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.
Oats Agronomic Basics
Excel Oats
Strong Yields in MN & IA
- High yielding, average test weight
- Medium maturity, replaces Esker
- Medium height with strong straw strength
- Average disease resistance
- Yellow Seed (Released by IN)
Jim Oats*
Tall Oat for Grain or Forage
- Excellent choice for baling or chopping
- Good standing, Medium-tall height
- Above average grain yields & good test weight
- Good disease resistance
- Yellow seed (Released by MN)
Medium Brand Oats*
Low Cost Oat Blend
- Good, cheap option for chopping, bailing or cover cropping
- Medium maturity, Good standing
Rockford Oats
Excellent Yields
- Highest long-term avg. yield, 2008-2010 (U of MN trials)
- Tall; very good lodging resistance
- Excellent test weight
- Late maturing, Not a good choice for underseeding
- Good resistance to crown and stem rust
- Ivory-white Seed (Released by ND)
Badger Oats
High Early Yields
- Early maturing, similar to Kame
- Highest yielding early variety in MN trials over the past 3 years
- Similar in height to Kame but has much better straw strength
- Very good test weight
- Good crown rust rating, Resistant to smut
- Released by WI
Colt Oats
A Replacement for Reeves
- 1-2 days earlier maturing than Reeves and Kame
- Higher yield potential than Reeves
- Heaviest test weight in SD tests
- Medium-short with good lodging resistance
- Released by SD
Tack Oats
Test Weight and Yield
- An impressive combination of test weight and yield
- Good option for an alfalfa nurse crop
- Medium-short variety that stands significantly better than Reeves
- Good tolerance to yellow dwarf virus
- Good disease resistance
- Tan seed (Released by IL)
Souris Oats - New!
High Yielding, Test Weight
- High yielding, very good test weight
- Medium-Tall, medium maturity
- Very good lodging resistance
- Does well under high fertility & moisture
- White seed (released by ND)