More about grains... (Hineni)

In BB's thread about "do you grow your own grains" Hineni asked about grains for live stock, too. I wanted to reply but the thread had developed past the point where it made sense to interject, so...

I have very little experience with growing grains, but with the drought last summer really effecting hay availability and prices for my horses, I was very interested to read of a study done by one of the universities (Iowa, perhaps?) that suggested oats as an alternative forage. In our warmer weather areas it can be sowed up until mid-August and is considered a cool weather crop. I guess a lot of folks around here use it as a cover crop. My small foray in to it didn't work 'cause we still didn't get any rain until Oct., unfortunately.

They also did some studies that suggested fertilization of the ground did nothing to increase the output or nutritional value of the oats.

I purchase whole oats for my horses already, at about $10 for a #50 bag at Tractor Supply or any of the farm co-ops. Be careful, they market the same thing for attracting deer, etc. at about $25 a bag.... grrrr!

HTH!