Local farmers who planted oats are reaping good profits

Most of the time when people discuss farm crops, they're discussing corn, or maybe soybeans.

But for Winneshiek County farmers who planted oats this spring, this is turning into a very good year.

Winneshiek County Extension crop specialist Brian Lang says "The guys that got oats planted in a timely manner, it sounds like they're doing pretty good."

There are two reasons for oats farmers to be happy.  First of all, the growing conditions have been good.  Iowa's oat harvest is ahead of schedule.  Statewide the oats crop is rated 56 percent good and 14 percent excellent, with just 5 percent either poor or very ppor.

Secondly, oats prices are climbing.  The USDA says the average price for oats in Iowa last month was $3.40.  That's a 50 percent increase from the price of oats in July of 2010 in Iowa--$2.27 per bushel.