Ninety-six crossbred steers (312 kg) were used in a 118-d feedlot grow
th performance trial to determine the relative effects of degree of st
eam processing on the feeding value of oats in a 90% concentrate finis
hing diet. Treatments were 1) steam-flaked corn (SFC, density = .28 kg
/L); 2) dry-rolled oats (DRO, density = .36 kg/L); 3) steam-rolled oat
s, coarse flake (SRO-C, density = .33 kg/L); and 4) steam-rolled oats,
thin flake (SRO-T density = .17 kg/L). Feed intake was similar (P > .
10) across oats treatments. However, ADG was lower (13.2%, P < .01) an
d feed/gain was higher (11.1%, P < .05) for SRO-T than for SRO-C diets
. Diet NE(m) was 7.2% lower (P < . 10) for SRO-T than for SRO-C diets.
Daily weight gain was greater (9.3%, P < .01) and feed intake and fee
d/gain were lower (13.1 and 20.8%, respectively; P < .01) for SFC than
for oats treatments. Diet NE(m) and NE(g) were higher (20.0 and 26.5%
, respectively; P < .01) for SFC than for oats treatments. Dressing pe
rcentage was 2.5% lower (P < .01) in steers fed the oats diets than in
those fed the SFC diet. Four Holstein steers (232 kg) with cannulas i
n the rumen and proximal duodenum were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square ex
periment to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of digestion
. Ruminal digestibility of OM, starch, and ADF were similar (P > .10)
for oats treatments, averaging 58.2, 93.5, and 9.6%, respectively. Rum
inal digestibility of OM was greater (19.2%; P < .01) for SFC than for
oats diets. Passage of nonammonia N to the small intestine was greate
r (17.1%, P < .05) for oats than for SFC diets. Total tract digestion
of OM, ADF, and starch were greater (14.0, 62.1, and 1%, respectively;
P < .01) for SFC than for oats diets. The DE and ME values were great
er (11.4 and 11.9%, respectively; P < .01) for SFC than for oats diets
. The DE and ME values were greater (P < .05) for SRO than for DRO die
ts. It is concluded that current feed standards are accurate for DRO (
1.88 Mcal/kg, DM basis). However, steam processing and rolling to prod
uce a course flake will further increase its energy value 7.6%. Thin r
olling may decrease the feeding value of steam-processed oats. The com
parative NE(m) of DRO, SRO-C, and SRO-T averaged 1.85, 1.99, and 1.72
Mcal/kg, respectively.