Big Topics
Leading international experts will explore every stage of the oat value chain — from genetics and sustainable farming to nutrition, milling, and global markets. Through cutting-edge research and industry insights, these presentations will reveal how innovation and collaboration are shaping a more sustainable, nutritious, and dynamic future for oats worldwide.
Genetics
Join us at the forefront of oat genetics and breeding innovation. From expanding germplasm diversity and cutting-edge genomics to AI-driven phenomics, we explore strategies for climate resilience, microbiome integration, disease resistance, and improved nutritional quality. Discover how global collaboration and advanced science are shaping the future of oats for food, feed, and beyond.
Scope
• Germplasm and Genetic Diversity for Oat Improvement: Exploring oat germplasm collections, pre-breeding, and international collaborations aimed at broadening the genetic base for breeding.• Innovative Genomics and Breeding Methodologies: Recent advances in genetic and genomic methods that are driving the accelerated development of superior oat varieties.• Phenomics, Statistical Modeling, and AI for Precision Breeding: Integration of phenotyping, big data, machine learning, and AI-driven methods to optimize selection and accelerate genetic gains in oat breeding.• Adaptation to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change: Genetic and microbiome approaches for enhancing oat resilience to environmental stress and climate change.• Pathology, Microbiota and Disease Resistance for Sustainable Agriculture: Strategies for sustainable, disease-resistant oats integrating genotype, plant-soil microbiota, environment, and management interactions.• Genetics of End-Use Quality, Nutrition, and Food Safety: Breeding targeting enhanced nutritional profiles for food, feed, cosmetics, and medical applications, mycotoxin reduction, gluten-free, and novel products.
Aaron Beattie
Oat breeder and associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan. His program focuses mainly on milling oats, with additional work on forage oats. His research aims to understand the genetic basis of disease resistance and improve breeding selection methods.
Dr. Wubishet Bekele
Research Scientist at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), with over 35 publications. He led the integration of genomic selection into AAFC’s oat breeding programs, contributed to the PanOat pangenome project, conducted global diversity studies, and co-organizes the Oat Genome Workshop at the Plant and Animal Genome (PAG) conference.
Steffen Beuch
Holds a degree in Plant Breeding and Seed Production from Martin-Luther-University Halle Wittenberg and a PhD in Agronomy and Crop Science from the University of Rostock, Germany. Director and Head of Oat Breeding at Nordsaat Saatzucht GmbH since 2000, and Head of the International Oat Committee since 2022.
Daniela Bustos-Korts
Assistant Professor in Crop Production, Predictive Agriculture, and Big Data at Universidad Austral de Chile. Focused on developing and applying statistical and crop growth models to predict genotype-by-environment interactions in field crops, contributing to more efficient and sustainable agricultural systems.
Prof. Lucia Gutierrez
Professor of Crop Breeding and Diversity at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). She previously worked at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and holds an Associate Professor status at Universidad de la República, Uruguay. Her research in quantitative genetics focuses on the genetic architecture of complex traits and their interaction with the environment.
Dr Catherine Howarth
Oat and Pulse Breeding Team leader at Aberystwyth University. She specializes in oat genetics and agronomy, improving grain quality through advanced breeding, and her team’s varieties make up over 90% of the UK’s winter oat production.
Eric Jellen
Professor of Genetics at Brigham Young University, specializing in chromosome structural variation and its impact on breeding behavior in cultivated and wild oats and their hybrids. Also conducts research on the evolutionary genetics of quinoa (Chenopodium spp.).
Mónica Mathias
Oat breeder at the Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), Chile. Her work focuses on developing high-yield, high-quality oat varieties, leading projects to reduce gluten content and increase beta-glucan levels. She also explores strategies to improve crop sustainability through field management practices.
Yuanying Peng
Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at Sichuan Agricultural University, recognized as a National Modern Agricultural Industry Technology System Expert, Distinguished Young Scholar, and Academic & Technical Leader of Sichuan, China. His research focuses on oat origin, evolution, and genetic resource discovery. He has led five national projects and published over 20 oat-related papers as first or corresponding author in SCI journals, including Nature Genetics.
