Cattle farmers plant trees for sustainable aviation fuel
A cattle farming family in North Queensland is trialling the integration of pongamia trees into their grazing land. The trees produce oil for sustainable aviation fuel, while the seed husks provide a high-protein feed for livestock.
Why it matters
This trial explores dual-purpose land use, potentially offering farmers a new income stream while supporting the transition to renewable aviation fuels.
The Lawrie family have been a part of the cattle industry for generations. ( ABC Landline: Cameron Lang )
North Queensland graziers are trialling a 10-hectare pongamia plantation to run alongside livestock.
Pongamia trees produce oil that can be turned into sustainable aviation fuel.
The seed husks from pongamia can be ground up and used as a high-protein cattle feed.
Link copied Share Share article A north Queensland cattle farming family is taking part in a trial growing oil-producing trees alongside livestock.
The Lawrie family, from Powlathanga station near Charters Towers in north Queensland, has been running a cattle breeding operation since 2004.
But now the family is taking part in a new venture.
In September last year, they turned a 10-hectare paddock into a renewable fuel trial, planting the oil-producing pongamia trees.
The pongamia trees were planted eight months ago. ( ABC Landline: Cameron Lang )
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