WINTER 2021 Australian cotton: An industry with vision Exploring new scientific realms Innovative by nature - Cotton Research and ...
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WINTER 2021
THE INNOVATION EDITION
Australian cotton:
An industry with vision
Exploring new
scientific realms
Innovative by nature
In the Spotlight
Welcome to the ‘innovation’ edition of Spotlight.
As agriculture continues to navigate the brave new world created by the development
of the internet of things, big data and technological advancements, CRDC is also
creating new pathways to capitalise on it.
The role of the Australian cotton industry’s world-class researchers and
research projects are often the motor that drives innovation. Bringing this research
together creates the brains for new technology for improved decision-making and crop
management at the farm level. It also creates opportunities for cotton and its feedstocks
Dr Ian Taylor to be transformed into new products for industries outside our traditional fibresphere,
such as in the medical and bio-fuel industries. At the post-farm gate level, it gives the
processors such as ginners the tools to turn out the fibre Australian cotton growers are so
well known for.
CRDC will continue to support rigorous research, development and extension (RD&E)
through traditional research pathways, albeit with a new focus on how to better bring
knowledge and products to the field. We are also looking to the future, through our Vision
2029 commitment, to create and prepare the industry to increased sustainability and
efficiency. Technology has a major role to play in this.
This has prompted CRDC and our fellow Research and Development Corporations
(RDCs) to harness what is now a part of the R&D landscape. This includes the start-up
community, major cross-sectoral collaborations, commercial partners and pathways to
bring innovation to market, as outlined by the recently launched growAG initiative and the
establishment of Agricultural Innovation Australia Pty Ltd.
The notion of putting a problem out there and asking innovators to solve it is not a
new one. CRDC has, for some 30 years, worked with scientists to solve cotton’s wicked
problems. That has not changed, but the depth and width we cast our net is greater. There
is a world of innovation waiting to be harnessed by Australian agriculture, and we as RDCs
are ready to do just that.
In this edition we’ve provided some background on how RD&E is evolving and what
it offers us. It is impossible to cover off every innovative project CRDC invests in, so in
this edition you’ll find a snapshot to illustrate how traditional research and development is
backing innovation, along with the pathways CRDC is following to bring innovators to our
industry.
You’ll also find the full list of our investments for the coming year. If you’d like any
further information about any of the RD&E that CRDC is investing in on your behalf, please
give us a call.
And, until next time, please enjoy this edition of Spotlight.
Dr Ian Taylor
CRDC Executive Director
CRDC acknowledges Australia’s Indigenous people as the traditional
custodians of our country, and recognises their continuing connection
to lands, waters and culture. We pay our respect to Elders past, present
and emerging, and extend that respect to all Indigenous people.
2 SPOTLIGHT
CONTENTS
Winter 2021
20
6
MELANIE JENSON
Spotlight is brought to you by
Australia’s cotton producers and
IMAGE COURTESY JOHN DEERE
the Australian Government through
the publisher Cotton Research &
Development Corporation (CRDC).
CRDC is a research and development
partnership between the Australian
cotton industry and the Australian
Government.
Cotton Research and
Development Corporation
ABN: 71 054 238 316
Our vision: A globally competitive and
responsible cotton industry.
Our mission: To invest in RD&E for
the world-leading Australian cotton
USQ
industry. ON THE COVER: A new series
of John Deere sprayers feature
FEATURES
Postal Address:
PO Box 282, Narrabri NSW 2390
technology with its beginnings in
Offices: 2 Lloyd Street, industry-supported R&D.
Narrabri NSW 2390
Tel: 02 6792 4088
Fax: 02 6792 4400
Email: spotlight@crdc.com.au
Web: www.crdc.com.au
Want to see more ON THE COVER
Communications Manager/Editor:
Ruth Redfern
of Spotlight? Digital strategy calls for input from all sectors 12
Editorial co-ordinator: This edition can be viewed Revolution in crop protection begins 14
Melanie Jenson
Editorial Contributors: online at: www.crdc.com.au An innovative industry, by nature 28
Melanie Jenson.
Design: Deacon Design
© CRDC 2021 COTTON NEWS Building on BioClay 15
This work is copyright protected. Apart from
any use permitted under the Copyright Act
1968, no part may be reproduced by any Your chance to have Can resilience be programmed into crops? 16
process without the written permission of
the editor. your say 4 Welcome to modernised insect monitoring 17
Disclaimer and Warnings
CRDC accepts no responsibility for the Science plumbs new depths 4 Going wild for new discoveries 17
accuracy or completeness of any material
contained in this publication. CRDC Innovative new era in R&D Putting the pressure on after harvest 18
disclaims all liability to any person in respect
of anything and of the consequences of has begun 5
anything done or omitted to be done by Tech and trials the key to smarter irrigation 19
any such person in reliance, whether wholly
Engaging the start-up
or partly, on any information contained in
Covering major aspects of irrigation optimisation
this publication. If you intend to rely on community 7
information provided in this publication
you should rely on your own appropriate
through SI2 projects 20
professional advice. Material included in Growing agriculture’s
this publication is made available on the Economic analyses defines benefits of irrigation innovation 23
understanding CRDC is not providing pathways and opportunities 8
professional advice. CRDC, the topic
There’s money in manure: if you know how to use it 25
authors and their organisations accept
no responsibility or liability for any loss
Innovation and collaboration
or damage caused by reliance on the meet across industry lines 9 Listening in with artificial intelligence and machine learning 26
information, management approaches or
recommendations in this publication.
VARIwise one step closer Smart surveillance on tour 29
Trademarks acknowledgement
Where trade names or products and to the field 10 Smart farming into the future 30
equipment are used, no endorsement is
intended nor is criticism of products not Seeing a new way to spray 11 CRDC Investments 2021-22
31
mentioned.
WINTER 2021 3
Your chance to
have your say
THE experiences and opinions of
growers are integral to how CRDC
prioritises research and development
investment. A direct avenue for
growers to influence these priorities
is by being a part of the annual CRDC
Grower Survey which opens via phone
on June 1.
