Beef 2021 innovation competition announces judges

6/4/21

John Deere Australia and New Zealand managing director Luke Chandler will be among the judges of the Pitch in the Paddock innovation competition during Beef 2021. 

The competition, being held as part of the Australian cattle industry conference in Rockhampton from 2-8 May, is a chance for entrants to propose solutions to challenges in Australian agriculture, according to Beef Central. 

Applicants will pitch their solution in front of in-person attendees and a global virtual audience, and are competing for the prize of $10,000 to develop their idea.

Thomas Elder Consulting’s Bruce Creek, another competition judge, told Beef Central, “(W)hat about when we can accurately measure biomass of grasses and can assist with grazing management decisions with trigger-points to be made on drought conditions? This is a great space to be in when you can objectively measure and take out emotion.”

The federal government and state counterparts are continuing to offer funding to Australia’s agriculture industry.

Federal agriculture minister David Littleproud said a new national manufacturing initiative “will open up further opportunities for the development of new products and the expansion of existing product lines beyond the farm gate.”

Littleproud and former industry minister Karen Andrews last week announced that companies manufacturing food and beverages can now apply for funding through Modern Manufacturing Initiative.

Worth $1.3 billion in total, the program aims to support businesses in specified areas to scale up and commercialise projects, David Brookes writes for Innovation Aus.

The Victorian government last week launched a funding program for agriculture businesses in the state to create jobs and invest in equipment, according to a media release.

Worth $15 million, the Food to Market program can be used to cover various project costs, such as research and development and feasibility studies.

State agriculture minister Mary-Anne Thomas said, “This $15 million investment will add value to fresh produce grown in Victoria, delivering tangible benefits for producers, processors and consumers.”

AgriFutures Australia is offering grants worth tens of thousands of dollars to increase the use of technology on farms.

Farming, fishing and forestry producer groups are able to apply for a tailored technology program, including workshops, worth up to $20,000 to ensure their members are adopting the latest technology on site, according to Farm Weekly.

AgriFutures Australia rural futures senior manager Jennifer Medway said, “Working with producer groups who can tailor opportunities to best meet the needs of local producers makes perfect sense.”

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