SOUTH Australian grain growers are set to participate in an “exciting collaboration” which will see barley tracked and traced from paddock to beverage.
The collaboration between Grain Producers SA, Coopers Brewery and agtech company Trust Provenance is funded through the state government’s AgTech Growth Fund.
The project will see growers work with software to capture data along barley’s growing journey, with the data then linked into Coopers’ software, enabling a full paddock-to-beverage traceability platform.
Grain Producers SA CEO Brad Perry said it was a unique opportunity for South Australian malting barley growers to take part in an innovative pilot project.
“Many of our grain producers already supply high-quality malting barley to Coopers Brewery and, in this project, they will be following barley through the many stages to the end product – a high quality beer,” Mr Perry said.
“As part of the traceability program, engagement will occur with a number of growers directly and with grain trading company ADM, to cover all critical tracking events and understand the practical and commercial requirements of all stakeholders.
“The growing global trend for real-time and transparent proof of claim is finding its way into procurement programs for food manufacturers and retailers.
“Making sure South Australian grain producers are future-proofed against evolving supply chain demands is an important part of this program.”
Data will be viewable through a unique QR code for each batch of barley, according to Trust Provenance CEO Andrew Grant.
“This allows for real-time monitoring, management and feedback and allows grain producers and Coopers to provide a new level of trust on quality and sustainability and align with consumers’ demand for greater transparency on the beverages they are consuming,” Mr Grant said.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said South Australian farmers have a “long-standing and proud history of being some of the most innovative in the world”.
“This funding will boost the opportunities to advance their agtech, not just on-farm but throughout the agriculture supply chain,” Ms Scriven said.
“These projects will help our primary producers overcome challenges and barriers they have identified and I’m looking forward to seeing first-hand how these projects are delivered over the coming months.”