Gathering information
about farming practices and growers’
views on research, development
UNE
and extension helps inform CRDC
about the benefits of its investments.
It informs future research and
Science plumbs new depths
documents change in industry practice INNOVATION can come in some of the most ‘unlikely’ of ways.
which can be quantified across the While burying cotton undies in paddocks around your farm might not have the
surveys which now span 20 years. high-tech hallmarks of ‘innovation’, this quirky experiment is creating conversations
The reports from each annual and focus around soil biology and health beyond the cotton industry.
survey give growers and crop ‘Soil Your Undies’ is a joint CottonInfo and University of New England Cotton Hub
managers the opportunity to compare campaign that began three years ago, and is so innovative, it’s become a Citizen
their practices to others, gain a Science project!
greater insight into all aspects of how CottonInfo has been supplying 100 per cent cotton undies for the experiment,
others view the industry and manage which are buried for eight weeks in cotton fields and other areas on-farm. The level of
their farms. It also allows for regional degradation correlates to soil health and microbial activity. While there are high-tech
comparisons. methods to measure soil health, Soil Your Undies is proving that innovation can also
The surveys include core annual be simple. CottonInfo is also tracking where the jocks are buried, and what state
questions with focus areas they’re in.
to investigate specific aspects The campaign has been led by cotton industry soil scientist and CottonInfo Soil
of the farming system. The grower Health Technical Specialist Dr Oliver Knox who has a knack for bringing quirky to
responses are anonymously compiled science. As a result, now it’s not just farmers involved – people across Australia are
to create the survey report which now soiling their undies in backyards and vegie gardens!
is available as a downloadable “Taking the experiment from farm to the classroom has been a great way to
PDF or via an on-line interactive introduce children to the importance of soil and its incredible biology, whilst also
digital dashboard. Previous survey talking cotton,” Oliver said.
reports are at Inside Cotton, CRDC’s “With 2021 being the year of Soil Biodiversity, if you were ever going to soil your
electronic library with the latest report undies, then this is the year to do it!”
published on the CRDC website.
The survey is short and For more
conducted via phone by professional www.cottoninfo.com.au/soil-your-undies
research team, Intuitive Solutions. All
cotton growers who have a number
on file with CRDC will be contacted
from 1 June. What’s new in management?
THE 2021 Australian Cotton Production Manual is a critical reference
For more tool for growers, outlining all the decisions to be made on-farm
www.crdc.com.au/growersurvey for cotton production. It’s also a handy resource for farm staff,
www.insidecotton.com researchers and students. The manual provides an understanding of
cotton physiology and important considerations for productivity and
profitability. Published by CRDC and CottonInfo, it’s updated each
year to incorporate the latest research and consistent improvements
in industry best practice. For subscribers, the hard copy is included with this edition
of Spotlight, while the publication is also available for download at
www.crdc.com.au/publications/australian-cotton-production-manual
4 SPOTLIGHT
INNOVATION
INNOVATION
Innovative new era in R&D has begun
In a sign of things to come, following a review of the Australian cotton industry’s
Vision 2029 in 2019, ‘innovative’ was added as a seventh objective to reflect its
fundamental and increasing strategic importance.
The review was undertaken by the Australian Cotton the shared vision for the future of Australian
Industry Forum, who were integral in creating Vision cotton was developed to improve the industry’s
2029 back in 2009. Vision 2029 outlined Australian long-term performance, organisational cooperation,
cotton’s shared 20-year aspirations. With the aim capacity, profile and prosperity. Every link in the
to take the ‘long view’, Vision 2029 aligned the Australian cotton industry chain was addressed
industry’s strategic focus and continues to inspire including seed and chemical distributors, growers,
and unify Australian cotton to look beyond the consultants, researchers, pickers, truckers, ginners,
immediate, to recognise future challenges and classers, merchants, spinners and brand owners.
IMAGE: MELANIE JENSON
opportunities and be well positioned and prepared In partnership, the industry identified trends and
to tackle them. driving forces influencing cotton’s future and
In a collaboration between CRDC, Cotton developed scenarios to explore the possible futures
Australia and the then Australian Cotton Industry Australian cotton might face: Boom, Bust, Food
Council (now Australian Cotton Industry Forum), Replaces Fibre, and Present-Day Projection.
WINTER 2021 5
Vision 2029 initially outlined six key objectives While the industry had already embraced and
for Australian cotton’s preferred future – that by instigated new Research and Development (R&D)
2029 the Australian cotton industry will be: approaches to progress and instigate innovation
Differentiated – world leading supplier of an elite prior this review, the inclusion of innovation as
quality cotton that is highly sought after in premium objective has tangible impacts on the way CRDC is
market segments. undertaking the business of Research, Development
Responsible – producer and supplier of the most and Extension (RD&E).
environmentally and socially responsible cotton on “The industry has built and continuously
the globe. supports a culture of innovation across the industry,”
Tough – resilient and equipped for future CRDC Executive Director Dr Ian Taylor says.
challenges. “To have input from all quarters on what
Successful – exciting new levels of performance innovation looks like and means to them is integral
that transform productivity and profitability of every to the notion of shared vision that is also an
sector of the industry. achievable one.
Respected – an industry recognised and valued by “We have recognised the digital revolution and
the wider community for its contribution to fibre and the importance of agtech and embraced the start-up
food needs of the world. community as a valuable contributor to advancing
Capable – an industry that retains, attracts and the industry.
develops highly capable people. “Through our recent involvement in programs
Following 2019’s 10-year review of the vision’s such as the Australian Government’s Business
currency, ‘innovative’ was added as a seventh Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII), we are
objective to reflect its fundamental and increasing exploring and testing other methods and sources
strategic importance: that we are ‘an industry that to address industry challenges – in this case
CRDC supported continually adapts and progresses through new spray drift.”
entrepreneur Anastasia ideas, processes and impacts’. BRII supports early-stage development of
Volkova is bringing crop
management decision- The review explicitly recognised the impact solutions to challenges put forward by government
making software to of the digital revolution and that cotton, as an agencies including Research and Development
the market. Anastasia outward-looking industry, places great importance Corporations (RDCs). CRDC submitted the challenge
is pictured giving her on understanding and responding to changing of eliminating spray drift.
