source: Farm and Food Report
Frost damaged and sprouted grain can be a valuable resource as livestock feed. Bryan Doig is a Livestock Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization:
"Because of the cold wet weather in July, the early frost in August and the late harvest in the fall, there were many thousands of acres of affected crops across the province in 2004 that represent a real opportunity as a livestock food source now."
To encourage producers to take advantage of this opportunity, SAFRR has just produced an information sheet that gives clear directives and helps evaluate the relative feed values of damaged cereal grains.
"Frozen or sprouted grain, for instance, will often comparatively higher protein levels than normal, unaffected grain, but contains less carbohydrates or energy. Producers might want to take advantage of this inexpensive feed for backgrounding rations and wintering cows. The trick is to measure feed by the pound rather than by the bushel, or by weight rather than volume."
According to Doig, livestock fed frost-damaged and sprouted grain perform similarly to livestock fed undamaged grain. It just requires a 5 to 10% increase in the amount fed to compensate for the slightly lower energy content.
In the case of canola, frost damage generates a lower feed value than undamaged canola, but it can still be incorporated into many livestock rations.
When unsure about the feed value of damaged grain, the best and most accurate method to find out is to have the feed analyzed at a feed testing laboratory.
Doig points out that other limitations may apply to the use of frost-damaged or sprouted grain:
"The difference in kernel size, shape and hardness should be taken into account and adjustments to milling equipment might be necessary. It might also be advisable to test mouldy grain for mould type and toxins.
For more information, you can access the Feeding Frost-Damaged and Sprouted Grain to Livestock online document.
Frost damaged and sprouted grain can be a valuable resource as livestock feed. Bryan Doig is a Livestock Development Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization:
"Because of the cold wet weather in July, the early frost in August and the late harvest in the fall, there were many thousands of acres of affected crops across the province in 2004 that represent a real opportunity as a livestock food source now."
To encourage producers to take advantage of this opportunity, SAFRR has just produced an information sheet that gives clear directives and helps evaluate the relative feed values of damaged cereal grains.
"Frozen or sprouted grain, for instance, will often comparatively higher protein levels than normal, unaffected grain, but contains less carbohydrates or energy. Producers might want to take advantage of this inexpensive feed for backgrounding rations and wintering cows. The trick is to measure feed by the pound rather than by the bushel, or by weight rather than volume."
According to Doig, livestock fed frost-damaged and sprouted grain perform similarly to livestock fed undamaged grain. It just requires a 5 to 10% increase in the amount fed to compensate for the slightly lower energy content.
In the case of canola, frost damage generates a lower feed value than undamaged canola, but it can still be incorporated into many livestock rations.
When unsure about the feed value of damaged grain, the best and most accurate method to find out is to have the feed analyzed at a feed testing laboratory.
Doig points out that other limitations may apply to the use of frost-damaged or sprouted grain:
"The difference in kernel size, shape and hardness should be taken into account and adjustments to milling equipment might be necessary. It might also be advisable to test mouldy grain for mould type and toxins.
For more information, you can access the Feeding Frost-Damaged and Sprouted Grain to Livestock online document.
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