WEIGHT PER BUSHEL 



153 



kernel of oats. 5 The figures give the total number of pounds of the 

 constituents in 100 pounds of dry matter : 



Composition of Parts 



The data show the oat kernel to be very high in protein and 

 fat, while the hull is high in fiber. Also in comparing the carbohy- 

 drates in kernel and hull, it should be noted that in the oat kernel 

 this constituent is largely starch, and more valuable as a feed than 

 the cellulose material of the hull, a form of carbohydrate lower in 

 feeding value than starch. In fact, oat hulls are not much different 

 in feeding value from oat straw. 



Estimating Value of Oat Grain. Oats are usually bought or 

 sold by weight. If we estimate the feeding value of oats on the per 

 cent of kernel contained, it is evident that oats containing 75 pounds 

 of kernel to 100 pounds of oats are more valuable than those 

 containing only 60 pounds. 



Example: If oats with 25 per cent hull are worth $1.25 per hundred, 

 how much are oats with 40 per cent hull worth, estimating the comparative 

 value on the kernel only? 



Weight per Bushel. The legal weight of a measured bushel of 

 oats in the United States is 32 pounds, with the exception of a few 

 States, while in Canada it is 34 pounds. 



Oats commonly vary in weight from 25 to 35 pounds per 

 bushel. Very heavy oats will occasionally weigh 40 to 45 pounds 

 and very light oats as low as 20 pounds. The average oat crop 

 weighs less than 32 pounds per bushel. In the market No. 1 oats 

 must weigh 32 pounds per bushel ; No. 2 oats 28 or 29 pounds; and 

 No. 3 oats 24 pounds. Ordinarily there is a difference in price of 

 one to three cents per bushel in a grade. All other things being 

 equal the heavier oats will be more valuable, but not always, as well 



Farmers' Bulletin 420, 16. 



