Oats for Iowa: Variety Selection and Agronomic Production Tips

Iowa farmers have long grown oats for feed and food markets. Although oat acres have decreased dramatically since the 1960s, reduced corn and soybean prices have farmers looking to put oats back into the rotation because of their economic competitiveness. But what varieties and production methods are best for oats in 2015? Learn more about what oat varieties to select – including new varieties that are available – improved production methods, and agronomic decisions to ensure the best yields and quality.

• Bruce Roskens is the director of crop sciences for Grain Millers, Inc. Bruce grew up on a family farm and has business experience that includes purchasing commodities and ingredients; mill feed sales; crop research and development; breeding program administration; grain milling; and grain quality education and development programs.
• Darren Fehr farms near Plover, Iowa, with his wife, Nora, and their five children. Together, they farm 1,000 acres of certified organic corn, soybeans, oats, peas and alfalfa. Their farm was first certified in 1998.