AgTech Finder

Talking vertical farming with InvertiGro

Vertical farming, or controlled environment agriculture, allows produce to be grown anywhere from the middle of the world’s mega cities to remote islands – or even up in space.  
This technology could solve supply chain problems in a world facing an increasingly erratic climate, but as we hear in this episode, one challenge is deciding what crops to grow to make vertical farming profitable given the upfront capital costs involved.  
Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence Plants for Space Matthew Gilliham from the University of Adelaide explains how the program is developing technologies like vertical farming to enable humans to survive and thrive in space – and how this can transform the sustainability of food and bioresource production on Earth. 
Co-founder of InvertiGro Paul Millett talks about the company’s vertical farming ‘plug and play’, modular solutions and we hear from Perth vertical farmer Christian Prokscha. 
This is the last episode for Season 3 of the AgTech Finder podcast but you can keep up to date with what’s happening in Aussie agtech by visiting www.agtechfinder.com  

Talking livestock microbial tech with Terragen

The use of microorganisms to improve the health and production of animals is an emerging field within the livestock industry.  
In this episode, we look at the impact microbial technology and products are having in the dairy industry. 
We’re joined by vet and ruminant nutritionist Dr Paul Cusack who explains how new technological advances will improve the way researchers are able to study microbes, and the impact different feed additives have on them.  
We speak to Tom Bayes from Terragen, a company producing a probiotic supplement for dairy cows and calves to increase feed efficiency and milk production.  
And we also talk to South Australian dairy farmer Jo Jones, who has been using Terragen’s product MYLO and has seen a reduction in herd sickness and improvement in milk quality, especially around calving.  
www.agtechfinder.com  

Talking artificial intelligence with InFarm

Artificial intelligence and machine vision is groundbreaking technology allowing for the autonomous detection of anything from weeds to livestock disease.  
In this episode we speak to principal agtech scientist for the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Paul Stewart, about how challenges like connectivity are being overcome to allow for AI camera detection to be more widely adopted. 
InFarm founder Jerome Leray explains how artificial intelligence technology is being applied in weed detection and cow/calf unit identification in expansive operations in northern Australia.  
While, Goondiwindi cropper and beef cattle farmer Luke Arbuckle has been using the InFarm AI system to detect weeds for spot spraying and for terrain mapping. 
If this discussion whets your appetite, you can hear more at the Digital Agrifood Summit 2024 in Wagga Wagga 29-30 October, exploring how AI can be harnessed for industry wide benefit. Is it time to "let it rip", or do we need to maintain control? Book your tickets now. 
www.agtechfinder.com  

Talking soil probes with Sentek

Soil moisture probes were one of the first pieces of agtech used by farmers, but things have changed a bit since the 90s.
In this episode we hear about how soil moisture probes are informing growers on soil temperature and fertility, how they can be integrated with other sensors, and how data can be sent wirelessly to your phone.  
Liam Southam-Rogers from Applied Horticultural Research gives an overview on some of the common challenges growers face when adopting the technology, including the pitfall of installing too many probes.   
Sentek is an agtech company that was started more than 30 years ago in South Australia and has now become a world leader in soil moisture technology, with probes installed in hundreds of different types of crops across more than 80 countries. Sentek’s Medi Zaboli talks about what's happening now and what’s on the horizon. 
Supply chain manager for WA based Galati Brothers Frank Merenda has been using Sentek’s Drill and Drop probes in a protected cropping operation, growing mediterranean vegetables just outside of Perth.  
www.agtechfinder.com  

Talking livestock data analytics with Black Box Co

You’ve collected all this data on your livestock, now what?  
It’s a common conundrum when it comes to agtech adoption, but it’s a question livestock analytics platforms are looking to solve.  
In this week’s episode we’re joined by livestock agtech adoption specialist and podcast regular, Penny Schulz, who says collating data is not a new concept, but technology that analyses and visually presents that data as actionable insights, is a new frontier.  
This frontier is being led by female-founded Black Box Co and we speak to Black Box co-founder Emma Black about their cloud-based software which analyses data that’s integrated from the paddock, crush and across the supply chain – presenting growers with visual, data-driven insights on their cattle’s production. 
We also talk to Jessie Chiconi from one of the country’s most renowned Wagyu beef production operations, Chiconi Grazing. Jessie tells us about how Black Box has helped them collate, interpret and present a huge depth of data on their 3000 plus head of cattle. 
www.agtechfinder.com  

