Performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed a low acid-detergent lignin hull, high-oil groat oat in growing and finishing diets

Optimized utilization of the co-products from bioethanol processing and oat grain: effect of blending on biochemical, biodegradation, and nutritional profiles

The objective of this study was to (1) optimize the utilization of wheat-based dried distillers grains with soluble (wDDGS) by blending with oat ( Avena sativa L.) grain as an alternative feed for beef cattle when the barley price is high and (2) investigate the effect of blending on biochemical, biodegradation, and nutritional profiles. Oat grains were blended with wDDGS produced in western Canada at different levels (4:0, 3:1, 2:2, and 1:3 on %DM basis in two batches, denoted O0, O25, O50, and O75, respectively). The study revealed that increasing the wDDGS resulted in increasing most nutrient contents linearly (P < 0.05) except for starch and cell wall materials, which were linearly decreased (from 43.6 to 12.0% and from 34.5 to 29.1% of DM for starch and NDF, respectively). When wDDGS was increased in the blend/mixture, intestinally absorbable protein and degradable balance of protein increased (P < 0.05). Overall, through blending or combining with the cereal grain, the co-products from bioethanol processing could be optimally utilized. The best combination of oat to wDDGS ratio was 75% to 25%.

The effects of a low lignin hull, high oil groat oat on the performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle

Arya, S. and McKinnon, J. J. 2011. The effects of a low lignin hull, high oil groat oat on the performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 685–693. A study was conducted to evaluate inclusion levels of a low lignin hull, high oil groat oat (CDC SO-I) on the performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. Two hundred crossbred steers (average weight of 427.3 kg±22.4) fed in 20 pens (10 head per pen) were used. Five treatments, formulated by replacing barley grain with increasing levels of CDC SO-I oat (Barley grain:CDC SO-I oat ratios of 100:0; 75:25; 50:50; 25:75 and 0:100; DM basis) were used. Over the entire study, there was a linear decrease (P<0.01) in DMI and ADG with increasing inclusion level of CDC SO-I oat. There was a quadratic effect (P=0.03) on gain to feed with similar values for steers fed 100:0, 75:25, 50:50 and 75:25 and then decreasing for the 0:100 treatment. Days on feed increased (P=0.03) quadratically with steers fed the 75:25 and 0:100 treatments spending the longest time on feed. Increasing the inclusion level of CDC SO-I oat in the diet also linearly decreased (P<0.01) carcass weight, dressing percentage and carcass grade fat. However, there was no effect of treatment on l. dorsi area and lean meat yield. There was no effect (P>0.05) of treatment on marbling score. Overall, the results of this study indicate that replacement of barley grain by CDC SO-I oat in finishing diets decreases DMI and as a result leads to reduced ADG, increased days on feed and lower slaughter and carcass weights.