2018 Australian Cotton
Conference Start-Up consumer and community expectations as the basis “The program works by inviting start-ups and
Alley presentation. for trust and social license. small businesses from across Australia to put
forward potential solutions to the problem of spray
drift, which continues as an issue, despite the focus
and investment involved over many years,” Ian said.
“Six successful applicants were announced in
January, each receiving a grant of up to $100,000 to
further develop their ideas and test feasibility.
“The most successful may be eligible for a grant
of up to $1 million to develop a prototype or proof of
concept.”
There is ever-increasing blue sky thinking
to be harnessed. To this end, in 2017 CRDC
supported innovators to attend science start-up
workshops to support entrepreneurs, researchers
and start-ups with ideas they wanted to bring into
reality. Participants were then chosen to further their
idea or innovation to the ‘Cotton X-Lab’ to further
incubate and grow their projects.
CRDC partnered with a leader in start-up
science, Pollenizer, and the Fisheries RDC to help
take innovative ideas and turn them into a reality.
Workshops enabled participants to develop their
ideas with experts from across the industry and
watch them come to life.
Anastasia Volkova and Malcolm Ramsey with
MELANIE JENSON
their ag-analysis tool Flurosat were participants
in the Cotton X-Lab program. Since then, the
start-up has gone on to secure seed investment to
6 SPOTLIGHT
INNOVATION
further develop the state-of-the-art remote sensing “We have a long history of innovation and
technology FluroSense, which allows farmers to continue to see amazing products coming out of our
measure crop health ‘from the air’. The company R&D community.
has grown into a multi-million dollar venture offering “CRDC supported the development of early
novel technology for crops and natural GM cotton varieties in partnership with
resource management called Regrow. CSIRO and our industry’s world-leading
CRDC is also supporting the insect resistance management
development of a digital strategy for the strategies and best management
cotton industry. This builds on the back practice program, which in itself
of the Precision Agriculture to Decision was innovative for any Australian
Agriculture, and Growing a Digital agricultural industry at the time.
Future projects, led by CRDC under “Coming out of CRDC-funded
the under the Australian Government’s research and collaborations has
Rural R&D for Profit Program. These been commercialisation of novel
projects, delivered with fellow RDCs, crop protection products Magnet
addressed how digital agriculture could and Sero-X, a new revolutionary
help producers harness its benefits to insect monitoring system using
increase productivity and efficiency. smartphones, sensing technology
Further to this CRDC is creating additional and automation using the internet of things, and
avenues for innovation as partners in Agriculture revolutionary new products using synthetic biology
Innovation Australia Pty Ltd, AgriFutures Australia’s to allow plants to fight disease and pests, drought
growAG, NSW DPI’s The Gate, individual start-ups and climate change.
and by working with the commercial sector, all of “We recognise the importance of innovation and
whom play a role in bringing products to growers transformative technologies in delivering impact
which will keep cotton, collectively, at the forefront where it matters most: on the ground and in our
of ag innovation. supply chains.”
“This activity moves in concert to our traditional
R&D model and community, which continues to For more
provide the scientific basis for new technology and Vision 2029
improved management of cotton in Australia. It’s the www.crdc.com.au/vision-2029
calibre and support of our RD&E community that has
put Australia at the forefront of global production,
prior to the digital revolution,” says Ian.
Engaging the start-up community
FLUROSAT and now Regrow CEO with the formulation of business/product venture arm M12.
Anastasia Volkova founded FluroSat hypothesis and design of experiments to The establishment of the new
in 2016 while living in Australia. The validate that in the quickest time possible. company Regrow earlier this year follows
now US-based agtech founder was a “It helped us in keeping focused and FluroSat’s acquisition of soil health
participant in a series of CRDC supported defining our company strategy together start-up Dagan. The flagship products of
workshops including the Cotton X-Lab with short/mid-term/long-term goals.” both FluroSat and Dagan and agronomic
start-up program in 2017. Initially, FluroSat utilised drone and tools developed by FluroSat will be rolled
The Cotton X-Lab allowed the satellite imagery to diagnose crop stress into Regrow.
inventors to incubate and grow their and produce nitrogen status maps “Regrow is a single platform for
project. that users calibrated using nutrient systemizing and scaling sustainable
“We are extremely grateful to CRDC tissue sampling. This gave a full spatial agriculture practices, as well as measuring
and X-Lab for connecting us with industry representation of the nutrient availability and verifying soil health and carbon
to get advice and run our ideas/questions across fields with just a few tests outcomes,” Anastasia said.
about the prioritisation of the product Today it is a fully automated solution to “With the use of computational
features and the value to growers and track, monitor, and manage crops from agriculture, using machine learning and
agronomists,” Anastasia said. anywhere. scientific modeling, the platform expands
“It was invaluable in connecting us In 2018, FluroSat acquired its capabilities into soil carbon accounting,
with government officials and other ag ProductionWise, the digital agriculture bringing farmers and their agronomic
organisations which has led us to where platform of GrainGrowers. Anastasia decisions closer to benefitting from
we are today. and her team raised nearly $9 million carbon markets.”
“This start-up coaching helped us with investors including Microsoft’s
WINTER 2021 7
Growing agriculture’s pathways and opportunities
ACTING as a gateway to the world,
growAG showcases Australia’s world
leading agricultural research, unique
technologies and commercialisation
opportunities on the one, new publicly-
available platform.
growAG is a centralised platform that
showcases Australia’s agrifood innovation
opportunities, success stories, and a
comprehensive database of Australia’s
current agrifood research projects. It was
launched in April by AgriFutures Australia
in partnership with the Department of
Agriculture, Water and the Environment
and all 15 Research and Development
Corporations (RDCs).
