Legend Oats are the elite variety of Oats and have a great potential for forage, grain, conservation tillage, and wildlife in the southeast USA. Legend Oats have a dual use – performing well in both grain and forage trials. Product Details Quick, weed-suppressing Biomass Early-season vigorous growth Low-cost, reliable fall cover Very early maturing Takes up excess soil nutrients   Product Information These winter oats were co-developed by the University of Florida and Louisiana State University and have vigorous early season growth. The Legend Oats also have a high-tillering capacity, early maturity, good grain yield and high test weight. This variety of Oats has exhibited resistance to new strains of crown rust as well. This seed has been included in University of Florida trials and is compared to the other varieties. You can see the comparison pictures and more information here.  For more infomration - please see the Legend Oats Tech Sheet Oats are a cool-season annual grass that is a cost effective, reliable fall cover crop and has been used for many years. Oats are quite an adaptable and affordable crop that provides many benefits to farmers. Some of these benefits include: forage, weed suppression, erosion control, etc. Oats prefer soils that are well drained and moderate fertility. Oats also grow best when the soil pH is 4.5-6. For maximum cover crop benefit, oats should be planted six to ten weeks prior to any frost. Oats are less prone to insect problems than wheat or barley. If Oats are being grown for grain or for forage – Armyworms, various grain aphids and mites, wireworms, cutworms, thrips, leafhoppers, grubs and billbugs could present occasional problems. Oat roots contain Allelopathic (Naturally occurring herbicidal) compounds and residue which can hinder weed growth for a few weeks. These compounds in the roots can also slow germination in crops such as lettuce, timothy, peas, wheat, and rice. Some resistant oat varieties can minimize rusts, smuts and blights – if they are a concern in your area or for your crop system. Oats mature in approximately 60 days, and they can help prevent soil erosion in the short planting windows. Oat may prove especially valuable as a winterlong cover. Typically, oats winterkill with hard frosts and then they leave a thick residue. This provides a great soil-protecting mulch and insulator if planted with an overwintering crop like Alfalfa. Oats are an extremely attractive addition to any food plot that is grown in the cooler months. This is also a popular choice for hunters that like to plant cereal grains such as grain rye. Deer can visit plots of oats for a larger amount of time but the first two months after germination are the most attractive time for deer. Oats planted in food plots for deer can be planted with legumes such as clover or peas and brassicas such as turnips, radish, kale or rape.