Producing Quality Oat Hay

Higher plant populations produce higher yield
but plant populations need to be matched to
rainfall and soil fertility (Table 6.1).
A relationship between seeding rate, nitrogen rate
and variety has been established. Trials were
sown at Mintaro, SA (450mm rainfall) in 1999
and 2000 to compare the early to mid maturity
variety Brusher with the late maturing variety
Graza 50. Both varieties were sown at 200, 300
and 400 seeds per square meter, so differences
in seed size were eliminated. Seven nitrogen
treatments were applied at seeding either by
broadcasting or deep banding (0, 25, 50, 75, 100,
125, and 150kg/ha). In both years these seeding
rates, which are considered to be high to very
high did not result in a change in feed test results.
However, in 1999 as seeding rate increased shear
energy was reduced.
Further research is required to help develop
variety specific management recommendations.
Row spacing
Impact on hay quality
• Weed competition
• Feed tests
• Colour
• Staining and moulds
To optimise hay yield and quality, a row spacing
of 7.5cm (3 inches) was found to be ideal.
At this row spacing plants have better weed
competition and better access to nutrients. The
density of stems across the paddock is high and
when cut these stems better support the cut hay
off the ground minimising the risk of soil
contamination and uneven curing.
In many situations a row spacing of 7.5cm is
impractical due to existing machinery set-up,
reduced emergence due to seed mixing with
pre-sowing herbicide and greater weed seed
germination due to an increased proportion of
the paddock being cultivated.
50 PRODUCING QUALITY OAT HAY
Where row spacing is wider than 22.5cm
(9 inches) the risk of reducing hay quality
increases due to:
• high concentrations of plant nitrogen;
• increased weed competition and contamination
in the cut hay;
• cut hay hitting the ground and becoming
contaminated with soil.
Where seeding equipment has 30cm (12 inch)
spacing some growers cross-seed to produce a
row spacing of 15cm (6 inches). However,
considerations about row orientation, (see
Seeding direction) must be taken into account.
The use of high accuracy (2cm) GPS autosteer
systems may allow a second pass to be sown
between the rows of the first pass to produce a
15cm spacing.
Image 6.4 A row spacing of 7.5cm (3 inches) was found
to be ideal to optimise hay yield and quality. Where
equipment has 30cm (12 inch) spacing cross-seeding,
as pictured, or the use of 2cm accuracy auotsteer to inter
row seed are methods of reducing row spacing to 15cm
(6 inches).