David Burt

Crafting a budget that impacts 26 million living stakeholders—and future generations—is no small task. Did the announced budget by the Albanese government miss the mark? Is the budget communicating a sound and relevant strategy for the future of Australia's economy? @AuManufacturing news and media yesterday published a series of first reactions to the budget through a manufacturing and innovation lens. Dive into the insights and join the conversation on how this budget will shape our industry and nation. #innovation #manufacturing #budget

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Keith Savin PhD from Data Biome is one of the 9 participants in the fourth cohort of our Victorian AgTech Seeds program which is supporting the creation of early-stage Agtech startups by bringing together aspiring Agtech entrepreneurs and researchers creating technology for the Victorian agriculture sector and beyond. Data Biome is developing a probiotic for cows that will reduce their methane output by slightly altering their digestion metabolism, utilising bacterial species naturally found in the rumen of cows. Initially, the customers will be dairy farmers wanting to reduce their on-farm greenhouse gas emissions. Find out more information about the fourth Victorian cohort of our AgTech Seeds program on our website https://lnkd.in/gbpZmhps LaunchVic Agriculture Victoria Cruxes Innovation Victorian Farmers Federation AgriFutures Australia AgriFutures growAG Jonathan Lacey Emily Chang Emma Coath Nicki Marks Will Schmitt Stuart Haines Taylor Battistella #rocketseeder #startup #entrepreneurship #founders #networking #opportunities #agtech #agrifoodtech #agriculture #agtechseeds #foodindustrytrends #entrepreneurship #commercialisation #digitalagriculture #innovation #researchtoimpact #preseed

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AusAgritech is mapping the entire national ecosystem of Agritech and is inviting industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to participate in the 2024 Australian Agritech Sector Survey. The aim of this survey is to gain valuable insights into Australia’s agritech ecosystem—understanding the current landscape, key growth drivers, challenges, and the future trajectory of the sector. By sharing your perspective, you’ll play a key role in helping AusAgritech advocate, connect, and lobby for the continued success of the agritech industry. Your input will shape AusAgritech's advocacy efforts and contribute to upcoming reports and initiatives. Closing soon. https://lnkd.in/gt7dhqUS TasFarmers TAS Farm Innovation Hub Enterprize Tasmania Regional Australia Institute Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture University of Tasmania

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Its not a legal technicality, its an environmental bottom line that provides clarity, certainty and efficiency to the issue of non-point source discharges. Farmers  including me, had to apply for resource consents to farm for almost a decade. Why should Southland farmers not be required to internalize the costs of their externalities? Why should those who degrade the quality of the right (to clean rivers) of others not be required to gain permission to do so and be tied to enforceable consent conditions like those of us in canterbury? My only gripe is that farming activities should not be singled out.  Golf courses, equestrian activities, and residential areas with lawns and gardens should also have to have enforceable and monitored discharge consents. That would remove the cilurrent justifiable criticism of picking on farmers. https://lnkd.in/gyTSHcHb

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Together with our Chair Richard Westlake, our CEO Julian Elder and Our GM for Strategic Partnerships Roger Dungan I attended Scion's annual review by Parliament’s Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee. Thanks to the committee members Dr Dr Parmjeet Parmar, Vanessa Weenink, Dan Bidois, Reuben Davidson, Tanya Unkovich MP, Helen White, Scott Willis and Willie Jackson for the constructive discussion and the great opportunity to highlight how Scion is creating value and impact for New Zealand, and the opportunity we see from the science system reform. As New Zealand’s leading research institute for forestry, industrial biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing Scion is all about helping lead New Zealand’s transition to a productive, prosperous and resilient low-carbon economy supporting high-value jobs and exports. The global imperative to transition away from fossil fuels and petrochemicals to sustainable biobased alternatives is a huge opportunity for New Zealand. Moving beyond oil is not only a matter of stop burning it for energy - it is much more than that. Petrochemicals are a big driver of the global oil demand growth. Most of the crude oil is used in the transport sector - interestingly more and more gets displaced by the development of alternative sources (electric and biofuels) and improved efficiencies Nearly everything we touch or use in everyday's life is made from petrochemicals - plastics, fertilisers, solvents, drugs, synthetic fibres, paints, soaps, detergents, and insulating materials all come from there… Moving beyond oil is not only a matter of stop burning it… but a quite more complex process. Trees and other sustainable biomass are the source of thousands of products we use every day. We can manufacture some, or even all, of these products in New Zealand The global imperative to transition away from fossil fuels and petrochemicals to sustainable biobased alternatives is a huge opportunity for New Zealand. - an industry worth $18 billion to $25 billion a year lies beyond straight log and timber processing.   #AI #machinelearning #industrialbiotechnology #advancedmanufacturing, #forestry #bioeconomy #climatechange #biomaterials #science #technology #innovation #circulareconomy #export #greengrowth #circularbioeconomy #manufacturing #biotechnology #cleantechnology https://lnkd.in/gHxxykve

