Good Evening All,

I want to plant some late (second planting) of oats in a flood plain that consumed my earlier attempt about a month ago. I'm not worried about an early frost and the negative effects on the crop. (Its very small) However, I've heard that deer will not eat oat seeds uneless they're close to starving, I thought I'd better ask before wasting the time and money. Would deer actively seek out or be attracted to broadcasted oat seeds? I'm simply hoping for a 10 percent germination that might survive and if not, no problem.

Many Thanks,

Mike Mullvain

Mike, I asked Darryl Coates, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, District Wildlife Biologist, to provide an answer for your question. Here is his response:

Deer will eat oats. However, we may be looking at a killing frost before too long and the results of planting oats will be less that good-- actually very poor. I would recommend rye or winter wheat. Both of these will make great winter forage and will continue to grow through the cold months. Rye should be turned under in the spring. Not many animals will eat rye seed. Rye will make a nice cover crop, winter forage, and a good green manure in the spring. Rye is general cheaper that winter wheat. Good luck.