Oats - Articles

Herbicide Recommendations for Winter Small Grains

Small grain establishment and growth can be hindered by weeds, but here are some herbicide options to consider for problem weed species.

By Dwight Lingenfelter posted on October 19, 2026

Source: Penn State Extension

This table from Penn State Extension summarizes common fall herbicide options for small grains and the "best bets" for common problem weeds.

Advantages of Adding Buckwheat

By Cover Crop Strategies Staff posted on August 20, 2026 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health, Termination

If we pick up a farm that's been conventionally farmed, we like to get some cover crop in there such as a buckwheat," said David Brandt.

Opportunity Knocks for Oats in Minnesota

February 28, 2026 | Posted in Grazing, Seeding Practices

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

Oats were once a major Minnesota crop, with about 4 million acres planted annually on average until the early 1960s. But in 2025, oats accounted for only 195,000 planted acres in Minnesota, and those oats were used mostly for livestock feed and straw bedding.

Grazing

Covering the Soil, Feeding the Livestock

While a minority of livestock owners feed their animals their cover crops, those that do see no ill effects & most see a financial value in grazing them

By Laura Barrera posted on September 29, 2025 | Posted in Grazing

Roughly 34% of livestock owners grazed their cover crops, 30.6% harvested covers for livestock and 16.2% used covers for silage.

Lessons Learned from 2025 Cover Crop Experiments

By Anna Cates and Liz Stahl posted on August 23, 2025 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Source: University of Minnesota Extension

At the Univ. of Minnesota Research and Outreach Centers, researchers drilled rye at either 15 pounds or 60 pounds in fall 2024, and found no difference in total biomass produced in spring 2025.

This Week

Cover Crop Strategies' Best of the Web: June 27, 2025

By Mackane Vogel posted on June 27, 2025

This Week's Lineup:

Making Cover Crops & No-Till Work on Heavy, Poorly Drained Ground
12 Major Benefits of Cover Crops
Comparing Benefits of Different Spring Grain Cover Crop Species
Cover Crop Identification & Using the Field Guide
Exploring the Nutrient Benefits of Cover Crops

What is Narrow Strip Cropping?

September 2, 2024

The main benefit of Narrow strip cropping is to intercept sunlight more efficiently and maximize corn production

Switching Up Cover Crop Routine Proves Beneficial

By Allison Lund posted on May 4, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Farm Progress

When is a good time to change your cover crop routine? According to Carter Morgan, Cayuga, Ind., an early harvest could create the perfect environment for testing out new cover crop combinations on some acreage.

Decomposing Cover Crops Serve as Sidedress Pass

World dryland corn yield record holder times decomposition of species in cover crop mix to provide nutrients to no-till corn crop throughout the season

By Michaela Paukner posted on April 24, 2024 | Posted in Soil Health

According to the 2024 Cover Crops Operational Practices Survey, managing carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratios is the second-most challenging aspect of cover cropping

Cover Crops

Long-Term Cover Cropping 'Reinvigorates' Iowa Farmer's Soils

Jeff Olson is protecting soil and improving water infiltration with a mixed bag of application methods and plenty of patience.

By Libby Wawzenek posted on November 4, 2022 | Posted in Seeding Practices, Soil Health

Jeff Olson of Winfield, Iowa, certainly sees the benefits of employing cover crops — not only in terms of his yields, but also how they have reinvigorated the soil.