Oat Screenings: A Novel Swine Feedstuff

Abstract

<p>The objective of the study was to evaluate ground oat screenings as a substitute dietary ingredient for wheat middlings in swine finishing diets. Due to the high fiber content of oat screenings, heavy finishing pigs were used in the trial. Pigs fed diets containing 20% oat screenings grew slower and less efficiently than pigs fed either Basal diets or diets containing 20% wheat middlings (P < 0.01). Average daily feed intake was not different. Backfat depth was not different across treatments, but pigs fed 20% oat screenings had smaller loin muscle areas (P = 0.0016) as measured using digital ultrasound. Overall, if ground oat screenings have a consistent analysis and supply, it may become a valuable feed ingredient for finishing swine diets with proper supplementation. Additional research would help clarify its true feeding value for swine.</p>