Tequila farming could lead to biofuel

BUNDABERG, Australia, April 24 (UPI) -- An Australian company official says his company is helping organize tests focused on using agave tequilana farming to create possible biofuels.

Ausagave Managing Director Don Chambers said his company was working with Central Queensland University and two unidentified cane growers on tests focused on using the plants to create ethanol for biofuels, the Bundaberg (Australia) News Mail said in its Thursday edition.

"We are really just trailing in different areas and looking at how they grow," Chambers said of research into Australian cane-growing areas.

"We have had offers from growers in Childers and are looking at Bundaberg," he added, referring to the two Queensland locations.

Associate Professor Nanjappa Ashwath said cane-growing locations are being considered due to the similar infrastructure requirements of agave tequilana farming, typically oriented towards producing tequila.

"Sugar cane mills only work six months of the year and the tequila can take over the other six months," the researcher told the News Mail.