What oats can I sow for winter grazing that will take a few grazes?
We recommend Ezigraze Forage Oats, a grazing oat for winter feed. Forage oats like this are sown in autumn and can usually be grazed more than once if you leave enough stubble for regrowth. Oats suit a wide range of WA soils and establish readily. Talk to us about the sowing rate for your district.
When can I first graze Ezigraze oats?
We suggest grazing Ezigraze Forage Oats once plants are well anchored and pass the pluck test, which means stock can't pull them out of the ground. That is usually several weeks after establishment, depending on conditions. Graze to leave a reasonable stubble height so the plants can recover quickly for the next grazing.
Need to fill the autumn feed gap after a false break, what cereal should I sow?
A forage oat such as our Ezigraze Forage Oats is a reliable option to fill the autumn and early winter gap. Oats establish quickly after good rain and give early bulk. Mixing in a legume such as our vetch or field peas improves feed quality. If the break falters, resow promptly once reliable moisture returns.
Can I cut forage oats for hay or silage after grazing them?
Yes, Ezigraze Forage Oats can be grazed and the paddock then closed to bulk up for hay or silage. It establishes quickly, tillers heavily and recovers well after grazing, so it can be grazed several times before you lock it up. Our Silahay Pasture Mix is another option built for silage and hay.
What should I sow with oats to get better quality winter feed?
We suggest adding a legume to Ezigraze Forage Oats, such as Benatas Vetch, an ideal companion for forage oats, or our Common Vetch, Popany Vetch or Coogee Field Peas. The legume lifts protein and fixes nitrogen. An Italian ryegrass such as Amass Tetraploid Italian Ryegrass can extend feed into spring. Reduce the oat rate when sowing a mix.
Are there any stock health issues grazing lush oats?
Lush oats such as our Ezigraze Forage Oats are good feed, but there are some well-known risks. Nitrate can build up in heavily fertilised or stressed crops, and grass tetany can occur in cattle on lush cereal feed. Introduce stock gradually, provide roughage, and talk to your vet about mineral supplements, especially for lactating cows.
Will Ezigraze oats handle acid soils in the wheatbelt?
We don't recommend Ezigraze Forage Oats for strongly acid soils: it suits a soil pH of 5.5 (CaCl2) or above and 500mm+ rainfall. For acidic wheatbelt paddocks, we suggest our Cereal Rye (Ryecorn), which tolerates low pH and high aluminium, or Joey Triticale, which tolerates low pH. A soil test will show whether lime is needed.
Our paddocks get a bit wet over winter, will a forage cereal cope?
Some forage cereals cope better than others: we suggest our Joey Triticale, which tolerates waterlogging, or Cereal Rye (Ryecorn), which tolerates limited waterlogging. Waterlogging tolerance isn't listed for Ezigraze Forage Oats, so keep it to better-drained paddocks. For badly waterlogged or salty ground, talk to us about perennials such as Puccinellia or Tyrrell Tall Wheatgrass.
Ezigraze vs Bannister or Saia oats, which is best for grazing?
For multiple grazings, we recommend Ezigraze Forage Oats: it establishes fast, tillers heavily, recovers well after grazing and can be sown early without heading risk. Saia Oats is a fine-stemmed grazing oat that regrazes well and tolerates acid soils. Bannister Oats is mainly a grain and hay oat, and grazing may reduce its grain yield. Tell us your plan and district.
How do I keep a forage oat crop regrowing after each grazing?
To keep Ezigraze Forage Oats regrowing, we recommend grazing once plants pass the pluck test, leaving a reasonable stubble and rotating stock rather than set-stocking. Give the crop time to recover between grazings, and apply nitrogen after grazing to help regrowth. If you plan a hay or silage cut, close the paddock after grazing so it can bulk up.
