Canadian oats

Description

The Canadian Grain Commission provides resources about Canadian oats that are related to the Canadian Grain Commission’s functions as defined under the Canada Grain Act. This includes information about Canadian oats standards and grades.

Biological classification of oats

Family: Poaceae
Species: Avena sativa
Type: Cereal

Growing areas in Canada

Growing areas: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan

End uses for Canadian oats

Oats have a variety of uses. Oats are used to make porridge, breakfast cereal, cookies and snack bars. They are also used in cosmetics, lacquers and dyes. In agriculture, oats are used for livestock feed and bedding.

Canadian oats and Canada Grain Regulations

Oats is one of the grains defined in Canada Grain Regulations – Section 5. This means that the Canadian Grain Commission establishes and maintains quality standards for oats. Also, this means that oats is one of the crops protected by security. If a licensed grain company refuses or fails to pay for a delivery of oats, the producer can make a claim against security.

Canadian oats standards and grades

The Canadian Grain Commission defines Canadian grain standards and assesses the grade of grains against these standards. The Grain Grading Guide contains all the standards for Canadian grain. Chapter 7 presents the standards for oats.

Standards Committees review these grading standards and recommend changes when necessary. The committees also select the standard samples of Canadian grain used each year.