Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council

Project Description

This project has two components: 1) conduct research on conventional cleaning and de-hulling equipment to ascertain which combination of machines will create the most efficient process to de-hull de-hulled oats to the level required for incorporation into feed rations; 2) develop a contracting and marketing program utilizing Minneapolis and/or Chicago futures markets to stabilize market price and allow producers to lock a fixed price.

Project Objectives

To supply a valuable resource to the feed industry and provide an attractive additional production option for farmers through the development of a processing facility to efficiently produce a high quality oat product from hulless oats

General Information

Performance Story

Manitoba farmers have another production option thanks to a project utilizing hulless oats by Wedge Farms.

Equipment to process hulless oats was installed and is undergoing continuous refinements to optimize results. A high quality hulless oat product is being sold into the feed industry with an unexpected market opening in bird feed. During the project, Wedge Farms contracted 17 producers for 4,000 acres which resulted in the processing of about 25,000 bushels worth $750,000 to $800,000 to the growers.

Three varieties of hulless oats went into trials in the first year. One variety, which performed very well, and nine others were tested for yield and quality the following year.

Consultation with industry experts revealed hedging the production for oats based on local prices could potentially result in increased risk rather than risk mitigation. Wedge Farms currently subscribes to a well respected oat trade website for news and Canadian and worldwide pricing crop conditions.