February 18, 2016
Kingaroy played host on Thursday to a group of ag science students from Adelaide University, keen to learn more about how farming works in the Sunshine State.
The 20 students, who are undertaking a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, have been studying different farming conditions and systems.
They have viewed vegetable production in the Lockyer Valley and visited a feedlot and a farm growing grain sorghum.
On Thursday it was the turn of peanuts to impress.
The group visited the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ station opposite Kingaroy Airport where they saw peanuts growing and learned more about peanut genetics. They also examined peanut seeding and harvesting equipment.
They then visited PCA’s processing plant where they saw peanuts being sorted, blanched and roasted.
Two of the visiting students, Melissa McCallum and Jordy Kitschke, are studying on an RIRDC Horizon scholarship.
They admitted they had never seen a peanut bush before and were surprised by the two-step harvesting process.
Melissa hopes to become a plant pathologist when she finishes her degree.
Jordy will be heading back to the family farm in South Australia, a mixed grain and sheep property.
- Footnote: Applications for this year’s RIRDC Horizon scholarships close at 5:00pm on Friday
