Ideas to impact: evoke^AG. session to uncover a new approach to fast track research results to industry

Download the Ideas to Impact session booklet here. 

Collaboration isn’t just a buzzword, especially when it comes to getting results from the lab to the farm. This year, evoke^AG. is challenging our understanding of collaboration for Research and Development Corporation (RDC) projects through the session, Ideas to Impact: RDC Pitches for Collaboration. 

Facilitated by Brian Ruddle, Impact Innovation Managing Partner and a nationally recognised innovation and R&D strategist who helps researchers turn ideas into industry-ready opportunities; the session will explore a range of RDC research projects that are in their final 6 to 12 months and how they are being fast tracked to industry.

“There’s a lot of great R&D that is being commissioned by the RDCs, but established businesses are often not aware of the potential opportunities for them that are associated with those projects,” Brian said. “Collaboration is important, but this session is about the reason why. A lot of these research projects need resources to go forward.”

For Brain, resources does not equate to dollars, a common perception that this session is looking to change. 

“The only reason you want dollars is to mobilise resources. That could be equipment. That could be marketing expertise. It could be a whole range of things that are needed to progress research into a solution. This session is about identifying the next steps for research projects; how we start finding those resources that are needed,” Brian said. 

As such, the projects aren’t pitching for funding alone. Rather, they’re seeking the next partner – and that partner could be anyone along the supply chain.

Ideas to Impact is about redefining when and how parties in the supply chain can become interested in a research project and get involved to bring it to industry. 

Continuing the conversations

The Ideas to Impact session is about capitalising on the breadth of industry represented at evoke^AG.. The session will promote a different way of thinking about the path from research to real-world application, when to get involved and what conversations to have. 

“RDCs are very used to working with researchers and with people from Australia, but you can find a diverse range of people at evokeAG,” explained AWI program manager Carolina Diaz.

“We want to see if we can find someone interested in collaboration for the sheep trial, or a pharmaceutical company that’s interested in investing. Even somebody to facilitate APVMA approval, which requires long and very complex trials. We don’t have the skills within the RDC to go through that. All these things are important, and contribute to getting to market. What we need is support. Not just financial but getting through all the steps.”

Brian is hopeful that the session will show participants how to identify ways to get involved in these projects. “You don’t know until you start having those conversations. It’s encouraging organisations to think differently around how they could connect with R&D and get value out of it,” Brian said. It is, primarily, about discovering what happens after these initial conversations, and promoting unexpected relationships across sectors, beyond traditional industry silos. 

“The session is not about trying to form a deal. It’s an opportunity to hear where some research projects are at and then start to think about what knowledge, expertise and resources those in the room have,” Brian said.  “Participants will get an understanding of how to get better value out collaboration. That’s the key thing we find through these sessions. All of a sudden, there’s meaning behind collaboration and how to do it and how to get value out of it.”

Research making an impact

Attendees can expect to hear from a cross-sector of RDCs addressing issues across water, animal production, crop inputs and digital agriculture.

Commercialisation of bioharvesting wool technology

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) and the Adelaide University have experienced a breakthrough in bioharvesting, and are keen to partner with animal health organisations, manufacturers and industry partners.  

“Our growers have had issues finding shearers at the right time, particularly since COVID. It’s a very tough job, and it’s a very skilled job. This bioharvesting system provides an alternative,” explained Carolina.

“The idea is to develop a pharmaceutical compound that can be injected subcutaneously or in a small pellet form, to create a weak-point in the fibre across the [sheep] body. Wool can then be removed by applying mechanical force. By doing this, you don’t need such skilled people to do the job, and it opens the way to automation.”

Growing green chemistry in Australia: Black wattle, industrial water reuse and carbon value

AMPC and Tanafloc Australia will showcase their research in – and potential solution to – Australian agrifood’s high reliance on imported, metal-based coagulants for industrial water and wastewater treatment. 

They’re now seeking to establish a scalable Australian supply chain for carbon negative, organic coagulants, building on successful AMPC-supported trials in red meat processing that demonstrated strong performance of a tannin-based, metal free coagulant which integrates Australian Black Wattle cultivation. They’re interested in talking to food and beverage processors, agribusinesses, irrigation and plantation operators, industrial manufacturers, wastewater managers and research partners.

Biobased and biodegradable controlled delivery of agri-compounds

The University of Queensland has developed a biobased, fully biodegradable polymer technology that enables long-term, controlled release of fertilisers, pesticides and intraruminal agents, improving their effectiveness while reducing product loss in the environment. The prototypes use a variety of standard manufacturing methods, and the release rate of the active ingredient can be adjusted by changing the materials used, and how they have been designed and layered. They’re keen to partner with fertiliser manufacturers, agri-compound producers, manufacturing companies, trial collaborators and agribusiness commercial partners.

AI for precision biomass prediction

AI is also in the room, thanks to collaboration between CSIRO and Meat & Livestock Australia. They’ve produced state-of-the-art AI and computer-vision models, capable of accurately estimating species-level pasture biomass from images captured by handheld devices, ground vehicles or drone-mounted cameras. They’re now looking for partners to integrate these AI models into commercial platforms and validate them on-farm, including commercial agribusinesses, platform integrators, agtech and other industry partners.

Lead ‘material’ change – the future of alternative materials

Wine Australia and Phantm are advancing next-generation, biodegradable polymer materials produced from organic waste streams. They’re designed to replace fossil-based plastics, enabling industries to reduce their carbon impact, meet emerging regulatory requirements and maintain commercial performance. After six years of R&D, the technology is now commercially ready, with scalable production pathways and validated supply chains supporting pilot and early deployment. Potential partners include packaging companies, manufacturers, food and consumer good producers and commercial agribusinesses. 

Smart surface technology for scalable removal of reductive aromas in wine

Wine Australia is also working with the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) to develop a smart surface technology that selectively removes reductive sulfur aromas using plasma-coated stainless-steel surfaces. It offers a scalable, regenerable, non-additive alternative to copper fining and oxidation – improving wine quality and aligning with sustainability and regulatory expectations. They are keen to partner with surface engineering and plasma deposition companies, advanced materials partners, winery equipment manufacturers and agribusiness commercial partners. 

Mycopesticide control of lesser mealworm in commercial chicken sheds

Research by Queensland DPI and AgriFutures Australia have developed a mycopesticide using the fungus Beauveria bassiana, offering a biologically based alternative to conventional chemical insecticides. They’re aiming to address chemical insecticides used for lesser mealworm in chicken sheds, which are becoming less effective due to resistance, inconsistent control and limited alternatives. They’re looking for interested parties to manage the commercialisation and expand its application across other industries.

To read more about each research project and the opportunities that will be pitched at during this session, visit: https://www.growag.com/listings/opportunities?q=IDEASTOIMPACT