- Sunshine Coast company, Provectus Algae, receives $2.8 million investment through first-of-its-kind dedicated primary industries innovation fund.
- The investment will support Sunshine Coast company to commercialise livestock feed that improves nutrition and reduces methane emissions from cattle.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy and helping grow the State’s primary industries to $30 billion by 2030, after the former Labor Government let the industry wither on the vine.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering more investment into cutting-edge agricultural technology to supercharge the value of the sector to $30 billion by 2030, with a $2.8 million investment for a Sunshine Coast company that produces algae-based feed additive for cattle.
The Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund has delivered the funding for Provectus Algae, which will use the investment to commercialise its Surf’N’Turf product, after successful commercial trials demonstrated reduced methane emissions, alongside the potential to support productivity for producers.
Under the investment – managed by Queensland Investment Corporation – Provectus Algae will carry out expanded product trials, scale up manufacturing capability in Queensland and accelerate the transition from research and development to commercial production.
During the former Labor Government’s decade of decline, Queensland’s primary industries sector received insufficient support and opportunities for prosperity were left to wither on the vine.
Under the former Labor government there was no dedicated agricultural, fishing or forestry investment fund; it failed to prioritise targeted investment in AgTech and innovation to drive sector prosperity.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered a $30 million investment fund focused on innovation, so Queensland primary producers can achieve better productivity on the farm and be at the forefront of cutting edge of agricultural technology and innovation.
This single investment has the potential to deliver benefits across one of Queensland’s largest and most important agricultural industries, with the state’s beef sector generating more than $9.7 billion in gross value of production in 2025-26.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the investment was helping cattle producers access new technologies that increase profitability while creating local jobs and investment opportunities.
“Queensland producers need access to practical innovations that improve productivity, profitability and resilience to remain competitive in a global market; that’s why we created the Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund,” Minister Perrett said.
“This latest investment brings total Queensland Government investment in Provectus Algae to $3.8 million and will help accelerate the commercialisation of a Queensland-developed technology with the potential to deliver real benefits for cattle producers.
“By backing innovative businesses to develop and commercialise new technologies right here in Queensland, we’re strengthening our agricultural sector, supporting regional jobs and helping grow our primary industries sector to $30 billion by 2030.”
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the investment was another example of the Crisafulli Government’s support for Queensland’s agricultural sector.
“Queensland’s beef is the envy of the world, and our Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund is backing our producers to continue leading the way in agricultural technology too,” Minister Bates said.
“By listening to industry and investing in innovation, the Crisafulli Government is ensuring our agricultural sector stays at the cutting edge while expanding its production and exports.”
Provectus Algae Founder and CEO Nusqe Spanton said the investment would help the company move Surf’N’Turf from commercial pilots to full-scale supply.
“Surf’N’Turf was developed here in Queensland, and it has moved from something we believed could work to a product demonstrating meaningful results in thousands of cattle under commercial conditions,” Mr Spanton said.
“Sowing the Seeds is about helping innovations move beyond the pilot stage, and that is exactly where we are now. This investment helps us scale up manufacturing in Queensland so we can supply producers at commercial volumes.
“Because Surf’N’Turf fits into the feeding systems producers already use, it gives them a practical way to cut methane without changing how they run their operations. Having the Queensland Government back that through Sowing the Seeds is a strong endorsement of what we have built here.”
AgForce General President, Shane McCarthy, has welcomed the Crisafulli Government’s continued investment into innovation into agriculture.
“Agforce and industry always welcome investment in innovative ways to improve production,” Mr McCarthy said.
“If this investment results in better feed-to-weight gain ratios, it will be a positive outcome for producers and their profitability.
“We congratulate Minister Perrett and the Crisafulli Government for their ongoing commitment to investing in our industry.”
Provectus Algae is the second recipient under the Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund.
Businesses interested in exploring how the fund can support their growth can provide information via the QIC website .
