Conservation Tillage: Cover Crops

Black Oats

Black oats are both a fall season and a winter season grass species. It must be carefully planted, as it is extremely front-sensitive and can be ruined by a cold snap. It is also senstive to herbicides from close-by pastures, so farmers must be careful not to spray too near their black oats cover if they wish to keep it. Black oats provide control of broadleaf weeds, insect and nematode control, and produce anywhere from three to seven tons an acre of biomass.