Fermentation process: The crushed corn stalks are packed into bags and compacted to remove air. Each bag is wrapped with 16 layers of film, including 3 inner layers and 13 outer layers. No exogenous microbial agents are added; fermentation relies on the natural lactic acid bacteria present in the raw materials. The moisture content is adjusted to 65% (by spraying with water or natural drying).

[0077] Fermentation cycle: 45 days of sealed fermentation.

[0078] Experimental Example 2

[0079] The dry matter (DM) in the feeds obtained in Example 3 and Comparative Example 5 was determined separately: DM: the solid components of the feed after removing moisture, reflecting the actual nutrient concentration; crude protein (CP): all nitrogenous substances in the feed (including true protein and non-protein nitrogen), determined by the Kjeldahl method; crude fat (EE): lipids in the feed that can be dissolved in ether (including true fat, sterols, pigments, etc.); digestible energy (DE): the energy in the feed that can be used for metabolism after digestion and absorption by animals (usually calculated through animal experiments). The results are shown in Table 3. This indicates that the cotton stalk feed obtained in Example 3 of this invention has a nutritional advantage over corn silage.

[0080] Table 3. Nutritional composition of different feeds (on dry matter basis)

[0081] Feed type DM / (g / kg) CP / % EE / % DE / % Comparative Example 5 35.1 8.5 1.9 108 Example 3 46.2 8.5 2.1 111

[0082] Target animals: Xinjiang Brown Cattle, aged 2-3 years.

[0083] Feeding program: The experimental group received cotton stalk feed prepared in Example 3, while the control group received corn silage prepared in Comparative Example 5. Under the same feeding conditions and with the same amount of forage, the different feeds were fed to compare the weight gain of the animals. Both the experimental and control groups consisted of 15 cattle.

[0084] The pre-feeding period was 7 days. During this period, all experimental cattle were fed a basal diet (60% corn silage + 40% concentrate) at a daily rate of 3.0% of their body weight (dry matter basal). Immediately after the pre-feeding period, the cattle were switched to the corresponding group's feed, with daily dry matter feeding. Initial body weight was collected for each cattle, and thereafter weighed every two days. The daily feed addition and intake were also recorded in detail. The results are shown in Table 4.

[0085] Table 4 Weight Gain Results

[0086] stage Initial body weight (kg) 20 days (kg) 40 days (kg) Weight at the end of 60 days (kg) Comparative Example 5 250.4±2.9 270.2±2.7 292.7±2.7 311.6±2.9 Example 3 251.8±2.3 281.9±2.6 309.5±2.8 333.4±3.2

[0087] The results above show that the cotton stalk feed used in Example 3 of this invention has a higher weight gain effect than the corn silage group, with a 60-day weight gain of 21.8 kg more than the control group. The cumulative weight gain of Example 3 group was 81.6 kg, while that of Comparative Example 5 group was 61.2 kg. The average daily weight gain of Comparative Example 5 group was 1.02 kg / day over 60 days, while that of Example 3 group was 1.36 kg / day over 60 days, representing a 33.3% increase in daily weight gain compared to Comparative Example 5 group.

[0088] The difference in daily weight gain is due to the fact that the cotton stalk feed obtained in Example 3 of this invention has a greater advantage in nutritional composition than corn silage. Moreover, the cotton stalk feed obtained in Example 3 of this invention is fermented with fermentation liquid, which makes the final product rich in enzymes, beneficial microbial flora and small peptides and other fermentation metabolites, providing strong support for the growth of beef cattle. In addition, the cotton stalk feed obtained in Example 3 of this invention has the function of promoting the digestion and absorption of feed raw materials, thus improving the overall nutrient utilization rate.

[0089] Experimental Example 3

[0090] Experimental Study on the Effect of Feeding Dairy Cows with the Cotton Stalk Feed Obtained in Example 3 of the Present Invention

[0091] Target animals: lactating dairy cows.

[0092] Feeding program: The experimental group received cotton stalk feed obtained in Example 3, while the control group received corn silage obtained in Comparative Example 5. Both the experimental and control groups consisted of 15 cattle.

[0093] The average yields from six yield measurements during the experimental and control periods were compared to analyze the effectiveness of the cotton stalk feed obtained in Example 3 on dairy cows during lactation. The results are shown in Table 5.

[0094] Table 5. Changes in milk production (kg) of dairy cows

[0095]

[0096] As shown in Table 5, during the first week of the trial period, milk production decreased in the control group and increased in the experimental group. During the trial period, compared to before the trial, the control group experienced an average decrease of 3.37 kg / head / week; the experimental group experienced an average decrease of 1.4 kg / head / week, and an average increase of 1.97 kg / head / week. The experimental group demonstrated the best performance in terms of milk production. These data indicate that feeding dairy cows the cotton stalk feed of Example 3 of this invention can improve their nutritional status and enhance their production performance.

[0097] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cotton stalk feed, characterized in that, It is made from a mixture of cotton stalks and a fermentation liquid, wherein the cotton stalk mixture consists of tomato peels, sugar residue, and cotton stalks, and the weight ratio of the tomato peels, sugar residue, and cotton stalks is (4-6):(2-4):(11-13); the fermentation liquid contains ≥1.5 × 10⁻⁶ Lactobacillus plantarum. 6 CFU / mL, Candida utilis ≥3.0×10 5 CFU / mL, Saccharomyces cerevisiae ≥1.0×10 6 CFU / mL, Candida tropicalis ≥1.2×10 5 CFU / mL, Bacillus subtilis ≥2.0×10 6 CFU / mL, Geotrichum candidiasis ≥1.0×10 4 CFU / mL, Bacillus licheniformis ≥5.0×10 4 CFU / mL and ≥3.0 × 10⁻⁶ Pseudomonas putidae 5 CFU / mL.

2. The cotton stalk feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mass-to-volume ratio of the cotton stalk mixture and the fermentation liquid is 100g:0.1-0.2mL.

3. The cotton stalk feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sugar residue is corn sugar residue; the cotton stalks are cotton stalks after the mulch has been removed.

4. The cotton stalk feed according to claim 3, characterized in that, The corn residue contains ≥15% crude protein, ≥45% total sugar, ≤12% moisture, and ≤6% ash.

5. The cotton stalk feed according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solvent for the fermentation broth is physiological saline or phosphate buffer.

6. The method for preparing cotton stalk feed according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: mixing tomato peels, sugar residue, and cotton stalks to obtain a cotton stalk mixture; mixing the cotton stalk mixture with fermentation liquid, adjusting the moisture content to 60%–70%, wrapping, and then fermenting.

7. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The cotton stalks mentioned are cotton stalks that have been crushed and rubbed.

8. The preparation method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The pulverization refers to pulverizing to a thickness of 0.5cm to 1cm.

9. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The fermentation is carried out outdoors naturally, and the fermentation time is more than 45 days.

10. The preparation method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The package is wrapped in film, and the weight of a single film-wrapped package is 190kg to 210kg.

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