cut my oats?

[wvdeerhunter22]

I planted a food plot of oats in june. In hind site i would have waited till about this time, but should i cut them and hope for regrowth or take my lumps and learn
THanks
TG

[RonM]

If you cut them you will not get regrowth, yjey will be done. If you want winter feed then disc them under and sow winter wheat in about a month or so and it should be some size by winter...

[farm hunter]

wvdeerhunter22

If they are Brown and the seeds are dry - You might try brushogging the plot - then disking to expose a decent amount of soil. I do this sometimes with Rye, but it really depends on how much sod has developed - too much grasses and you won't get much re-seeding.

Here's is a Sept 2003 picture of the Fall 2002 Rye planting in the foreground. I left strips of Mature rye standing for bedding - but probably wouldn't do it again. I didn't see any real benefit - It would've been better to have more Young Rye.



Its doubtfull that leaving them standing will provide any use for deer, other than low bedding - so you may as well cut it anyhow.

The young oats will die off in the winter - but should provide some good fall forage - If you do it right now - you might be able to overseed it with a clover at the same time - and have a decent clover plot next summer.

Good luck