Research & Development projects include:

• Undertaking chemical residue trials for the registration of new chemicals in crops
• Comparing the efficiency of new fertilisers and chemicals against industry standard products
• Trialing beneficial insects on crop pests
• Trialing various crop mulches and analysing the resulting effects on crop production.

Crop Tech carries out these and other trials following a protocol either supplied by the client, or one that has been devised between Crop Tech and the client.

Sugar Beet

Crop Tech is currently growing sugar beet in small scale field trials for an international seed company. The beet varieties under trial have been developed to suit the sub-tropical climate in southern Queensland. Plots have been sown at Childers and Bundaberg.

Methyl bromide

Methyl bromide was phased out for general agricultural usage within Australia prior to 31st December 2005. Leading up to this date, Crop Tech undertook a number of research trials for the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, looking at the efficiency of a range of alternative soil fumigants.

Industrial Hemp

For more information please visit the AgriFibre Industries website

Chicory

Crop Tech was responsible for extensive R&D work into chicory production. The following trials were conducted on chicory, a new crop under investigation in the north wide bay region of Queensland:

• nutrition - using trace elements and different fertilisers
• irrigation - using drip and overhead
• different soil types
• different area's - from Maryborough through to Gin Gin
• various herbicides
• yield
• inulin content analysing
• different types of machinery
• varying plant densities