Buck Forage Oats vs. Oats

[crice]

Hello, this may seem like a rookie question, but I'm new to all this food plot stuff and need to see if I can get an answer. I'm getting ready to plant some buck forage oats in our plots, but after talking to my local farmer I'm wondering if there is a difference between them and an oat seed that they plant. I know there is a huge price difference, but I'm thinking an oat is an oat right? I can't seem to find much info on the web so I'm hoping somone here can help me out. I'd appreciate any help or links to any information on the web. Thanks!
-chris

[dogdoc]

Welcome!

I have never planted the BFO--just can't talk myself into spending 2 to 3X more for something that's going to die after the first hard freeze anyway. I usually plant Bob Oats and have had great success. There are several varieties so at least try to get one that is for forage or hay and not so much for seed production.

I do know a lot of guys on here plant BFO and have had great success with them. They claim to be more freeze tolerant--which may be true.

[Bob S]

Buck Forage Oats are supposed to be more cold tolerant and therefore last later into the fall than other oats. You will have to decide for yourself whether or not that would be worth the extra price.

[letemgrow]

I planted buck forage oats side by side with regular oats and I did not see any difference. It would be worth a shot to try them, but plant the regular oats next to them to see if they really are more cold tolerant or not and if the deer prefer them better.

[Swarm]

Bob is right. BFO's are just a brand name that you're paying for. THey do a good job marketing so more power to them. The oats themselves are just a more cold tolerant oat than most. Ask your local farmers what works for them and you'll save some $$.

Swarm

[mswaldo]

I also planted BFO side by side with regular oats last fall. I did not see any difference in browsing, longevity, or growth. I am going with regular oats this year.

[jrpiasko]

i think you have the answer... i tried buck forage oats last year.... i will never use them or oats again.... if you want something cold hardy get some turnips and rape in the ground pronto with some rye too if you want to mix something in there

[yukonal]

After the beans came out, BFO went in. Beside that, WR went in. They ALL walked through the BFO to get to the rye.

[>>>---->]

I planted BFO in Late Sept 2006. The deer loved them and they stayed green up into January before they froze out. In 2007 I planted regular oats from the feed store along with WW. The oats froze out in early December. The deer did not use them much and stayed in the WW more. So this year its all WW.

[biglakeba$$]

BFO gets a big thumbs down from me.
A TON of money for something thats mediocre at best.