The long-term effects of the recent drought on pasture productivity are unknown until appropriate growing conditions return this spring and summer. However, there are two obvious short-term effects: 1) little to no available forage and 2) limited hay supplies. There are currently few opportunities remaining to produce late-winter to early-spring forage if you did not plant wheat pasture, annual ryegrass, or fall-fertilize tall fescue.

One option to consider that may offer some hope for relief is spring-planted oat.

Oat can be planted in late winter through early spring for pasture or hay. Even though there is substantial risk involved with this strategy due to weather, insects, and diseases, it may offer some help for increasing a short forage supply. The primary considerations for success are that is must be drill-planted on a prepared seedbed when the opportunity arises and managed accordingly.

Seed sources

There is not a wide selection of oat varieties available, but those varieties for use in the southern USA are preferable to northern USA varieties.

Feed oat has been successfully used and can provide excellent nutrition for many classes of livestock. However, many of these have not been tested as seed oat and may contain weed seeds (noxious weed seeds in particular), have unknown seed germination, and foreign material.

Feed oat sources are usually relatively cheap, but they are rarely a wise purchase. Oklahoma state seed law requires that seed being sold for planting purposes have a tag with a recent test result for germination, weed seed, and foreign material.

Sowing dates

The window for spring-planted oat is between Feb. 15 and March 10 with an optimum planting time during the last full week of February.

If dry weather and above freezing temperatures occur in late January and early February, the planting date can be shifted closer to Feb. 15. However, if conditions are wet, damp, and cold during late January and early February, then planting may be delayed until early March. Oat should be drill-planted on a conventionally prepared seedbed at a seeding rate of 80 to 100 pounds of seed per acre.

Sowing depth

Seeding depth can be as deep as 1 1/2 inches, but a depth of only 1/2 to 3/4 inch increases the rate of emergence, establishment, and forage production potential.  Forage production potential from a spring-planted oat crop averages 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of forage per acre.

Based on the forage production of spring-planted oat, planning should include N fertilizer at a rate off 60 to 75 pounds actual N per acre after establishment.

Harvesting

Spring-planted oat, harvested for hay, should be cut at early heading. Once the seedheads begin to emerge, there will be no appreciable increase in yield. 

Likewise, once the seedheads begin to emerge, there will be a substantial decrease in nutritive value due to the accumulation of stem tissue and also leaf loss. If the crop is grazed, plants should be a minimum of 6 inches tall before grazing.

Spring-planted oat matures quite rapidly once the spring temperatures begin warming. Each acre of spring-planted oat should to provide between 35 and 60 days of grazing for a mature beef animal. Growing animals (750 pounds) can be stocked at approximately 1.5 animals per acre for 60 days.

Planning, execution and luck

Do not consider spring-planted oat to be the fool-proof solution to remedy a short forage supply. There are substantial risks involved due to weather, insects, and diseases. With planning and a little luck, a spring-planted oat crop may add some additional forage to an already short or non-existent forage supply.

Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments cooperating.  In compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended , Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.