No-till management systems and low N requirements
Oats can be used in environmentally friendly no-till production systems, and have low N requirements (60 kg/ha) in those systems (Lafond et al., 2013).
Companion and cover crop
In the Northern USA, oats seeded with a companion legume during spring can provide hay or grain and excellent straw, while the legume remains as a summer or autumn cover crop. However, the climbing growth habit of vines such as vetch (Vicia spp.) can contribute to lodging and make harvesting the oat grain difficult (SARE, 2008).
Weed controller
Because of their great tillering capacity, oats are more competitive to weeds than other cereals. They deprive weeds from light and smother them efficiently while requiring less herbicides, thus possibly reducing deleterious effects on oat yields and the environment (DAFWA, 2006).