All the information on the platform
is free to access and allows farmers,
investors, corporates, startups,
researchers, industry, government and
universities from Australia and around
the world to locate information and
opportunities to deliver innovation
back to the farm and the food and fibre The Hon Michael McCormack MP, Kay Hull AM, the Hon David Littleproud MP and AgriFutures
supply-chain. Australia Managing Director John Harvey at the growAG launch in Wagga Wagga (Wiradjuri country)
in March.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and
Emergency Management the Hon. David enhance commercialisation opportunities. agricultural innovation is too small to
Littleproud MP said the platform would “With increased transparency, justify the costs of commercialisation,”
drive investment and commercialisation. growAG highlights the key people and John said.
“I’m very excited about the organisations working within the Australian “This results in technology remaining
opportunities this platform offers to help rural innovation ecosystem and allows ‘on the shelf’, available to no-one.
ensure farmers have access to the latest more strategic investment in research “Australian researchers are highly
technologies,” Minister Littleproud said. projects, opportunities to collaborate, innovative and it is time to catapult them
“Innovation will drive productivity, and the ability to identify and decrease into a global market as many of their
meaning more dollars in the pockets the risk of duplication in research technologies are highly scalable.
of our farmers and stronger regional investment,” CRDC Executive Director Dr “This way Australian farmers get the
communities. Ian Taylor said. benefit of the technology they have paid
“A world class agricultural innovation “For many years, the RDCs have been for, being commercialised.
system is an Australian Government working collaboratively across many “growAG provides domestic and
priority and a key pillar in support of the projects and on growAG all Australian international audiences with an easy way
industry’s target for a $100 billion sector RDCs come together again. to find and connect with the research
by 2030.” “growAG provides a transparent partners they are after.”
The platform aligns with CRDC’s aim to gateway to our innovation system – it’s a growAG works seamlessly alongside
share valuable research and connect with very exciting step forward.” evokeAG. which is the Asia Pacific premier
innovators, researchers and inventors and Regional and global agrifood tech agrifood tech event with a network who
businesses are looking for innovation are interested and keen to participate in
partners, pathways and opportunities in collaborative thinking to change the future
“Australian researchers Australia and growAG showcases the of Australian agriculture for the better. The
are highly innovative agrifood and fibre innovation and solutions evokeAG. website also acts as a resource
and it is time to catapult Australia has on offer to the world. tool, with news, case studies, videos,
AgriFutures Australia Managing podcasts and a startup directory.
them into a global Director John Harvey says it is an
market as many of their important step in Australia’s bid to attract For more
global investment and collaboration to
technologies are highly deliver innovation to our farmers.
www.growag.com
www.evokeag.com
scalable.” “Often the Australian market for
8 SPOTLIGHT
INNOVATION
CRDC Dr Ian Taylor
speaking at the Growing a
Digital Future for Australian
Agriculture National
Forum held in Canberra
(Ngunnawal country)
in 2019, which bought
together RDCs and a
range of stakeholders from
education and training,
MELANIE JENSON
telecommunications,
producer groups,
universities, data analysts
and government.
Innovation and collaboration meet across industry lines
THE whole is greater than the sum of its Minister for Agriculture, Drought
parts as the Research and Development and Emergency Management the Key Points
Corporations (RDCs), in conjunction with Hon. David Littleproud MP said this is
the Australian Government Department of an unprecedented collaboration and Agricultural Innovation Australia
n
Agriculture, Water and the Environment coordination of investment in agricultural (AIA) is a not-for-profit, public
create a public company to drive innovation. company established to facilitate
innovation. “Innovation is the key to enabling joint investment and collaboration
This unprecedented move is Australian agriculture meet its target of in cross-industry agricultural
representative of the new thinking of becoming a $100 billion sector by 2030,” issues of national importance.
RDCs with the not-for-profit Agricultural he said. AIA attracts investment from
n
Innovation Australia Ltd (AIA) formed to “The biggest productivity gains will public, private, not-for-profit and
drive cross-sectoral research, leverage come from long-term, transformational global commercial entities to
private sector investment and target R&D, which will be a focus of AIA’s deliver agricultural innovation
transformational innovation. These aims investments in research and innovation.” initiatives.
are in line with the Department’s National Overall, RDCs are responsible for As a single point of contact for
n
Innovation Agenda. investing around $800 million each cross-industry strategies, AIA
AIA will drive cross-sectoral research, year, with almost $300 million of this makes it easier for investors to
leverage private sector investment from Australian Government funding navigate and partner with the
and target translation and uptake of and around $500 million from industry Australian agricultural system.
innovation. Work is already underway levies. In partnership with the RDCs, The scope of strategies covers the
n
across the RDCs to progress collaborative the government is continuing to drive agriculture, fisheries and forestry
projects that tackle climate resilience. improvements in the RDC system. value chains, including input
Working together through AIA to deliver “Addressing complex and cross- supply, production, processing
a new nationally focused, whole-of-sector sectoral challenges, accountability and and export.
approach to agricultural innovation will transparency to industry and the broader
increase impact on-farm and along the community must remain key to RDC by multiple streams of industry and
supply chain and deliver value for the activities,” CRDC’s Executive Director Dr government-backed investments,
Australian community. Ian Taylor says. according to a 2017 OECD report.
RDCs are the cornerstone of the “As co-funders of the system, However, agricultural innovation in
agricultural innovation system and have innovation investments must continue to Australia was not designed to operate
been instrumental in underpinning the demonstrate value and returns for levy as a cohesive system – it is made up
productivity of Australia’s agriculture, payers and taxpayers.” of many institutions and bodies put
forestry and fisheries industries for four AIA is a key element of the Australian in place over time across different
decades. Government’s National Agricultural jurisdictions and commodities. This is
However, facing increasingly complex Innovation Agenda to modernise limiting the effectiveness of our innovation
challenges requires new approaches for Australia’s agricultural innovation system. investments.
new ways of working and new strategic Australia is recognised for excellent Accelerating productivity growth is
responses. agricultural research outcomes supported essential to harness opportunities and
WINTER 2021 9
mitigate the risks confronting Australian
agriculture. The National Farmers’
Federation has set an ambitious target for
a $100 billion agriculture sector by 2030
– world class innovation will be essential
to drive the transformational productivity
gains required to meet this target.
