GRAINGROWERS and consumers are set to benefit from a new local oat variety, Kowari, which will be available for seeding next year.
A dwarf plant type, Kowari has been developed by SARDI since 2003 as part of the National Oat Breeding Program.
Kowari produces increased levels of beta glucan which helps to reduce blood cholesterol reabsorption.
Furthermore, its high yielding potential and disease resistance promises to make it attractive to growers.
The variety was officially launched at the Royal Adelaide Show on Monday, where oats is the feature grain.
SARDI executive director Peter Appleford said the National Oat Breeding Program was a key contributor to the state government’s Premium Food and Wine from our Clean Environment Exported to the World economic priority.
“In 2015-16, the SA oat industry contributed $90 million to the state’s economy and this new variety, Kowari, provides further domestic and international growth opportunities for the oats and grain sector,” he said.
Heritage Seeds will be the distributor of the new variety, with portfolio manager Steve Amery saying the company’s goal was to bring new varieties to market which bring real benefits to growers, increasing their productivity and profitability.
“We feel we have that in Kowari,” he said.
“Good quantities of planting seed will be available Australia-wide in 2018.”