For other uses of the term straw, see straw (disambiguation) Rolls of straw Pile of straw bales, sheltered under a tarpaulin Straw is an agricultural byproduct, the dry stalk of a cereal plant, after the nutrient grain or seed has been removed. Straw makes up about half of the yield of a cereal crop such as wheat, oats, rye or barley. In times gone by, it was regarded as a useful by-product of the harvest, but with the advent of the combine harvester, straw has become more of a burden, almost a nuisance to farmers. However, straw can be put to many uses, old and new. Uses of straw Biofuels The use of straw as a carbon-neutral energy source is increasing rapidly, especially for biobutanol. Bedding humans or livestock The straw-filled mattress, also known as palliasse, is still used in many parts of the world. It is often sold as bedding and food for small animals, but this often leads to injuries to mouth, nose and eyes as straw is quite sharp. Feed for livestock Straw may be fed as part of the roughage component of the diet to cattle that are on a near maintenance level of energy intake. It has a low digestible energy and nutrient content. However, the heat generated when microorganisms in a herbivores' gut digest straw can be useful in maintaining body temperature in cold climates. However due to the risk of injuries, hay is a much better alternative. Thatching Thatched roofs are becoming increasingly popular, and the skills of a master thatcher are once again in demand. Packaging Straw is resistant to being crushed and therefore makes a good packing material. A company in France makes a straw mat sealed in thin plastic sheets. Straw envelopes for wine bottles have become rarer, but are still to be found at some wine merchants. Paper Straw can be pulped to make paper. Archery targets Heavy gauge straw rope is coiled and sewn tightly together. This is no longer done entirely by hand, but is partially mechanised. Horse collars Working horses are making a comeback, and there is a need for horse collars stuffed with good quality rye straw. Being a "long straw filler" is a highly skilled job. Construction material: bricks / cob In many parts of the world, straw is used to bind clay and concrete. This mixture of clay and straw, known as cob, can be used as a building material. There are many recipes for making cob. When baled, straw has excellent insulation characterics. It can be used, alone or in a post-and-beam construction, to build straw bale houses. Rope Rope made from straw was used by thatchers, in the packaging industry and even in iron foundries. Straw plait for the hatting industry Until about 100 years ago, thousands of women and children in England were employed in the straw hat making industry. Nowadays the straw plait is imported. Basketry Bee skeps and linen baskets are made from coiled and bound together continuous lengths of straw. The technique is known as lip work. Horticulture Straw is used in cucumber houses and for mushroom growing. In Japan, certain trees are wrapped with straw to protect them from the effects of a hard winter as well as to use them as a trap for parasite insects. It is also used in ponds to 'soak up' algae. The soil under strawberries is covered with straw to protect the ripe berries from dirt. Straw also makes an excellent mulch. Decoration Corn dollies Straw marquetry Harvest crosses See also Iogen Corporation Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Straw hay Search Term: "Straw" Categories: Biofuels | Packaging materials | Biodegradable materials | Livestock

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Cenk Uygur: The Straw That Broke Iraq's Back 

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