grow your own fuel

A nurseryman in the north Queensland city of Mackay believes an imported Brazilian tree holds the answer to spiralling fuel costs for farmers.

Mike Jubow is growing diesel trees which contain oil that can be tapped and poured directly into vehicles and farm machinery.

Mr Jubow says an individual tree will produce about 40 litres of diesel a year, with one hectare of the plants sufficient to produce the fuel needs of a medium-sized farm.

"Now we've got another oil crisis, our farmers' cost of production from many avenues are skyrocketing, so their viability is being threatened - now is the prime time to get in and plant this tree," he said.

Dave R.