Given this, in September 2018, the
Department of Agriculture, Water and the
MELANIE JENSON
Environment developed a shared vision
to best position the Australian agricultural
innovation system for the future.
VARIwise one step closer to the field
The report says that, in looking to the
future, there is opportunity for Australian
agricultural innovation to modernise
UNIVERSITY of Southern Queensland (USQ) researchers Associate Professor
and achieve greater and more diverse
Joseph Foley and Dr Alison McCarthy (pictured) are working with CRDC to develop
outcomes from investment in innovation,
a commercialisation strategy for VARIwise, software that combines in-season
to adopt a more coordinated approach
imagery with crop production models to provide yield predictions throughout the
to respond to future opportunities,
season.
threats and trends and to better position
According to Alison, there is potential to improve yield prediction by using
Australia as a globally relevant agricultural
crop production models, calibrated using available field data, and infield imagery
innovation system.
to provide more detailed crop features over satellite imagery. The UAV or infield
Based on insights gathered from
camera imagery is collected for each management zone as identified from
extensive stakeholder engagement,
vegetation index surveys, yield maps or satellite images.
coupled with research into global
This research is being conducted by Alison as a part of the Smarter Irrigation for
agricultural innovation systems, there
Profit Phase 2 project, led by CRDC and supported by funding from the Australian
is a compelling case for change and
Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment as part of its
opportunity to strengthen Australian
Rural R&D for Profit Program.
agricultural innovation.
“The EOI period has now closed and we have identified some potential
CRDC has been working with fellow
partners,” Alison said.
RDCs to realise findings from the report. In
“However we are still interested to hear from growers, potential users, and
particular, there are three avenues where
future commercialisation collaborators for the cotton yield predictor.
significant work has been undertaken. The
“VARIwise provides a unique yield-forecasting based approach for management
cotton industry’s long-term aspirations, set
and irrigation decisions and considers a range of factors including growth stage and
out in Vision 2029 reflect this, and were
water availability.”
updated in 2019 to reflect the growing
focus on driving innovation. They are:
For more
1. Future opportunities, threats and trends
Dr Alison McCarthy
within the agriculture sector will occur
alison.mccarthy@usq.edu.au
in a larger, more complex and a faster
manner than ever before, requiring
leadership and cohesion across the Program, which promotes cross-industry of smart sensor, diagnostics and
ecosystem to set strategic priorities collaboration, information and innovation forecasting.
and drive a more coordinated and sharing. Major projects led by CRDC have These projects have innovation and
cross-domain approach. been Smarter Irrigation for Profit Phase 1 collaboration at their core.
2. Improving the mix of investment in and 2, Accelerating Precision to Decision As a result of Smarter Irrigation for
innovation and growing the total Agriculture 1 and 2 and More Profit Profit Phase 2, the cotton industry is
funding pool including private sector from Nitrogen. CRDC has also been a looking to commercialise a number of
investment would achieve better and stakeholder is many other projects led by innovations developed through support of
more diverse outcomes. fellow RDCs such as: the project, including Variwise, SISCOweb
3. An innovation culture that is more ♦♦ Digital technologies for more dynamic and sensor technology (see article next
dynamic, encourages entrepreneurship management of disease, stress and page) which can be utilised across many
and a more open approach to risk yield; agricultural industries.
taking, would better position our future ♦♦ Increasing farm gate profits, the role of
agricultural innovation system within natural capital accounts; For more
the global innovation landscape. ♦♦ Developing renewable fine chemicals Agricultural Innovation Australia Pty Ltd
A key example has been participation and from cotton biomass; and www.aginnovationaustralia.com.au
successful funding applications through ♦♦ Improving plant pest management
the Department’s Rural R&D for Profit through cross industry deployment
10 SPOTLIGHTINNOVATION
Seeing a new way to spray
New vision-based plant
detection technology
released by John Deere
in March this year was
developed through projects
supported by CRDC with
researchers from the
University of Southern
Queensland (USQ).
The See & Spray SelectTM technology,
integrated into John Deere’s new 400 and
600 series sprayers is the only technology
of its type available in Australia and the
USQ
industry’s first factory-installed, targeted University of Southern Queensland Centre for Agricultural Engineering Director, Professor Craig
spray solution. Baillie, said Australian research and innovation will enable Australian farmers to be at the forefront of
transformative agtech.
See & Spray Select camera technology
rapidly detects green plants within fallow
ground and automatically triggers an outcome for industry.” John Deere Australia/New Zealand
application to those plants. In doing so, CRDC R&D Manager Susan Maas said Managing Director Luke Chandler said
it achieves a similar hit rate to traditional the technology is a good fit for managing collaborations such as this are a powerful
broadcast spraying but uses, on average, rogue cotton in fallows and rotation crops. pathway to helping farmers around the
77 percent less herbicide*. Operators “We worked with USQ on case studies world unlock the value of targeted and
can apply complex tank mixes more that were cotton industry specific,” she applied agricultural technology.
efficiently and can switch from targeted said. “We are delighted to have
to broadcast spraying, without the need “The partnership has let us bring collaborated with USQ to develop
to leave the cab. those lessons together and work to find a industry-leading innovation here in
The initial experimental work to solution that has broad application.” Australia that has potential to deliver
develop the vision-based plant detection USQ Centre for Agricultural positive and impactful changes for farmers
technology was funded through a Engineering Director Professor Craig globally,” he said.
combination of industry research projects Baillie said the technology was an “The path to greater efficiency,
with CRDC, Sugar Research Australia, Hort excellent example of Australian research profitability and sustainability begins in
Innovation, and USQ. USQ’s Dr Cheryl and innovation having global application, the paddock.