Farming
Scope
• Effects of Agronomic Management on Grain Quality : Impact of cultivation practices on oat grain quality and nutritional attributes.• Water Requirements and Irrigation; Variety Zoning : Strategies for efficient water use, irrigation systems, and regional adaptation of oat varieties.• Sustainable Agricultural Practices for Success : Integrated management approaches including resistant weeds, fertilization, growth regulators, pest and disease control, sowing dates, and crop rotation.• Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship : Soil health, carbon footprint reduction, and energy use optimization in oat production systems.• Precision Agriculture and Innovative Technologies: Application of digital tools, sensors, and advanced technologies to improve productivity and resource efficiency.• Associativity, Technology Transfer, and Business Models : Collaborative frameworks and business strategies that enhance farmer profitability and knowledge transfer.
Marlene Affeld Frenz
Agricultural Engineer from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Director of the Malleco Farmers Association (Agricultores de Malleco A.G.), social leader, farmer, and agricultural entrepreneur.
Francisco Inostroza
Veterinarian, Founder of Smart Farming Chile, and consultant specializing in forage quality, hygiene, and inventory management. He also provides business development consulting.
He holds a diploma in Animal Production from Universidad Austral de Chile, an MSc in Dairy Cattle Feeding and Nutrition from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and an Executive MBA in Business Administration from Universidad Mayor.
Carlo Rojas V.
Agricultural Engineer with postgraduate studies in innovation, operations, and logistics management. He has held leadership roles in the public, private, and trade sectors, including National Deputy Director of SAG and currently Executive Director of SOFO. His career focuses on modernization, sustainability, and strengthening of the agricultural and forestry sector in Chile.
Carlo Rojas V.
PhD in Food Science and Nutrition,
University of Barcelona (Spain)
Oats for the Future: Nutritional, Functional,
and Sustainable Perspectives
Agricultural Engineer with postgraduate studies in innovation, operations, and logistics management. He has held leadership roles in the public, private, and trade sectors, including National Deputy Director of SAG and currently Executive Director of SOFO. His career focuses on modernization, sustainability, and strengthening of the agricultural and forestry sector in Chile.
Hernán Pinilla Quezada
Agricultural Engineer with a Master’s in Soil Science (Soil Fertility). Former professor at Universidad de La Frontera, he continues to be involved in research on fertilization of annual crops in volcanic soils, private consulting, and the dissemination of fertilization strategies for sustainable crop management.
Dr. Elena Martinez
PhD in Food Science and Nutrition,
University of Barcelona (Spain)
Oats for the Future: Nutritional, Functional,
and Sustainable Perspectives
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Nutrition
Explore how oats drive health and nutrition through their unique composition, bioactive compounds, and functional properties. This session covers advances in food processing, chronic disease prevention, special diets, gut health, and health claims, alongside strategies for sustainable food systems. Discover the science and applications shaping oats as a key ingredient for better health worldwide.
Scope
Dr. Adriano Costa de Camargo
Food scientist and Professor of Circular Economy and Food Development at INTA, University of Chile. Recipient of the ISNFF Young Scientist Award, former Chair of the IFT Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods Division, and Associate Editor of Food Production, Processing and Nutrition. His work focuses on circular economy, food processing, and bioactive compounds.
Anke Katharina Müller
Holds a PhD in Nutritional Science and works for the German Cereal Processing, Milling and Starch Industries’ Association (VGMS). She leads the communication campaign “Hafer – Die Alleskörner”, run by German oat mills since 2008, promoting awareness of oats, their product diversity, health benefits, and regional cultivation.
Miguel Ángel Rincón
Associate Professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), University of Chile, and distinguished researcher at the University of Almería, Spain. He leads INTA’s Lipids Laboratory, focusing on lipid chemistry and biotechnology, functional foods, and analytical chemistry applied to human nutrition.
Mills
Explore how technology and best practices are transforming oat milling. This session addresses process efficiency, safety and quality standards, AI applications, and operational challenges—driving productivity, sustainability, and resilience in the global oat industry
Scope
• Process efficiency -Milling Yield: Economic Impact and Optimization Opportunities. – Energy Efficiency: Automation and the impact on energy consumption reduction strategies •Food safety & quality – Food Safety Culture. – Cybersecurity and Risk Mitigation Strategies • AI applied in oat processing from theory to practice • Innovative processing technologies-Focus on digitalization
• Innovative processing and application of oats for novel ingredients
Katharina Hilker
Leads the Oat Processing Portfolio at Bühler, turning customer needs into innovative processing solutions. With a background in food technology and economics, she brings extensive experience in innovation, sustainability, and strategic development.
