11 results for Risk reduction

Investment in biosecurity research is a valuable insurance policy for the sugarcane industry to protect against exotic threats. In this article, we talk with Sugar Research Australia (SRA) researcher Dr Rob Magarey about one of these collaborative research projects. 

The Australian sugarcane industry has a strong track record of being prepared well in advance for potential biosecurity risks. Just one such example occurred in 2006 when the then-exotic disease smut was first detected Australia.

At the time, the industry had already recognised the risk associated with this disease and the possibility that it could impact the Australian industry.

An innovative microbial reduction treatment developed by Victorian food technologist Andrew Inglis has succeeded in extending the shelf life of strawberries, fresh tomatoes and blueberries, in some cases by as much as 400%, and has been up-scaled to pilot plant.

Aussie Wine Group has developed an innovative infield sorter, that in trials supported by Wine Australia delivered a 50% increase in operational efficiencies for winegrape growers and 97% reduction in matter other than grapes. AWG are seeking investment to scale adoption and drive exports to international markets.  

Specialising in nutrient extraction technology to convert food waste into useable ingredients, has paid off for Whole Green Foods. The Western Australian startup is now raising a $2 million bridging round and seeking investment partners with interest in food tech, nutrition, waste reduction, including farmers with access to horticulture waste streams. Expressions of Interest close 31 August 2022.

From antimicrobial resistance to improved climate and water risk management, one thing is clear: industry-led collaboration is key to solving some of our biggest challenges.

Heat stress is a complex and on-going issue for the livestock export industry. Many factors influence risk, including that some animals – like humans – are affected by heat more or less than others in the same conditions.

LiveCorp has taken a novel, Open Innovation, approach to fast-track its latest search for solutions. 

Laconik is seeking investors and partners to take their on-farm trials platform to the next level. Laconik helps companies bring new products to market quicker and with less risk by enabling growers and agribusinesses to test new products at a whole-of-paddock level. The platform captures data and assesses product performance in a way that cannot be done in small pilot trials. 

Natural capital accounting can help fisheries businesses assess the risks and opportunities associated with the ecosystem assets they rely on. 

A new study is looking at the prawn-producing habitat in the estuary – made up of saltmarsh, seagrasses and mangroves – with a view to understanding how this natural capital supports the fishery’s productivity and to value its contribution through the use of natural capital accounting.

Forest growers can now easily and affordably assess wood quality across their resource, while also making decisions around location and management that will best serve the quality of their stands going forward.

Scientists behind a new research project say the ability to predict, maintain and improve timber quality in plantations will help decrease risk and improve the productivity, competitiveness and profitability of Australia’s growers and processors.

Consumers love a classic rack of lamb, especially one that has been beautifully frenched. But lamb frenching in abattoirs is posing a significant WHS risk for abattoir staff. This repetitive action can multiply to over 210,000 knife actions per minute, per operational shift within a plant operating at 10 carcases per minute. The Australian Meat Processor Corporation is calling for solution providers with ideas for sustainable and safe alternatives to traditional frenching with knives or water.

MLA funded BladeStop technology is now bringing huge safety benefits for workers in processing plants across 25 countries. 

• BladeStop band saw safety system has reached a milestone of 1,000 units installed in processor plants across the world.
• Developed by Machinery Automation and Robotics (now a part of Scott Technology) with funding from the MLA Donor Company, the technology reduces the risk of serious injury for workers by mechanically stopping the blade when the unit senses that the operator has come into contact.