Western Oat Alliance member and Dandaragan grower Andrew Roberts inspecting a Kojonup seed crop with Kellie Winfield, Oat Industry Development Officer, Department of Agriculture.

A huge amount of interest has been shown by growers for
Kojonup A since its release at Dowerin Field Days.

Western Oat Alliance (WOA) Chairman Ray Marshall said that it has been almost seven years since the last Western Australian variety (Wandering) was released.

“With the potential to become the first dwarf milling variety in Western Australia, the Western Oat Alliance sees great potential for Kojonup A for Western Australian farmers,” said Mr Marshall.

“Kojonup A is likely to be the last line bred by Robyn McLean and the Department’s oat breeding team, as new work has been coordinated through the national Oat Breeding Program.”

Mr Marshall said the WOA strongly supports the national Oat Breeding Program and is working closely to ensure varieties are developed to meet the requirements of the milling, feed and export hay markets as well as growers in WA.

“The Western Oat Alliance has received GRDC funding for growers to visit the Oat Breeding Program in South Australia and attend the Hart Field Day. This will enable growers to gain a better understanding of the program and identify areas the WOA can further support the program,” Mr Marshall said.

The Western Oat Alliance with AgraCorp will officially launch Kojonup A to the Western Australian oat industry at the first inaugural Western Oat Alliance Field Day. The Field Day, to be opened by Mr Terry Enright, GRDC Chairman, will be held at Ashley and Jo Wiese’s property at Highbury from 1:00pm on Wednesday 28 September.

“This will be a good opportunity for oat growers (hay and grain) to see the progress of new initiatives formulated by the advent of an entire value chain concept,” Mr Marshall said.

“Growers will also be able to inspect Kojonup A in Department of Agriculture oat grain and hay agronomy trials.”

Whilst the oat industry is small by comparison to other crops such as wheat, it is an important part of most farming enterprises. The Western Oat Alliance has many initiatives planned to enhance the sustainability and profitability of Western Australian farmers growing oat crops.

To get to the field day follow the signs on Great Southern Highway, 1.5 km south of Highbury.

NOTE PLANT BREEDERS RIGHTS: Kojonup is protected by plant breeder rights, which is indicated by the A symbol after the name, and it is subject to end point royalties.