An agricultural crop grown for its grain and straw in most countries of the temperate zones of the world. In the major oat-growing states of the midwestern United States (Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) the crop is raised for grain, whereas in the Southern states (Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia) it is used for pasture or a combination of pasture and grain. About 90% of the annual oat grain production is used for animal feeds, and about 10% is processed into food for humans, for example, oatmeal and other cereal products.