Gehl Hull-less Oats Facts 2021
Gehl Oat Fields 2021
In 2021, we grew Gehl Hull-less Oats in Independence Township on 3 fields totaling 5.319 acres on our home farm. The farm is part of a 436 acre grant (known as Extravagance) surveyed to John Doddridge on April 6,1786. According to the Caldwell Atlas , M.T. Murdock established the farm in 1825. Murdock is listed as a farmer, grain, stock and wool grower (with 150 sheep). The farm was later a dairy operation (the Patterson family: 1945-1966) and a cattle operation (the Eastham family: 1966-1986). In 2008, we began raising historical grains on both the home farm and neighboring farms. The grains were certified organic in 2009 . In April 2014 Weatherbury Farm began stone-grinding flour. Weatherbury Farm also raises grass fed beef.
The oats were planted on March 22, 2021.
Clover was inter-seeded on the oats field on March 23, 2020. (The clover suppresses weeds, aids in holding up the oats and eventually will be next year’s hay crop. In our crop rotation, hay follows oats.)
The oats were harvested on July 19, 2021.
At the 2021 Washington County Fair, the sheaf of Gehl Oats won 1st place and the jar of Gehl Oats won 2nd place.
For an illustrated explanation of how Weatherbury grains become flour (and how Gehl hull-less Oats become rolled oats), visit the from seed to flour page.
More information on Gehl Hull-less Oats below the pictures!
Before the oats are planted, the field is plowed than harrowed (shown) to smooth the seedbed.
Planting the Gehl Oats.
Gehl Oats in the Field
12 1/2 weeks after planting
Harvesting Oats
We harvest the mature oats with our Gleaner Combine. The oats are stored in the bin on the combine while the straw and chaff are expelled from the back of the combine.
Harvesting Oats.
Unloading the oats from the combine into the wagon for transport back to Weatherbury Farm.
This event was captured by Christine Armbruster for “Feast and Field”
About Gehl Hull-less Oats
Gehl is the first bald-seeded hulless oat; the hull threshes free from the oat groat which means it can be rolled “live” rather than being steamed prior to rolling.
Products from Gehl Hull-less Oats
Rolled Oats & Oat Groats
After we harvest our oats, they are triple-cleaned and rolled, with none of the processing used in producing commercial rolled oats. Thus, Weatherbury Rolled Oats have their natural vitality, nutrients and flavor.
New in 2021, Weatherbury Oat Groats are now available.
Health benefits of Oats
Oats are incredibly nutritious. They are a good source of carbs and fiber and are loaded with important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Additionally, oats contain a beta-glucan, a fiber found to be very effective in lowering cholesterol. Oats also have avenanthramides, an antioxidant unique to oats, which may help protect blood vessels from the damaging effects of LDL cholesterol and keep blood pressure low.
Weatherbury’s oats are rolled “live;” commercial oats are steamed before rolling. Thus, none of their vitality, flavor or nutrients is lost in the process.
More Information
Rolled Oats can be ordered either for our monthly on-farm pickup or you can have your order sent to you.
To read more about Rolled Oats, please visit our products page.
More information on Rolled Oats and other grains grown at Weatherbury Farm are on the grains we grow page.