Grain legumes such as soybeans may play a pivotal role in the sustainability of the north Queensland sugarcane industry in the future, according to James Clark, Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) northern region panel chair.
Mr Clark says sugarcane production is likely to dominate the region for some time to come, however there is an emerging place for grain legumes which offer soil health benefits and other advantages such as nitrogen-fixing.
"When sugarcane prices are good – as they are now – there seems little incentive to plant ‘alternative’ crops, however we are hearing from leading growers that legume rotations are becoming more and more important in maintaining sugar yields and reducing fertiliser use," Mr Clark says.
"We see the northern coastal region as a potential growth area for grain-growing.
"One of the objectives of our visit has been to determine whether there is grower interest, infrastructure and markets to support a grains industry in this area."
Mr Clark recently led a delegation of the GRDC Northern Panel which included GRDC board member, Nicole Birrell, on a visit to north Queensland meeting both growers and researchers.
The group visited 16 farms during the three-day tour and inspected GRDC-supported Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPI&F) wheat and maize trial sites.
"GRDC is already funding irrigated grain trials around Atherton and Ayr, including research into wheat, barley and triticale for these northern conditions," Mr Clark says.
"Our research partners have been concentrating on germplasm selection so for however the GRDC northern panel is keen to explore other potential farming system opportunities for investment."
The panel includes Ayr grower Aaron Sanderson and visited Burdekin sugarcane growers including David Cox, Russell Hall, Mark Hanson, Chris Lyne, Paul Villis and Murray Cannavan.
Mr Cox will begin preparing ground for soybeans next month as part of plans to move into some legume rotations on his cane country and says there is a growing trend towards the practice in the Burdekin.
He says finding a market for alternative crops such as soybeans has been one of the obstacles to widespread adoption.
"We need to get all the logistics right such as planting, equipment big enough to plant the crop in quick enough time. I expect to see a fairly rapid expansion of soybeans in our fallows in the Burdekin over the next few years," Mr Cox says.
"Legumes will definitely play an increasing role in our operations following concern about the (Great Barrier) Reef and we will be doing everything we can to reduce the amount of chemical and nitrogen we put on."
Other growers to host the GRDC delegation included Mulgowie Farms, Frank Scuderi, Chris Pegararo, Frank Cuda, Frank Gallo, Vince and Shane Kattenburg, Dennis and Maryann Salvetti, Dennis Howe, Michael Tomerini and Doug Rankie.
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