Increasing the value and marketability of feed grains for the grains industry

Background:

As the growing seasons across southern Australia appear to be becoming increasingly variable, the ability to finish livestock to a saleable weight is becoming increasingly challenging without grain supplementation. The demand for feed grains is predicted to dramatically increase with livestock managers likely to start sourcing grain based on the predicted value to livestock productivity rather than purely on a $/t basis. There is an opportunity for grain growers to capitalise on this growth area by marketing grain based on its nutritive value.

The nutritive value of all feed grains and their varieties appears to be highly variable, but other than the seasonal effects on grain protein little is known or published about the inherent value of feed grains as attributable to species, variety and the environment in which it is grown.

Outcomes:

Identification of trends in nutritive value of species, varieties and rainfall regions

• Provide growers with greater flexibility in selecting varieties suited to their market needs
• Increase the value and marketing options of feed grains for growers

This project commenced in 2010 and has analysed 480 grain samples from the 2010 season and 40 grain samples from the 2009 season. Up to 11 different varieties of four cereal grains (oats, barley, triticale and wheat) have been included. A similar range of samples are planned to be sampled over the 2011 and 2012 harvests.

The nutritive value of the grains between harvests will be compared to determine which attributes are affected by season and which are characteristic of the grain.

This project is supported by funding from Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and assistance has been generously provided by the teams and managers from the NVT and Hart trial sites as well as those at SARDI’s oat breeding program.

The project and its outcomes will be discussed at field days during 2012 and 2013 and project results will be published on conclusion of the project in accordance with GRDC policy.

Field Day Presentations: