CROPPING

World-first application for lupins

Lupins are being value added and turned into high-protein food for human consumption.

Staff writer

This article is 6 years old. Images might not display.

As the nation's only processor of albus lupins as a food product, Lupins for Life, will be dishing up its new range to visitors at the Farm Gate Produce Market at this year's Henty Machinery Field Days (HMFD).

The Brocklesby, NSW, grain grower behind Lupins for Life, Gary Drew, will be at Henty to meet with field day visitors and launch the company's latest product, Toasted Protein Flakes.

The business embodies the true spirit of paddock to plate, low food miles and local expertise.

"Those flakes have been sown in local soil, harvested by local farmers, and carted to the local town for processing and packaging,'' Lupins for Life managing director Roger Drew said.

The Drew family has been growing lupins as a traditional break crop in their rotation since the 1980s. They grow high-yielding Rosetta and Luxor sweet albus lupins, boasting protein levels of more than 40 per cent.

Catering for the gluten free market, much of the Lupins for Life range is Coeliac Australia and New Zealand approved, and milled at the company's Jindera, NSW, plant.

"There was no blueprint for a process which steams, rolls and toasts a whole kernel,'' Drew said.

"The resulting lupin flake can be blended through a muesli mix, eaten with yoghurt, as a salad topper, used in baking or add texture to main meals and desserts.

"The protein level at 43 per cent is higher than steak and it has a low glycemic index, giving a feeling of fullness.''

Last year's HMFD was the first public debut for the company, showcasing their range of lupin flour, semolina, crumb, kibble and flakes.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Research Report: Auto Drafters (June 2026)

This month's Research Report includes an in-depth look at five popular sheep auto drafters complemented by several Case Studies of producers using the drafters to improve their livestock management.

editions

Research Report: High Horsepower Tracked Tractors (May 2026)

Kondinin Group researchers Mark Saunders, Ben White and Josh Giumelli have inspected some of the latest high-horsepower, articulated, fixed-frame and twin-tracked tractors for this month's Research Report. It's all about getting power to the ground.

editions

Research Report: Mother Bins (April 2026)

Mother bins are an important part of on-farm grain logistics. This Research Report details 10 brands including locally-made and imported models with capacities up to 300 tonnes.

editions

Research Report: Diesels Duke It Out (March 2026)

Kondinin Group's Ben White, Mark Saunders, Josh Giumelli and Jenna Santos spent a few days evaluating four of the latest 4WD diesel utes for this month's Research Report.