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, Bilby, follows years of development work through the South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI) based program.
Bilby produces increased levels of beta glucan which has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol.
The new variety is also good news for farmers, 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.
Uncle Tobys Senior Research and Development Manager John Pitcher said they were looking forward to trialling the new oat variety.
“Uncle Tobys has worked closely with SARDI, through the National Oat Breeding program, to deliver oats that are not only good for our consumers in terms of taste and nutrition, but also good for our farmers and sustainability,” said Mr Pitcher.
“We are delighted that the new Bilby oat has a twofold benefit, delivering not only increased beta-glucan to help lower cholesterol levels, but also enhancing paddock yields for farmers and we are looking forward to trialling the Bilby oats in the upcoming growing season.”
The National Oat Breeding program is funded by UNCLE TOBYS, Primary Industries and Regions SA through SARDI, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, AgriFutures Australia, the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and commercial partners Heritage Seeds.
UNCLE TOBYS farmers will be planting Bilby Oats in the upcoming growing season – ready to eat in 2021.