Oats

The Western Australian oat industry generates about $540 million for the state economy each year through the production of milling oats for human consumption and feed oats and about $225 million per year in oaten hay for livestock production.

The major markets for Australian milling oats are China, Mexico, India and Japan.

Western Australian feed oats are well received by international markets, particularly the growing Middle Eastern and Japanese race horse industries.

WA produces about 40% of Australia's export hay – most of which is sent to Taiwan, Japan and South Korea to support their dairy industry.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is a partner within the National Oat Breeding Program, which is responsible for breeding and developing new oat grain and hay varieties with superior quality.

Articles

Western Australian oat industry

1 November 2013

The oat industry delivers nearly $200 million to the state economy each year through oats for human consumption and feed.
Oats: hay essentials

2 December 2013

Export hay fits into most of the accepted cropping rotatons and helps reduce weed seed banks, overcomes herbicide resistance and provides a break from traditional chemical regimes in addition to gi
Oats: hay quality for export and domestic markets

29 November 2013

The oaten hay market in Western Australia has developed significantly in recent years.
Hay exports

4 December 2013

Western Australia exports on average 48% of Australia's oaten hay, exporting around 300 000 tonnes worth over A$88 million in 2012/13.
Oats: weeds and integrated weed management

28 November 2013

Oats are more competitive with weeds than most other crops but weed control is still critical, particularly in hay crops as weeds can cause downgrading or rejection of export hay.
Growing oaten hay on frost-prone paddocks

14 December 2010

Growing oaten hay on frost-prone paddocks minimises the frost risk as it is cut soon after flowering, avoiding the frost-sensitive period.
Oats: hay production

1 November 2013

There are specific requirements for hay for the export market that are different to usual on-farm requirements.
Oats: essentials

1 November 2013

Oats in Western Australia are grown for grain, hay, grazing or silage. Each year between 250 000 and 350 000 hectares are sown for grain production, and 113 000 hectares for hay production.
Diagnosing manganese deficiency in oats

19 June 2015

Oats are very susceptible to manganese (Mn) deficiency, which produces a condition called 'grey speck'.
Diagnosing phosphorus deficiency in oats

19 June 2015

Nearly all soils in Western Australia are phosphorus deficient in their natural state but the continual use of phosphorus fertiliser means acute deficiency in broadacre crops is rare, with the exce