Downlands College agricultural science students eager to smash world records

A group of South East Queensland agricultural science students left jaws on the floor at the 2024 Ekka thanks to their giant pumpkin and now their eyes are set on their next record. See their record win and how you can enter here.

Downlands College agricultural science students smashed pumpkin records at the Ekka's 2024 Giant Pumpkin Competition, weighing in at 368.5kg. Photo: Contributed

Jack’s giant peach could soon go into retirement as a group of private school students look to continue to break agriculture science records.

Downlands College students swept the floor at the Ekka’s 2024 Giant Pumpkin Competition back in March, breaking the previous record held by a Minden farmer by more than 100kg.

Agricultural science teacher Dr Jeff Buchanan said students have continued to develop their pumpkin growing expertise in the four years since the school began entering the competition.

“We’ve won the school section for the past four years and have gone from a 40kg pumpkin to a 368.5kg pumpkin so we’ve got a lot better,” he said.

Dr Buchanan said the competition has brought about a unique learning experience for students, providing fun and while making agriculture interesting.

Using a special variety of pumpkin seeds called ‘atlantic’, the 150 day planting and producing process involves a tremendous amount of care and science.

Downlands College agricultural science students smashed pumpkin records at the Ekka's 2024 Giant Pumpkin Competition, weighing in at 368.5kg. Photo: Contributed

“Normal pumpkin (seedlings) might set about 20-30 but for this one we knock off all the flowers so that all the energy goes into the one pumpkin,” Dr Buchanan said.

The seedlings are transferred into specialised compost concocted by the students, a combination fermented cow manure and straw.

While the producing process is not always a guaranteed success, Dr Buchanan said it doesn’t deter their high ambitions and they always remain hopeful.

“The world record (for a giant pumpkin) is one and a quarter tonne, so we’ve got some room to grow,” he said.

The planting process is already well and truly underway as students set their eyes on the 2025 competition, which is open to both youth and adult entrants.

Entries are now open for the Ekka’s next Giant Pumpkin Competition in March, attracting a total prize pool of $3450 which includes a bonus $1000 for the heaviest pumpkin weighing more than 350kg.

Find out more about the competition and how to enter via the Ekka website.

Originally published as Downlands College agricultural science students eager to smash world records