Didnt want to hi-jack the other thread.. But my dad and i were discussing this the other day. We've got good soil (as of now, limed last summer), and i've contemplated just completely doing away with wheat and only planting oats and clover. Any negatives to this that yall can see?

None at all. Be just fine.

If the temps get down too low it can kill oats. Had a buddy just plant oats one year and we had a big cold snap come through and kill every one of his plots.

How cold is cold?

Plant black oats and it’s not an issue in Alabama.

I doubt you'd ever have a problem with any variety of oats freezing out on you in extreme LA. Coker 227 is the most cold tolerate of regular oats. I've planted them for years, they got nipped back a few years ago , but it did get down in single digits a few days. Let's just say if you plant them down where you are and lose them because of cold , I hate to think how cold it is in the top right corner of the state.

Well to be fair these would be planted near Selma, so not that far south. Still likely warmer than north AL, but definitely a +/- 5 degree cooler temperature difference vs Baldwin Co.

I appreciate the input, i'll look into those 2.

We plant Coker 227 and like it was said they might get nipped back by the cold. But I’d say you would be pretty safe planting them in Selma.

What are yall paying for the Coker 227?

If they freeze and die Dylan, you can just plant yellow acorns the rest of the year

If using oats only use cosaque black oats. Get em from petcher seed co right there in fruitdale on your way north

Ive been planting oats every year for forage for deer then bugcatching grounds for turkeys in the spring. I have also planted wheat for the same purposes. Seems to me the oats consistantly out produce the wheat. I too will be leaving out the wheat this year. I plant regular oats and have never had a problem with low temps. It gets into low teens or single digits every year around here. I am going to try some of CNC's throw and mow method this year because I dont want to disk. I have also found that oats will come up volunteer the next year. So I figured designating some fields for just oats, I could let it reseed itself and sow it and maybe get an even better stand. Never tried the black cossaque oats but im sure theyre the cats meow if 257 is recommending them.

they aren't cheap.

We planted oats, rye, and wheat in strips in our plots about 10 years ago. The deer ate the oats then rye and not as much of the wheat. I'll still use wheat some if I need to plant 20 acres at once due to cost but otherwise I mostly use oats. (we call winter oats Bob oats). So, I just ask for Bob oats and don't put much thought in but I guess a guy could use Jerry oats if you are far enough south.

Really, what I like to do is plant soy beans or cow peas in late spring and then when they start turning yellow and losing some leaves just overseed them with red clover and oats. White clover would work too but If I'm only going to disc them up the following year that would be too pricey.

I've also.done it with wheat but I just like the protein content and the forage preference of the oats better.

Just remember, Bob is winter, Jerry is summer

Why, kind of putting all your eggs in one basket

Just seems like wheat is a waste of money. I think the deer prefer the oats, and oats are definitely better for them. Ill probably mix in some rape just to add a little ruffage.

Oats and clover in the winter, iron clay peas in the summer. Keep the corn out all year

I like this plan, but I have to admit I've been thinking about shifting my spots to 80% white clover and saying the heck with all the extra work. Spraying, discing, planting, and spraying more 2 times year is a pain.

I like the idea of bush hogging once a month in June July and August and overseeding every few years in February. Maybe have to hit it with some cleth or spot spray.