I planted a cover crop of oats,peas, and red clover two years ago. I was actually able to get it planted during a dry spell in late March. It did well, everybody told me you could plant oats as soon as you could get in the field. I think I planted 100 oats and 50lbs peas. I didn't really notice much browsing, but I wasn't there to watch either. The oats/peas did a decent job keeping the weeds down but some were able to pop thru.(not as effective as buckwheat) I sprayed in June and planted brassicas July. I'm doing this again this spring.