Oat is the majorspring-sown small grain crop in Iowa. Spring-sown small grains can be used for grain and straw production, as a companion crop to establish hay and pastures, or for early-season forage as hay or haylage. Because small grains generally mature before the end of July, a forage legume, cover crop, or green manure crop can follow oats, or animal manure can be spread on the field in which oats were grown.