Australia
February 21, 2024

Grains Australia has led the development of the first national variety classification frameworks for lentils and oats – to help meet the needs of Australian growers and domestic and international customers.

“The aim is to add value to Australia’s lentil and oat industries through enabling differentiation of varieties based on quality characteristics desired by customers,” Grains Australia Classification General Manager Megan Sheehy said.

“It’s about providing ‘goalposts’ for plant breeders to ensure that varieties produced will meet market demands and opportunities.”

Grains Australia, which is an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), has developed the frameworks with support and guidance from its Pulse and Oat Councils, and in collaboration with industry.

While Australian varietal classification systems are well established for wheat and barley varieities, varietal classification frameworks have not previously existed for pulse crops.

The new lentil framework will guide the establishment of varietal classification frameworks for additional pulse crops.

It is currently for red lentils only, which comprise the vast majority of lentils produced and traded by Australia, with the remainder being green lentils.

The new national oat variety classification framework builds on a Western Australian oat varietal classification system which had been administered by the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia.

“Milling oats for porridge is the initial focus of the new national oat variety classification framework,” Dr Sheehy said.

“The potential for including other end uses – such as oat milk, noodles or other novel uses – will be reviewed in the future.”

Dr Sheehy said next steps were for Grains Australia to work with stakeholders to implement the frameworks and to develop procedures and processes, including requirements for breeders.

“The frameworks are a starting point and Grains Australia, through its Pulse and Oat Councils, will review and update them on an ongoing basis,” she said.

Grains Australia’s development of the variety classification frameworks is part of its responsibility for establishing and maintaining grain variety classification systems in Australia.

Grains Australia is responsible for vital industry services and functions that improve the industry’s competitiveness and profitability. In addition to classification, these services and functions include trade and market access and market insights and market education.  

Published: February 21, 2024