McCarthy led the project. enabling Australian farmers to be at the “It is through these types of
“It’s really exciting that we have a forefront of transformative ag tech. collaborations that we can create practical,
played a part in bringing new tech to “Industry collaborations such as this simple-to-use tools and technologies that
a farmer’s toolbox for weed control,” assist to sustain the development of future save time and input costs, and reduce
Cheryl said. technologies and products which will impact on the natural environment, for a
“We have helped define technology transform agricultural industries over the higher performing farm sector.”
that is here and now, and industry can years to come,” he said.
see R&D turning into an engineered USQ provided the experimental For more
commercial solution. technology underlying See & Spray Select Susan Maas
“We acknowledge our research three years ago, which John Deere further susan.maas@crdc.com.au
partners CRDC, SRA and Hort Innovation developed and tested across farms in
as well as the collaboration with John the United States, Canada, and Australia
Deere (USA) in achieving a successful before its global release.
*Based on tank-level sensor values taken at a steady state on John Deere sprayers equipped with and without See & Spray™ Select, before and after
covering 75,000 acres of fallow ground with a typical weed pressure of 3,000 weeds per acre, using small and medium spray-length settings starting at
2.3 to 3.2 ft. (0.7 to 1 m), and average growing conditions (seasonal precipitation and temperature) across the US and Canadian Plains and Australian farms.
Spray-length settings varied based on ground speed, spray pressure, and boom height. Sprayers were equipped with current hardware and software at time
of study. Individual results may vary based on field and growing conditions, weed pressure, spray-length settings, and software version.
WINTER 2021 11Digital strategy calls for
input from all sectors
The digital transformation of Australian primary production will be a step
change for all sectors and a steady hand is needed to guide the change. The
cotton industry has started work on its digital strategy to ensure the entire
industry is harvesting the benefit of all that digital agriculture has to offer.
A steering committee has been established to Australian Government’s Rural R&D for Profit project
oversee the development of the cotton industry Accelerating Precision to Decision Agriculture (P2D).
digital strategy, to help decide collectively the best Commencing in 2016, this research united all 15
way of realising the potential of digital agriculture as Research & Development Corporations (RDCs).
an industry. Organisations and interests represented The research estimated digital agriculture
on the committee include cotton growers, CRDC, could lift the gross value production of Australian
Cotton Australia, Cotton Seed Distributors, Bayer, agriculture by $20.3 billion, a 25 per cent t increase
CSIRO and NSW DPI. on 2014-15 levels. However the study also found
The digital strategy will be focused on increasing many Australian producers are finding it difficult
the profitability of producers, providing clarity and to navigate the digital agricultural marketplace
trust in data ownership and access rights, and and worry about unwise investments without a
stimulating an innovation environment that facilitates guarantee of return.
IMAGE: MELANIE JENSON
the development and adoption of technology. Producers lack trust in data management
The current and future state of digital agriculture systems and are unclear about the terms that
in Australia was first examined in detail via a govern their data including who owns their data, and
cross-industry project led by CRDC through the who has access to it. How any value generated from
12 SPOTLIGHTINNOVATION
using the data is shared is also a key concern. Many
producers and agricultural stakeholders require Contact CRDC to have your say
improved digital skills and knowledge and are To develop recommendations that will truly
frustrated by the unreliability of telecommunications be impactful, the researchers will have
connectivity and the inadequate services currently direct engagement with stakeholders across
supporting the adoption of digital technology. the production chain through one-to-one
“This lack of producer control and under- consultations and interactive workshops.
utilisation of data to make decisions is putting Workshops will be held in mid-to-late July in
Australian agriculture at a global disadvantage,” Narrabri (Kamilaroi country), Goondiwindi,
CRDC’s General Manager, R&D Investment Allan Toowoomba (Bigambul country) and Griffith
Williams says. (Wiradjuri country). One-to-one consultations
“While producers are becoming more skilled at will take place in coming months depending on
deploying precision agriculture technologies, they stakeholder availability.
are also trying to manage the constant stream of
data gathered from farm machinery, sensors and
digital technologies, and understand how to best Meredith said.
integrate it all to inform management decisions. “In this way, the business case for data sharing
“Increased information about the status of soil, will guide the development of the industry’s digital
water and crops is of little value unless it can be strategy.”
used to make improved decisions and act on them. A core component of the project is engaging
“How to use this data to improve on-farm with the industry to gain the perspective of all
profitability often remains the challenge.” participants in the supply chain for cotton, and
CRDC R&D Manager Dr Meredith Conaty is especially those who produce and hold data. This
overseeing the development of the strategy. includes growers and consultants, technology
“The P2D projects highlighted that while digital providers, ginners, merchants and logistics services.
technologies have the potential to fundamentally Project lead, AgThentic’s Komal Patel said the
transform the way food and fibre is produced, aim of their research is to understand how decisions
traded and consumed, it is unlikely that the full are made and why, to determine what needs to be
economic potential of decision agriculture will true for solutions to actually be impactful in practice.
be realised until several existing interconnected “Our focus is to understand the existing tools,
constraints are addressed,” Meredith said. systems and processes by which data is generated,
“On the basis that realising the full value captured, stored, used, and shared along the supply
of digital agriculture ideally requires access to chain,” Komal said.
the large amounts of data produced and held “Understanding the state of data systems and
across the supply-chain, there are two specific processes today will then enable an analysis of
requirements that must be addressed. what the future state could be tomorrow, and from a
“We need data governance arrangements that technical and commercial perspective, what will be
both provide clarity on data ownership, control and required to achieve that vision.”
access, and facilitate data sharing between multiple Unlocking the potential of digital agriculture isn’t
participants; and a clearly-defined value proposition just about the development of technical solutions.
for sharing data along the supply chain. As growers know, it’s also about ensuring that
“Unless these requirements are met, on-farm technical solutions are practical, usable, desirable
innovation and the development of innovative and scalable.
business models will be constrained.” “This stream of research will focus on
understanding the behaviours, motivations, and
Engaging all sectors of industry pain points around data-sharing across the cotton
Along with the formation of the steering value chain to help illuminate what factors may
committee, CRDC has contracted AgThentic enable or hinder the adoption of data-sharing
Advisory and DataGene to focus on building the practices or tools, and how to solve for them going
business case for potential investment in the forward,” Komal said.
development of a ‘trusted, scalable, flexible data “That’s why we are wanting to speak to people
sharing solution’ for the Australian cotton industry, from right across the cotton production chain, and
specifically focused on the supply chain from farm we are inviting anyone interested in sharing their
to merchant. perspective with us to get in touch.”
