Spring Oats - how to grow?

[Ugo79]

I have some rape crops which won't make it through to spring. They had a tricky establishment and were hammered by rabbits and flea beetle as soon as they emerged.... cut losses early and ceased inputs after some insecticides and graminicide for volunteers.

I have ruled out beans and linseed as replacement Spring break crops and fancy growing some oats (Canyon) but have never grown this crop before.

TAG guides and agronomist suggest Spring oats are relatively straight forward (if standing) and low input... That being sad I thought it would be useful to get insight from some seasoned oat growers.

1. 250-300 established plants is often quoted as the target. Is this what most growers actually aim for? My rough calculations suggest drilling at 125 kg/ha which will plant approx. 330 seeds/m2 (I'm assuming TGW of 38 and establishment at 90%.

2. Drilling dates. What is the latest 'sensible' drilling date? I would like to drill after main spring black-grass flush, so am anticipating late March (at the earliest) but early-mid April.

3. Nitrogen inputs. Was thinking of 100 kg/ha of Nitrogen (possibly 40 on seed bed followed by 60 at tramlines visible... Or if drilling date is late apply all N in one application).

I realise everyone has different factors (soil types, fertility etc) but would appreciate any views or advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[franklin]

175kg/ha seed. Cleaned, but no dressing. 100kg/ha in seedbed as urea. Drilled before 2nd week april. Very little pre-em choice. Bit of mildewicide. Keep the buggers stood up.

 

[Ugo79]

Thanks Static. Do you know how many seeds the 175kg will drill at? I see in an older post of yours you drilled at 150kg... Is your increase due to different TGWs, soil types or a feeling that a thicker crop is better?

 

[Clive]

get 50% of the N on the seedbed (placed with drill ideally)

don't spend a lot on them, they are not worth a lot, x1 herbicide and x2 fung pass is all we do

if your buying in seed I suspect fallow might be more attractive at current prices

 

[Thick Farmer]

Drag a Harrow through then broadcast the oats, Harrow again and roll.

Oats will grow anywhere!

 

[franklin]

Thanks Static. Do you know how many seeds the 175kg will drill at? I see in an older post of yours you drilled at 150kg... Is your increase due to different TGWs, soil types or a feeling that a thicker crop is better?

Will depend on TSW. When we started on them, I think we went at 145kg/ha which turned out a bit thin. They dont seem to tiller so well, especially when drilled in April. Hence thicker is better. But flat is worst.

 

[Iben]

get 50% of the N on the seedbed (placed with drill ideally)

don't spend a lot on them, they are not worth a lot, x1 herbicide and x2 fung pass is all we do

if your buying in seed I suspect fallow might be more attractive at current prices

Are the sums so tight that the seed cost is the difference (£15ac? Not priced new seed) between growing a crop and fallow.

 

[Clive]

Are the sums so tight that the seed cost is the difference (£15ac? Not priced new seed) between growing a crop and fallow.

its not tight in a zerotill system but not everyone is zero tilling - but oats are cheap so you don't have lots of output to play with to cover costs

why spend any money you don't need to, whats wrong with FFS ? I think its better

 

[Clive]

Drag a Harrow through then broadcast the oats, Harrow again and roll.

Oats will grow anywhere!

not many grass weed control options though so im not sure about that method unless you are on very clean ground - they would certainly grow, its just what else might do that would concern me !

 

[Iben]

its not tight in a zerotill system but not everyone is zero tilling - but oats are cheap so you don't have lots of output to play with to cover costs

why spend any money you don't need to, whats wrong with FFS ? I think its better

I presume you meant FSS? All my oats (spring and winter) are farm saved and untreated, works fine for me.

I am predicting my spring oats will be more profitable than my winter wheat this coming year.

Certainly for me, I am a long way away from thinking fallow is the better option. And I don't DD.

(not yet anyway )

 

[shakerator]

Got liffe-£10 /t contract

We will see

 

[Dman2]

Have you got a contract?
If not then be aware that even with a contract be prepared for delays in moving them

 

[Iben]

Have you got a contract?
If not then be aware that even with a contract be prepared for delays in moving them

Yep. My Oct/nov contract oats started moving ten days ago.

 

[Dman2]

Yep. My Oct/nov contract oats started moving ten days ago.

Sorry that was aimed at OP @Ugo79 79

 

[einstein]

I wouldn't plant any oats if I were you. Went to a presentation today showing the oat area up more than any other crop. If you must grow then a contract will be essential this year.

 

[Ugo79]

Sorry that was aimed at OP @Ugo79 79

Will have a go without contract (unless I get a tempting offer).

 

[Iben]

Sorry that was aimed at OP @Ugo79 79

My fault. Didn't write post very well. Was trying to agree with you that, even with a contract, they can be very slow to move.

 

[franklin]

I wouldn't plant any oats if I were you. Went to a presentation today showing the oat area up more than any other crop. If you must grow then a contract will be essential this year.

Harvest 2011 was the only time I can remember when it has been better to *not* have a contract for oats. And even then only very early in the season.

 

[Dman2]

Will have a go without contract (unless I get a tempting offer).

good luck with that.
I would ring round and ask the merchants what the prospects of getting it sold will be.
Unless you have plenty of storage

 

[Oat]

I used to drill at about 275 s/m2. In a good year this always seemed a bit thick, but in a bad year or if drilled too early, it was perhaps a bit thin. I used to drill around early March, if the early weather was good and they established well, then they we fine. But if weather was bad then in hindsight it was too early.

Pre-em I think it is only DFF you can use, and that is on an EAMU. Post-em there are your various spring BLW options. I used to use Ally and/or Starane.

Just make sure you don't use Axial or Topik