The recipients of this year’s Australia-India Council (AIC) grants have been announced, including research identifying drought-resilient chickpeas, and how climate change impacts mango cultivars. Read more
Four Pillars enters non-alcoholic beverage market with new “gin”
Following two years of crafting, testing, tasting and perfecting, the team at Four Pillars has entered the non-alcoholic beverage market by creating two new “gin” products – without incorporating gin. Read more
New trial explores almond orchard recycling in Australia
Scientists are working with a Victorian almond grower to trial an orchard redevelopment practice that is reducing the industry’s carbon footprint in the United States. Read more
Mars Wrigley Australia expands gum and mint portfolio
Mars Wrigley Australia has launched two new products – ECLIPSE PLUS and EXTRA WHITE – as it continues to drive product innovation in the gum and mints categories. Read more
Modern Manufacturing Town Hall ushers in new era for industry
Modern Manufacturing Town Hall, held on 30 March at Sydney Olympic Park, was a pivotal day for the NSW manufacturing sector as it marked the beginning of a strengthened partnership between government and industry in advancing manufacturing. Read more
v2food debuts plant-based chicken for Australia’s love of poultry
Turbine appoints project director to new manufacturing precinct
Turbine has appointed experienced project director, Frances Cayley, to lead the multi-million dollar food and beverage manufacturing precinct at Sunshine Coast Airport, following Turbine’s recent success in securing $8.78 million in federal government funding. Read more
Treasury Wine Estates, Yamaha, The Yield drive robotics in agriculture
The Yield Technology Solutions, Australian agricultural technology company, has announced a R&D project with global wine company, Treasury Wine Estates, and global technology giant, Yamaha Motors. The project will optimise yield production in wine grapes and improve autonomous crop spraying, using robots. Read more
Strengthening agricultural innovation
The Coalition Government has begun work to implement the Ernst & Young (EY) report and help agriculture become a $100 billion sector by 2030.
Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said a roundtable was held last week to engage with government and industry on the report findings and discuss next steps.
“EY examined whether our existing agricultural innovation system was fit for the future and would continue boosting productivity,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The report has been released in full and outlines our strengths and shortcomings, and a vision for the future so we can hit that $100 billion target.
“I commissioned the report and now is the time for action and that’s why we held this roundtable, to get key R&D and innovation leaders to the table and get things moving.
“Participants at the roundtable will take action on the key recommendations from the report.
“This will include concentrating on ground work in the regions to have more farmers adopt AgTech and FoodTech innovations.
“This could help more farmers use all available agricultural data when they make decisions.
“There is agreement we need to improve our innovation system and increase returns on our R&D investment.
“If we keep doing the same thing while our competitors improve then we’re going backwards.
“If we want Australia’s agricultural sector to continue to grow, we need to keep innovating and encourage farmers to adopt all available technology and innovation.”