“This focus on developing the business case for
improved data sharing between value chain actors For more
is anticipated to raise options or ‘strategic choices’ Dr Meredith Conaty
that need to be considered by the industry,” meredith.conaty@crdc.com.au
WINTER 2021 13Revolution in crop
protection begins
Research is creating ground-breaking new products
What is RNA?
that can entirely change the way we think about and
manage pests and diseases of cotton. While DNA is a commonly used term, RNA is a
less familiar term that is being used more and
BioClay™ is a novel biological crop protection more. Spotlight asked CRDC’s Susan Maas to
approach that is non-genetically modified, safe and explain.
environmentally sensitive. CRDC is working with a “DNA is essentially a cookbook full of
range of partners to bring BioClay to growers. Early instructions on how to make all the proteins
research targets include insects, viruses and fungal required for a particular organism. Messenger
disease in several crops, including cotton. RNA (mRNA) is equivalent to photocopies of
BioClay is a biodegradable spray solution of clay a recipe from that cookbook and is used by
particles that works like a vaccine, stimulating the that particular organism to get the instructions
plant’s immune system to fight disease. It uses gene from the DNA to where the proteins are made,”
silencing technology that is precise and specific in Susan said.
the way it helps plants defend against pathogens. “Double stranded (dsRNA) that is highly specific
It works by binding pathogen or pest specific to a particular pest, disease or virus can be
dsRNA, which is slowly released after being applied used to prime a plant so that those important
to the plant, to fight pests with longer protection messages are stopped and the pest, disease or
periods. dsRNA is a well understood, highly specific virus can’t make a specific protein.”
and targeted way to help plants protect themselves.
The benign clay particles on the leaf surface
degrade in the presence of natural carbon dioxide “This product is so innovative in that it can
and moisture, leaving no residue. be adapted for use on a wide range of pests
BioClay is world-leading technology invented including invertebrate pests as well as root infecting
by scientists from the Queensland Alliance pathogens.
for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) “CRDC is supporting multiple projects using the
and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering BioClay platform including to protect against fungal
and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at the University diseases.”
of Queensland (UQ). Nufarm Limited is the And the research isn’t limited to endemic pests
commercialisation and development partner. and diseases, but exotics as well.
Crop-specific research and trials currently “In partnership with Hort Innovation we have
include partnerships with CRDC and fellow been able to scope the potential to apply this type
Research and Development Corporation (RDC), Hort of technology to cotton leaf curl virus,” Susan said.
Innovation. These projects are looking at a range of “Leaf curl virus is a high priority pest to
pests including viruses and fungal diseases such as Australian cotton that could be devastating if an
Verticillium wilt and sucking insect pests. incursion were to occur.
CRDC R&D Manager Susan Maas says this is “Creating capacity and readiness to quickly
exciting research with potential to help sustainably deal with exotic incursions are key aspects of
address key industry threats. our investments in biosecurity preparedness, as
“BioClay is an entirely new way to approach is working with other plant RDCs to protect our
crop protection, acting like a type of vaccine for the industries from shared threats.”
plant, where we can choose what pests or diseases Commercialisation of BioClay is anticipated for
we want to protect the plant against,” Susan said. around 2026-2028. We’ll be keeping you up to date
via Spotlight.
“BioClay works by
For more
stimulating the plant’s www.crophub.com.au
immune system to fight
disease.”
14 SPOTLIGHTINNOVATION
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
In a partnership which includes
CRDC, scientists Dr Elizabeth
Worrall, Professor Neena Mitter
and Dr Karl Robinson are working
on novel products to protect crops
from pests and diseases.
Building on BioClay
Building on the ground-breaking work of BioClay™, “We will be bringing biological-based fungicides
researchers have turned their attention to tackling to Australian broadacre and horticultural crops,
disease issues where there is no effective control resulting in reduced chemical use, increased crop
measures currently available or emerging fungicide productivity, and improved sustainability across the
resistance. supply chain,” Neena said.
CRDC is a partner in the Australian Research She said the fungal pathogens targeted by the
Council (ARC) Industrial Transformational Research Hub were selected in close consultation with RDCs,
Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection, which is including CRDC and other industry partners.
bringing to market a biological alternative to The ARC Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection
chemical fungicides for use in horticultural and involves staff from five UQ departments and
broadacre crops including cotton. involves partner organisations including Griffith
Led by University of Queensland University, La Trobe University, University of
Professor Neena Mitter, the Hub is building on Tasmania, Curtin University, University of California
the revolutionary BioClay platform to develop and Riverside, CRDC, Grains Research and Development
commercialise an innovative biological alternative Corporation, Horticulture Innovation, Australian
to chemical fungicides, targeting economically Wine Research Institute Ltd, QLD DAF, South
significant diseases of cotton and other crops. Australian Research and Development Institute,
It addresses industry challenges of fungicide Wine Australia, Bioplatforms Australia Ltd, AUSVEG
resistance, use of fungicides and damage caused Ltd and Nufarm Australia Limited.
by diseases such as Verticillium wilt in cotton.
Professor Mitter, who has worked in molecular For more
biology and biotechnology in Australia and India for Neena Mitter
over 20 years, said the Hub was already building on n.mitter@uq.edu.au
UQ’s BioClay technology to create a “smart” form of
biological crop protection.
WINTER 2021 15Demi Sargent at the Australian Cotton Research
Institute with wild cotton varieties that are being
MELANIE JENSON
used to investigate improving tolerance to
drought and climate change effects in crops.
Can resilience be programmed into crops?
Crop management could be revolutionised as new areas of “We are continually scoping new areas
of science for innovation,” CRDC R&D
science are continually discovered and interrogated. Manager Susan Maas said.
