Breakthrough in ‘Green’ Agricultural Bio Solutions

WITH the agricultural inoculants market projected to reach US$437.1 million by 2020 – a 20-year local research program is putting Australia at the cutting edge of ‘green’ solutions in bio-security.

Driven by estimated sheep and cattle losses in Australia alone of $A1 billion (and tens of billions worldwide), the research is not only good news for producers but potentially an export winner.

     With exponential growth potential in world agricultural markets for ‘green’ inoculant solutions (including plant growth-promoting microorganisms, bio-control agents, and plant-resistance stimulants) the current program (which includes US and Australian trials plus exhaustive research and development involving groups such as the CSIRO) is employing a non-chemical biological control for the free living stages of parasitic nematodes of grazing animals – and is widely regarded as a global breakthrough

Independent studies published by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited estimates the total losses per annum due to internal parasites:

                     *    Cattle $A93.6 million ($US70m/$EU66m) with production losses ranging from $0.44 - $3.59 per animal 


                    *     Sheep $A436 million ($US327m/$EU305m) with production losses ranging from $1.29 - $28.29 per animal 


                     *    Goats $A2.54 million ($US1.9m/$EU1.8m) with production losses ranging from $0 - $5.34 per animal 


Animals infected with parasitic nematodes have traditionally been treated with chemicals (called anthelmintics) intended to kill the worms living in the animal.

However with the rising incidence of resistance to anthelmintic chemicals there is an increasing push by producers for ‘greener’ more sustainable solutions, free of chemical inputs and application of non-chemotherapeutic control methods.

With an unprecedented demand for chemical-free food world-wide developed through plant growth-promoting microorganisms, this Australian initiative, is leading the charge.