A:   Oats can be a good choice for spring pasture, however they may not be as early and ready to graze as soon as one would like. Oats need soil temperatures at about 43 to 45 degrees for germination. It is suggested to plant when soil temperatures are close to this. If planted when it is too cold, the seed will just sit there and there is a risk of some seed deterioration and loss. I have seen that it takes about 6 weeks from planting (at that temperature) until the oats are 6 to 8 inches tall and ready to graze. Once the oats reach that height, their growth is very rapid. They are many oat varieties available and fall into the categories of grain, forage, or dual purpose. The forage varieties are typically taller and leafier and are a good selection for grazing. Seeding rate is about 60 to 70 lb per acre.