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Tag: Agriculture / Agtech

WA Agtech meetup x EvokeAg

WA Agtech Meetup x EvokeAg

 

Join us as we bring the agtech meetup communities from across Australia together for one super powered meetup ahead of EvokeAg!

🔥 Innovator Showcase: Witness the rapid-fire pitches from a handpicked selection of Australia’s most promising agtech innovators. These trailblazers are redefining the agrifood landscape and will leave you in awe.

For those attending in person, we invite you to network over a delicious breakfast, giving you the perfect opportunity to mingle before making your way over for day two of EvokeAg.

For those unable to join us in-person, tune in online to make sure you don’t miss all the action (livestream details will be shared after registration).

Agenda (AWST):
6:45am Arrival and registrations
7:00am Agtech meetup pitches (virtual attendees to join from 7am)
7:45am Networking, coffee, tea and breakfast

2024 GIWA Grains Australia Grain Industry Dinner

You are cordially invited to the annual Grains Industry Dinner co-hosted by GIWA and Grains Australia, held in conjunction with the 2024 GRDC Research Updates Perth.

As the 2024 GRDC Research Updates will be held at Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre (PCEC) the dinner will take place in the Karri Room at the Parmelia Hilton Hotel, 14 Mill Street, Perth.  The venue is a short five minute walk from the PCEC

The purpose of this annual dinner is to build relationships and foster collaboration between the leaders of key national and state grain industry organisations.

An invitation has been extended to the Hon Jackie Jarvis MLC, Minister for Agriculture and Food; Forestry; Small Business to attend the dinner.

Please arrive at 6:45pm for 7pm start.

RSVPs are essential. This event is by invitation only and invitations are non-transferrable.

Dress is business attire. Please let us know your dietary requirements if any by 29 January 2024, Monday.

To place this event in your calendar, please click the above link ‘Add to calendar” to download this into your Outlook or iCloud calendars.

If you have any enquiries, please contact Nadia Geary on 0424 096 872 or admin@giwa.org.au .

GGA Lift Off

Lift Off brings together the GGA network to consolidate working relationships and provide valuable operational insights for the year ahead.

Date & Times

Monday 19th Feb, 2024
Day Program – 9.00am – 4.30pm
Networking Sundowner 5.00 – 6.30pm

Venues

  • Main Program – Holiday Inn City Centre [9.00am – 4.30pm]
  • Afternoon Research/Project Officers Program – Adnate Hotel [1.30pm – 4.30pm]
  • Networking Sundowner – Adnate Hotel [5.00pm – 6.30pm]

Event purpose

Lift Off aims to build alignment across the GGA network at the start of the year consolidating important working relationships, provide valuable operational updates and opportunity for capacity building.

We’re especially excited to welcome Research / Project Officers from WA GGA member groups for an afternoon launch of a comprehensive new professional development program developed especially for them.

Lift Off x evokeAG

In 2024, Lift Off will take its place as a unique lead-in ‘sideline event’ to the major international ag industry conference evokeAG being held in Perth the same week.

Interstate and International exchange experience

The Lift Off ’24 program will be enriched this year by opening up to interstate and international delegates that will be in Perth for evokeAG.

We aim to host a 2-hour WA x interstate x international ‘show and tell’ grower group exchange experience.

Not only will we do the around-the-room update from local WA groups introducing themselves, we’ll also hear from local and visiting groups about how their group works and the kind of work and challenges they face in their home region.

evokeAg South West Investor Tour

As part of the evokeAg conference being held in Perth, a tour to the southwest of WA will provide a unique opportunity to showcase talent to interstate and international investors. This tour will connect Agtech start-ups to investors, in an immersive tour of the beautiful Margaret River wine region.

Tour Highlights

  • Depart Perth 9am Sunday 18th February
  • Tours of innovative and sustainable agtech businesses
  • Opportunity for sightseeing and enjoying the southwest region
  • A networking dinner with South West Angels at the end of the spectacular Busselton Jetty
  • A Strategic Investment workshop
  • Return to Perth by 4.30pm Monday 19th February


Business Tours

Aquafarms (Capel): Aquafarms Australia is a privately owned company founded by Jordan Parker and Scott Bell in 2019. The company farms various types of fish specialising in Marron, a freshwater crayfish endemic to Southwest Australia. Marron are the largest freshwater crayfish commercially farmed across the world, growing as large as some lobsters. Marron has a subtle texture that makes them a favourite for chefs to incorporate into various types of cuisines. Aquafarms has one of the largest Marron farms in Australia located in Capel and works with over 90 farmers across Western Australia to supply Marron to food businesses domestically and internationally. Aquafarms takes pride in sustainable farming practices farming in some of the most pristine waters in Australia.

