Shows
AgTech FinderTalking vertical farming with InvertiGroVertical 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 vertica...
2024-09-2932 minAgTech FinderTalking livestock microbial tech with TerragenThe 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 increa...
2024-09-1728 minAgTech FinderTalking artificial intelligence with InFarmArtificial 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...
2024-09-0830 minAgTech FinderTalking soil probes with SentekSoil 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...
2024-09-0132 minAgTech FinderTalking livestock data analytics with Black Box CoYou’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...
2024-08-2530 minAgTech FinderTalking on farm robotics with SwarmFarmRobot 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 ac...
2024-08-1833 minAgTech FinderTalking traceability and supply chain transparency with FreshChainIn 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 ro...
2024-08-1131 minAgTech FinderTalking LoRa Connectivity with PLF AustraliaIn 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...
2024-08-0431 minAgTech FinderTalking soil carbon with Precision AgIn 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 admi...
2024-07-2833 minAgTech FinderTalking data utilisation with the seafood industryIn 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 Coas...
2024-07-2131 minAgTech FinderTalking virtual fencing in dairy with HalterIn this episode we’re talking about virtual fencing and monitoring technology that could be transformative for the dairy industry.
We’re joined by Dairy Australia’s Emily Samyue to give us an overview of the role agtech plays within the industry.
We then travel across the ditch to speak to Steve Crowhurst from New Zealand-based company Halter. Halter’s smart cow collars predominantly use sound cues to guide cattle on where to go, allowing cows to be remotely brought in for milking and cell grazed in smaller mobs to improve pasture growth and production.
We als...
2024-07-1431 minAgTech FinderTalking livestock diagnostics with AgScentToday we’re speaking about technology helping producers monitor their livestock’s health and emissions - picture being able to breathalyse a cow to see if she's pregnant or finding out about methane emissions when the steers eat at the trough.
We speak to Food Agility CRC chief scientist David Lamb about how more extensive, large-scale farming, combined with a reduced workforce, has led to agtech often needing to fill the gap when it comes to livestock monitoring.
AgScent founder Bronwyn Darlington tells us about working with NASA and explains how their non-invasive diagnostic technology could...
2024-04-2931 minAgTech FinderTalking climate forecasting with the BureauIn this episode we’re speaking about tools that help farmers assess and plan for changes in climate.
A lot of the agtech we speak about is used by farmers to help with everyday decision making. But the tools we’re hearing about in this episode are mostly focused on long-term management, how to prepare for a future that might be decades or even generations away.
We speak to Dr Tim Cowan a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Applied Climate Sciences at the University of Southern Queensland about agtech’s role in preparing farmers to...
2024-04-2127 minAgTech FinderTalking shearing innovations with the wool industryIn this week’s episode we’re talking about innovations and technology within the shearing industry.
The wool and shearing industry is probably not the first people think of when it comes to agtech, being one of the more traditional within agriculture.
But the shearer shortage and rise of large sheep within the industry has encouraged the sector to develop new technology that will offer wool growers more options and help attract and retain shearers.
In this episode we speak to Carolina Diaz from the Australian Wool Innovation about some of the new technolo...
2024-04-1429 minAgTech FinderTalking water efficiency with Goanna AgIn this episode we’re talking about technology helping growers improve water efficiency on-farm.
We’re joined by podcast regular, Food Agility CRC chief scientist, David Lamb, who tells us about the role agtech will play in reporting growers’ water efficiency credentials to consumers.
We speak to Goanna Ag’s John Pattinson about their smart irrigation management solution, GoField. GoField is used across 250,000 hectares of cotton and aims to deliver water, energy and workforce efficiencies.
We also chat to Queensland cotton grower Nigel Corish, who has been using the GoField solution to improve irrigation workf...
2024-04-0730 minAgTech FinderTalking pasture management with Cibo LabsIn this episode we’re speaking about pasture management and the technology helping producers maximise profit and protect their environment.
