Once they begin growth, oats can come on fast. If grazing, be prepared to turn out once plants get around 5-6 inches in height, usually around mid to late May.
If left unused, plants can quickly grow up to a foot and mature in no time. At this point the plant will be trying to initiate seed production, so if grazed, regrowth may be limited. Keeping plants vegetative and grazing before they reach 8 inches in height keeps new growth occurring and will stretch the grazable period out.
Oats can be mixed with other forage species to add diversity and further extend the grazing period.
Brassicas like turnip, collards, and canola can provide high quality forage, but will tend to mature quickly and bolt as temperatures warm, so grazing early and often is recommended. Legumes like spring pea can decrease nitrogen demand and provide forage, while vetch may be added purely for it’s nitrogen benefits.
From a grass standpoint, other spring grains like triticale and barley can add production and extended grazing. Annual ryegrass is another option to consider that pairs well with oats.
Ryegrass grows rapidly later in the spring, usually around early June, about the time oats are slowing down.
With enough water, it’s a high quality forage that can provide grazing opportunity well into the summer and into the fall.
To seed an oat/ryegrass mix, 60-70 lbs/oats per acre along with 15-20 lbs/ryegrass per acre should provide a good mix.
Growth might be a bit slower to initiate, so grazing may need to be a bit lighter in the beginning. However, the extended grazing period into the summer will more than make up for a slower start.
