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Food sustainability

September

NSW farmer Lisa Minogue says it is frustrating that government policy poses one of the biggest threats to the industry.

Farmers rate Labor policies as bigger threat than extreme weather

Farmers say their greatest challenges are adverse political and regulatory decisions, closely followed by price volatility and extreme weather events.

  • Brad Thompson

July

AgriProve founder Matthew Warnken: “We’re not going to incrementalise our way out of these challenges, which means that now is the opportunity to innovate.”

A farming revolution built on down-to-earth thinking

Increasing carbon levels in grazing lands could remove 10 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere says the winner of the Agriculture category.

  • Tom McIlroy
Cobden dairy farmer Craig Dwyer says the combination of drought, a cold snap, and a 15 per cent cut in farm gate milk prices as of July 1 has hit producers hard.

‘No water equals no milk’: big dry, cold snap hit farmers

Victorian farmers have been hit by a combination of dry and cold conditions as dairy producers also face a 15 per cent cut in farm gate milk prices as of July 1.

  • Gus McCubbing

June

This Australian chef is the first to win three Michelin stars

After being plucked from near-obscurity at just 23, Brett Graham has hit the heights of global gastronomy. Now he’s turning his attention back to the farm.

  • Hans van Leeuwen

May

Withcott Seedlings has more than 22 ha of igloo and shade netting nursery space.

Rest Super-backed Cibus to push into carbon farming and robotics

Cibus Capital will make a big push into regenerative farming and will use the latest robotics to expand one of the country’s biggest seedling growers.

  • Larry Schlesinger
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April

Airports and airlines are desperate for policy action to develop a local sustainable aviation fuel industry.

Make green fuel the new hydrogen, airlines and airports urge Labor

Qantas and Virgin are among those lobbing the federal government to set aside $2 billion at next month’s federal budget to reduce dependency on fuel imports.

  • Ayesha de Kretser
Incitec Pivot owns the Dyno Nobel explosives business and an underperforming fertiliser division.

Incitec Pivot’s drawn-out fertiliser sale rounds the finish line

Investor sources tell Street Talk new chief Mauro Neves has the market’s support to run the company as a pure-play explosives business.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport

December 2023

Impossible Foods had big plans beyond the Impossible Burger, a vegan meat-like pattie served at a number of restaurants including Momofuku Nishi.

How we overcooked the vegan business boom

Consumer tastes are changing – back to a weekly steak as more vegans understand the importance of protein – but have we really lost our appetite for fake meat?

  • Eleanor Steafel
Rachel Ward has made a documentary about her dedication to regenerative farming.

How Rachel Ward went from Vogue cover model to farmhand at 60

The actor and director has had an unexpected second act as a farmer. A new documentary follows her “bloody crusade”.

  • Lauren Sams
Josh Niland is one chef Murray Cod Australia has engaged for marketing.

Murray Cod Australia throws out a line to hook $400m fund

That would dwarf the company’s current market capitalisation of about $107 million and be used to fund infrastructure development and holding water rights.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Peter Fox keeps a close eye on his vertical planting system.

Urban farmer makes use of vacant CBD space

Short-term leases are not an issue for this modular agriculture start-up.

  • Richard Cornish

November 2023

GrainCorp boss Robert Spurway.

Biofuels finally give GrainCorp an in to Western Australia

Robert Spurway says there’s a compelling case for new oilseed crushing capacity in the company’s biggest move since it spun-off its global malting division.

  • Brad Thompson

October 2023

Brad Adams, CEO at Rare Foods in WA,

What do an abalone farmer and ex Wall St analyst have in common?

Jay Albany and Brad Adams are running successful regenerative food businesses out of different parts of Western Australia.

  • Carolyn Beasley

September 2023

Bindi Murray on her Woodanilling property in rural WA.

Sheep prices plunge to $1 a head as farmers flood market

Farmers are scrambling to sell before summer as Australia’s sheep flock and breeding ewe numbers hit their highest level since 2007.

  • Brad Thompson
Colombia University professor in development practice Glenn Denning is changing how the world deals with food security.

The Aussie scientist whose mission is to feed the world

Columbia University Professor Glenn Denning has won the prestigious Global Australian of the Year award for his work on improving crop yields.

  • Julie Hare
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August 2023

A Coolhaus chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream sandwich made with Perfect Day’s animal-free dairy.

Can cow-free dairy beat the fake foods curse?

Lab-produced milk proteins have a taste advantage over plant-based milks – and they can help reduce carbon emissions.

  • Bruce Einhorn

July 2023

Upside Foods’ cultivated chicken.

Get ready to eat unicorn meat

Entrepreneurs have invested billions in plant-based and lab-grown food, and the possibilities are endless.

  • Annie Lowrey

June 2023

Former car dealer and qualified horticulturist Tony Denny behind the wheel on his farm.

Why Rich Lister Tony Denny swapped used cars for farming

Boosting food production through technology and smarter farming will be critical in decades to come, says the former car dealer with a $755 million fortune.

  • Brad Thompson

May 2023

How this Melbourne chef made fine dining sustainable

Jason Staudt is a chef on a mission: he is always on the lookout for ways to do more for the planet while also producing fabulous food.

  • Paul Best

April 2023

MUST CREDIT:?Russell Ord / Andre Rerekura Abalone sea rancher Brad Adams from Oga at Augusta, WA.? Ocean Grown Abalone on artificial reefs (concrete pyramid shapes pictured).

This fishery looks to export ‘Penfolds Grange’ of abalone to the world

Brad Adams has captured the attention of fine diners in Hong Kong but he now hopes to export his sustainably grown greenlip abalone to the rest of the world. 

  • Gus McCubbing

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/food-sustainability-1mue