How technology can help safeguard Australian ag from biosecurity threats

This is becoming increasingly challenging due to the impacts of climate change and the nature of our global market, which escalate biosecurity risks from avian influenza to lumpy skin disease, varroa mites and foot and mouth disease.

In fact, after recently discovering a mutated version of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus (known as bird flu) in a Canadian teenager, leading epidemiologists have warned that the world could be on the brink of a disastrous outbreak. Scientists have expressed concerns that the mutation could mean the virus is adapting to human cells.

The good news is that as new issues like this rear their heads, so too do innovative solutions.

The poultry industry is benefitting from Residual Barrier Technology’s airborne disinfectant product, Protectus Air^TM., an animal-safe, fast-acting solution that kills bacteria, yeast, mould and viruses whilst reducing the water use, labour and wear-and-tear associated with traditional cleaning processes. These types of advancements could be crucial in helping us stand against threats such as bird flu.

Residual barrier technology’s water based disruptive solution is also applicable far beyond poultry able to be utilised for everything from agriculture to food manufacturing, intensive animal farming, healthcare and education.

I learnt about the importance of strong biosecurity back in 2001, when Foot and Mouth Disease broke out across England. The disease was devastating for British farming, with 2,000 confirmed cases and six million animals culled, two thirds of which were for disease control. I was just a teenager, but the memories of billowing smoke have stayed with me for more than 20 years.

Our operating environment has changed since 2001, but we’ve also seen the advancement of our scientific knowledge, technology, innovation and the sophistication of our biosecurity measures.

When I see developments like the prototype of an automated camera system that uses Artificial Intelligence to detect and monitor cattle health, I’m hopeful we’re making progress to better protect the industry. The system developed by agricultural artificial intelligence specialist, InFarm in collaboration with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, could be used to ensure disease or illness is caught and addressed promptly before spreading through the herd. This includes across expansive and remote regions that are likely to be the first point of contact for airborne diseases.

Another issue facing our livestock industries is the Australian cattle tick (Rhipicephalaus australis) which takes a $146 million-dollar bite out of the beef sector every year. The current fix is to spray and dip cattle with chemical pesticides, but with export and domestic customers both asking for nil chemical application, it leaves the industry at a loss. Queensland researchers, Professor Ala Tabor and Dr Hannah Siddle have developed a vaccine that has the potential to defeat the small but mighty pest.

We’ve also seen the development of the first smartphone-connected, hand-held dairy and agri diagnostic platform by FaunaTech. The device is able to measure important biomarkers in milk, fish, meat, poultry, and grains and is designed to help with early detection of critical herd diseases, reduce antibiotic usage, and monitoring food quality at the farm gate

The industry is similarly making strides with overarching tech, like a biosecurity threat management platform, Exoflare, which works with producers and supply chains to provide real time risk assessments. The platform offers key insights which could help convert the industry from mere compliance to active management.

We’ll be showcasing some of the wonderful emerging biosecurity technologies at evoke^AG. 2025 in Brisbane including Residual Barrier Technology and FaunaTech.

Australian agriculture is highly valued in international markets thanks to our clean green image, high quality produce and disease-free status from common ailments such as foot and mouth and lumpy skin disease, but biosecurity threats could hurt the industry if we stop innovating.

Our industry has made major strides in building resilience thanks to AgTech solutions and management tools, but we must always remain vigilant and open to advances to ensure we don’t misstep.