Higher yielding oat variety released

The release of the new higher-yielding oat variety Williams will provide an attractive option for WA graingrowers.

Developed under the National Oat Breeding Program, the new variety is expected to give growers greater economic returns while providing the industry with a stable, high-quality supply of oats with milling potential.

Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston said the new oat would strengthen the State's reputation as a world leader in producing high-quality milling oats for export.

"As the health benefits of oats become more widely recognised and new oat products are developed, the demand for WA milling oats is increasing," Mr Baston said. "There is growing demand from export markets in China, South Africa and Mexico."

The Williams variety produces yields that are, on average, 10 per cent higher than benchmark varieties Kojonup and Carrolup.

"Estimates suggest the new variety can increase yield on 100,000ha by 30,000 tonnes, potentially delivering an extra $4.8million to growers," the Minister said. "The new oat variety also offers higher hay yield and better digestibility. Through innovations such as the Williams variety, growers have the option of producing milling oats over traditional feed varieties."

Limited Williams seed will be available to growers for the 2014 growing season.

Last year 437,000 tonnes of oats were harvested from 219,000ha grown in WA