Rocky Ridge Brewing Co (Jindong):  Rocky Ridge’s aim is simple, to make good beer, using the best local produce, farmed in the best way, with the least environmental impact. Rocky Ridge are Australia’s first Certified Sustainable Brewery and committed to Net Zero emissions from brewing process by 2025. Their brewing facility is 100% off grid, and features a CO2 recapture plant, solar and new battery system, hybrid vehicles, responsible packaging, a biodigester, waste water recycling, and first-to-market carbon neutral 100% traceable malt. 

Fremantle Seaweed: Harnessing the pristine waters of Western Australia, Fremantle Seaweed is cultivating local seaweed varieties for a trial farm south of Gage Roads. The goal is to produce high quality seaweed for food, fertilizer, animal feed and cosmetics whilst simultaneously protecting the environment through carbon sequestration, balancing ocean acidity and providing a habitat for all types of marine life.

Cost 

The tour cost of $750 per person includes all group activities, accommodation, transport and meals.

Webinar: Thinking about the future of food

This webinar brings together several international experts on food to provide a range of ideas about the future of food from international, national and local perspectives.

 

Each speed-presentation aims to be dynamic and thought-provoking, we hope this will inform our understanding about food and seafood production.

 

Presentation 1: Brief Introduction presented by Prof Chris Carter, Blue Economy CRC / IMAS / UTAS

Presentation 2: Exploring future nutrient needs presented by Dr Andrew Fletcher, Sustainable Nutrition Initiative – Riddet Institute

Presentation 3: Coping with complex seafood futures, one byte at a time presented by Dr Beth Fulton, CSIRO

Presentation 4: Future of fish supply under climate change presented by Prof Julia Blanchard, IMAS / UTAS

Presentation 5: Identifying management actions for a food-based approach to fisheries and aquaculture presented by Dr Anna Farmery, ANCORS, UOW

Presentation 6: Sustainably feeding our blue food presented by Dr Rich Cottrell, IMAS/UTAS

Presentation 7: Systems approach driven by theory of change applied to terrestrial systems presented by Prof Duncan Cameron, University of Manchester

Presentation 8: Centre for Food Safety and Innovation (CFSI) – future prospects in food-related research and development in Tasmania presented by Prof John Bowman, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture / UTAS

 

The webinar will be facilitated by Prof Chris Carter and presentations will be followed by Q&A.

DEADLINE: Agrifood and beverage voucher program

Round 5 of the WA Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program is open for applications.

The Voucher Program supports small businesses across regional and metropolitan WA to access expert advice to build resilience and sustainability, competitiveness, scale and export preparedness into their operations.

Up to $20,000 per business, with 50:50 co-contribution, is available to access professional services with up to two vouchers under 5 categories;

  1. Business Planning;
  2. Manufacturing for Business Growth (including transition to manufacturing for producers, HACCP, process engineering and automation);
  3. Sales and Marketing (including e-commerce, marketing strategy, customer relationship management system design, export market development and re-branding);
  4. Financial Health (including succession planning, pitch decks, and other investment planning); and
  5. Environmental Sustainability and Social Responsibility (including net zero planning, waste water management plans, sustainable packaging design, and ESG).

Applicants may select a service provider that suits their business (preferably local!) and upload a quotation with their application, which can be completed via SmartyGrants. A separate quotation and application must be submitted for each (up to two) voucher.

How to apply

Open – Round Five is open for applications via SmartyGrants until 5:00 pm (AWST) Monday, 4 December 2023

For those potential applicants needing help to identify service providers, DPIRD maintains a searchable database of Western Australian Service Providers that specialise in Food and Beverage.

Vouchers will be provided to competitive WA businesses that meet the eligibility criteria and whose business development objectives are most closely aligned with the State Government’s objectives including:

  • Growing and diversifying the State’s economy – Future jobs and skills;
  • Stronger, safer communities;
  • Investing in climate action;
  • Investing in the regions.

Eligible small businesses will be required to have an annual sales turnover of between $100,000 and $50 million. Vouchers may be provided to metropolitan and regionally based WA businesses that meet the eligibility criteria and are assessed as competitive. The maximum value of a voucher that a business can apply for is dependent on the annual sales turnover of that business. The Voucher Program Guidelines and FAQs are available on this page, and provide applicants and service providers eligibility criteria and advice on submitting applications and services quotation. To hear from your industry peers about experiences with the program, please see the video below.

CSIRO Conversations: Responsible Innovation – The science of shaping emerging technologies for all Australians

Crucial for Australian businesses, responsible innovation empowers us to systematically and scientifically confront societal and environmental challenges, uphold ethical standards, nurture trust, and secure long-term sustainability.

Join the conversation to hear how research, government, industry and community are coming together to shape emerging genetic, environmental, and digital innovations for the better, and accelerate an ethical and sustainable future.

The panel, moderated by CSIRO’s Chief Scientist, Professor Bronwyn Fox, will explore the importance of the potential risks, benefits and uncertainties of future science and technology and discuss how socially responsible science and technology can be designed and delivered for the benefit of all Australians and the wider global community.

