Laker Forage Oats

Oats are a vital part of our seed offerings, and we carry a wide selection of organic and conventional non-GMO spring oat seed varieties to meet any production need. Whether you aim to produce milling-quality oats, maximize bushels for animal feed, provide a nurse crop for alfalfa or forages, plant an economical cover crop, use spring oats for hay, produce straw, or meet a niche, food-grade market, we have the best adapted public spring oats for sale to meet your farm goals.

Spring Oats

Oats are an annual cereal grain that can be used as a nurse crop to establish alfalfa, chopped for livestock feed, or raised for grain. Spring oats are planted very early in the spring, are tolerant to cold, fast establishing, and mature in the middle of the summer. We are a dedicated supporter of oat breeding at the University level and carry a diverse selection of oat varieties to suit any purpose.

Planting: Oats should be drilled 1-2 in. deep into a firm seedbed in early spring.

Planting Rate (straight for grain/forage): 80-110 lbs. (3 bu/A).

Planting Rate (with alfalfa): 40-50 lbs (1½ – 2 bu/A).

Click here to find trial data for Conventional Oats

DOWNLOAD A GUIDE TO RAISING OATS [PDF]

Growing Quality Oats [BLOG]

Seeding Rates for Small Grains 2023

Where Can I Sell My Oats?

Planting Guidelines for Small Grains

Other Useful Resources

• 6 Keys to Producing Food-Grade Oats (Grain Millers)
• Organic Oat Production (University of Minnesota)
• Growing Small Grains (University of Minnesota)
• Agronomic Management & Fungicide Effects on Oat Yield and Quality in Wisconsin (University of Wisconsin)