We welcome back South Australian sheep and cattle farmer and agtech adoption specialist Penny Schulz, who tells us about how technology in this area has undergone a major step change in recent years.
We speak to Cibo Labs co-founder Phil Tickle about their pasture management tools which use a combination of satellite remote sensing imagery, machine learning and ground-truthing to offer objective pasture estimates, informing decision-making on stocking rates.
We’re also joined by Philip...
2024-03-2429 minAgTech FinderTalking communication with YackerIn this episode we’re talking about communication. It’s a topic at the heart of agtech adoption and there are also now agtech tools and platforms available to help the industry disseminate knowledge and build communities.
We speak to Food Agility CRC chief scientist David Lamb about the correlations between the use of social media and agtech adoption.
We’re joined by Emma Ayliffe, an agronomist and farmer, who co-founded Yacker, a social media app for farmers and the ag industry to share ideas and connect with each other.
And we chat to Queenslan...
2024-03-1724 minAgTech FinderTalking agtech integration with OPS AustraliaIn this episode we’re talking about agtech integration, whether that’s bringing together technologies and services from different providers to leverage more value – or fully-integrated systems that not only provide information but take action.
We speak to Matt Anderson from Farmers2Founders about how agtech partnerships are able to offer more comprehensive and streamlined decision-making data to farmers.
We’re joined by OPS Australia’s Andrew Barton who tells about their integrated solutions that are combining monitoring technology with automation systems, improving productivity on farm. OPS Australia is based in Longreach Queensland and built to work in o...
2024-03-1030 minAgTech FinderTalking drought resilience with Shepherd AgIn this episode, we’re talking about drought resilience, particularly feeding through droughts.
Feeding stock can be one of the most time consuming, expensive and mentally challenging aspects of a drought.
We speak to independent sheep consultant Anthony Shepherd from Sheepmatters about how technology is helping producers decide which stock to sell and which to feed through a drought.
We also talk to Justin Dunn from The Shepherd Ag who has developed a whole automated feedlot solution, allowing farmers to improve precision when feeding and significantly cutting back on the workload required to feed...
2024-03-0332 minAgTech FinderTalking data codes with Pairtree IntelligenceIn this episode we’re talking about building trust when it comes to sharing farm data.
Data is now one of the world’s most valuable commodities and needs to be protected, but we know that sharing data can improve profit and production on-farm. So how can farmers confidently share data with third parties like agtech providers?
This is a question the National Farmers' Federation sought to address when it developed the Australian Farm Data Code, a voluntary code of conduct and certification program that aims to improve adoption of agtech by ensuring farmers have comfort...
2024-02-2530 minAgTech FinderTalking the future of farming with Gatton Smart FarmIn this episode we’re talking about Smart Farms and the role they’re playing in driving and de-risking agtech adoption.
We speak to Food Agility CRC chief scientist professor David Lamb about how artificial intelligence will be used to collate data and inform decision-making.
We also hear from Ian Layden from the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Gatton Smart Farm. Gatton Smart Farm is based in the sub-tropical Lockyear Valley and focuses on agtech adoption within the horticulture industry, focusing on automation, protected cropping and post-harvest solutions.
And we’ll chat to Kalfresh...
2024-02-1828 minAgTech FinderTalking drones with Single AgricultureIn this episode we’re talking about drones. Many farmers have gone out and bought a drone with big plans, only for it soon to be sitting on the shelf collecting dust. But in this episode, we hear about some of the ways that farmers are using the technology effectively on-farm.
We speak to agricultural drone trainer Fiona Lake about improving adoption by busting the myths that surround drones.
We also hear from Ben Single of Single Agriculture whose drone technology is used to identify weeds, allowing farmers to target the use of herbicides.
And...
2024-02-1130 minAgTech FinderTalking traceability with Source CertainIn this episode, the last of season one, we’re talking about traceability and the technology being utilised to prove a product’s provenance.
