Highlights from Australian agrifood innovation.

Big data has been spoken about as the next big thing in precision agriculture for years, but uptake has often been limited. DataFarming’s Tim Neale believes enough people and investment are now coming to the sector to turn that around. And with the launch of DataFarming’s Series A $5million capital raise, the future is looking bright. 

As the largest agricultural research and development organisation in the world, Bayer Crop Science is at the forefront of innovation. Phil Taylor, the Director of Open Innovation and Outreach for Bayer Crop Science delves into their approach to unlocking ‘cool innovation’ and how grow^AG. is helping to harness these novel solutions that will benefit growers around the world, including Australia.

A new on-site rapid water testing device designed to facilitate real-time decision making for better health and nutrition outcomes across Australian pig farms is ready for commercialisation. The Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd, Hone and Ridley are seeking partners testing high volumes of water samples, to support the commercialisation of the product, now listed as an opportunity on grow^AG..

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. 

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?