Is a true Avena strigosa (also known as Bristle Oat) variety, bred by Pure-Seed Testing, and as such should not be confused with ‘black’ Avena sativa (common oat).  Backen is a cool-season annual cereal that provides great weed control, with the species having allelopathic effects on small seed species. True black oats are also known for inhibiting nematodes. Either alone or in a mixture, Backen provides very good erosion control and scavenge nitrogen very well, it also can be used for forage and pasture cover. It has high nutritional value and good digestibility for cattle.