Oats Knows: Farmers Find Steady Income in Humble Grain

As the summer sun beats down on oat fields across the country, farmers are reminded of the old adage 'Oats knows.' This phrase originated from the idea that the oat crop's ability to foretell market prices for grain. While oats may not be a glamorous crop, it remains a staple in many farm economies.

One farmer shared his experience with harvesting oats, describing the process of unloading the combine's hopper into a grain wagon. The oats poured out, covering both him and the wagon in chaff. He recalled the smell of fresh-cut oats and the satisfaction of watching the golden windrows being lifted by the combine's teeth.

The farmer also shared an anecdote about rescuing a group of chicks that had wandered into the path of his combine. They were hanging upside down on the straw shafts, and he had to shake them loose to safety.

Oats are often overlooked in favor of more prominent crops like corn and soybeans, but they remain a steady presence in many farm economies. With high prices for fertilizers and other inputs driving up costs, some farmers may be turning to oats as a more affordable option.