Page 31 - Food&Drink Magazine Aug-Sep 2021

INGREDIENTS
hadn’t grown peanuts for the last five years returning to growing, as well as new growers starting to grow peanuts in regions like North Queensland,” McNamara says.
“So much hard work has gone into this year’s crop, and we would like to thank each peanut grower for their commitment and passion for producing peanuts for Australians.”
IN THE BLOOD
Fifth generation peanut farmer Ben Rackemann’s property is in Coalstoun
Lakes, Queensland, about four hours north of Brisbane.
“I returned to the family farm about five years ago. After university I worked in a corporate job, but I’ve always loved farming. I’m a fifth- generation peanut farmer, it’s in my blood,” he tells Food & Drink Business.
“Growing peanuts is a passion of ours, and last year we weren’t able to plant a crop due to the dry conditions. This season’s harvest really is so special – for us I’d say it’s the best harvest in the last 10 years,” he says.
Bega’s Simply Nuts range was launched for the growing wellness market segment.
Since Rackemann returned to the land, the region has been in constant drought, and he doesn’t see it changing. He has implemented many regenerative farming methods for soil and water conservation to help with the drying climate.
“We are farming in some very challenging times, and we all have to adapt our farming practices,” he says.
But when harvest time arrives, Rackemann says it is all worth it.
“Harvest is the thing I like most about peanut farming. It’s
a culmination of not only the past twelve months of work, but also the previous year’s changes and advancement in farming practices.”
For Rackemann, one of the biggest positive changes he has seen is an increase in the crop’s popularity.
“Peanuts are a legume, and more and more farmers are seeing the benefits of growing them. They add valuable nitrogen back into the soil and therefore reduce the reliance on artificial fertilisers.
“The industry is growing, and I believe it has a great future for Australian farmers,” Rackemann says.
Once harvested, Rackemann’s peanuts and those from the key Queensland growing regions of Bundaberg, Kingaroy, Brisbane Valley and North Queensland are shipped to Bega’s Kingaroy facility, the Peanut Company of Australia, where they are prepared to be turned into the peanut butter so many love. ✷
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | August/September 2021 | Food&Drink business | 31