University of Minnesota releases MN-Amber oat
The University of Minnesota has released a new yellow-hulled oat variety called “MN-Amber.” MN-Amber is a high-yielding variety with high test weight, grain protein, and beta-glucan content. It has moderate crown rust resistance and excellent smut resistance and should fit the needs of the food-grade oat industry.
This is the second variety released since the reboot of the University of Minnesota oat breeding program in 2015. The first release was MN-Pearl (2019), which traced back to a collaborative breeding effort between the UMN and the Crop Development Centre in Saskatchewan, Canada. MN-Amber is the first variety released from the rebooted UMN program. Before being formally named, MN-Amber was tested as MN19114X_012. The cross leading to the creation of MN19114X_012 was made between the cultivar Hayden and the advanced breeding line (MN17142X_002) in 2018 and it entered its first yield trials in 2020.
MN-Amber is substantially higher for yield, test weight, and grain protein compared to MN-Pearl. It is also shorter and has slightly better straw strength — traits that are important to producers. Oat varieties tend to be better adapted to either northern or southern Minnesota, and this is also true for MN-Amber. MN-Amber yields 3% higher than MN-Pearl statewide and 12% higher than MN-Pearl in southern Minnesota based on trials conducted over the last three years.
MN-Amber is competitive with any of the oats varieties across southern Minnesota that food companies currently buy (MN-Pearl, SD Rushmore, SD Buffalo, SD Momentum, Sumo, and Reins). Compared to those varieties, only SD Momentum is higher in yield. In terms of height, only Sumo and Reins are shorter, and only Reins is rated as having better straw strength. MN-Amber and Sumo have the highest test weight, and only Sumo and Reins have higher grain protein.
More detailed performance data and comparisons of previously released varieties can be found at varietytrials.umn.edu.
Researchers at the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota have been evaluating and developing oat varieties since 1889. Evaluation and breeding are supported in part by funding from PepsiCo, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, USDA-NIFA, and the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station.
Seed Availability
MN-Amber seed will be distributed through eligible Minnesota Crop Improvement Association members for planting in spring 2026. Visit the MCIA website, www.mncia.org, where a list of certified seed producers will be available in late fall, or contact MCIA at 1-800-510-6242.