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The Drought Venture Studio, supported by the Future Drought Fund as part of their Drought Resilience Commercialisation Initiative, is now officially underway. If you’ve got research or IP to build drought resilience in Australian agriculture, apply now for the second innovators’ round. Successful innovators will receive hands-on commercialisation support from a team of expert Venture Builders, and the opportunity to be one of eight start-ups, matched with an experienced Founder for commercialisation and launch of a drought resilience product or service. Program design is flexible and recognises existing work or research commitments. Applications for the second round of innovators are open now until 9pm (AEST) 29 September. For more information and to apply, visit: https://brnw.ch/21wMmab #FutureDroughtFund #drought #droughtresilience #AgTech #Innovation #ClimateResilience #AustralianAgriculture #DroughtVentureStudio

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Great to see the connection between consumer and producer starting to happen. What is regenerative you ask? Well good news - you can now find out. Backstory’s Prove solution is part of ensuring that data exists to help you better understand what it means to be buying food from farms that are in a state of regeneration.

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We're happy to announce that the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has awarded funding to CIFOR-ICRAF to support our critical work in tree diversity conservation. Trees are the cornerstones of healthy ecosystems, but they face major threats from deforestation and climate change. With 30% of the world's 60,000 tree species threatened with extinction, urgent action is needed. This funding will be instrumental in strengthening our field genebanks across Africa, which safeguard the future of these vital resources. Here's why these genebanks are vital: ▪️Safeguarding Diversity: We house one of the world's largest tropical tree seed collections in Nairobi, ensuring the survival of threatened species. ▪️Adaptability Research: Our field genebanks, established in collaboration with national partners, provide valuable insights into tree growth, development, and adaptation under different conditions. ▪️Restoration Efforts: We supply high-quality planting materials for critical restoration projects across the continent. This ACIAR funding will allow us to: ▪️Secure and maintain genebank sites. ▪️Clean and preserve seed collections. ▪️Provide essential planting materials for restoration initiatives. By investing in the future of trees, we invest in a healthier planet for everyone. 🔗: https://lnkd.in/dhTUWt7S Alice Muchugi | #TreesPeoplePlanet

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$60 million venture fund to back emerging technology ideas.  The Hort Innovation Venture Capital Fund is supporting early-stage start-ups that are developing cutting-edge technologies in automation, robotics, smart irrigation, and advanced breeding. Target : 20-30 businesses over the next five years. Key focus areas include: Healthy Living – driving improved consumption of fruits and veggies Adaptation & Resilience – supporting sustainable farming practices Market Growth - innovation and product development Disruptive Technologies – AI and automation to boost productivity Capability building - Ensuring the sustainability of the workforce The Hort Innovation Venture Capital Fund is a partnership between Hort Innovation and Artesian Venture Partners. For more info: https://lnkd.in/gxvCek6P frontiers.au #HorticultureInnovation #Sustainability #AgTech #FutureOfFarming #SMEs #Businessgrants

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NSW Farmers Young Farmer Committee chair Martin Murray on the paraquat/diquat review underway by the national chemical regulator APVMA https://lnkd.in/gHii9KM2 There's a really key point in here, aside from impacts on fossil fuel use, soil C, water run-off, and impact on natural capital assets. It's the review's very framework, it's premise. Because nearly every advisor will tell you; crop fallows are best practice when devoid of life above ground! And OK, maybe you want a flower meadow farm-scape? Sure just work out who doesn’t get to eat: of the how many hundreds of millions of people whose diet comprises Australian cereal, pulse, rice, oilseed and sugar cane industries... all at risk now until this review is made right.

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Good to see NZ looking into a methane target relating to ‘not adding to additional warming impact for methane. It will provides for several key things, including; - a target consistent with what how long lived GHGs (CO2 & N2O) targets achieve not adding to additional warming once their ‘net zero’ target is achieved. - provides nz pastoral food sector a meaningful position to achieve on GHG reduction path. - consistency with how sequestration is accounted for - providing additionality to CO2 draw down. - an option to define a ‘net zero’ position for pastoral foods that as above is consistent to add to the long live GHGs, and importantly is feasibly scalable. 2022 methane levels are 2% higher than 1990. That is the lowest increase for any of the three main GHGs. NZ pastoral sector has achieved this through focuses on feed efficiency. That focus has moved more recently to methane reduction opportunities. These will accelerate actual methane reductions & reductions per unit of production.

