This report was written by Nick Fradgley from the QUOATS oat variety trialling at Wakelyns. The study evaluated eight oat varieties grown under organic conditions over four seasons and found that weed competition is a major factor limiting yields. Taller varieties with traits such as rapid early growth, high leaf area, and strong tillering showed better weed suppression. While some differences in disease resistance were observed -particularly for crown rust – higher fertility increased disease susceptibility and lodging risk, with only minor yield benefits. Added nitrogen also sometimes reduced grain quality. One variety, Mascani, performed well with low nitrogen input, making it suitable for organic systems. Overall, oats proved more reliable than wheat or barley under organic conditions, though market instability remains a challenge. The findings highlight the importance of breeding oats with strong weed competitiveness and improved adaptation to organic farming.