Meet our host:

  • Professor Bronwyn Fox, Chief Scientist, CSIRO

Meet the panel:

  • Dr Justine Lacey – Director, Responsible Innovation, Future Science Platform, CSIRO
  • Jessica Foote – General Manager, Critical Technologies Branch, Technology and Digital Division, Department of Industry, Science and Resources
  • Professor Alistair Gracie – Associate Head Learning & Teaching/ Professor in Horticulture Agriculture and Food Systems, University of Tasmania

Pricing

  • FREE

Dates and Times

Event date:Nov 2023

Friday 10 Nov 2023

Online virtual event

11.00am to 12.00pm AEDT (10.00am to 11.00am AEST )

Login details will be emailed to registrants

Register now

Practical Lean Manufacturing Solutions for the F&B Industry

Common challenges faced by F&B manufacturers will be responded to with practical lean solutions that deliver operational performance

Practical Lean Manufacturing Solutions for the Food and Beverage Industry

Starting with a career in the packaging industry and then moving to Lean consulting, Tim McLean has worked with Food and Beverage manufacturing for over 25 years. Lean manufacturing was developed for discrete assembly line manufacturing in the automotive industry. As a result many food and beverage manufacturers struggle to adopt this approach to their businesses.

Tim’s F&B clients range from global giants such as Mars Foods and Asahi Beverages through to over 100 F&B SMEs in eight countries across agri-business, food service, ingredients, baking, confectionery and juice manufacture segments.

In this presentation, Tim will discuss common challenges that food and beverage manufacturers face and how simple and practical Lean solutions can help overcome these problems and deliver better operational performance.

DEADLINE: Agrifood Innovate to Grow

Innovate to Grow is a free 10-week virtual, self-paced learning program for Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The program will help you explore how research and development (R&D) collaboration can advance your innovative project or idea.

This program is open to Australian SMEs working on innovative technologies or solutions in the agricultural and food industry.

This program is supported by the CSIRO Trusted Agrifood Export Mission and Future Protein Mission. Businesses working on innovative ideas that can be assisted by these missions are highly encouraged to apply. Details of the eligible sub-sector are included in the list below.

Program detail

This program will assist you in:

  • Refining your innovation idea and learning how to transform it into an R&D opportunity.
  • Accessing tools and information for a comprehensive understanding of R&D collaboration and key considerations at each step.
  • Applying this knowledge to advance your technology or R&D concept.
  • Gaining industry insights, hearing from experts, and networking with researchers and R&D mentors.
  • Collaborating with like-minded SMEs and expanding your professional network.

Course outline

The program is made up of virtual webinars and self-paced learning as follows:

Preparing for the program (week commencing 24 October, approximately 3-4 hours)

  • Participants will be provided with an on-boarding session, pre-workshop videos, materials and questionnaires to assist in preparing for the program.
  • Time commitment is approximately two hours.

Week 1: Workshop (Official start date 2 November, approximately 4.5 hours)

  • The program’s main compulsory component is a half-day workshop covering the program concept. Participants will hear from CSIRO industry and research experts as well as relevant industry SMEs. Key topics include trends within your industry sector, a panel discussion with collaborating SMEs, and current funding opportunities for R&D.
  • Time commitment is approximately 4.5 hours.

Week 2-10: Self-paced innovation program

  • Participants will work through the online innovation program at their own pace, supported by a mentor and experienced innovation facilitators to develop and test their research ideas and business cases.
  • Fortnightly webinars for participant networking and guest speakers.
  • A final questionnaire is required at completion.
  • Time commitment is approximately 2-3 hours per week.

Key program outcomes

  • Personalised support to refine your idea: We’ll step you through the process of turning your idea into a viable research project.
  • Confidential feedback: All submissions through the program portal will receive prompt expert feedback.
  • Mentor: You will be provided with a mentor from CSIRO or a university to assist you with understanding the program deliverables and connecting you to relevant specialists
  • Build your network: You will build key contacts in your sector, including researchers at CSIRO and universities, domain experts, funding professionals and other SMEs.

Who can apply

This program is open to eligible SMEs working in agrifood subsectors listed below. SME’s working on solutions aligned to the CSIRO trusted agrifood exports and future proteins missions are encouraged to apply.

  • Alternative proteins
  • Meat and meat processing
  • Agriculture
  • Aquaculture
  • Livestock
  • Beverage and/or fermentation
  • Food product manufacturing
  • Other

Selection criteria (essential):

  • An Australian registered and operating business with an ABN and ACN/ICN (sole traders and partnerships are not currently eligible to apply)
  • A business classified as small to medium (less than 200 employees)
  • A business currently, or in the early stages of, exploring R&D opportunities for their business and have an idea to work on throughout the program

Other considerations:

  • Any other information provided to support your application
  • Have a clear need to develop your knowledge in R&D