Commercial interest had surged regarding the use of oats in poultry rations, as anecdotal evidence suggested that birds fed on oat diets performed better than their nutritional descriptions implied.
AFENO Project
Project Overview
KEY INFORMATION
- Advances in genetic breeding at IGER, Aberystwyth, established naked oats as a viable break crop for growers.
- Advanced varieties of ‘high oil’ naked oats offer the potential for significantly improved performance in monogastric diets.
More Information
Oats offer growers a valuable cereal break crop option. However, their relatively modest annual production has been hampered by a lack of viable markets to ensure attractive returns for cultivators. The animal feed market holds the potential to double the area of oats under production, simultaneously providing compounders with a starch-based, high-energy alternative to the large quantities of wheat currently used in poultry diets. An expansion in the cultivated area of oats would also bring environmental benefits, promoting biodiversity alongside the advantages of lower fertiliser, herbicide, and pesticide usage compared to wheat.
The AFENO project was initiated to conduct a coordinated research programme. Its aim was to test the advantages of naked oats for:
- Growers: As an economic break crop.
- The Poultry Industry: As an effective ingredient in broiler and turkey rations.
- Consumers: Through improved meat quality.