Effect of Variety on the Potential Nutritive Value of Oat Hays

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the differences in the chemical composition, in vitro gas production (GP), methane production (CH4), metabolizable energy (ME), and in vitro organic matter digestion (IVOMD) of oat hay varieties commonly used in ruminant feeding (Küçükyayla, Kahraman, Kırklar, ST-4, Yeniceri, Sebat, and Arslanbey). The oat hay varieties in the study were harvested during the flowering period in the 2019-2020 season in Kahramanmaras province. The in vitro findings of this study revealed significant differences among oat hay varieties in terms of their chemical composition, in vitro gas production, methane production, ME and IVOMD (P<0.001). The crude protein (CP) content of oat hays ranged from 7.61% to 9.57%, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ranged from 64.46% to 72.96%, acid detergent fiber (ADF) ranged from 36.74% to 41.70%, crude ash (CA) ranged from 6.56% to 7.91%, metabolizable energy ranged from 6.96 to 7.98 MJ kg-1 DM, IVOMD ranged from 67.30% to 74.90%, and methane production rate ranged from 15.42% to 16.35%. The Yeniceri variety stood out with a NDF content of 64.46%, an ADF content of 36.74%, a ME of 7.98 MJ kg-1 DM, and an IVOMD of 74.90%. ST-4 had the highest in vitro gas production with 49.46 ml, while Sebat had the highest methane production rate with 15.42%. In conclusion, considering the chemical composition and fermentation parameters, the Yeniceri variety can be considered a potential source of forage, but further in vivo studies are needed to assess their effects on feed intake and animal production.