The Processed Oat Partnership (the POP) invites Western Australian oat industry stakeholders to participate in an international study tour to attend the 2026 International Oat Conference in Pucón, Chile.
The study tour will centre on the ‘OAT2026’ industry conference which occurs every 4-years and attracts leading international oat experts to explore the oat value chain from genetics and sustainable farming to nutrition, milling, and global markets.
OAT2026 will be held in Pucón, Chile, from November 17-22, 2026. A strong WA contingent is expected to attend including growers, researchers, plant breeders, accumulators, traders, processors and manufacturers. The last conference was held in Perth during 2022 and was supported by the POP.
Chair of the POP Steering Committee, Mark Narustrang, said supporting attendance at OAT2026 was a valuable way of building capacity in the WA oat industry.
“OAT2026 will be an unparalleled opportunity for stakeholders from across the WA oat value supply chain to learn of international developments in oat research and development, and market growth – from the paddock to the lab right through to the consumer and the latest in dietary concerns,” Mark said.
“Ensuring this exchange of ideas makes its way back to WA will help strengthen our long-term strategies for the oat processing sector.
“It also provides us with the chance to share the unique offerings of WA oats and our industry’s innovations with a diverse global audience.”
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for interested study tour participants. Successful applicants will receive $4500 AUD towards travel and attendance costs, with plans for sharing tour learnings in early 2027.
EOIs can be submitted via www.giwa.org.au/pop before Friday 10 April 2026. A POP-appointed selection panel will review submissions and acceptances will be confirmed late April / early May 2026.
The POP is an industry-led initiative, supported by the WA Government, which committed $10.12 million to the program which is designed to lay a strong foundation for long-term growth of the WA oat industry.
