b'S T R A T E G YEudes believes they can signif- Were looking for com-icantly advance crop perfor- binations that maybe wereHOW YOU CAN POSITION YOURSELF ASmance and sustainability.previously thought impossibleA FORWARD-THINKING RETAILER like plump grain with high Advantages in Oatbeta-glucan content or high Oats, once primarily known asprotein and high yield. Our1.Collaborate with Breeders: Build relationships with plant breeders to stay feed for horses, are under- goal is to break those tradi- informed on the latest advancements. Attending industry conferences and going a remarkable trans- tional connections, Dyck says.engaging in field trials can give you a first look at new varieties and their formation in the agriculturalThe innovation doesntpotential. landscape. Jim Dyck, a keystop there. Dyck points to a player in the oat industry,significant development in oat2.Educate Your Customers: Provide farmers with up-to-date information emphasizes the importance ofuniformity that has caughton new seed technologies and their benefits. Host field days/demos to innovation in this once-under- the attention of larger millingexplain how innovative varieties can improve yields, disease resistance, and appreciated crop.groups. He refers to a graphsustainability. Oat is a small crop, maybeshowcasing various trait a little bit forgotten some- clusters. 3.Stay Informed on Regulations: Keeping up with changes in agricultural times, but theres certainly anWhen a trainload or truck- policies, sustainability requirements, and breeding innovations ensures you opportunity for smaller play- load of oats may look uniformcan guide your customers through making forward-thinking choices. ers like ourselves to add valueat first, theres actually a lot of to the old industry, he says.variety within it. Were trying4.Offer Niche Varieties: Diversify your seed offerings by including high-potential As the industry movesto narrow that range andniche crops. Supporting smaller, innovative varieties can attract customers forward, Dyck highlights thecreate varieties that produce alooking for a competitive edge in emerging markets like specialty grains. necessity of addressing thedense concentration of highly inherent challenges oats face.uniform oat kernels. Oats have to put up,Dyck shares his oat rollout like any plant, with a lot ofdemonstrationa bar chartSeveral of his varietiesthe field with seed growerspressures, he explains. Inrepresenting the grain har- are already seeing success,there are so many of themthe early years of breeding,vested off the combine.some of which are offeredand we were able to work with a critical focus is identifyingAbout 67% to 70% of athrough SeCanORE Boost,them and gather feedback on unique traits within the oatload from one of our varietiesORE3541M, and ORE3542M.how things were going out population.is very uniform, he explains,We were really glad whenthere. It helped us understand Oats have a lot of variabil- contrasting it with older varie- SeCan decided to pick upwhat made these varieties ity within them; some peopleties that often contain aroundthese varieties and become astand out. SeCan, the largest call oats a messy hexaploid.27% non-usable grain.champion for us in the mar- supplier to Canadian farm-There seems to be lots ofWere trying to repurposeketplace through their seeders, recognized their strong variation and even mutationthe plant to create exactlygrower network. That wasagronomics and good quality, that happens in the field on itswhat we want for the righttruly amazing. Early on, wewhich was all there from the own, he adds.reasons, Dyck asserts. Thisrealized the value of being instart. SWThis initial phase of breed- vision for innovation extends ing, lasting around four years,beyond yield to includeWHERE involves rigorous evaluationimprovements in kernel den- ON THE WEBof the plants and their charac- sity, leading to a denser oat teristics.with uniform outer sizes.Watch our webinar on this topic at seedworld.com/cereal-innovations-webinarENDORSED BY 96/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2024'