March 26, 2012

Peanut growers gathered south of Bundaberg last week to hear updates from PCA, DEEDI and Peter Hatfield (Arachis Australia) about recent research.

First stop was a calcium trial. Three varieties - Holt, Farnsfield and Fisher - were planted on December 22. This trial is testing seven combinations of gypsum and calcium to determine how much calcium peanuts require, and if supplementation with gypsum is required.

March 16, 2012

Proserpine isn't the first Queensland town that springs to mind when you think about growing peanuts, but for local canegrowers Mark Orr and Andrew Auld, the humble legume is now an important part of their farming lives.

The neighbours began growing peanuts five years ago as a break crop to improve their cane.

March 12, 2012

Peanut growers in the Bundaberg region have been invited to attend a Peanut Field Tour and Research Update on March 20, organised by PCA, DEEDI and Arachis Australia.

A special guest on the day will be University of Florida peanut breeder Dr Barry Tillman.

February 9, 2012

A research project funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation and PCA has narrowed down the causes of quality issues which were affecting some peanuts grown in North Queensland.

December 9, 2011

Peanut growers wanting to maximise their yields and irrigation efficiencies have been urged to take advantage of the online Aquaman program to guide their irrigation scheduling.

Aquaman is web-based decision software for irrigation scheduling in peanuts developed by researchers from Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland Alliance for Food and Agriculture Innovation, the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator initiative and PCA.

November 25, 2011

"Farmers Teaching Farmers" is a grass-roots initiative which aims to encourage the voluntary uptake of the latest technology and best practices. In this article by Cindy Benjamin, Bundaberg grower Richard Zunker talks about a range of topics ... including growing peanuts at Bucca.

In fact, Richard says growing peanuts has been "the making" of his Bucca farm ...

November 24, 2011

Many cane producers are considering the option of ploughing out and re-planting sugarcane this season to maximise profitability at times of high sugar prices.

DEEDI officers Neil Halpin (Agronomist) and Trish Cameron (Economist) looked at a range of options using the Farm Economic Evaluation Tool (FEAT) and they say the numbers fall strongly in favour of maintaining legume cropping, even at times of high sugar prices.

November 8, 2011

Queensland peanut growers will be able to use Imidacloprid this season to control cane grubs (Lepidiota spp) and white grubs (Heteronyx spp).

August 4, 2011

Dr Graeme Wright (PCA - Peanut Breeding, Seed & Innovation) will be a guest speaker at an industry seminar in Toowoomba next month focussing on mycotoxins.

The Graintech Scientific Mycotoxin Seminar will be held from 10:30am-2:30pm on September 1 at the "Tabletop" function room at Picnic Point.

June 8, 2011

Coalstoun Lakes peanut growers had the opportunity this week to inspect the performance of the newly released ultra-early maturing peanut variety Tingoora in a variety demonstration trial which was planted extremely late in the season.

The trial, on Darren and Mark Rackemann's property at Coalstoun Lakes, was planted on January 26, 2011.