Grazing weaners on oats: the effect of compensatory gain on productivity and profitability

Abstract

In central Queensland, it is common industry practice to graze growing cattle on forage oats, before returning them to a grass pasture, despite the potential for compensatory gain. Producers have indicated they do not understand compensatory gain and its impact on profitability (Bowen and Hopkins 2016). The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effects of compensatory gain on productivity and profitability resulting from grazing weaners on oats in the dry season followed by grass pastures in the wet season.