Highlights this month include the CRC’s first major functional food project with WA DPIRD and Bruker, a robotics collaboration with commercial grower P’Petual, and a project to map protecting cropping facilities nationally led by Hort Innovation. We introduce a new international partner, Qatar University, and update you on partner news, funding opportunities and events. And don’t miss our ad for an industry PhD opportunity with Sanitarium.
Major precision nutrition project launched in WA
A four-year CRC project with Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Bruker BioSpin GmbH and Murdoch University’s Australian National Phenome Centre aims to create unique chemical fingerprints of the state’s premium produce.
DPIRD Horticulture and Irrigated Agriculture Director Rohan Prince said the project will provide scientific proof of the quality and attributes of WA produce, helping to forge new market opportunities. “This exciting project is using science to validate WA’s enviable reputation as a reliable supplier of safe, clean, nutritious premium quality products to provide opportunities for product differentiating and value-adding and to capture a share of the competitive global food market.”
Professor Jeremy Nicholson, ANPC Director, said the research presents significant benefits for the food industry and healthcare. “The project uniquely leverages the multilevel analytical firepower of the ANPC to deeply characterise food composition in a way that helps us understand the molecular basis of healthy nutrition and will help enable future preventative medicine strategies at the individual and population level.”
High-tech mapping project to help safeguard Australia’s protected cropping sector
Horticulture Innovation Australia, University of New England’s AARSC, Protected Cropping Australia, NSW LLS and the CRC have teamed up to develop a high-tech tool to map Australia’s protected cropping facilities, aiding biosecurity preparedness and natural disaster response efforts. Read more
Robotic task automation project to prototype potential pollination solutions
A new CRC collaboration involving industry participant P’Petual and robotics experts at Queensland University of Technology aims to automate not just pollination, but all manner of indoor-grown crop-tending tasks. Read more
Qatar University joins Future Food Systems CRC
New CRC participant Qatar University, based in Doha is teaming with WSU to develop innovation fertigation solutions relevant to both Australian and Middle Eastern conditions. Similar environmental challenges and research strengths are part of the rationale behind the university’s decision to join the CRC, says Assoc. Prof. Talaad Ahmed, of QU’s Environmental Science Centre: “Qatar and Australia have good relations, assisted by the like-minded interests of the two countries and the determination of their governments to strengthen bonds between [their] research institutes in all fields, particularly in the food security sector.” Read more
InProfile
Meet Derek Baker: Agribusiness and regional development expert
For University of New England’s Professor Derek Baker, better agribusiness means everything from improving regional infrastructure to reducing waste and finding more resilient, responsive paths to market. “Having grown up in a remote area and lived and worked in many rural locales around the world, agriculture’s regional development role has always been high on my agenda,” he says. Read more
Industry PhDs
Properties of wheat grains during drying
Candidates are sought for a four-year industry PhD project to be conducted in partnership with Sanitarium Health Food Company. The project aims to develop a quantitative understanding of parameters influencing the properties of wheat grains during drying. Apply here
Grants
R&D Grant Readiness Seminar for Manufacturers
The Advanced Robotics in Manufacturing (ARM) Hub and PwC Australia are hosting a free two-hour seminar on the latest R&D funding opportunities for Australia-based manufacturers. Friday 8 Oct, 3-5pm at the ARM Learning Factory, Brisbane. Read more
Events
Buy West Eat Best: Meet the Buyer
Wed 27 October 2021, 10am-3.30pm AWST
Join Buy West Eat Best at WA’s first dedicated exhibition-style trade show for food and beverage producers. Read more
WSU Agri-Tech Hub Vision Launch
Thu 7 October, 12.30-1.30pm AEDT
The heart of Western Sydney University’s new Agri-Tech Hub will be a six-hectare, state-of-the-art commercial greenhouse facility that will serve as a co-location space for industry and research. Read more
WSU Research Week symposium: Innovation in Sustainable Food Production
Friday 29 Oct 2021, 1-3pm AEST
Supported by the CRC, this online event will explore how emerging technologies – RT sensors, remote monitoring, pollination innovations and more – can help growers produce more and better food with less environmental harm. Read more
UK Business Matching and Freight Consolidation: Virtual Meet the Buyer
Thu 28 Oct 2021, times TBA
Export-ready food and beverage suppliers: submit your EOIs by COB 1 October (yes, tomorrow) for the opportunity to be part of an exclusive online business matching event with key UK buyers. Read more
Traceability and Cold Chain: the Future
Thu 7 October 2021 from 12:30pm AEST
The future of cold chain is a hot topic, with consumer concerns around the potential for costly fallout from weak links. Join cold-chain experts for an open industry briefing session and discussion on the issue. Hosted by the National GS1 Traceability Advisory Group. Read more
Partner news
Perfection Fresh expands export horizons for Calypso mangoes
As another bumper season begins Down Under, Perfection Fresh CEO Michael Simonetta outlines the firm’s plans for Calypso’s global expansion. Read more
Costa supports Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
Costa Group has pledged its support for the TCFD, joining 1,500+ entities worldwide helping to build a financial system safer from climate risk. Read more
UNE offers new research jobs to drive local innovation
New England businesses, Tamworth Regional Council and University of New England are supporting four PhDs to work on innovative projects for regional improvement. Read more