Summary

The National Oat Breeding Program develops improved hay and grain varieties for southern Australia. This research project focuses on releasing hay oat varieties with improved productivity, disease resistance, and hay quality. The program works closely with the whole value chain represented by growers, industry, marketers, and consumers to ensure breeding priorities reflect their needs and new varieties meet their requirements.

The National Oat Breeding Program is centralised at SARDI with a node at DAFWA. Due to different production constraints in eastern and western Australia, breeding lines are selected in the two regions. Agronomic and disease reactions are evaluated at four sites in South Australia (SA), four sites in Western Australia (WA), and two sites in Victoria (VIC). Dry matter production and hay quality are evaluated for stage 4 trials at three sites in SA, three sites in WA, and two sites in VIC. Stage 2 and stage 3 hay trials are cut for hay yield and quality at Turretfield Research Centre.

The decision to release a new variety is based on two criteria, the advanced breeding line has improved features and will replace a current variety or it offers new options to a link in the value chain. AEXCO commercialises new varieties from the program.

Program

Export Fodder

Research Organisation

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

Objective Summary

The R&D objectives are to improve agronomic traits, disease resistance, and quality in hay varieties grown in southeastern and western Australia. With the changing climate, dry growing conditions, and hay production moving into traditional low rainfall regions, tolerance to dry conditions will be addressed. This project meets RIRDC priorities by promoting the development of quality oat hay for a sustainable and profitable fodder industry.

Expected outcomes from this research will be improved oat varieties that are more productive in traditional and non-traditional oat growing regions that meet current and emerging export markets.