New oat variety for Western Australian farmers

• New oat variety Williams developed under National Oat Breeding Program

• Will deliver higher yields and profitability to grains industry

The release of the new higher-yielding oat variety Williams will provide an attractive option for Western Australian grain growers.

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.

        Fact File

• The National Oat Breeding Team's research and development is supported by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, Grains Research and Development Corporation and the SA Research and Development Institute

• In the tradition of naming WA oats after rivers, Oat Variety WA 2332 was named Williams by the Grain Institute Association of WA Oat Committee

• In 2012, 437,000 tonnes of oats were harvested from 219,000ha grown in WA

Minister's office - 6552 5400