Your host, Crop & Food Research (C&FR), and the Local and International Oat Committees are pleased to invite interested persons to the 6th IOC. The venue is Lincoln University, which has a delightful campus, excellent facilities, and the latest technology for presentations. Both Lincoln University and nearby C&FR have extensive crop research facilities. Tours will be arranged to visit some of these facilities. An accompanying persons' programme will be arranged.

The conference theme, "why eat oats?" will address novelty in oaten products and consumer choice. While emphasis will be on oats for human consumption, we hope contributions on animal feed preference issues will also be addressed. Remaining themes of oat Biotechnology, Breeding and Plant Pests are consistent with previous IOC meetings.

Who's who: local organising members are co-chair Richard Cross and Howard Bezar, oat breeder Keith Armstrong, and conference manager Helen Shrewsbury. For registration details, contact Helen (shrewsb@tui@lincoln.ac.nz or fax 64-3 325 3840), Keith for poster and field demonstration plots (armstrongk@crop.cri.nz), Richard (crossr@crop.cri.nz) for programme and general enquiries, and Howard for public relations (bezarh@crop.cri.nz). For the latest update, provisional programme, conference and pre-registration details, see http://www/crop.cri.nz/informat/oats2000, or contact Helen for hardcopy details.

Accommodation: range from university residential units (shared bathroom facilities) at ca. NZD$40 per person per night to first class motels / hotels located in Christchurch at ca. NZD$80-120 per room per night. For those choosing to stay in Christchurch (20km away from Linclon), we can arrange group transport for a nominal charge.

Contribution to the demonstration plots: registrants may wish to contribute to the demonstration plots. These will be sown in May 2000 at C&FR, with plants flowering about conference time. Quarantine restrictions will present importation problems from several countries, so we request early dispatch of seeds.

Pre and post conference tours: we have no formal tours organised. However, if sufficient interest is registered, we can make informal arrangements to include South Canterbury and Mount Cook Alpine region, and fishing of the Southern Lakes (Benmore and Ahuriri River - famous for excellent fishing and scenic beauty. Immediately prior to the conference, we recommend "Show Weekend" (09 - 12 November) a major Agricultural and Pastoral spectacle of many facets of New Zealand agricultural activity: past and present, animal breeds, and farm machinery including steam traction engines.

Sponsorship and/or commercial display opportunities: are welcome. Your financial commitment may be highlighted by badge / product name / logo on all conference correspondence, prominent placement on all display materials, web page and acknowledgment in published proceedings.