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Providing Fresh food to local communities in remote Australia is critical and Booma Farm has taken the first step, partnering with Canadian Vertical Farming TurnKey Company CubicFarm Systems Corp. I believe Australia has a unique environment where every scale systems can be applied for the benefit of all. Food Security and global health can be achieved, one community at a time. #verticalfarming #feedingthefuture #australia #protectedcropping #controlledenvironmentagriculture #CEA #indoorfarming #futurecrops #Agriculture #UrbanAgriculture #climatechange #sustainability #foodjustice #foodaccess #hydroponics #urbanplanning #earthDay #healthyeating #AgricultureTech #FreshProduce #FutureOfFarming #sustainableLiving #SmartFarming —————————————————— Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) The University of Queensland

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SIMP@CT promoted as success story by AWS!! We are absolutely stoked that Amazon has decided to show our solution for effective urban heat mitigation to the global community. Read the story here: https://lnkd.in/gzcgnnVG The multi-award winning AI-based irrigation solution for urban green spaces could be used in your city. You can learn about it from the Amazon report and get a real deep dive visiting the project webpage (simpact-australia.com) where the team has deposited lots of documents for free download. This is what effective climate change mitigation can look like - available now, scalable, evidence-based.

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Will be interesting to see what gets proposed around new carbon methodologies, and can all the various stakeholders find common ground for a positive outcome for the environment, farmers, and our food system... https://lnkd.in/gmkXxdHd - Hemp capturing/storing CO2 in building materials - Enhanced Rock Weathering drawing down carbon through the weathering process and assisting farmers overcome soil PH issues - Emissions reduction at a farm level with switching from diesel to renewable fuels etc ...also variations to existing methods like soil carbon so they are optimised to work with the advancements in remote sensing, machine learning, manage some of the practical challenges of raking physical soil samples (which are still v important to localise models against) and making the process of lodgement better fit the core business of farming Key is going to be submissions coordinated at an industry / whole stakeholder group level, rather than individual entities swamping the process

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Boosting Connectivity on Farms📡 The Australian Government's On Farm Connectivity Program is here to empower primary producers in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries with the tools needed for smarter farming. 🌱💻 With $33 million in funding across 2023–24 to 2024–25, this initiative—part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia—supports producers in leveraging connected machinery and sensor technology. The goal? To boost productivity, enhance safety, and promote sustainable farming practices. 🚨 Update on Round 2 Applications: Funding for Round 2 has been fully allocated, and the application portal is now closed while the Business Grants Hub assesses submitted applications. If additional funding becomes available, the portal may reopen. Successful applicants can still submit rebate claims within 120 days to secure their rebates. At MBC Group Services, we understand the transformative power of digital agribusiness solutions and are here to help our farmers in the Central West of NSW navigate funding opportunities, streamline their operations, and achieve their goals. For more information on the program, visit the Australian Government website: https://lnkd.in/gspkwwDG. Need advice or support? Our team is just a call away! 📞 #MBCGroupServices #CentralWestNSW #RegionalNSW #OnFarmConnectivityProgram #DigitalFarming #AgriTech #Agribusiness

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RD Watt Lecture 2023: Sustainable Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities Towards 2030 https://lnkd.in/enS3_4RA In NSW we are in now challenged by industry and governments to increase agricultural production by 30 billion dollars in regional revenue by the year 2030. This is a major challenge for the NSW community of landowners and primary producers if we make the changes to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Our experienced speakers will explain how we can expect to reach this target. Increasing sustainability in food and fibre production will make development sustainable against adverse effects to our environment. But, why is it necessary for development to be sustainable? And what does sustainability imply from a practical, farm point of view? The 2023 RD Watt Lecture provided an appreciation of the key elements necessary to navigate through sustainability, with an emphasis on agricultural sustainability. Check out the lecture here. University of Sydney Landcare NSW NSW Department of Primary Industries Local Land Services NSW Government Parliament of NSW

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The future of a biosecurity bill in Australia is uncertain after the Greens announced they would not support it. The bill, which includes a $50 million levy on farmers, aims to secure biosecurity funding but faces strong opposition from farming groups who argue it could increase food prices. Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson criticised the bill as an unfair tax on farmers and suggested alternative funding methods. National Farmers' Federation CEO Tony Mahar also opposed the levy, advocating for a more transparent and collaborative approach. The government must now decide whether to withdraw or amend the legislation. See the article here: Future of controversial biosecurity bill in doubt as Greens refuse to back 'unfair' levy https://ab.co/4dWeivU

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