Hattrick is an easy to manage winter crop. It is most often sown mixed with Italian or annual ryegrass, to extend growth into spring.
Management
Hattrick is leafy, high yielding, and more adapted to multiple grazings than some other oat cultivars. It can usually be grazed 2-3 times depending on management. For best regrowth graze at 30 cm height, leaving a 7-10 cm residual. Growth can be boosted by strategic use of nitrogen fertiliser, for example applying 30 kg N/ha after grazing.
Feed value
Leafy Hattrick oats have a digestibility of 80% (ME = 12 MJ/kg DM) and contain 13-15% protein.
Growth curve
Sow early
For maximum winter production Hattrick oats should be sown early (February/March). Insecticide protection against Argentine stem weevil may be necessary in some areas.
Hattrick oats can be sown alone, but are most commonly sown with Italian or annual (e.g. Tabu or Hogan). Mixing Hattrick with a ryegrass increases feed value and extends growth through spring.
Sowing Hattrick