A plump kernel with a higher ratio of groat to hull is more acceptable to oat millers. Choose varieties with high kernel weights and a low hull percentage. Varieties of hull-less oats are available but are not generally purchased for milling purposes. In some cases, eastern grown varieties of tan hulled oats are not generally acceptable to millers. If there is any question of the suitability of a variety, contact the miller to whom you will be selling.
Diseases can reduce the size of the kernels and discolour the seed.
Lodging makes harvesting difficult and makes ripening uneven by delaying maturity in lodged areas. There are differences among varieties in resistance to disease and lodging. Choose a variety with resistance to lodging, stem, leaf, and panicle diseases from among the recommended milling varieties. Sowing certified seed ensures that the crop grown will have the true characteristics of the variety stated on the tag. Cereals prefer cool weather with adequate moisture.