Manitoba has become the second leg of a process which the Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA) sees as a way to finalize a prairie-wide entity funding oat research, market development and education. The Manitoba Oat Growers Association (MOGA) was mandated by the provincial government in August 2008, to begin collecting a 50 cents per tonne levy on all Manitoba-grown oats marketed commercially. Collection began October 1, 2008.

MOGA president Bob Anderson of Dugald noted that oats was one of the last of the major grains to create an advocacy and research organization, but also expressed optimism that funding support from Manitoba oat growers will, (through a check-off of less than 1 cent per bushel),  have a major impact on the future of the industry. “Oat growers will now be ‘at the table’ with the ability to influence decisions with government and industry.”

Anderson also commented that in 2006 Saskatchewan created a companion organization to MOGA – the Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission, which has now begun funding research and market development projects. As their first step, the MOGA board of directors have committed to joining the Prairie Oat Breeding Consortium, a joint industry-government entity which has spearheaded the development of numerous oat varieties popular among oat growers, including such varieties as AC Ronald, AC Furlong, AC Pinnacle, AC Leggett, AC Jordan, AC Gwen and AC Medallion.

POGA was launched in 1998 by oat growers from the three prairie provinces and continues to act as an umbrella agency, coordinating activities with and through both SODC and MOGA.

All Manitoba oat growers who pay into the check-off and remain members of MOGA are welcome to attend the annual meeting of the Prairie Oat Growers Association to be held Thursday, December 3 at the the CanadInn, Brandon. MOGA members are invited to let their names stand for director positions. Please contact the POGA office for details.