When Daniel Carson took the stage at the Australian Dairy Conference, he presented more than a product. He presented a systems solution.
The New Zealand founder of Alps2Ocean Foods and creator of Mīti was named the 2026 ADC Innovator Award winner for his work transforming one of dairy’s most persistent challenges, the non-replacement calf.
Carson’s innovation, Mīti, reframes surplus calves as a scalable, climate aligned protein opportunity. Rather than being processed at only a few days old, calves are grown within existing pasture based dairy systems to 10 to 18 months, creating a welfare positive, traceable and emissions efficient protein platform.
In New Zealand alone, more than two million non-replacement calves are born each year. Australia faces a similar structural challenge.
“We are not going to solve this by tinkering at the edges,” Carson said. “This requires a system that works for farmers, processors and the market.”
Science led, farmer designed
A key strength of the model is that it integrates into existing dairy infrastructure. It does not require a fundamental redesign of pasture-based systems or major capital investment on farm.
Independent research with AgResearch has validated the system through full Life Cycle Assessment and nutritional analysis, confirming significantly lower emissions intensity compared with conventional beef production.
Carson says the opportunity is both environmental and nutritional.
“The older the animal, the more lifetime methane produced. Harvesting earlier creates a more efficient protein outcome from both a carbon and nutrient perspective.”
The proof-of-concept product, Mīti, is a shelf stable, high protein snack made from young dairy beef and honey, recognised in New Zealand for its sustainability credentials.
But Carson is clear the ambition extends well beyond a snack category.
“This is about positioning dairy beef as a premium, verified ingredient within the broader food matrix. It is lean, nutrient dense and ideally suited to the growing global demand for convenient protein.”
“It’s been encouraging to see interest from Meat & Livestock Australia in the nutritional science underpinning Mīti. That recognition reflects a broader opportunity to position young dairy beef, as a science backed, nutrient-dense ingredient in modern consumer diets.”
A Tasmanian gateway
Carson sees strong alignment with Tasmanian dairy systems, which closely mirror New Zealand’s pasture-based model. Early engagement with Tasmanian farmers has been positive, particularly in regions where feedlot options are limited and producers are looking for integrated, value-adding pathways.
He believes even a 10,000 head program demonstrates compelling regional economics, with potential for local processing and ingredient development.
The primary constraint is not farmer interest but processing alignment.
“The model stacks up. The challenge is to align the full value chain, dairy companies, processors and corporate meat partners. Once that alignment is in place, the opportunity is significant.”
Ambitious but disciplined
Despite describing the opportunity as one of Australasia’s largest untapped protein categories, Carson remains cautious about scale.
“I am conservative with other people’s capital. Every part of the supply chain needs to be aligned before we accelerate. When that happens, you de risk it for everyone.”
That combination of ambition and discipline resonated with the ADC judging panel, who selected Carson as the 2026 Innovator Award winner.
For Carson, the bigger vision is a trans Tasman movement that proves young dairy beef can be profitable, welfare positive and planet positive.
If realised, it would transform a long-standing welfare and waste challenge into a globally relevant, science backed protein system, positioning dairy not just as a milk producer but as a leader in climate aligned animal protein.