Talking on farm robotics with SwarmFarm

Robot farm machinery is no longer a sci-fi fantasy, it’s already on-farm and impacting how farmers manage their operations. 
In this episode, podcast regular, Food Agility CRC Chief Scientist, Professor David Lamb explains that  although autonomous technology is now available there’s still work to be done to ensure our farms and our farmers are ‘robot ready’. 
We hear from Jack Rudd from Swarm Farm robotics about its autonomous machinery, mainly being used for spot spraying. He says the technology allows for more effective weed control, reducing chemical and labour costs.  
Northern NSW broad acre cropper Scott Wilson has been using a Swarm Farm robot for spot spraying and says ‘Scrub’ as the robot’s affectionately known, has benefits for both farm operation and lifestyle. 
www.agtechfinder.com  

Talking traceability and supply chain transparency with FreshChain

In this episode we’re talking about traceability and transparency within supply chains – what’s possible with the agtech available and the challenges of seeing that technology adopted by industry.  
Hear from expert Steve Capell, who consults for the Australian Government and volunteers for the UN, running a project called the United Nations Transparency Protocol. He explains how the adoption of traceability technology will improve with the creation of global standards and the introduction of regulations for market access. 
Greg Calvert from Fresh Chain, a blockchain enabled, paddock-to-plate assurance system, tells podcast the technology can play a role in everything from food safety to brand awareness.  
Johnathon Davey, Executive Officer of industry body Melons Australia talks about how the use of FreshChain technology in a pilot program was “revolutionary” – and what would need to change within the sector to allow the agtech to be adopted on a wider scale.  
www.agtechfinder.com  

Talking LoRa Connectivity with PLF Australia

In this episode we’re talking about LoRa, a connectivity option for agtech monitoring devices that can be used in rural areas, across long distances.  
Connectivity is often a stumbling block for farmers looking to adopt agtech, particularly for the many growers who don’t have reliable phone signal across their property.  
But LoRa is helping to fill the gap – it's a long-range, low power option that can be used to connect monitoring devices and sensors that don’t need to transfer a lot of data to operate.  
We’re joined once again by Food Agility CRC’s chief scientist David Lamb to explain how LoRa works and what role it plays in agtech. 
We speak to PLF Australia’s (Precision Livestock Farming) Paul Stapleton, who explains why LoRa has become the go-to option for most of the solutions they offer. He’s trying to spread the word to farmers who might assume having no signal means they’re not able to use agtech devices.  
And we hear from Mick McKellar, an organic beef cattle farmer from south west Queensland who previously struggled with connectivity, but using LoRa and through PLF has been able to install tank and flow monitoring devices.  
www.agtechfinder.com  

Talking soil carbon with Precision Ag

In this episode we’re talking about soil carbon – we discuss both the opportunities and challenges the measurement and improvement of soil carbon can present for farmers.  
We’re joined by Cam Nicholson, a soil carbon consultant and agronomist. He explains new technology that is being developed to measure carbon and the pitfalls farmers can fall into when carbon accounting.  
We speak to Precision Ag’s principal scientist Dr Kirsten Barlow, who explains why they’ve introduced an independent soil carbon baselining service – plus she’ll talk us through how technology is currently being used to inform and administer variable rates.  
We also talk to Richard Malone from Customised Farm Management Australia. Richard is based in Griffith in southern NSW and he tells us about what he sees as the potential benefits of measuring and improving soil carbon from a corporate farming perspective. 
www.agtechfinder.com  

Talking data utilisation with the seafood industry

In this episode we’re talking about the use of agtech and data-driven decision-making within the seafood industry.  
We’re joined by Julie Petty, from Seafood Industry Australia, who talks us through everything from the automation of fish feeding to decarbonisation. 
We also speak to professor Shauna Murray, from the University of Technology Sydney, who’s been heading up the Transforming Australian Shellfish Production project. The project, run in conjunction with Food Agility CRC, has allowed for real-time and estuary specific data to drive decision-making on harvest management.   
And we hear from NSW South Coast oyster farmer Shane Buckley. He took part in the project and says the use of data to inform harvest windows could have a significant economic impact on their business.   
www.agtechfinder.com