Summary

The National Oat Breeding Program develops improved oat varieties for hay production in Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA), Victoria (Vic) and southern New South Wales (NSW). The research program outputs are to release improved oat hay varieties with high dry matter production, enhanced hay quality and superior combinations of disease resistance. These breeding priorities are determined by communication with the export hay industry.
The National Oat Breeding Program is centralised at South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) with a node at the Department of Primary Industries Regional Development (DPIRD). Agronomic and disease reactions for breeding lines in the earlier generation trials (stage 2 and stage 3) are evaluated at three sites in SA and three sites in WA. Stage 4 trials are cut for hay yield and quality at three sites in SA and WA. Hay cuts are done for stage 2, 3 and 4 trials at Turretfield Research Centre in SA with a forage harvester and hay yield and quality are assessed.
The program works closely with the value chain represented by growers, the export industry and consumers.

Program

Export Fodder

Research Organisation

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development acting through the South Australian Research and Development Institute

Objective Summary

The research and development objectives are to improve agronomic traits, disease resistance and quality in hay varieties grown in south-eastern and Western Australia. With a changing climate, dry growing conditions and a trend of hay production into traditional low rainfall regions, tolerance to dry conditions with be assessed. This project meets AgriFutures Australia’s research priorities by promoting the development of quality oat hay for a sustainable and profitable export fodder industry.
Expected outcomes from this research will be improved oat hay varieties that are more productive in traditional and non-traditional oat growing regions that meet current and emerging export markets.