{"id":358131,"date":"2025-03-05T18:06:41","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T08:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=358131"},"modified":"2025-03-06T19:40:43","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T09:40:43","slug":"field-day-offers-growers-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2025\/03\/05\/field-day-offers-growers-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Field Day Offers Growers Options"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Tim Scott, from Kandanga Farm Store, with his special summer seed mix, and DPI Development Extension Officer Rod O\u2019Connor … the results of the seed mix trial are behind the two men<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 5, 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Burnett growers had the opportunity recently to learn more about new options available when they consider their next summer crop.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0 “Alternative Summer Crops” field day, part of the joint Federal \/ State Farm Business Resilience Program, was held at the DPI’s Kingaroy Research Station at Taabinga late last month.<\/p>\n

Growers were invited to inspect trials of 18 crops, including sorghum, soybean, cowpea, pigeon pea and millet varieties.<\/p>\n

Two new releases of mungbean were also discussed.<\/p>\n

There were also forage crops, include multi-species covers and lab lab.<\/p>\n

A special focus was an update on growing sesame, with both US and Israeli “non-shattering” varieties planted in trial strips.<\/strong><\/p>\n

These non-shattering varieties are not only high yielding but are also easier to harvest mechanically, leaving less lost crop in the paddock.<\/p>\n

Andrew McDonald, from AgriVentis Technologies, said there was a strong global demand for sesame seed, most of which was still harvested by hand.<\/p>\n

He was also impressed about the way the trials had withstood the heavy rain earlier this year in Kingaroy – 140mm in one day – without lodging or suffering other damage.<\/p>\n

This is the third year the DPI has hosted an “alternative” crops field day, and the second in which sesame has been featured.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tim Scott, from Kandanga Farm Store, also had a demonstration plot of his special summer 13-variety seed mix, which is grown as a cover crop to improve the soil as well as provide forage.<\/p>\n

A focus on regenerative agriculture also included a demonstration of a “crimper roller” tractor attachment.<\/p>\n

This piece of equipment will flatten a cover crop for zero-till re-planting or grazing.<\/p>\n