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. 

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Articles

  • Healthy oat pannicle standing above a green crop

    Oats: fertilisers and plant nutrition

    2 December 2013

    Oats have traditionally been considered a low input crop and has generally been grown on paddocks with lower soil fertility.

  • The foreground shows a trial plot of Williams oats at early pannicle emergence. The crop is green against a background of an overcast day after a shower of rain. The crop is still wet and on the horizon more clouds are forming behind low hills.

    Williams: a milling quality oat for Western Australia

    28 October 2013

    Williams is a milling oat variety which was released in September 2013. It is a mid-tall, high yielding line with an improved disease resistance profile compared to current varieties.

  • Close-up of a desiantha weevil adult on a leaf

    Oats: insect pests

    29 November 2013

    Grain insects are not permitted in export grain or grain for sale and there is a zero tolerance for insects in export hay. Protecting against field and stored grain pests is therefore critical.

  • Spring growth of an oat crop in York 2013

    Oats: seeding and establishment

    28 November 2013

    Cultural practices from paddock preparation to seeding rate and sowing date help promote plant establishment and survival.

  • Foreground of ripe oat crop with a harvester in the distance

    Oats: harvesting, swathing and grain storage

    1 November 2013

    Harvesting oats is usually done by direct heading of standing grain as soon as the crop is ripe which will help reduce grain shedding.

  • Early growth stage of National Variety Testing plots. View is looking across a trial site with a tree line on the horizon. Seven row plots with plant growing vigorously.

    Oats: variety selection

    6 November 2013

    Identifying the option that will lead to the greatest returns for a grower is a complex problem. Yield will be one of the key determinants of returns, but grain quality is also a consideration.

  • Rows of windrowed hay in paddocks ready for baling

    Oats: hay quality for export and domestic markets

    29 November 2013

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

  • Image of container ship being loaded at Fremantle Port

    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.

  • Boom spray applying chemical over pasture paddock

    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.

  • A brown paddock with strips of winrowed hay drying ready to be baled

    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.

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