A field day on Cape York Peninsula today will highlight ways of maximising opportunities for high value sustainable agricultural development in rural Queensland.
Trials of various crops including sorghum, rice, mung beans, sesame, chickpea, safflower and canola have been planted at Fairview Station, Laura, owned by Paul Ryan, and many will be inspected today as part of the field day.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Regional Director North Adam West said the Laura and Normanby catchments in lower Cape York presented an opportunity as they have the advantage of a higher and more reliable rainfall which makes broad acre high value cropping a significant commercial reality.
“This is about developing appropriate land and water resources in North Queensland that have the potential for economic growth and job creation,” Mr West
As part of a field trial agreement secured by DAF, Australian company SunRice are also undertaking research into new varieties suited to northern Australia.
“We are working with stakeholders to create regional opportunities to advance the agricultural industry and create a positive economic future,” Mr West said.
“This is a collaborative event which brings together landholders, commercial agribusiness and suppliers to discuss sustainable cropping systems for far north Queensland.”
Stakeholders involved in the Fairview field day include SunRice, Tableland Fertilizers, Savannah Ag Consulting, NuSeed, Advanta Seeds, Gentech Seeds and Heritage Seeds.