Maximising oaten hay yield and quality

Summary

Western Australian growers produced 44% of the nation’s oaten hay for the 2025 season according to DAS (see appendices table 1). Growers are faced with agronomic challenges around the need to increase fodder yields and quality in a variable agricultural climate. To fill knowledge gaps, and foster innovation relevant to the primary export hay producing in regions of Western Australia. SLR is looking to investigate parameters around maximising yield and quality.

These investigations will involve optimal sowing timing trials of various varieties, and herbicide trials, showcasing best practice relevant to environment and seasonal conditions.

In addition, selecting the best time to cut hay to balance yield and quality, of which the optimum timing to achieve this is often complex and influenced by management, genetics, and the environment. Innovation and adaptation within the industry are required to better understand what these complex interactions mean for growers.

Adoption of innovation outcomes projected to be rapid. There are currently more hay varieties than ever to suit different season lengths, with more flexibility in sowing windows and depths compared to wheat/barley varieties. Due to their growth structure, oats have the current ability for deep sowing, however this factor has not been exploited historically with the export oaten hay industry of Western Australia.

These scoping field trials would increase clarity and bring innovation of various varieties across a number of secondary parameters which currently have gaps in knowledge, such as variety maturity length, oat suitability to deep sowing when chasing summer rainfall stored at depth, optimal harvest window, and safety of pre-emergent herbicides.

Program

Export Fodder

Research Organisation

SLR Agriculture PTY LTD