Developing Improved Oat
Varieties for South Eastern Australia
South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI)
GPO Box 397, Adelaide, 5001, South Australia, Australia
2001 Season in Review
Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) estimates for South Australia in 2001-2002 predicted total oat grain yields to be 176,200 tonnes produced from 96,500 hectares with an average yield of 1.83 t/ha. This is a significant yield increase for the second year from a below average area. The five-year average of 164,040 tonnes produced from 120,840 hectares is an average of 1.36 t/ha. Current statistics are not available for oat hay production. However, the area sown for oat hay production is similar to the area sown for grain production in South Australia. Statistics are not yet available for Victoria.
Prices for oats received during the 2001/02 season were similar to those from 2000-2001 and are still healthier than the five year average of $150 per tonne. The South Australian estimated silo returns were $165 to $185 per tonne for milling grade, $155 to $175 per tonne for feed number 1 grade, and $145 to $165 per tonne for feed number 2 grade. The price for milling grade in Victoria was $160 to $165 per tonne.
Domestic
millers reported that yield and quality were
excellent in 2001. All Euro and most
Echidna receivals were accepted as milling grade with hectolitre weights for
Euro averaging 55 to 56 kg/hL and reports of yields more than 3.7 tonne per
hectare (1.5 tonne per acre). After the
disastrous year in 2000, many growers went away from Euro due to stem rust
susceptibility. Receivals of this
variety were around 40 to 50% of total receivals in western Victoria and the
South East of South Australia. A few
loads of Echidna were rejected due to foreign grain. Very little stem rust was observed in Euro crops, although some
growers sprayed one application of fungicide.
Harvest was drawn out due to extremely mild weather conditions prevailing throughout the spring and summer months in southern New South Wales and Victoria. The unseasonal weather produced some of the best milling oats seen for the last five years. The majority of grain received had good hectolitre weight, few screenings and bright, unstained kernel colour. An added advantage was that the grain was easier to hull with above average milling yields.
Grower yields were variable due to the lack of finishing rains in the west of New South Wales. Severe frosts occurred in the east during early and mid October causing yield reductions with some growers reporting total losses. Yields were normal to slightly below average in central Victoria, while yields in the south were above average. There were reports of frost damage in some areas of central Victoria.
Receivals in northern Victoria were 88% Echidna and12% Mortlock. Hectolitre weights were averaging about 54 kg/hl for Mortlock and 53 kg/hl for Echidna.
Markets for naked oats remain small but constant. Yields up to 3 t/ha were recorded on Kangaroo Island in 2001. Most growers are growing Numbat on canola stubble with a few experiencing weed problems last year. Numbers of growers remain at around six or seven in South Australia. They supply the domestic birdseed industry. There is little export demand. Most naked oats are exported out of Western Australia as transport prices are less expensive in this state. Ten containers were exported last year by T.J. Teague Pty Ltd for between $425 and $440 per tonne, machine dressed in bags delivered to the container terminal in Fremantle. More naked oats are delivered into the feed system than exported.
Naked oats are still grown in Western Australia, on Kangaroo Island in South Australia, in the Western Districts of Victoria and in New South Wales and are attracting a price premium. South Australia prices were $200 per tonne on farm in 2001.
Hay Oat
SA had an excellent growing season for the second
year with no moisture stress during the growing period. Yields were well above average in 2001 (up
to 20%) and weather damage was not as significant a problem compared to
2000. This was due to a combination of
length between rainfall events, the severity of the rainfall events, use of
later maturing varieties and super conditioners. Hay can now be cut and baled in seven days using super
conditioners. Depending on the
district, most rains, while frequent, were only light and were followed by wind
and sunshine. Hence mould did not occur
in 2001 as it did in 2000.
Overall, quality was excellent due to the long cool
growing season. However, distribution
in quality was as wide as in the previous two years. Water-soluble carbohydrate levels were significantly above
average, while digestibility was slightly lower overall. NDF and ADF were higher than normal.
Victoria was a different story with less good
quality hay delivered, although yields in most districts were close to average.
Rainfall events occurred on average every four days, not leaving time for
curing and baling. The development of
good markets for second grade hay has ensured that this hay is now a marketable
commodity compared to four years ago.
Around Boort and St Arnaud, yields were down due to lack of rain causing
some crops to almost fail. Crops grown
under irrigation did well if watered early and produced good quality.
Yields were below average in Western Australia and
quality not as good as in South Australia.
A dry start to the season decreased yields and rain at hay cutting time
affected quality.