Oats (Avena sativa L.)

Origin:  

Use:  Grazing, silage, hay

Plant Description

  • General:  bunchgrass that is approximately 3' tall at maturity
  • Life Span:  annual
  • Growth Form:  upright

Management

  • Seeding Rate:  4 bu/Ac when overseeded for forage
  • Seedling Vigor: Excellent
  • Planting Date:  Grazing:  October 1 Coastal Plain; September 15 Peidmont; September 1 Limestone Valley
  • Planting Depth:  1-1 1/2"
  • Grazing Tolerance:  Good
  • Desirable pH:  More tolerant to soil acidity than wheat, but less tolerant than rye
  • Drainage Requirements:  Fair tolerance to poor drainage
  • Soil Texture:
  • Drought Tolerance:  Fair
  • Season of Use:  Late fall and early-mid spring

General:

  • Oats can winter-kill in Piedmont and Limestone Valley and, less frequently in the Coastal Plain
  • Barley Yellow Dwarf virus can be a problem
  • Armyworms can destroy early fall seedlings


ID Features:

  • No auricles on leaf collar and leaves tend to be wider than other small grains