The major part of Iowa’s commercial oats is produced in the north central and northwestern counties of Iowa. Some of these counties ship annually an average of from 60 to 69 percent of their total production. Three-fifths, of the 56 million bushels loaded for commercial shipment reach Iowa’s primary markets on first billing. The seasonal flow of oats to market resembles more nearly that of wheat than of corn.

These facts evolve from a study of carload shipments of oats from each shipping point in Iowa and a further analysis of the destination of from 58 to 83 percent of these total loadings. Although the data covering destination are not as complete as those showing volume of movement and include only 6 of the 19 railroads operating within the state, the sample is believed to be adequately representative of the total movement.