Fern Ho’s love of food was inconveniently disrupted when she developed food intolerances as an adult. This led her on a quest to better understand the provenance of food, while co-founding an alternative protein startup, The Leaf Protein Co . Now, the business is at the forefront of what Australia can do to help meet global market demands to address changing dietary trends and needs. She spoke to our contributor Jayne Cuddihy on her remarkable journey. Tickets are now on sale for evokeAG 2025 to...
Jun 27, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Despite being a fascinating subject, Cultural IP is quite often an uncomfortable place to do business. Darryl Lyons, chief rainmaker at Rainstick and Dr Terri Janke, owner and solicitor director of Terri Janke and Company are not only passionate about the protection of Australian Indigenous Cultural IP but have dedicated their careers to helping to educate others around what it means. In this episode they are in conversation with our contributor Jayne Cuddihy. This series was recorded live at ev...
Jun 20, 2024•30 min•Season 4Ep. 11
There’s a certain exhilaration that creeps in when a startup becomes a scaleup. In this episode we’re hearing from two Queensland-based agtech companies who’ve done exactly that and attended evokeAG 2024 as exhibitors in the inaugural Scaleup Station. Phil Livingston from AgBot and John Pattinson, Chief Development Officer from Goanna Ag told our contributor Jayne Cuddihy that collaboration has been a huge part of their success. Tickets are now on sale for evokeAG 2025 to be held on 18-19 Februa...
Jun 13, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Around the world, agrifood entrepreneurs are addressing social impact, but often in isolation. How can we bring these ideas together and make impact collaboratively? Abi Ramanan is a food systems entrepreneur and Julie Hersch, is Co-Founder of both Eloments Natural Vitamin Tea and Mullin. In this episode, our contributor Jayne Cuddihy explores their tireless pursuit of highlighting social impact in the agrifood supply chain. This series was recorded live at evokeAG 2024 in Perth and explores the...
Jun 06, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Global sustainability requirements can be a tricky area to navigate, especially when you are a scaleup operating across global boundaries. So, let’s put in practical terms! In this episode, Justin Webb, Co-Founder of Agriwebb and Charlotte Weston, Global Sustainability Director, EY, and a member of the Expert Advisory Board of The Earthshot Prize explore the challenges and opportunities for agribusinesses with our contributor Jayne Cuddihy. This series was recorded live at evokeAG 2024 in Perth ...
May 30, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 8
To say the two guests in this episode are passionate about soil is an understatement. Antony Yousefian , Partner, The First Thirty Ventures and Tegan Nock , Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Loam Bio live and breathe soil health and believe in empowering farmers to boost soil carbon using microbial technology. In conversation with our contributor Jayne Cuddihy, they discuss not only how a systems-based strategy could change the marketplace for carbon, but how a global approach could work. T...
May 23, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Part of the magic of evokeAG is the conversations around global food production and how we can do it better - with more collaboration and innovation. In this episode, our contributor Jayne Cuddihy spoke to two powerhouses in the global scene; Ryan Rakestraw, director of Temasek , a diversified investment company headquartered in Singapore, and Matt Macfarlane, a director of AgriFutures Australia and venture capital investor. They not only gazed into the crystal ball for the short term but looked...
May 16, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Since the inception of the evokeAG, Elders has played a pivotal role in bringing the event together. With a deep linkage to agriculture in all its forms right across the country, Elders priorities innovation and sustainability. In this episode our contributor Jayne Cuddihy sat down with Dave McKeon , Head of Thomas Elder Sustainable Agriculture , Elders to talk everything from the uptake of artificial intelligence (AI) for farmers to how the company continues to innovate. This series was recorde...
May 09, 2024•24 min•Season 4Ep. 5
The startup ecosystem can be a brutal realm. The ability to think outside the box, pivot, dream big, spend small and negotiate change is really only the tip of the iceberg. Olympia Yarger, founder and CEO of Goterra and Sally-Ann Williams, CEO of Cicada Innovation not only have taken this challenges head on, but thrived. However, is it what it seems? In this episode our contributor Jayne Cuddihy asked Olympia and Sally-Ann everything from developing the deep tech sector in Australia, to the real...
May 02, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 4
The evokeAG event may have only just wrapped up in Perth for another year, but planning is already underway for next year’s premier agrifood innovation event. And where else, but Queensland? The Sunshine State. AgriFutures Australia is excited to be taking evokeAG to Brisbane in February 2025 with the support of Platinum Partner Elders, Host City Partner Brisbane Economic Development Agency and the Host State Partner Queensland Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries . The event will c...
