Wheat requires processing for feeding to cattle otherwise large amount remain undigested. Processing methods can be mechanical or chemical (sodium hydroxide or aqueous ammonia) but these require specialised equipment and/or the use of contractors. The objective of this trial was to evaluate moist wheat fed whole, but treated with urea at harvest as a means of generating ammonia in situ, in diets for intensively finished cattle.

Eighty tonnes of wheat (variety Riband) was harvested on 21-22 August 1997 at a dry matter (DM) of 750 g/kg and treated immediately with 53 l/tonne of a urea solution (430 g urea/litre) to supply 30 g urea/kg wheat DM. Treatment was achieved by applying the urea to the wheat as it was augered into the storage silo, which was then sealed with polythene.