Strengthening WA’s oat classification system

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).

Completed (as of October 2024)

• We attended the North American Oat Workers Conference in Canada during July 2024, gaining valuable networks for understanding the Canadian classification landscape and identifying new collaborations with Canadian research counterparts at a technical and pre-competitive level.
• We selected small-scale oat flaking equipment for consistent and reliable assessment of varietal, seasonal, and geographical variances in oats. We continue to investigate steamer/kiln apparatus options.
• We identified quality traits and testing methods essential for strengthening the oat classification system, with a focus on oat flakes.
• An annual progress report to the POP steering committee was submitted in October 2024.

Scheduled (by March 2025)

• We will review small-scale oat cleaning and de-hulling processes by the start of Q2 2025 to identify best practices and equipment.
• We continue reviewing key quality traits and testing methods for assessing oat grain and product quality.

If you would like to know more, please contact us