Apr 25, 2024•25 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Did you know that wheat genes are five times more complex than a human's? Innovation knows no world boundaries and there’s no better example than how Australia's first gene edited wheat variety is being developed. Tress Walmsley is the CEO of Intergrain , one of the leaders in cereal breeding in Australia, and has been working closely with Ponsi Trivisvavet, the CEO of Inari which is a seed design company using predictive design and advanced multiplex gene editing to unlock the full potential of...
Apr 18, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 2
With a showcase lineup of speakers at evokeAG 2024 , the event highlighted Asia Pacific’s exceptional edge to the world, helping delegates find their cutting edge. Centre stage was Nina Schick , a pioneering artificial intelligence expert, exploring how the emerging field of artificial intelligence will change humanity. In this episode she joins Phil Morle in conversation with our contributor Jayne Cuddihy. Phil is a Partner at Main Sequence Ventures , an Australian based venture capital firm at...
Apr 11, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 1
The food and beverage sector is Australia’s largest manufacturing industry, worth more than $132 billion, accounting for 32% of total manufacturing turnover, and employing more than 270,000 people. Yet, the advent of COVID-19, rising climate volatility and geopolitical tensions, have underscored the imperative for more resilient and innovative food systems. A recent opportunity listed on AgriFutures growAG sought to identify forward-thinking startups, SMEs or large companies with innovative solu...
Sep 20, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 25
Have you ever heard of the concept of a digital twin? In this episode we’re hearing from Stu Adam, one of the Co-Founders of Agronomeye. Agronomeye is a business that creates incredibly detailed maps and models of farms, helping landowners and managers understand what's going on across their property so they can make better decisions. As an entrepreneur in the purest sense of the word, CEO Stu Adam has a background in journalism and admits he was more into surfing than agriculture. Perhaps it’s ...
Jul 13, 2023•27 min•Season 3Ep. 24
Adam Anders is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Anterra Capital , a venture capital fund focussing on investing in innovative companies that are transforming the safety, security and sustainability of global food. Having grown up on a farm in South Australia, Adam has lived the highs and lows of any budding entrepreneur, but admits it’s given him a unique insight into all facets of the sometimes gruelling process. Now, at the helm of his company Anterra, he is committed to building a healt...
Jul 12, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Finding world-leading agrifood research expertise, and research, investment and commercialisation opportunities easily, let alone in one easy-to-use location, has always been a challenge – until AgriFutures growAG. growAG is helping to connect its users, researchers, investors, innovators, thought leaders and commercial partners from around Australia and across the globe with agrifood innovation, expertise and opportunities. By shortening the time it can take to find and connect with strategic p...
Jun 29, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 22
As the transition from fossil fuels to renewables gathers pace globally, we brought together different perspectives in a breakout session at evokeAG 2023 in Adelaide. From those who’ve commercialised renewable fuels on a large scale, to the challenges of sustaining biofuels at a local level, our panellists shared the challenges and opportunities in the production and application of sustainable fuel sources. Before the live recording of the discussion, evokeAG contributor, Jayne Cuddihy, sat down...
Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 21
With an expected two billion extra people to feed by 2050, coupled with changing tastes and dietary preferences, there is a growing global demand for more protein, produced more sustainably and from a wider variety of sources. So how, as a global community are we going to achieve that? In this episode we’re exploring what it will take to satisfy the growing global appetite for protein. The panel discussion recorded live at evokeAG 2023 includes Professor Michelle Colgrave, the Deputy Director (I...
Jun 21, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Globally, research and investment into biological solutions to improve soil and plant health is accelerating exponentially. As regulators around the world seek to reduce the application of chemical pesticides, farmers and growers are looking at biological alternatives to protect plants from diseases, pests, and weeds, or to improve the health of their plants. This workshop, recorded live at evokeAG 2023 looks at the global landscape for biologicals development and application and explores the op...
Jun 20, 2023•46 min•Season 3Ep. 19
How does an engineer end up crystal ball gazing for next gen plant breeding on a global scale? By thinking outside the box of course! In this episode we’re hearing from Alexander Tokarz, the head of group strategy for Syngenta Group. Based in Basel, Switzerland, he’s responsible for the company’s long-term growth strategy and business development. His presentation at evokeAG inspired attendees to think about the potential of next gen plant breeding and how it can be used to create a more sustain...
