AustrAliAn oAten hAy The Effective Fibre Source for Livestock

1 AustrAliAn oAten hay The Effective Fibre Source for Livestock Inside: oAten Hay (Avena Sativa) is an annual grass cereal that is used as a prime Source of digestible Fibre for Livestock . The unique qualities of oAten hay as a oAten Hay 2-5 conserved Fibre Source are: feed Analysis 5 1. Highly digestible Fibre AFG Story 6 2. A palatable Source for Livestock How Oat Hay is 3. A palatable Source for Livestock feed produced 6 4. A reputation as the sweet hay . 5. A texture soft to touch Bale Sizes 7 6. Low levels of potassium Contact Details 8 7. Low levels of nitrate nitrogen (<500ppm). 8. Safe to feed 9. The ability to be fed alone or as part of a total mix ration 10. Non-GMO varieties as grown in Australia 11.

2 Low levels of contamination 12. Consistent quality oAten hay has been traded internationally as a feed Source from Australia since 1990. It is known by dairy farmers throughout both Asia and Australia as a reliable and safe feed which cows will readily eat. oAten crop prior to cutting oAten hay ready for feeding Special points of interest: Highly digestible Fibre Palatable Low in Potassium Consistent quality Safe to feed Compliments Alfalfa Hay oAten hay has higher palatability than alfalfa, straw or other cereal hays Highly Digestible Fibres This product has the edge on other ingredients in the attempt to increase intake and can have impact on both graphs. oAten hay is a low potassium cereal hay with high palatability, thus reducing The Fibre in oAten hay is highly digestible.

3 It stimulates rumen function post calving metabolic problems. and thereby aids protein and nutrient use as well as increasing milk Key factors for post calving metabolic problems are: volume. 1. Retained placentas, leads to metritis. Farmers can lose Livestock can maintain high performance on a diet balanced with oAten hay is used as a some cows particularly in summer where oAten hay. The features of oAten hay Fibre that make it so suitable are: prime Source of Fibre and temperatures > 30 C (up to 10% die). 1. Physically Effective Neutral Detergent Fibre (peNDF) compliments the use of 2. Metritis - loss of milk production can be 50% for the 2. Potentially lower NDF levels compared t0 alternative Fibre sources alfalfa, not competes with it lactation if not detected early and better palatability than many other hays with high peNDF.

4 Dairy cows feeding on 3. Milk fever - 10% of cows get culled and remaining AustrAliAn oAten hay cows have loss of production of 10%. Palatability oAten hay is used specifically for feeding dry stock and transition Known as sweet Hay When presented with oAten hay, animals will cow groups where palatability is of readily consume it, whether it is a sole feed or the utmost importance. Traditional oAten hay breeding programs in Australia have produced hay varieties specifically component of a ration. designed for dairy feeding. These varieties are sweet to taste and are charactarised by high levels The high palatability of oAten hay reduces feed rejection. Very little oAten hay will be left uneaten in of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC).

5 Front of animals compare to many other feeds. For the Livestock , WSC contributes to metabolised energy levels which are utilised for production and body maintenance. A high level of WSC is also a good indicator of the plant nutrient balance and smell that influence the animals' preference for choosing and eating oAten hay. Palatable to dry cows and Transition Cows oAten hay is used specifically for feeding dry stock and transition cow groups where palatability is of the utmost importance. Soft to touch Southern Australia is Transition groups have reduced feed intake level which can lead to charactarised by long, hot AFG's oAten hay is described by customers as soft to post calving problems. Adequate feed intake can help avoid many touch.

6 It is suggested that this too contributes to the summers and cool, mild of the post calving metabolic problems seen in dairy herds, which can make oAten hay a valuable part of your business much like it is in the animals' preference for oAten hay, thereby promoting full no irrigation and consumption at feed presentation. low N2 inputs produces AustrAliAn dairy industry. The reputation of AFG's soft to touch oAten hay is the high quality oAten hay Resting dairy cows using oAten hay result of on-going advances in hay varieties and hay making techniques in Australia and have contributed to AustrAliAn Fodder Group's oAten hay reputation as a highly profitable fodder Source . The AustrAliAn environment also plays a part in this feature of oAten hay.

7 The Mediterranean style . climate in South Australia is charactarised by long hot summers and cool mild winters, which produce a clean, green and natural product with low N2 inputs, no irrigation and high quality. Buyers believe this feature is unique to AustrAliAn oAten hay and is the basis for its ready acceptance by Livestock Low in Potassium By world standards, AustrAliAn farming uses low fertiliser and chemical inputs and one crop per year. This reflects in the quality of an oAten hay crop, being low in volume per hectare, but of very high quality. Fig. 1: Pre-calving nutrition highlighting perennial problem - the cow Fig 2: Metabolise Energy Effect Post Calving - the Along with low fertiliser inputs, potassium levels in oAten hay are on needs intake and they don't want to eat it.

8 Deficiency of energy in early lactation average below This is important for dairy farmers specifically when formulating feed rations. Lower potassium levels also contribute to a reduced risk of milk fever occurring on a diet that includes oAten hay. Low inputs of fertiliser and chemicals on oAten hay from Australia page 2 page 3. Low in nitrate levels Varieties grown in Australia are Non-GMO. The low fertiliser style of farming in Australia produces oAten hay varieties used in Australia are bred without using oAten hay that is low in nitrate nitrogen. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) and techniques. Plant The levels of nitrate nitrogen in oAten hay are generally breeders use traditional plant breeding methods to ensure full acceptance by customers in overseas markets.

9 Below 500ppm. Quality Assurance AustrAliAn oAten hay is naturally low in nitrate nitrogen oAten hay variety trials Through its Quality Management System program, AFG works with contributing hay growers to ensure the best methods and most appropriate techniques are used to produce a consistent and high quality product. Safe to feed Growers are educated in quality control and acceptable standards for on-farm hay growing and AFG staff continually monitor crops to ensure there are no contamination issues. Low N2 inputs result in a product which is safe to and shipment of the product. feed . A clean, green farming system and product The low input style of farming in southern Australia means the use of chemicals to control weeds and A major feature of the QMS is full traceability of the helps farmers know their animals and milk is not insects is generally limited in nature and a full crop history is provided before purchase of the hay.

10 Product, which gives users of AFG hay a guarantee threatened in any way that may be of concern to that any query will be answered promptly and AFG is aware of market sensitivity to all farming inputs and through the QMS, crops are fully traceable them and their customers. accurately. to give buyers peace of mind. AFG's Quality Management System (QMS). program enhances this by providing a full quality A product from a low input control protocol in the growing, testing, processing Typical Analysis of oAten hay by grade system helps dairy farmers know their cows and milk are AFG AFG AFG. not threatened in any way. Grade Premium Standard No. 2. Consistent Quality Water soluble carbohydrates 18% 15% 12%. Digestibility 60% 58% 55%.