I have had very good luck in years past planting small grains late summer. I have used buck forage oats, winter wheat, and winter rye; all have seen a lot of use. I tend to plant these plots around that first or second weekend in August. Depending on weather pattern, I had one year where this planting date left too much growth on the plants, and they were not utilized as well. Every other year however, these plants stay small, green, and palatable to the deer. The key appears to get germination and growth, but not too much growth. If you get too much growth, and the stems start to become hollow, the utilization of these plots is greatly reduced.
As of Friday, my winter rye plot was still green and being used heavily. This plot is in a 5 acres tillable piece that also has beans, corn, turnips, radishes, chicory, and clover (therefore I conclude that this use is not determinant upon lack of other food sources). I would say that your observations directly align with mine, and lends me to say that small grains can be a great addition to any food plot system. I also like the winter wheat or winter rye as the spring regrowth is very early and gives the deer early season nutrition.
