Forage oats fail to boost beef production, reduce need for hay.
Beef production from forage oats in New South Wales did not significantly increase cattle weight gain compared to pasture alone. Grazing forage oats reduced the need for hay supplements in winter but did not meet the target weight of 270 kg by October. Oat grain supplements improved cattle weight gain but reduced economic returns. Overall, forage oats in improved pasture did not reliably increase beef production at the studied stocking rate.