Comparison of grazing oats and pasture for sheep production

Abstract

In 1970 and 1971, the performance of ewes grazing oats at various stocking intensities during the final stages of pregnancy was compared with that of ewes, at stocking intensities considered optimal, on subterranean clover-annual grass pasture. Grazing oats produced no more winter feed than pasture in 1970, though quality of the oat herbage was better. In 1971, oats produced more, and better quality, herbage than pasture. Much greater ewe weight gains per head and per hectare were obtained on oats than on pasture in both years. In 1971, for example, ewes rotationally grazed on oats at 37 ha-1 gained 8 times more per head, and 23 times more per hectare, than ewes at 12 ha-1 on pasture. However, gains in reproductive performance and wool production were small or negligible.