Feeding cereal grains to livestock: oats

Oat grains can be fed whole to calves up to eight months of age (and sheep of all ages), due to their high fibre content and high percentage of husk, which take a long time to be broken down by rumen microbes.

Whole oats can be fed to older cattle, but some grains are likely to remain undigested. If whole grains appear in the animals’ dung, it is likely that rolling will improve their digestibility.

The relatively balanced composition of oats means they are less likely to cause digestive upsets and can therefore be fed in larger amounts than other cereal grains.

An upper daily inclusion rate of 50% of the total daily dry matter intake (DMI) is recommended, depending on level of performance required. This is due to their high oil level and lower metabolised energy content compared with other cereals.

Oats are an excellent feed for youngstock and breeding animals but are less suitable for finishing rations, in which rapid growth rates are required. However, adding 10–15% of oats to high-starch rations (above 36% starch) may be useful to improve rumen health.

Huskless (naked) oats with higher oil and lower lignin levels have been developed. Recent work, as part of a Defra-funded project, showed no benefits of huskless oats, in terms of methane reduction or improved animal performance. The focus for breeders will be low-lignin husked oats.

Table 3. Average nutrient composition of dry oat grain (% in DM or MJ/kg DM for ME)

Better nutrient-scavenging ability than wheat or barley so may be suited to poorer soils. Less sensitive to soil acidity and will grow well at pH 5.5.

Typical yield for winter oats is 8.4 t/ha, spring oats is 8.2 t/ha.

Specialist varieties are available, according to sowing season. See ahdb.org.uk /rl for recommended varieties.

Optimum sowing dates range from mid-September to mid-October, and February to April. Autumn-sown crops can be susceptible to winter kill so spring crops are more popular in the North.

Carry out routine soil tests every three to four years to check pH, P and K. More information is available in the Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) or consult a FACTS-qualified adviser.

Avoid growing in fields with grass weed problems. Pre-emergence and post-emergence options are available. Consult a BASIS-qualified agronomist for specific recommendations.

Pests are predominantly influenced by previous cropping and soil type, e.g. wireworm and leatherjackets may be a problem after a grass ley. See AHDB Encyclopaedia of pests and natural enemies in field crops.

Crown rust, powdery mildew, barley yellow dwarf virus and ergot can be particular problems. For identification, see AHDB/BASF The encyclopedia of cereal diseases.