Stoa has very good disease resistance, good test weight, and satisfactory baking qualities. When harvesting spring small grains for silage, energy and nutrient return is nearly doubled compared with harvesting the crop as grain. Small grains may be harvested for silage in the boot, heading, flower, milk, or dough stages. The forage quantity increases and the quality decreases as the plant matures. Harvest at the dough stage is usually a good compromise.
Small grains produce two to three tons dry matter per acre with yield varying by year and variety.
More detail on using small grains for silage or hay is given in G84-696, Small Grains for Silage or Hay . Any small grain variety adapted for grain production in an area will make satisfactory silage yields. However, medium to late maturing, taller varieties produce more tonnage, especially when harvested after boot stage. Ensiler, Russell, and Settler oats are good for silage production. Settler can be grown for either grain or forage, but Ensiler should be planted only as a forage oat.