By Emily Lehmann , Lily Kallinikos 10 December 2024 4 min read
Key points
Our biennial AgCatalyst conference showcased our latest agrifood innovations and valued partnerships with industry.
We took over the Brisbane Powerhouse to show how our researchers are supporting more productive, resilient and sustainable agriculture and food industries.
Highlights included a new white fish variety destined for our dinner tables, future crops, food circularity and new digital ag tools.
Person in costume standing infront of artwork depicting cowpea.
CSIRO's Javier Atayde is working on protecting crops from pest and disease.
AgCatalyst brought a feast for all the senses.
From sustainability to soil, future foods to new trends in livestock, futuristic farming and fish production, we saw it all. Featuring a living farm and a science exhibition with a difference, a stand-out theme of this year’s event was how we’re helping shape a brighter, more sustainable future.
Dig into some of the highlights here.
The Pompano – a special fish making waves
The Pompano (Trachinotus anak) is a delectable white-flesh fish, that could soon be swimming its way onto menus around Australia.
Endemic to Australia’s tropical waters, the Pompano is popular with recreational anglers as a great eating fish. Now we're working to bring it to mainstream tables with the help of aquaculture science.
One of the standouts on stage at this year’s AgCatalyst, the fish received glowing ticks of approval from MasterChef Australia’s Andy Allen and Chef Jo Barret. They cooked up an impressive feast to demonstrate its culinary qualities.
It’s mild flavour, easy preparation and versatility make it suitable for a range of dishes, from sashimi through to simply seasoned and cooked fillets. Andy also experimented by using oft-overlooked parts like the wings and head in different ways.
Our scientists are working to ensure the industry is sustainable and higher welfare in all aspects of production through to consumption.
Our aim is to diversify Australian aquaculture and add $1 billion to the economy by creating a successful Pompano industry within five to 10 years.
The Pompano is suitable for Australian aquaculture
The Pompano is suitable for Australian aquaculture.
Transforming how we farm by 2050
Australia's agriculture industry has maintainedbumper productivity levels in recent years. However, the industry is facing major challenges related to climate change, emissions reduction, supply change disruptions, workforce access, market access and changing consumer preferences.
At AgCatalyst, we showcased how Australia needs to rapidly transform its farming systems to overcome these challenges and meet 2050 sustainability and food security goals.
But what does the future farm look like? And how do we ensure its productive, resilient and sustainable?
Our Ag2050 scenarios report is a collaboration with the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The report highlights four evidence-based scenarios for Australian farming systems of the future. These include regional agriculture capitals, landscape stewardship, climate survival or system decline.
Each scenario aims to spark a conversation with collaborators in industry and the research sector on the future state we can together achieve, and how our science can support this transition.
People on stage
Our Ag2050 team highlighting scenarios for future farming. © Copyright. All rights reserved.
Future-proofing Australian crops
Part of this transition is supporting Australia’s broad range of crops which are critical for producing the food we eat and the cotton threads we wear.
Our science is helping ensure Australia’s cropping industries are sustainable, productive and ready for the future.
We’ve developed new crop varieties to weather a changing climate, such as drought-tolerant wheatand sustainable cotton varieties that yield more with less resources.
We’ve also fine-tuned supplementary feed crops for livestock, like Anameka Saltbush. This hardy native shrub showcased in our AgCatalyst farm offers a longer-term solution for sheep farmers when times are dry, and feed is scarce.
We’re also looking at ways to protect crops from major pests and disease that threaten production – from rust and mildew to pesky weeds and insects.
At AgCatalyst, our mini farm brought these and many more future crops to life. We also showcased the many products available on supermarket shelves around Australia and overseas that were developed with a little help from our science.
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Upcycling food waste could unlock $20 billion
And what about all the food that never makes it onto our plates?
A third of all Australian produced food goes to waste. That’s 7.3 million tonnes of food waste, which could fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground ten times over. But we can change this by extending the lifecycle of food.
Food waste like ‘ugly’ out-of-specification produce, by-products from manufacturing, expired foods and restaurant waste are just some of the examples.
Most of this so-called waste contains value that can be captured and turned into new products. Upcycling Australia’s food waste could unlock $20 billion for the economy.
We can turn vegetable waste into nutritious powder ingredients, and aquaculture waste into animal feed. And there’s the opportunity to turn lower value cuts of meat into high quality protein powders with Just Meat.
Consumers can also play a role by better understanding how to store and prepare food, planning meals, and considering the best before or expiry labels before purchasing. We also share handy tips to help you reduce food waste at home.
People networking at the AgCatalyst event.
Stakeholders networking at our AgCatalyst2024 gallery exhibition. © Copyright. All rights reserved.
Forecasting for greener pastures
Increasing climate variability means that Australian farmers and their produce are facing continuous risk.
Volatile conditions, like drought, can mean that farm managers must make difficult decisions to support livestock, crops and soils. And they can’t always be certain they’ve made the right call for their business.
Farming Forecaster keeps farmers informed about the myriad changing conditions on their pasture. But this system is more than a weather outlook.
From how fast grass grows, to soil moisture, relevant weather and livestock performance, Farming Forecaster is the most advanced pasture forecast tool available to Australian farmers.
It provides real-time updates on pasture conditions, helping farmers make decisions about purchasing and selling stock, breeding and water requirements.
Entry to exhibition showcasing different crops
Our mini farm showcased future sustainable and productive future crops. © Copyright. All rights reserved.