INGHAM and Burdekin canegrowers looking to diversify their crops will benefit from a series of grain workshops being held in the region.
Crops such as corn, sorghum, millet, rice, soybean and mungbeans provide the potential to diversify farm income and are now being grown in north Queensland.
As these are relatively new crops to this area, storage is becoming a topic of interest, with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries hosting a series of workshops from February 18-20 to assist growers in the region.
DAF Senior Development Agronomist, Philip Burrill, who is presenting at the workshops, said growers were keen to learn more about key design features to look for when buying silos and how to manage grain in storage to maintain quality and reduce storage pest problems.
"As more and more cane growers start to consider cereal and legume crops, grain storage becomes a topical issue. So these grain storage workshops are timely and designed to help growers make the best decisions," he said.
"DAF is working closely with Queensland based silo manufacturers & aeration equipment suppliers to ensure growers are provided with appropriate storage facilities suited to this tropical coastal region.
"As well as hearing from agronomists and grain specialists, there will be opportunities to speak with equipment suppliers, giving growers the opportunity to look over grain storage equipment options."
The workshops will give growers an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of having on-farm grain storage, as well as techniques to ensure their grain retains its quality.
Two sessions will be held in Ayr on Tuesday, February 18 and Wednesday, February 19.
Tuesday's session will be held at the Ayr Showgrounds from 10am to 2.30pm with a site visit to Giru after lunch.
An advanced grain storage workshop will be held at the Ayr Showgrounds from 10am to midday on Wednesday.
The Ingham session will be held at Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd at 181 Fairford Road, Ingham, from 10am to midday on Thursday, February 20.
