making farming more profitable while strengthening its competitive advantage. INNOVATION THROUGH R&D ECOSYSTEM The seeds themselves are the product of a deep and collaborative innovation ecosystem. Barenbrug draws from a global R&D network that spans 17 countries, while also running its local breeding programs. “The whole process is 12 to 13 years from the time you make crosses to delivering a product,” Dickson notes. Public-private partnerships also play a critical role. For example, Barenbrug has collaborated with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) for over 30 years on a lucerne breeding program—the longest-running of its kind in Australia. Other innovative alliances include DairyBio (a partnership between Dairy Australia, AgriBio, and Agriculture Victoria) and the Zero Net Emissions Cooperative Research Centre, where Barenbrug is investing in low-emission forage development in collaboration with the University of Queensland. “We think we can have a big impact downstream on emissions intensity,” Dickson says.“Improved quality improves the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent or methane produced per kilogram of live weight.” FROM SEED TO SHELF The seed production journey at Barenbrug is an intricate and carefully managed process that spans the length and breadth of Australia. With hundreds of contracted growers located from Tasmania in the south to the Atherton Tablelands in far North Queensland, the company leverages the unique conditions of each region to cultivate seed varieties specifically suited to their respective climates and soil types. This decentralised model not only ensures geographic diversity and risk mitigation but also guarantees access to the best environmental conditions for producing high-quality seed. Once harvested, the raw seed is delivered to thirdparty processors where it undergoes a rigorous cleaning process to remove impurities, debris, and unwanted seed species. The cleaned seed is then 17 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 07, ISSUE 06 BARENBRUG AUSTRALIA
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