Feeding Value of Oats in Livestock Diets Dr. Greg Lardy

Outline Introduction Comparison of oats to other feed grains Role of oats in livestock rations Opportunities for the future

United States Oat Production USDA NASS, 2006

Top 5 Oat Producing States (2005) Wisconsin (20.6 million acres) North Dakota (19.8 million acres) South Dakota (19.4 million acres) Minnesota (18.4 million acres) Iowa (16.8 million acres) USDA NASS, 2006

Nutrient Content of Selected Feed Grains Oats Corn Barley Wheat TDN, % 77 90 88 NEg, Mcal/lb 0.55 0.70 0.64 0.68 CP, % 13.6 9.8 13.2 14.2 UIP, % CP 17 55 27 23 NDF, % 29.3 10.8 18.1 11.8 ADF, % 14.0 3.3 5.8 4.2 NRC, 1996

Relative Rates of Ruminal Starch Fermentation Oats Wheat Barley High Moisture Corn Steam-Flaked Corn Rolled Corn, Steam Flaked Milo Whole Shelled Corn Rolled Milo Fast Slow Stock and Britton, 1986 Herrera-Saldana et al., 1990

Oats as a Feed Grain Where does oats fit in livestock rations? What are the nutrients needed? What are the attributes of oats which make it an attractive feed?

Oats as a Feed Grain Beef cattle Can be used in a wide variety of applications Growing and finishing Forage supplement Creep feeding Dairy cattle Can also be used in a wide variety of diets Question: Cost effectiveness relative to other feed grains

Oats as a Feed Grain Processing Little processing is needed in most cases Cattle, especially younger animals, ruminate adequately to break oats into smaller particle sizes

Effect of Oat Processing Method on Cattle Performance Oats Steam Flaked Corn Dry Rolled Steam Rolled- Course Steam Rolled- Thin DMI, kg 7.95 9.20 9.27 8.97 ADG, kg 1.64 1.53 1.59 1.38 F:G 4.85 6.01 5.85 6.50 Diet NEg 1.27 1.31 1.19 Zinn, 1993; J. Anim. Sci

Oats as a Feed Grain Anti-nutritional factors None apparent

Oats as a Feed Grain Energy content Lower than other cereal grains due to the presence of the hull 24 to 30% of the kernel weight Decreases with lower test weight due to greater hull proportion Light Wt Oats under 30 lbs -- 66% TDN Medium Wt 30 to 34 lbs -- 69% TDN Heavy Oats 35 lbs and up -- 72% TDN

Oats as a Feed Grain Protein content Greater than corn Greater proportion of degradable protein (protein needed by the ruminal microorganisms) Mineral content Low in calcium, high in phosporus Similar to other feed grains

Oats as a Feed Grain Equine market Oats is very popular among horse owners Bulky Unlikely to cause digestive disturbances Protein content higher relative to corn Can be fed whole, rolled or crimped

Oats as a Feed Grain Equine market Supplemental calcium, vitamin, and trace minerals are required Growing horses Supplemental protein and/or amino acids may also be needed depending on forage quality

Oats as a Feed Grain Hull-less or naked oats Increased nutrient density (energy, protein, fat) relative to hulled oats Successful feeding in ruminant diets requires careful feeding management Specialty markets, esp. monogastrics, may see more widespread adoption Energy density

Summary Oats is a useful livestock feed Major use is in the equine market Lower energy density (safer) and increased protein content Use in cattle feeds is declining Cost per unit of energy Still a popular creep feed

Questions??