1. Feeding Value of Oats in Livestock Diets
Dr. Greg Lardy

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

3. United States Oat Production
USDA NASS, 2006

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Oats as a Feed Grain
Anti-nutritional factors
None apparent

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Questions??