Jun 20, 2023•23 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Clean and green is to New Zealand, what the Emerald Isle is to Ireland and what innovation is to Israel. These countries have built brand identities and entire markets on leveraging their unique strengths and stories. In this episode we’re bringing you three presentations recorded live at evokeAG 2023 from David Downs, CEO of New Zealand Story, Shifka Seigel, Project Manager, Israel Australian Chamber of Commerce, and Mary Shelman, Founder of the Shelman Group. What can Australia learn from thes...
Jun 17, 2023•46 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Uber and Airbnb turned two conventional industries on their heads. How did they do it? Using software that allows two applications to talk to each other. Now it’s agriculture’s turn. In this episode we're bringing you a workshop " Data as a second language: understanding what your farm is saying to you" recorded at evokeAG 2023. Here Andrew Skinner, Director of More Than Machines, and Andrew Cooke , Co-Founder and Managing Director, Rezare Systems showcased the possibilities and benefits of conn...
Jun 16, 2023•29 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Australia's rural industries face increasing community expectations on a range of issues including environmental management, labour workforce conditions and acceptance of new technologies. Achieving the sector's $100 billion production goal by 2030, requires a pipeline of talented and committed people- the lifeblood of our rural industries. Dr Kieren Moffat is the CEO and Co- Founder Voconiq- a data science and community engagement company, tasked with breaking down the barriers of explaining ho...
Jun 15, 2023•42 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Self-driving tractors, seed planting robots and agricultural drones are all putting new technology and better outcomes in the hands of our producers. This episode is a panel discussion recorded live at evokeAG 2023. The companies making it happen and the producers using the tech come together to share what’s in the market right now, what’s to come, and to discuss at what point does autonomous agriculture start to pay for itself on-farm? The panel features Professor Craig Baillie, Head of School ...
Jun 14, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Until recently there wasn’t a single Australian venture capital firm focussed on agritech. Today, there are multiple players. In this episode we explore two very different experiences - an Australian company that has leveraged government incentives and local funding, and an international company seeking local backing to enter the Australian and New Zealand marketplace. Justin Webb, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, of AgriWebb facilitated this conversation and was joined by Phil Morle, Partner ...
Jun 13, 2023•35 min•Season 3Ep. 13
It wasn't so long ago that space exploration was a pipe dream, but now in 2023, we're talking about the very real applications it has for Australian agriculture. Recorded live at evokeAG 2023, this panel discussion takes a deep dive into the future of agri space tech. With a focus on research and development, potential ground-breaking applications and new ways of working, you'll hear from innovators about how this technology can be leveraged better here on earth, to support more sustainable and ...
Jun 09, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 12
Australia and New Zealand's land-based agricultural industries have set ambitious sustainability targets for the future. In this episode we’ve got a reality check- looking beyond sustainability frameworks in agriculture, industry experts share the realities of their progress beyond frameworks and targets, what keeps them up at night, and how producers can be part of the solution. Involved in this conversation is Michael Anderson, Head of Sustainability, GrainCorp, Bridgit Hawkins, Chief Sustaina...
Jun 08, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In this episode we’re uncovering the secret sauce to commercialisation- bringing together the key ingredients needed to transform agricultural technology from startup to fully fledged commercial player. Syngenta is a provider of plant health solutions and Pairtree Intelligence is a data integrator - together their aligned partnership is adding value to farmers. In this session from evokeAG fifth-generation farmer and CEO of Pairtree Intelligence, Hamish Munro and Brett Hofman, Head of Business D...
Jun 07, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Science and technology, coupled with an investment in skills and capability, need to be harnessed to empower farmers to shape the future of natural capital management and environmental reporting. This episode considers the innovation needed to enable natural capital to be treated as a factor of production in agriculture. It also explores the potential benefits and opportunities that can flow from investment in this. Recorded live at evokeAG 2023 the discussion is facilitated by Chris Scheid, Dir...
Jun 06, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Our growing ability to engineer biology with automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics is driving a biomanufacturing revolution. This wide-ranging session looks at some of the most cutting-edge developments, from space ag’s push to enable long term space habitation and sustainability on Earth, to the fermentation advancements driving the wineries of the future, and new processing technology in dry fractionation for plant protein. Brought to you by evokeAG Partner, The Universit...
May 25, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 8
