Glossary O

Term

Explanation

Synonym / Example

Oats (Growth Stages as referred to in Bhutan)

Booting stage refers to the 3-4 month of the growing stage of oats. The best season / time for sowing oat differs in the lower valley and the alpine area in Bhutan. For instance oat is cultivated during the month of December and January in the lower valley of the rice base area and the Booting stage is reached in the month of March and April. During this time no green grass is available except oat.

In alpine area, the oat is cultivated in the month of April and May, when the yak herders migrate to their summer grazing area.

Milky stage refers to the 4-5 month of the growth of oats. In the lower valley, oat reaches to its milky stage in the month of April & May.
 
In alpine area, oat reaches to its milky stage during the months of September and October. This is the time when farmers harvest oat for hay making.

Oat reaches the Dough or seed production stage after 5-6 months of its sowing. In the lower valley, farmers produce their own seeds in addition to producing surplus for the high altitude farmers. After the seed harvest the straw is used for animal feed. Oat seed in the valley is harvested in the month of June