Pivot Bio, co-founded by MIT Professor Chris Voigt, is making farming more sustainable with nitrogen-producing microbes that can replace synthetic fertilizer.

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed a second suspected case of H5 bird flu in the state, involving another greater crested tern found near Portland in the south-west. This follows an earlier positive detection in the same species and area, meaning Victoria now has one confirmed case and one suspect case of the virus. Samples from the second bird returned a positive result at AgriBio and are undergoing further confirmatory testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke stressed the value of early community reporting of sick or dead wildlife, noting that the state has prepared response plans for the arrival of H5 bird flu and is now activating surveillance, testing and response measures. Authorities continue to urge Victorians to avoid contact with sick or dead birds or other wildlife, record observations and report them promptly via the online form or the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888. There are still no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry or other livestock anywhere in Australia, and no evidence of mass mortalities in animals. The risk to human health remains low. Officials are asking the public to report clusters of five or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, and even single sick or dead seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds, birds of prey or marine mammals. The detection forms part of a wider pattern of H5 detections in wild seabirds across several Australian states, linked to migratory bird movements. Poultry producers are being reminded to maintain strong biosecurity while response activities focus on protecting both wildlife and commercial flocks.

Image Credit: WAKU On the 31st, agribio startup WAKU, which aims to enhance crop heat resistance and yield using glutathione, announced that it has raised ¥180 million in a pre-series A round. Investors include ANOBAKA, Keio Innovation Initiative (KII), Asahi Media Lab Ventures, Chugin Capital Partners, AgVenture Lab, and individual investors, with the funding raised through a third-party allotment of shares. The company is committed to “protecting humanity’s food with glutathione” and develops and manufactures biostimulants utilizing glutathione, an antioxidant naturally present in plants. These materials are being introduced to producers nationwide as a solution to agricultural challenges posed by climate change, such as improving the quality of heat-sensitive crops, promoting root growth, and enhancing seedling establishment.

Image Credit: WAKU On the 31st, agribio startup WAKU, which aims to enhance crop heat resistance and yield using glutathione, announced that it has raised ¥180 million in a pre-series A round. Investors include ANOBAKA, Keio Innovation Initiative (KII), Asahi Media Lab Ventures, Chugin Capital Partners, AgVenture Lab, and individual investors, with the funding raised through a third-party allotment of shares. The company is committed to “protecting humanity’s food with glutathione” and develops and manufactures biostimulants utilizing glutathione, an antioxidant naturally present in plants. These materials are being introduced to producers nationwide as a solution to agricultural challenges posed by climate change, such as improving the quality of heat-sensitive crops, promoting root growth, and enhancing seedling establishment.