Aussie researchers investigating alternative uses of agricultural waste

Australian agricultural researchers are investigating ways to create strategic, high value fuels from crops and agricultural waste to ensure the long-term viability of Australia's farming sector.

Queensland University of Technology Associate Professor of Industrial Biotechnology Ian O'Hara is investigating ways to turn left-over cane fibres into high value fuels for aviation and other, possibly military purposes.

"There is a lot of sugarcane bagasse in Australia that is potentially available for other uses, but a lot of it is burnt for electricity, which is generally a low value use for the bagasse," O'Hara said.

"If we can create more value, then we can help to then improve the sustainability and long-term viability of the cane industry in Australia."

"One of the big challenges facing Australian agriculture at the moment is that, while productivity is very high, the profit is very low.

"So we are trying to find ways that we can convert the wastes of farming into high-value products like animal feeds, fuels and chemicals."

High value fuels produced from the sugarcane bagasse could be used in helicopters and naval vessels, O'Hara said.

O'Hara said the United States and Brazil - the world's two largest ethanol producers - were already investing in facilities that could turn biomass waste into fuels and is hoping the rapid commercialisation of the technology will migrate to Australia.

Aside from sugar cane, Australian sorghum crops also have untapped potential, Queensland's Department of Agriculture food technologist Ross Naidoo told the ABC.

Sorghum's main use is as a feed grain for livestock, fetching 30 Australian cents per kilogram harvested.

Naidoo said the value of refined sorghum fit for human consumption could fetch as much as 40 Australian dollars per kilogram, for both food and pharmaceutical uses.

Naidoo warned however while it was important for alternative used for crops to be considered, it is important they be maintained for their traditional uses as well.

"It is not a game changer for the industry per se, because our focus is on sorghum use for livestock, and that industry is the biggest user of sorghum," Naidoo said.

"We don't really want to upset that because that is what the growers are requiring.

"However, from little things big things will grow and we certainly see there will be a larger market for getting returns for those people who specialise in varieties of sorghums that deliver those outputs required by those sorts of (new) markets." Endi