Ørskov: We have not so far considered alternative uses of straw for industrial purposes.
Van Soest: The hemicellulose fraction which can be utilised by ruminants is of no value for paper making.
Reed: There are many issues relating to variation in straw quality which remain unresolved. This requires cooperation between animal nutritionists and plant breeders in research programmes to resolve the problems.
Jenkins: It is unlikely that any efforts will be made to breed for straw quality in Western Europe.
Goe: For developing countries we should start examining how farmers value their crop residues and how they utilise them.
Witcombe: ICRISAT has conducted such investigations with millet in India and found that farmers knew which varieties yielded more stover. As a consequence it is necessary to screen for crop residue yield and quality. In the ICRISAT millet breeding programme we are selecting for high fodder yield.
Fussell: It appears that the introduction of new sorghum and millet varieties in West Africa has resulted in a reduction in biomass per hectare and there has been a reduction in leafiness.
Ørskov: At what stage in a breeding programme would you approach farmers to get their views on what they would require in terms of straw yield and quality?
Jenkins: I do not think this would be necessary at any stage in Western Europe.
Gupta: Plant breeding programmes will vary in their priorities in different parts of the world according to the relative importance of crop residues.
