Knowra Straw Straw Straw is the dry stalks and leaves left after cereal grains are harvested. It is used as animal bedding and feed, mulch, building material, and a source of biomass.
Straw bale construction : A building method that uses compacted straw bales as wall or roof insulation and, in some designs, structure. Baled straw can form thick, insulating walls when protected from moisture.
Cereal : A grass cultivated primarily for its edible grain, such as wheat, rice, or barley. Straw is the vegetative residue of cereal crops after grain harvest.
Combine harvester : A machine that harvests grain crops by reaping, threshing, and separating grain from plant material. A combine typically separates grain while leaving or distributing straw behind.
Soil erosion : The removal of soil by water, wind, or other forces. Leaving straw on fields can shield soil from raindrops and wind.
Mulch : A layer of material spread over soil to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate temperature. Spread over fields or gardens, straw mulch shields soil and limits evaporation.
Crop residue : Plant material remaining in a field after crops are harvested or processed. Straw is one kind of crop residue, alongside leaves, husks, and other remains.
Threshing : The process of separating grain from harvested stalks and seed heads. Threshing frees grain from the crop material that becomes straw.
Soil organic matter : The decomposed and decomposing plant, animal, and microbial material in soil. Straw returned to fields can contribute to soil organic matter over time.
Animal bedding : Material placed in animal housing to absorb moisture and provide a dry resting surface. Straw’s low cost and absorbency make it a common bedding material for livestock.
Stubble : The short lower portions of crop stalks left rooted in a field after cutting. Stubble remains rooted, while straw is the harvested stalk material.
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