Wisconsin oat variety "Gem" was released for sale to Wisconsin certified seed growers in the spring of 1996. Gem is a high-yielding, midseason oat tested as Wisconsin selection X6166-2. The pedigree of Gem is MO 07468/2/N569-42-51/Froker/3/Ogle. Gem has been evaluated at eight locations in statewide trials since 1992. It was an entry in the USDA Uniform Midseason Oat Performance Nursery in 1993.

Gem has performed very well in the Wisconsin statewide trials , ranking 1st in 1995, 1st in 1994-95, and 2nd in 1993-95. Gem ranked 2nd in yield out of 36 entries over 22 locations in the 1993 UMOPN, and ranked 1st in locations that had severe crown rust pressure. Gem heads at about the same time as Prairie and is approximately the same height as Belle. Gem has excellent resistance to crown rust and also good tolerance to BYDV. Gem has yellow kernels with good test weight, groat percentage, groat protein percentage, and overall good milling quality.

Gem is protected under the US Plant Variety Protection Act (Title V option). Plant Breeder's Rights and Variety Registration of Gem in Canada is also being sought under the sponsorship of Cargill Seed, Canada. Three classes of seed are allowed, breeder, foundation and certified. Additionally, Gem is a "licensed" variety, therefore only licensed growers can produce certified seed. Seed sales of Gem are subject to a variety development fee of $0.25 per bushel that will apply to certified seed sold. Please direct seed requests to Mr. Paul Ehrhardt, Wisconsin Foundation Seeds, Dept. of Agronomy, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706-1597, (608) 262-1376.