A new variety of oat is set to be released to Australian farmers and consumers as a result of UNCLE TOBYS long term collaboration with the National Oat Breeding Program.
The release of the new variety, Kowari, follows 14 years of development work through the South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI) based program.
Kowari produces increased levels of beta glucan which help reduce blood cholesterol re-absorption.
The new variety is also good news for growers, because of its high yielding potential and disease resistance.
For more than 20 years, the National Oat Breeding Program, based at SARDI, has delivered new varieties which offer processors and manufacturers high quality, nutritious and tasty milling oats to meet consumer needs and open new markets.
UNCLE TOBYS brings its experience in oat milling and rolling, as well as sensory and tasting expertise to the program to ensure that new milling varieties developed have what it takes to be commercially successful.
The program has produced the majority of oat varieties currently used by Australian growers, accounting for up to 85 per cent of south-east Australian milling oats and up to 75 per cent of Australian export hay varieties.
The program is funded by UNCLE TOBYS, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, AgriFutures Australia, South Australian Grain Industry Trust, and the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and commercial partners AEXCO and Heritage Seeds.
UNCLE TOBYS farmers will be planting Kowari Oats in April next year – ready to eat in 2019.