We speak once again to Food Agility CRC chief scientist David Lamb about consumers’ growing demand for knowledge about the products they’re purchasing and traceability’s role in preventing food fraud.
We talk to Source Certain’s Katherine Campbell about their technology which can scientifically determine source of origin, even down to an individual block.
And we’re joined by Sean Engelbrecht from fresh fruit supplier WA Farm Direct. He tells u...
2023-10-0830 minAgTech FinderTalking livestock management with OptiweighThis episode we’re talking about livestock management technology found in the paddock, the yards or the shearing shed.
We’re joined once again by South Australian sheep and cattle farmer and agtech adoption specialist Penny Schulz, who tells us about how technology is improving safety and efficiency and reducing labour requirements.
We speak to Optiweigh’s Max Laurie about their in-paddock weighing system that aims to drive profit and reduce animal handling.
And we also speak to northern Queensland cattle farmer Noeline Dore who has been using Optiweigh units in their breeding and fatteni...
2023-10-0132 minAgTech FinderTalking spray advisory with INCYTIn this episode we’re talking about technology that advises growers on when and how to spray in order to improve spray efficacy and reduce the risk of spray drift.
We speak to Food Agility CRC chief scientist David Lamb, who explains why hazardous inversions can cause spray particles to travel tens of kilometres.
We’re also joined by INCYT founder Simon Blyth who talks about their latest spray advisory technology, Maverick. He tells us how the technology is helping growers plan more effective spraying programs, while reducing risk, taking inspiration from its Top Gun namesak...
2023-09-2434 minAgTech FinderTalking animal health and nutrition with ProAgniIn this episode we’re talking about the technology involved in animal health and nutrition, which includes everything probiotics to on-farm diagnostic lab kits.
We speak to professor Jane Quinn from Charles Sturt University about the challenge of proving the value proposition of animal health and nutrition technology on-farm and the importance of data integration.
We’re also joined by ProAgni co-founder Fiona Soulsby who tells us about their new probiotic which will help rapidly transition sheep and cattle to a grain-based diet, improving animal health and production.
And we talk to Victorian sheep fa...
2023-09-1730 minAgTech FinderTalking irrigation and plant sensors with Athena IR-TechIn this episode we’re talking about irrigation and in particular plant sensors that are able to tell growers when their crops need water.
We speak to our regular podcast expert, Food Agility CRC chief scientist professor David Lamb about how the rising cost of water is driving adoption of plant sensors in high-value broadacre crops.
We’re joined by Athena IR-Tech CEO Jay Holata, who tells us about their Transp-IR technology which measures plant and environment temperature, humidity and solar radiation to calculate when a crop needs water.
And we speak to South Aus...
2023-09-1034 minAgTech FinderTalking farm safety with Safe Ag SystemsIn this episode we’re talking about the agtech that is helping producers improve their farm safety and compliance.
We speak to FarmSafe Australia chair Felicity Richards about how agtech is supporting behavioural changes on farm.
We’re also joined by Safe Ag Systems CEO and co-founder Katy Landt. Katy started Safe Ag Systems with her mother, Caroline Graham. She tells us that to encourage adoption they built their software to improve both safety procedures and operational efficiencies.
And we’ll chat to independent safety consultant Joanne Hamilton-Vale who has used SafeAg Systems with dozens...
2023-09-0331 minAgTech FinderTalking pests, weeds and disease management with BioScoutIn this episode we’re talking about pest, weed and disease management, particularly focusing on technology that allows for better management of fungal diseases in crops.
We speak to podcast regular Food Agility CRC chief scientist professor David Lamb about the potential for agtech to replace or minimise chemical use in the future.
We’re also joined by BioScout CEO Lewis Collins, who tells about how their technology is helping to reduce the impact of fungal diseases in crops and better target fungicide sprays.
And we’ll speak to Jane Parker from herb and spices s...
