183 results for data and AI

CSIRO is searching for the next cohort of researchers ready to build the confidence and skills to undertake customer discovery and market validation activities that can take their research further. Here, four ON Prime alumni explain how CSIRO’s pre-accelerator delivers all that – and much more. 

Gaia Project Australia’s Rejig-Grow System is helping leafy green farmers maximise space and efficiency with an innovative, modular system that expands with natural growth cycles – halving operational costs and doubling yield. With a successful prototype for NASA and global expansion plans GPA is now raising its A$2 million seed round.

An innovative Australian clean tech startup has produced a revolutionary plant oil that replaces petroleum and palm-based oils in industrial uses–and delivers a long list of sustainability and performance benefits. With the support of grow^AG., GO Resources is seeking investors to bring this cutting-edge product to market.

Agriculture is a critical part of the Australian economy, with the country’s agricultural, fisheries and forestry sector valued at $69 billion and growing. 

With that growth comes an urgent need to expand the use of agricultural technologies to ensure both productivity gains for farmers and Australia's role in the global food system. To do this, more investment needs to be channeled into both research and commercial initiatives for the country's agtech.

AgriFutures Australia created the grow^AG. program to address these needs.  

Sugar Research Australia has worked with local industry in the Rocky Point region to develop sustainable nutrient management guidelines for that area, helping improve profitability and sustainability.

Father and son team Larry and Ben Spann grow sugarcane on about 200 hectares of lease country in the Rocky Point region near Norwell in southeast Queensland.

They see a solid future for the industry to the point where they are developing more country for planting. However, at the same time, they are also acutely aware that the low sugar price means that they must be efficient with their inputs and reduce costs. 

CSIRO underpins all its activities under the mantra of, ‘we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology’. Two of its most transformational programs – ON Prime and ON Accelerate – embody this mantra by leading researchers out of the lab, and helping startups prepare to hit the market.

With more than 150 years of research and development under its belt, Bayer Crop Science is taking a collaborative approach when it comes to the future of agriculture. As part of its commitment to driving change and nurturing novel solutions, Bayer has launched three Grants4Ag opportunities, open now and closing 31 July, 2022.  

BuggyBix, with support from AgriFutures Australia, has developed a novel insect-based pet food range – BuggyBlend – to reduce our pets’ environmental pawprint and accelerate the development of Australia’s insect protein industry. An exciting opportunity awaits for commercial partners to assist in the scaling and distribution for Australian and international markets. 

VetChip is setting a new standard in animal healthcare through revolutionary biosensor technology. The easily implantable chip monitors the vital signs of animals big and small, providing real-time information to pet owners, farmers, vets and researchers that can be used to prevent illness and improve quality of life. Expressions of interest for their Series A funding round are now open. 

VetChip is setting a new standard in animal healthcare through revolutionary biosensor technology. The easily implantable chip monitors the vital signs of animals great and small, providing real-time information to pet owners, farmers, vets and researchers that can be used to prevent illness and improve quality of life. Expressions of interest for their Series A funding round are now open. 

Innovative Invest-Inya-Farmer fintech app offers investors “a farm in your pocket” and a slice of food production’s profits, as well as giving farmers access to new capital without taking out bank loans. After successfully working with the cattle, oyster and bee industries, Founder Nathan McPhee is seeking engagement from farm collaborators in broadacre cropping, fruit and vegetable industries.

More than 2300 agrifood businesses, technology giants, startups, corporates, research institutions and investors gathered in San Francisco in March for the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit – and AgriFutures grow^AG.  was on the ground to make new connections, David Lord, Manager Engagement, grow^AG., reflects on the experience and what it means for the Australian agritech sector. 

Queensland agritech company, Qponics is on a mission to accelerate the transition to drought proof agriculture, by cultivating marine microalgae at scale for the co-production of protein-rich food ingredients and high-value oils. To achieve this, Qponics is seeking impact investors to support the development of a new microalgae production complex in South Ballina, NSW, and scale sustainable oil and protein production in Australia.  

Blue sky thinking by the Cotton Research and Development Corporation and the University of Western Sydney has uncovered a promising new plant-based compound for combatting common insect pests in cotton, horticulture and broadacre crops. A rare opportunity now exists for a commercial partner to further develop the early-stage biological pesticide with global market potential. Expressions of Interest close Sunday, 31 July 2022. 

Without pesticides the world could lose up to 50% of key food and fibre crops, devastating global supply. Through work undertaken by Dr Robert Mensah of NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), in collaboration with the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC), effective biological control options for insect pests in cotton have been demonstrated and they are now seeking partners to commercialise these innovative solutions.

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.

Every strawberry season, researchers from the Australian Strawberry Breeding Program trial, taste and assess thousands of new varieties of strawberry developed through natural breeding to identify the best tasting and yielding fruit for Australia.

Funded by Hort Innovation in partnership with the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the program supports the Australian strawberry industry by giving them access to improved, locally adapted superior varieties.   

Statistically speaking, my daughters are underrepresented. They’re female, regionally located, and one has a disability.  

Recently, I asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up. One wants to work in an office and drink coffee “like Mummy”, and the other wants to be a doctor. 

I asked them about being a scientist, or a farmer, to which they replied “no, that’s for daddies”.

Well-known TV weather presenter and meteorologist Jane Bunn found most apps use only one weather model for forecasting, meaning if that model was “having a bad day” so could you or your business. Jane’s Weather places four models in one app to counter this problem, and with the help of AgriFutures grow^AG. is now seeking up to $750,000 equity investment from angel, corporate and institutional investors.

Around half of Australian beekeepers desire more information to be made available on the queen bees they purchase, with selection traits and queen bee pedigree at the top of the list.

That’s according to a survey of 196 beekeepers and 11 queen bee breeders recently conducted by the University of Sydney and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (DPI) as part of the Australian Government Rural R&D for Profit, Plan Bee Genetic Improvement Program.