“Synthetic biology is a rapidly changing
CRDC is looking at the potential engineering. The technology can be area of science, which was identified
opportunities in new areas of science and used to develop a range of agronomic back during CRDC’s 2018-2023 strategic
one area in particular is synthetic biology: solutions, from introducing pest and planning process as a potential area of
can it be used to create a more resilient, disease resilience traits into crops, to exploration to support the industry to
efficient plant, capable of withstanding improving drought tolerance and water transform and address key industry issues.
extreme climatic conditions? use efficiency. CRDC is supporting 2021 Science
There have been rapid developments With research in this area still relatively and Innovation Awardee Demi Sargent to
in the relevant technologies, providing new, CRDC has commissioned a scoping undertake the scoping study.
exciting potential such as crops that sense study to identify potential priority focus Demi recently completed her PhD with
and respond to their environment, through areas including whether cotton plants support from CRDC, which uncovered
biosensors and genes that switch on or off can be programmed to respond more that multiple wild cotton species native
in response to certain conditions. Current efficiently to light availability, water deficit, to arid central Australia exhibit superior
CSIRO investigations into creating stretchy, drought and extreme climate conditions. photosynthetic performance under high
non-creasing, and waterproof cotton to There is opportunity to use molecular temperatures compared to commercial
better compete with man-made fibres is and synthetic biology techniques cultivar Gossypium hirsutum. These
predicated on using synthetic biology. to elicit plant immune responses or discoveries will inform future research and
The benefits of synthetic biology provide immunity to pathogens and possibilities to manipulate cotton.
could be revolutionary in the way cotton assess technologies for rapid rewiring “The research I conduct alongside
growers manage their crops and improved of pathways in cotton. For example, Dr Robert Sharwood (Western Sydney
resilience of the plant. genes conferring disease resistance, University) and Dr Warren Conaty (CSIRO)
Synthetic biology is a broad field genes associated with photosynthesis ultimately aims to ‘future-proof’ cotton
of research that essentially involves and other possibilities that may include production against climatic extremes such
modifying biological processes and fruit retention, defoliation, steeper and as heat stress and drought,” Demi said.
systems to develop desired functions deeper roots and interactions with the soil “We tested photosynthetic
and capabilities, often through genetic microbiome. modification scenarios which showed
16 SPOTLIGHTINNOVATION
Going wild for new discoveries
radiation use efficiency (the efficiency of
converting light energy into carbohydrates
for plant growth) and thus biomass
growth could be improved by up to five The importance of Demi’s research has mesophyll conductance doesn’t change
percent at temperatures above 33°C been highlighted recently through the when the temperature rises, however my
by using synthetic biology to introduce 2021 Science and Innovation Awards CRDC-supported PhD research revealed
photosynthetic machinery from key wild for Young People in Agriculture, an opportunity to boost mesophyll
species into cotton cultivars.” Fishing and Forestry. conductance in hot weather using
“Our ultimate goal is to develop CRDC supports the Awards to further imported traits from wild cotton cultivars.
cotton cultivars using synthetic biology the revolutionary thinking of scientists “We found that this conductance
that enables plants to be capable of such as Demi, with her aim to boost could be increased substantially with
withstanding heatwaves and droughts and photosynthetic efficiency in cotton that increasing temperature.”
improve their resource use efficiency and could help shield the cotton industry Demi will use the award to measure
productivity under challenging climatic from the effects of climate change. the rate of mesophyll conductance
conditions,” Demi said. The Awards are coordinated by under hot, dry conditions, in a
“We aim to achieve this through the Australian Bureau of Agricultural commercial cultivar and other species.
improving photosynthetic efficiency and and Resource Economics and Sciences The young scientist believes the results
resilience against heat stress and drought (ABARES) on behalf of the Department of of these studies could potentially super-
using synthetic biology. Agriculture, Water and the Environment. charge a plant’s ability to process CO2,
“We target photosynthesis because Demi is an awardee based on greatly increasing its ability to maintain
this critical process underpins plant her project examining mesophyll biomass production and tolerate drought
growth and crop yield. Heat stress hinders conductance, which is a process and heat stress.
photosynthetic processes, contributing to that limits a plant’s capacity for
yield reductions/loss in crops. photosynthesis. For more
“Photosynthesis is also linked to water “Mesophyll conductance is one of www.agriculture.gov.au/scienceawards
use efficiency. the major gateways for carbon dioxide to
“Therefore, photosynthetic enter the plant,” Demi said.
enhancements using synthetic biology are “Firstly, the CO2 will pass into little
likely to improve crop yield and water use.” pores called stomata, then once it’s
inside those pores, the CO2 will diffuse
For more through the cell walls: this process is
Susan Maas mesophyll conductance.
susan.maas@crdc.com.au “In standard cotton cultivars,
Welcome to modernised insect monitoring
Engagement with potential commercial applications and best manage SLW. been very positive.
partners has begun to bring revolutionary To complete the new monitoring “We are very happy with the
technology to simplify insect monitoring to system, a prototype phone app has been engagement researchers and consultants
the field. developed to count pests simply by have given us this season,” he said.
Silverleaf whitefly (SLW) numbers taking a photo of a leaf. SLW nymphs are “We look forward to seeing this
can be difficult to monitor, due to their automatically counted, interpreted, logged technology in the field after we add the
small size and mobility. This pest has and used to generate information about ability to track the ratio of viable and
increased in prevalence in recent years changes in the SLW population. non-viable SLW, and then broadening the
and successful management is important The app has been developed with scope of the app to include other insects.”
to maintain our reputation for high lint support from CRDC by Dr Derek Long and
quality, and maintain healthy populations Dr Alison McCarthy from the University For more
of beneficial insects and integrated pest of Southern Queensland in partnership Derek Long
management strategies. with QLD DAF’s Dr Paul Grundy and derek.long@usq.edu.au
QLD DAF’s Richard Sequeira has Leisa Bradburn. It runs a scoring process
created a new monitoring protocol based that counts nymphs and integrates this
on counting SLW nymphs instead of information with crop development and pest
adults, and whether alive or dead (viable density thresholds. A commercial partner to
or non-viable). Richard also developed bring the app to a full release was engaged
new thresholds with an integrated earlier this year. Derek says that the industry
decision support tool to guide insecticide reception to new vision technologies has
WINTER 2021 17You can also read
