More than 250 growers and oat industry stakeholders came together near Narrogin to hear about the latest developments in oat research, agronomy, breeding and market access expansion. Very well attended by growers, the event was also popular with domestic processors, researchers and traders. The consensus among the crowd was that the future of Australian oats is looking bright.
The OATSPO event was organised by the Grain Industry Association of WA (GIWA) to showcase the industry-led Processed Oat Partnership (POP). POP is an industry led program supported by the WA State Government which is investing in the future of the oat industry. GIWA, through the GIWA Oat Council, is the lead program partner and advisor.
With global awareness of the health benefits of oats continuing to increase, Australia is in an excellent position to capture a greater share of growing demand for nutritious oat products.
AEGIC is partnering in a range of projects designed to capitalise on oat market opportunities on behalf of Australian growers.
Australian oats for innovative food products (POP)
AEGIC developed innovative oat-based products such as 100% whole grain oat noodles and oat “rice” to help provide more options for consumers to incorporate healthy oats into their diets. We are investigating a range of other value-added products for premium markets to enhance the value of Australian oats for growers.
Co-investor: WA Government through the Processed Oat Partnership (POP). Project is led by AEGIC.
Strengthening oat classification (POP)
AEGIC is helping the Australian oat industry develop a stronger classification system. This project will establish independent oat quality testing to improve evaluation of new breeding lines. It will also develop product testing methods and identify key oat quality traits to help the industry develop improved oat varieties for consumers. This will help the Australian oats industry capture higher-value markets by supplying oats that meet market requirements.
Co-investor: WA Government through the Processed Oat Partnership (POP). Project is led by AEGIC.
Economic insights to capture oat market value (POP)
AEGIC is identifying whether there are potential economic benefits from increased valued-added oat processing capacity within Australia. This information will help guide future investment decisions regarding the economic value of additional processing of oats in Australia.
Co-investor: WA Government through the Processed Oat Partnership (POP). Project is led by AEGIC.
Discovering desirable oat aroma, texture and flavour (OGQC)
Led by InterGrain in collaboration with AEGIC and other organisations, this project will provide breeders with actionable information on the genetic variation of ‘taste’ compounds, and support breeding efforts to enhance the sensory appeal of Australian oats for existing and new oat products.
Investor: GRDC through the Oat Grain Quality Consortium (OGQC). Project is led by InterGrain with support from AEGIC and other research organisations and commercial processors.
Modulating oil content of oats to improve milling and food (OGQC)
Led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in collaboration with AEGIC and other industry organisations, this project will establish industry-relevant oil thresholds for milling applications, understand the genetics and biochemical pathways determining oat grain oil content, and deliver to breeding programs novel low-oil oat lines with improved suitability for milling. Developing oats with reduced oil content could expand their uses in Australia and improve their suitability for other processing applications.
Investor: GRDC through the Oat Grain Quality Consortium (OGQC). Project is led by SARDI with support from AEGIC and other research organisations and commercial processors.
