Highlights from Australian agrifood innovation.

CRDC has issued a call to commercial tech providers and researchers to partner with the cotton industry in an exciting new round of projects aimed at boosting the sector’s ability to evolve and innovate.

The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) might be the Research and Development Corporation for the red meat processing industry, but it’s drawing inspiration from a very different R&D agency to help find the answers to some mammoth questions. AMPC is now seeking problem solvers and investors with innovative solutions to make waterless knife sterilisation for meat processing plants a reality.

Australian insect farming startup, Solution Blue is seeking investors to scale its black soldier fly protein production system. Providing greater productivity at much lower cost than its competitors, Solution Blue’s world-first technology delivers high-quality, consistent insect protein that has so far eluded insect farmers across the world. And it’s got aquaculture and pet food manufacturers clamouring.

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.

AI-driven data-processing software from CSIRO has made hyperspectral imaging a viable commercial tool, and is seeking partners with data and domain expertise to fine-tune its algorithms.  

Australian oat noodles and oat ‘rice’ are set to become popular pantry staples in Australia and overseas once new manufacturing processes developed by the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC) are matched with the right commercial partners. AEGIC is looking for food brands, manufacturers or investors who can fast-track getting the new healthy plant-based products to market, and help move oats beyond the breakfast table to becoming an option for lunch, dinner and snacks.

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.

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.  

Australian grain growers are set to profit from a multi-million-dollar global investment in machine learning, led by Grains Research Development Corporation (GRDC). Here we explore nine use-cases designed to boost value in the paddock.   Some already have commercial sector involvement in place but for others GRDC will seek deployment through commercial avenues using platforms like grow^AG..

With the support of AgriFutures Australia, innovative Western Australian company, ManukaLife is helping position Australia’s Manuka honey industry as a global leader. With a prosperous future ahead, opportunities exist for a range of organisations to engage with ManukaLife to either rapidly expand the establishment of plantations in Australia or to partner in developing new cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

An Australian mycopesticide innovation, developed by AgriFutures Australia and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), is an effective alternative to chemical pesticides for lesser mealworm control. AgriFutures and DAF are now seeking biotech partners to commercialise the product.

Australian Wool Innovation is reaping the rewards of its collaboration with grow^AG. as exposure generates investor and early adopter interest in smart tags for sheep.