Oats, Avena sativa

The healing properties of oats were recognized early on, for example by Hildegard von Bingen, who recommended oats as a remedy in the 12th century. She particularly valued oats for their ability to “cheer up the spirit”, clear the mind and help with states of weakness.

A simple grain

Oats (Avena sativa) are clearly distinguished from other cereals by their panicles instead of ears. The panicles are bell-shaped and tilt downwards as they grow. This makes oats easy to identify. The grains are covered by a husk, which is removed after harvesting.

The oat plant is robust and adaptable. It prefers temperate climates and has few requirements regarding the type of soil. The main growing areas are Northern and Central Europe, Russia and North America. Oats are an annual plant from the sweet grass family (Poaceae). It reaches a height of 0.6 to 1.5 meters. The stems are straight and upright, hollow and have nodes at regular intervals. The leaves are narrow, lanceolate and rough. Germination takes place at temperatures between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, which makes it ideal for cultivation in spring and autumn seasons. Due to its flexible requirements of soil type, oats are particularly valuable for cultivation in less fertile regions.

From weed to champion

Oats originate from Western Asia and Eastern Europe, where they have been cultivated for around 4000 years. It was initially regarded as a weed in wheat and barley fields before its benefits were recognised. Due to its adaptability and high nutrient content, cultivation quickly caught on. It was already cultivated by the Celts and Germanic tribes, as excavations in Swiss stilt house dwellings have shown. Oats were a staple food in Central and Eastern Europe until the introduction of the potato. In the Middle Ages, oats became an extremely important foodstuff in Europe, especially in cooler regions where wheat and barley did not grow particularly well. In Scotland and Scandinavia, oats have a long tradition and are still a staple food today. Today, Russia, Canada, Australia, Brazil and several European countries are the main producers of oats. In Brazil, oats have enjoyed a rapid rise over the last decade. People here are paying more and more attention to healthy eating and are increasingly turning to oats. At the same time, the positive properties of oats for the soil have become more popular. As a deep-rooting crop, it loosens and aerates the soil, counteracts erosion and promotes the regeneration and protection of the soil. In addition, oats suppress weeds and plant diseases and require comparatively little fertiliser and pesticides, which is good for the environment

Oats are playing an increasingly important role as animal feed in subtropical regions, particularly in Pakistan and northern India. Here, oats are grown as green fodder and the whole plant is fed to livestock. A particularly decisive factor for its success in these regions is that it functions as a winter crop in the fields and has a positive effect on soil health. It is therefore used as a winter crop, especially in small-scale farming systems that rely on minimal tillage.

As a cereal for human consumption, oats have experienced a rapid decline since the middle of the 20th century – especially in Europe, where they were previously an important staple food. In recent years, the popularity of oat products has risen again somewhat in some countries such as Brazil or Germany, e.g. through the spread of products such as oat milk, but this has not stopped the general downward trend in oat cultivation.

A delicious remedy

Oats are versatile and are mainly consumed as oat flakes, oatmeal and now also as oat milk. It is rich in fiber, especially beta-glucan, which has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Oats also contain important vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc and vitamin B1. From a health perspective, oats have a number of advantages over the more common cereals wheat, rice and barley. In humans, oat consumption aids digestion, stabilises blood sugar levels and supports the immune system. Oat products are also often a good alternative for people with gluten intolerance, as oats are naturally gluten-free as long as they are not contaminated with gluten-containing grains.

Furthermore, as already described, oats play an important and growing role in animal nutrition. It is used as feed for horses, cattle and poultry and, as with humans, contributes to the health and performance of animals. Oats are fed both green and as grain and hay. Oats are also used in the cosmetics industry due to their soothing and moisturising properties – especially in skin care products. On a smaller scale, oats are also used in the production of agrofuel or as hay for the production of blankets and mattresses.

Oats and their limits

Although oat cultivation is less intensive than that of other cereals, it still poses considerable challenges: fungal diseases such as oat crown rust (Puccinia coronata) are particularly problematic. These can cause significant yield losses as they impair the plants’ photosynthesis and weaken the plants. Such diseases often require the use of fungicides, which increases production costs and has a negative impact on the environment.

Oats thrive best in cooler, temperate climates. Extreme weather conditions intensified by climate change, such as drought, flooding or unpredictable temperature fluctuations, can significantly affect cultivation. Such conditions can disrupt the germination and growth of oat plants, resulting in lower yields. Although oats are less demanding in terms of soil quality, continuous cultivation without crop rotation can lead to soil erosion and nutrient deficiencies. The monoculture of oats, as with other cereals, can affect soil fertility in the long term. Sustainable practices such as crop rotation and green manuring are necessary to maintain soil quality.

Global trade in oat products is also subject to strong price fluctuations, which are influenced by market conditions, crop yields and political factors. Smallholder farmers are particularly vulnerable to such fluctuations, as they often do not have the means to adapt to them.

Practical example: Historic oats for sustainable agriculture

One outstanding example of innovative oat cultivation projects is the ‘Kornwerk’ in Brandenburg, the state bordering Berlin, Germany. Swenja Rosenwinkel, Marlene Bruce and Miriam Boyer work with regional farmers to produce oat milk from historical oat varieties. Customers pay a fixed amount and in return receive oat milk in returnable jars. The model supports smaller structures and family businesses, promotes the cultivation of old grain varieties and supports the regional food system.

The ‘Kornwerk’ project shows how solidarity agriculture can work. It connects consumers directly with producers and promotes sustainable farming methods. By using old oat varieties, the project also contributes to the preservation of genetic diversity and offers an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional milk. Such initiatives are groundbreaking for the future of agriculture and the promotion of local, sustainable food systems.

Sources

FAO: Fodder Oats. a world overview. Link.
Haack World Atlas Online: Info sheet on oats. Link.
Oats. The all-rounder. Link.
Transparency in genetic engineering: Oats. Link.
tip Berlin: “Kornwerk” oat milk: solidarity farming for the milk shelf. Link.