A wide range of oat products
Oat flakes are probably the best-known oat product. But oats can be processed into more than that, including oat bran, oat groats and oat-based drinks and creams.
From the oat grain to the finished product
Before oats can become versatile food products, the grains are cleaned and dehulled. Depending on the intended product, the groats may then be cut, milled or rolled into flakes.
Oat mills
Oat mills specialise in processing the oat grain. Their processes determine the quality, safety, yield and characteristics of the finished products.
Oats and sustainability
Oats can contribute to more diversified crop rotations and can support agricultural systems that aim to use resources efficiently.
Regional supply
The “Initiative Haferanbau” was established by German oat mills in 2019 to support farmers who are considering growing oats. Participating mills aim to strengthen long-term cooperation with growers, increase the supply of German-grown oats for food production and support knowledge transfer.
Oats as part of a plant-based diet
Oats provide complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, minerals and plant protein and can therefore contribute to a varied, predominantly plant-based diet. Oat-based products such as oat drinks and oat creams have also expanded the range of plant-based foods.
Oats – a valuable crop for diversified rotations
Oats offer considerable potential as a crop within diversified crop rotations.
Why oats can be interesting for farmers:
- strong competitive ability against weeds;
- potential to reduce the pressure of certain cereal diseases;
- an extensive root system with good nutrient uptake;
- a useful break-crop effect in diversified rotations;
- moderate nutrient requirements compared with high-yielding cereal crops;
- potentially moderate to low crop-protection requirements;
- a contribution to biodiversity in spring cereal systems.
Quality matters
For food-grade oats, raw-material quality is particularly important. The quality of the harvested grain influences both food quality and processing yield.