What oat variety should I sow on the wheatbelt for grain that can also be cut for hay?
We recommend Bannister Oats, a high-yielding, mid-season, tall-dwarf milling oat suited to both grain and oaten hay. It establishes quickly, produces plenty of bulk from autumn through to spring and is widely grown on WA's sands and gravels, including acidic soils. Sow at 55–130 kg/ha, depending on your target plant density, rainfall and paddock.
Can I graze an oat crop over winter and still take it through to grain?
Many growers lightly graze oats before stem elongation and then lock them up for grain or hay. Bannister Oats can be managed this way, but grazing may reduce grain yield, especially in a tight season. Graze only when plants are well anchored, and remove stock before the first node appears.
When is the best time to sow oats in WA's Great Southern?
Oats such as our Bannister Oats are usually sown from autumn into early winter after a reliable break. Sow into moist soil at a typical cereal depth, at 55–130 kg/ha, adjusting the rate for your rainfall, soil type and target plant density. Bannister establishes quickly and produces plenty of bulk from autumn through to spring.
What oats should I choose for oaten hay rather than pure grazing?
If oaten hay or grain is the goal, we recommend Bannister Oats, a high-yielding, mid-season milling oat that produces plenty of bulk from autumn through to spring. If you want bulk grazing instead, we would steer you to our Ezigraze Forage Oats or fine-stemmed Saia Oats. Talk to us about the best cutting time for your district.
Is Bannister Oats safe for horses?
Yes, Bannister Oats can be fed to horses. Oats are traditionally regarded as safe, palatable feed for horses, and oaten hay is widely fed. As with any young cereal, lush oats can accumulate nitrate after frost or drought stress, so introduce horses gradually. Bannister is a high-yielding milling oat suited to grain, oaten hay or both.
My paddock is a bit acidic with some gravel. Will oats do okay?
Oats are generally considered among the more acid-tolerant cereals, which is why they are widely grown on WA's acidic sands and gravels. Liming to lift pH still pays off. We recommend a soil test first, then talk to us about whether Bannister Oats or our acid-tolerant Saia Oats better suits the paddock.
What can I sow with oats to boost protein for sheep?
We recommend adding a legume such as our Common Vetch or Coogee Field Peas to an oat crop. The legume lifts protein and fixes nitrogen, while the oats provide bulk. Bannister Oats can be sown in a mix with the cereal rate reduced, and our Mix & Match Custom Pasture Blends service can help tailor the blend.
I'm worried about nitrate poisoning in cattle on green oats. What should I watch for?
Young oat crops, including our Bannister Oats, can accumulate nitrate, especially after frost, hail, drought or slow growth. Introduce hungry cattle gradually, give them hay first, and avoid putting stock onto stressed crops. If you are unsure, have the forage tested. Tell us about your plans and we can suggest a safer grazing approach.
Bannister Oats vs Saia Oats: what's the difference?
Bannister Oats is a milling-type oat grown mainly for grain and hay. Saia Oats is a tall, black-seeded, fine-stemmed grazing oat known for acid soil tolerance and cover crop use. Choose Bannister if grain or hay is the goal, and Saia for grazing and soil cover. We can help you decide.
Which cereal gives a good break crop and ground cover before sowing a perennial pasture?
An oat crop is a common pioneer or break crop before renovating to perennial pasture, because it suppresses weeds and protects the soil. For that job we generally recommend Saia Oats, and Bannister Oats suits growers who also want grain or hay. Follow with our WA Southern Perennial Pasture Mix the next season.
