Livestock / human oats come from the same field, often processed in the same plant, contain the same nutrients, yet are magnitudes cheaper (~$15 for 50 lbs). It is read that Richard Proenneke also ate livestock oats due to the lower costs.
The livestock oats I am looking at are "steam rolled oats", they are just liked Quaker oats you'd find at the store, they are rolled (husk removed) and steamed. Some forums have suggested to buy "racehorse" oats as they will be the highest quality to feed multi-million dollar horses.
Arguments may be that foreign material may be present (dust, some husks, bugs, etc) which are all valid. But I do not see feed oats cant be used if chosen carefully. Anything potentially harmful will be killed during the cooking process.
I would freeze excess oats for storage to kill off any eggs/bugs (weevil's, etc).
Thoughts?