NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the
Advice on Publications Available.The following notes have been extracted, with the authors' permission from a series of Agnotes, most of which were developed by Ian Knox, of the Oz Rural Web site (http://www.ozrural.com), for the database of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, which can also be accessed through the NRE Web site (http://www.nre.vic.gov.au).
Product
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a broad leaf summer growing crop, the seed of which is processed to make noodles (termed 'soba' in Japan) and is used in soups, cakes, biscuits, etc. It is high in fibre and has high levels of minerals, vitamins and essential amino acids especially lysine. It also contains rutin which is believed to improve cardiovascular health.
Some buckwheat is grown on the Central Tablelands and in the New England Region of New South Wales and in Tasmania. Production requirements are described in the Agriculture Note available through http://www.ozrural.com or http://www.nre.vic.gov.au
Marketing
Growers should secure a contract before sowing buckwheat; this guarantees an outlet, but can also assist with ensuring the commodity has the desired quality. Protein levels are not as important as volume weight, moisture content, smell, colour and flavour. Australia has the advantage of producing fresh grain in the off-season for Northern Hemisphere consumers of buckwheat.
For further information, contact:
Mr Chris Bluett
Field Crops Development Agronomist
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
Corner of Main and Doveton Streets
Ballarat, Victoria 3353
Telephone: 03 5333 6784
Facsimile: 03 5333 6540
Farm Diversification Information Service
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
Bendigo, Victoria 3550
Telephone: 1800 150 515 or 03 5430 4444
References
Hyde, KW (Ed)
New Rural Industries - A Handbook for Farmers and Investors
Available from the Rural Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)
Kingston, ACT 2600
Telephone: 02 6272 4539
Facsimile: 02 6272 5877
Email: rirdc@netinfo.com.au
Web site: http://www.rirdc.gov.au
Price: AUD40+8 (postage); AUD40+14 (postage overseas)
The chapter on buckwheat by Chris Bluett is available from:
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/pub/handbook/buckwheat.html
Growing Buckwheat
By GF Hennessy
NSW Agriculture AgFact P6.8.1.
Buckwheat in Japan 1995 - Study Tour Report
By Chris Bluett
Available from DNRE, Ballarat Victoria
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au[
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GK; latest update 17 October 2001 by: RF