Highlights from Australian agrifood innovation.

Bridging the gap between industry challenges and problem solvers, the AgTech and Logistics Hub is accelerating Australian agrifood innovation – supporting innovators to fast-track solutions to some of the sector’s biggest challenges. Its Open Innovation Challenge 2 is now open for innovators with solutions to reduce inorganic waste and plastics used in horticulture, and closes on 1 July, 2022. 

Feeding the growing population is one of the most pressing issues being addressed by global agrifood innovation – but it’s not only human nourishment that’s being investigated. Sydney entrepreneur Shaun Eislers has developed a pet food range using insects as the primary protein source, and is now working with AgriFutures grow^AG. to connect with investors, wholesalers and distributors.

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.  

Driving the future of farming, using biowaste to produce 100% renewable and green hydrogen on-site and on-demand is a vision HydGene Renewables is set to achieve. The startup’s low-cost sustainable alternative for ammonia, transport and seasonal energy storage, is now seeking investors to explore alternative feedstocks and scale its technology.

Australian startup, Goanna Ag has set its sights on the US cotton market. Already used across half of Australia’s irrigated cotton footprint, its market-leading irrigation scheduling solution revolutionises water use efficiency while delivering higher yields. Now the startup is seeking $10 million from investors to support its expansion plans. 

An Australian agritech startup is revolutionising the way we manage fresh food supply-chains. With real-time monitoring technology, Escavox, with the support of Meat & Livestock Australia, is cutting food waste, protecting premiums, and improving market access for Australian farmers.

Working as consultants, Tim Hyde, Ivor Gaylard and Rod Campbell could see the enormous benefits of efficient water use and nutrient management in agricultural production, but knew there was scope to systemise the way knowledge and advice was shared. Fast forward six years, and their platform SWAN Systems, is now making inroads to transforming water and fertiliser use on a global stage.

An open call, dubbed the Shark Tank for the pork industry, needs innovators with cutting-edge agritech solutions to bring home the bacon for the Australasian pork supply chain. So what does it take to impress the commercialisation panel at Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd?

AgriFutures Australia Managing Director, John Harvey shares the vision behind the online platform grow^AG., its critical role in driving Australian agrifood innovation and global opportunities, and its powerful success. 

This month marks one year since the launch of AgriFutures grow^AG. and it’s been a successful 12-months for the platform and its users – particularly for Wine Australia, who have been garnering significant traction and collaboration to commercialise high-value technology. 

An alternate take on the term “AgTech”, along with a deep commitment to food and agriculture sustainability, is driving Melbourne-based early-stage incubator, Rocket Seeder, to look at the sector from a new perspective and extend its support to startups from unconventional segments of the supply chain.

FarmLab, an agritech startup, is on an ambitious mission to help 1 million farmers sequester 1 billion tonnes of CO2 by 2025, and are now $5 million in capital to scale globally.