By Blake Jackson
Growing demand for organic grain in Pennsylvania is creating new opportunities for farmers, particularly as the state's expanding organic poultry industry requires a dependable supply of organic feed.
According to Daniela Carrijo, Assistant Professor and Grain Production Extension Specialist at Penn State Extension, corn and soybeans remain the primary feed ingredients, but hulless spring oats could provide growers with additional marketing opportunities while improving crop rotations and soil health.
Unlike conventional oats, hulless varieties require less processing and contain higher protein levels, making them attractive for both livestock feed and premium human food markets. However, research-based production recommendations for organically grown hulless oats in the Northeast have been limited.
To address this need, Penn State master's student Emily McFadden is studying organic oat production at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center as part of the university's Reduced-Tillage Organic Systems Experiments (ROSE). Her research focuses on helping growers reduce tillage while maintaining effective weed control.
Organic farmers often rely on intensive tillage because herbicides are not an option, but repeated soil disturbance can reduce soil structure, biological activity, and organic matter.
McFadden is evaluating whether spring oats can naturally suppress weeds while supporting healthier soils through cultural management practices rather than chemical controls.
McFadden research examines several management strategies, including higher seeding rates, poultry manure fertility, row spacing, and oat variety selection.
Early findings indicate that increasing seeding rates from 1.5 million to 2.5 million seeds per acre reduced weed biomass by 30% to 39%. In one trial, yields also increased by nearly 19%.
The study also found significant differences among oat varieties. Streaker delivered the highest yields but was more prone to lodging, while Nitro maintained better standability and produced grain with higher protein content, making it a strong option for food-grade markets.
Although sourcing high-demand hulless varieties remains challenging, the research aims to provide practical recommendations that help Pennsylvania farmers diversify rotations, improve weed management, strengthen soil health, and better serve growing organic grain markets.
Photo Credit: pexels-vladimirsrajber
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops