Strengthening WA’s oat classification system

This project seeks to develop a comprehensive classification system for the WA oat industry, including:

establishing independent oat quality testing capability for the improved evaluation of different breeding lines;
developing classification testing methodologies for end-product quality evaluation; and
identifying key quality traits and targets to support the development of improved oat varieties (e.g., better understanding how test weight, kernel weight, plumpness, and thin oats are related and their importance for processing and end-product quality).

We rolled out market preference surveys on oat quality to customers in China, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore as part of our webinar series in June 2025 – part of the POP Novel market solutions in oat processing and new product development project.

We have ordered and received more equipment to evaluate methods and measure grain and flake quality.
More methods for testing flake quality traits have been evaluated for their adoption in this project.

We are continuously identifying, reviewing, and purchasing equipment for oat processing, as well as refining methods for assessing grain and product quality.
We will report on the market survey results for key potential markets to identify important traits for oat classification, focusing on grain quality, functionality, and product performance.
The flaker mill has arrived in Australian port. We will set up and commission this equipment once received.
Annual progress report will be submitted in December 2025.