Rick L. Schwein
President of Grain Millers, Inc. Oat Milling Group and Grain Millers Canada Corp., overseeing twelve facilities across North America that supply conventional and organic food ingredients worldwide. With nearly 50 years of experience in grain and milling, he previously served as President of La Crosse Milling Company and held leadership roles at General Mills. He is an honors graduate of Michigan State University.
Thomaz Setti
Mechanical Engineer and Historian, with 46 years of experience in cereal milling, oats, corn, wheat, barley, and rye. Is Partner and Director of Research and Development at SL Alimentos.
Hannah Zacher
Head of Oat Mill at H. & J. Brüggen KG, overseeing the entire oat processing workflow — from raw grain intake and storage to cleaning, dehulling, kilning, flaking, and packaging of consumer-ready oat products.
Rick L. Schwein
President of Grain Millers, Inc. Oat Milling Group and Grain Millers Canada Corp., overseeing twelve facilities across North America that supply conventional and organic food ingredients worldwide. With nearly 50 years of experience in grain and milling, he previously served as President of La Crosse Milling Company and held leadership roles at General Mills. He is an honors graduate of Michigan State University.
Hannah Zacher
Head of Oat Mill at H. & J. Brüggen KG, overseeing the entire oat processing workflow — from raw grain intake and storage to cleaning, dehulling, kilning, flaking, and packaging of consumer-ready oat products.
Markets
Explore the forces shaping global oat markets. This session covers trends and challenges, pricing strategies, innovation in oat-based products, and geopolitical factors influencing trade. We’ll also discuss premium positioning, consumer preferences, and value creation across supply chains, unlocking growth opportunities in an evolving marketplace.
Scope
• Global trends, risk & pricing strategies in modern oat markets: Global market shifts and volatility. New pricing systems & value creation. Risk management in a post-hedging world. Premiumization & decommoditization.• Regional Oat Value Chain Case Studies :Farmer → miller → manufacturer, consumer market framework. Regional supply-chain differences. Contract structures & risk allocation. Impact of low-price cycles on acreage.• Innovation in Oat-Based Products & Co-Products: New foods, beverages, functional ingredients. Protein, flours, instant & blended products. Hulls, biochar & secondary streams. Consumer-driven product attributes.• Geopolitics, China & Russia: China’s domestic milling expansion. Russia’s rise in India & MENA. Tariffs, freight, sanctions & logistics. Impacts on Chile, Canada, EU & Australia• Sustainability, Traceability & Regulation: Traceability systems US, EU. CO₂ & water-footprint benchmarking. Regulatory trends shaping sourcing. Sustainability premiums & value creation
• Global Oat Market Outlook 2026–2035: Long-term demand drivers. Production & milling capacity trends. Regional competitiveness. Climate & supply risks
Jochen Brüggen
Managing Director of H. & J. Brüggen KG, one of Germany’s leading cereal and oat processing companies, and Chairman of the Oat Millers Forum within CEEREAL, the European breakfast cereals association. He plays a key role in shaping industry strategy and collaboration across Europe, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and the promotion of high-quality oat products in global markets.
Andrew May
Co-CEO of Essantis, an Australian based producer of oat and pulse based food and beverage ingredients. Prior to joining Essantis, Andrew built a career in corporate advisory and finance, working across Australia and UK
Graham Petersburg
Oat broker in the United States who connects oat producers with buyers such as mills, manufacturers, feed companies, and exporters. He facilitates transactions, negotiates pricing and contract terms, and helps both parties manage risk in the agricultural market.
Randy Strychar
President of OatInformation. With extensive experience in oat trading and analysis, he specializes in global oat production, supply chains, and pricing dynamics. Randy advises oat millers, processors, and food/beverage companies across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin Americ, delivering insights that help clients navigate the evolving Oat Market.