summer/fall planting

I had asked on Using Your Tractor about planting oats for forage this time of year. Spent most of last Saturday afternoon in my TW35 pulling the Vibrashank getting the field ready. Just before it was time to milk, a highschooler who occasionally works for me came over to plant the field for me. He isn't a Ford fan, but is learning to at least respect them. Used the 7600 since it still had duals on. Don't let the dust fool you - there was plenty of moisture at planting depth. The second picture is the same field, the same day, in a low spot. Couldn't quite get all of it worked. Dont' even want to look at that spot now, as we've had showers three different times (including half an hour after he finished planting) and a 1"+ rain since then.
I have another small grain planting question for any of you with experience with fall seeding. I have another 16 acres that got all messed up with the late, wet spring we had here. It's too wet to do anything now, but I'm wondering about winter barley or triticale, to be used for grain next year. When should they be planted, and can alfalfa (or clover or maybe trefoil) be planted along with it, like I do in the spring? (n/w WI)

Looks great! BTW, I would sure take any rain you don't want. Send it to Central KS. Thanks for the pictures. Bob

Around here, hr NW of MPLS- early September. Did plant one year on Sept 15, 1983. That was straight alfalfa, worked well. Was on a farm we had just bought, was in set-aside that summer so we cleared some trees and rocks and seeded it. Winter wheat would be the same time frame here.

Oat grass forage ought to do well in that field, add some fertilizer or address soil needs if not already and you'll have a nice stand within a month, I've planted smaller areas real thick with seed for food plots, nothing added and got nice stands, if I could have added fertilizer, or address the soils needs, would have really taken off. It sure seems to be an inexpensive and nice forage. I like doing these as its not costly, no worry about a harvest, just add what you can to make it grow in, then let it be, till you graze it or whatever is to happen.

This is exactly one month after planting, broadcast heavily, disc'd in, nothing added, lots of rocks and clay too, heavier wet soil on this side of that old field. The in-fill or overseed was a no plow forage by whitetail institute, really filled in nice, but the oats were still dominant.

Looks like the deer love it.....