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This study examines the effects of polycrop and oat monocrop systems on forage characteristics and beef cattle performance during winter grazing.

Effects of a polycrop or oat monocrop on forage yield, nutritive value, utilization and weaned steer performance for winter swath grazing

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Randomized trial assesses forage yield and cattle weight gain in polycrop versus monocrop systems, suggesting economic benefits of monocrop.

This study examines the effects of polycrop and oat monocrop systems on forage characteristics and beef cattle performance during winter grazing.
Conducted over 3 years with crossbred beef steers, average body weight of 267 kg at allocation.
A 12-ha field divided into six 2-ha paddocks, with either polycrop (PC) or monocrop (OMC) treatments assigned.
Evaluated dry matter yield, nutrient composition, estimated dry matter intake, and economic factors.
OMC had significantly greater dry matter yield than PC (P < 0.01).
Compared to the soft dough stage, neutral detergent fiber decreased by 5.9% (P = 0.03) and starch increased by 36.8% (P < 0.01) at the hard dough stage.
Swath cost per kg steer gain was lower for OMC ($0.62 kg⁻¹) compared to PC ($0.91 kg⁻¹), indicating economic advantage.

Obiora et al. (2026) studied this question.

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Randomized trial assesses forage yield and cattle weight gain in polycrop versus monocrop systems, suggesting economic benefits of monocrop.