2023-08-2732 minAgTech FinderTalking geospatial mapping with NGIS and CSBP FertilisersIn this episode we’re talking about geospatial mapping, technology that is being used in everything from variable rate application of fertiliser to proving provenance.
We speak to podcast regular Food Agility CRC chief scientist professor David Lamb about how much faster geospatial maps can now be processed and how this has changed decision-making for farmers.
We’re also joined by Matt Stewart from NGIS, a geospatial mapping company that has been working in Australia for more than 30 years in a number of industries, including agriculture. He’ll tell us how the technology is starting to be us...
2023-08-2032 minAgTech FinderTalking data sharing with TerraCipherIn this episode we’re talking about data sharing - the importance of standardising data and creating data sharing ecosystems.
Data sharing and collaboration has been a popular topic on the podcast, with many of our guests talking about data sharing as the ‘next big thing’ when it comes to agtech.
Therefore, in this episode we speak to TerraCipher founder Dave Swain about their product Trakka, a data sharing infrastructure they’re trialling that allows farmers to control their data flow and aims to generate more value for the red meat industry.
We’re also joined...
2023-08-1332 minAgTech FinderTalking precision ag with Green AtlasIn this episode we’re talking about precision ag, an area of agtech that has been around for 30 years but one that is continuing to expand and grow in accuracy.
We speak to Food Agility CRC chief scientist professor David Lamb, who has been internationally recognised for his work in precision ag, about the importance of balancing human knowledge with artificial intelligence.
We’re joined by Dr Steven Scheding, director and co-founder of Green Atlas, a company which has created precision ag technology to help decision-making in the horticulture industry.
And we chat to hortic...
2023-08-0629 minAgTech FinderTalking farm management with AgriWebbIn this episode we look at the next fronteir of farm management platforms.
Agtech adoption specialist and South Australian cattle and sheep farmer Dr Penny Schulz talks about the potential for automatic data-entry to farm management platforms.
We speak to AgriWebb co-founder John Fargher about how the platform can be used for sustainable grazing management and carbon project reporting.
And we’re also joined by AgriWebb customer and Queensland cattle farmer Doug McNicholl, who talks about the added value achieved by integrating other agtech with farm management platforms.
2023-07-3031 minAgTech FinderTalking supply chains with AgriDigitalIn this week’s episode we explore the digitisation of supply chains, along with some of the businesses changing the game when it comes to tracking grain from paddock to plate.
We speak to Food Agility CRC chief scientist Professor David Lamb about how technology is allowing the ag industry to ‘decomoditise’ its products.
We’re also joined by Emma Weston CEO and co-founder of AgriDigital, one of Australia’s leading independent digital grain software companies, about the challenge of joining the ‘digital dots’.
Plus, we ask Andrew Tighe, from northern NSW companies Boolah Farms and P...
2023-07-2329 minAgTech FinderTalking remote sensors with FarmoIn this episode we’re talking about remote sensors, a product many farmers look to when dipping their toes into agtech.
We speak to agtech adoption specialist and South Australian cattle and sheep farmer Dr Penny Schulz about the peace of mind this technology can offer.
We also ask Nick Seymour, founder of Farmo and creator of the Water Rat trough sensor, about the importance of simplicity when it comes to agtech.
And we chat to Mark Lazzari who has been using the Water Rat at his cattle property in western Victoria, which he fa...
2023-07-1628 minAgTech FinderTalking connectivity with ZetifiIn this episode we’re talking about connectivity, the basis of all ag tech and often the biggest hurdle for farmers and businesses to overcome.
We ask Food Agility CRC chief scientist professor David Lamb how close we are to connectivity headaches being a thing of the past.
We also speak to Dan Winson, founder of Zetifi, a Wagga Wagga company who extends wi-fi coverage across farms.
And to Andrew Watt, from Hutcheon and Pearce, about how this technology is working for their business and customers.
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2023-07-0127 min