Abstract: In order to screen suitable forage germplasm for the agro-pasture ecotone of northern Shanxi, phonological development, height, fresh and dry (hay) yields, stem to leaf ratio, nutrient [dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), Ash] content and feeding value of 13 oat varieties were assessed. The height, fresh and hay yields, stem to leaf ratio and nutrient content of different oat varieties were significant different; Titan was the tallest variety (133.61 cm) while Magnum was the lowest (92.02 cm) (P<0.01). The hay yield of Haymaker was the higher than all varieties (P<0.05) apart from Molasses, Titan and Kona. The leaf to stem ratios of Haymaker and Molasses were higher than those of the other varieties. The ranges of DM, CP, EE, NDF, ADF and Ash contents of different varieties were 93.37%-95.29%, 11.03%-12.81%, 2.78%-4.45%, 55.51%-65.20%, 26.14%-34.39% and 5.70%-7.13%, respectively. The relative feeding value of Monida and Baler were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of other varieties. It was concluded that Haymaker, Molasses and Titan were the most suitable varieties for extensive utilization in northern Shanxi.