porkjournalMarch/April 2015Volume 37 Issue 2

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VIV Asia showcases complete global feed to meat supply chain

New products and concepts at Victorian Pig Fair 2015

WAPPA Pig Day Out

Increasing precision in feeding lactating sows

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Page 4: New products and concepts presented at the Victorian Pig Fair 2015 Page 9: VIV Asia 2015 showcases complete global feed to meat supply chain.

Page 13: Australian Steelers butcher team powered by pork

Page 14: APL beats record with lots of pork on your fork

Page 16: WAPPA Pig Day Out

Page 17: Pork Industry Placements ‘tick all the boxes’.

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Colin Fassnidge with reporter Jesse Upson at the PorkFest record breaking attempt in Martin Place in Sydney.

March/April 2015Volume 37 Issue 2

NEW PRODUCTSPage 12: Farrowing pens for the future

Page 18: Increasing precision in feeding lactating sows

Page 21: Genie diagnosis unit allows for rapid detection of on-farm disease.

NEWS

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The Victorian Pig Fair 2015, held on March 14-15, was supported by a good turn-out of both growers and exhibitors in the trade hall.

The fair was officially opened by APL Chairman Enzo Allara AM and it presented an ideal opportunity for new ideas and products to be revealed in the seminar sessions.

‘Fogging to keep bugs down and out – what we’ve learnt’ presented by Dr Bruce Welch (PVS Ltd, NZ) was a good example. He spoke about fogging as a tool to reduce pathogen load and his experiences and observations on five New Zealand farms.

Though not a new idea, the concept of using equipment primarily developed for cooling purposes to deliver an atomized solution of a broad-spectrum disinfectant has merit.

“Fogging using Virkon S or the generic Virasolve at between 1:500 and 1:1000 was applied,” he said.

“The target was to reduce incidence of APP using fixed foggers on 2/3 minutes every 2/3 hours,” Bruce explained.

In summarizing he stated that APP pleurisy incidence didn’t decrease on some farms but overall lesions were less severe and mortality more stable.

“Mechanically ventilated sheds worked better particularly in Summer and there were production advantages with one week faster to slaughter and less aggressive behavior on one farm in particular,” Bruce revealed.

Janine Price from APL gave an environmental update and Ian Kruger presented his paper, ‘Understanding Gas Emissions’.

APL Chairman Enzo Allara, later on March 14, launched the APL Code for On-farm Biogas Production and Use at Piggeries.

This set the scene for a new exhibitor at Bendigo Pig Fair, Simons Green Energy, to present a paper in the following day’s ‘Industry partnership’ seminar explaining the various ways that the pig industry could reduce emissions and use waste to generate energy.

Jake Thodey, Principal Engineer at Simons Green Energy, explained the technology involved and revealed

New products and concepts presented at the Victorian Pig Fair 2015 in Bendigo

1. APL Chairman Enzo Allara opened the Victorian Pig Fair. 2. Dr Neil Gannon on the Biomin stand. 3. Dr Avril Grieve from Elanco introduced a new product, Hemicell. 4. Jake Thodey, Principal Engineer, Simons Green Energy.

case studies of schemes completed on farms in the UK where poultry waste was being used to power farms, heat sheds and then selling a surplus to the national electricity grid.

Speaking on April 14, Dr Neil Gannon in his paper, ‘A Practical Approach to Mycotoxin Risk Management’, revealed that Biomin Mycofix Secure and Mycofix Plus had not only achieved registration in the EU but also with the APVMA in Australia.

“Biomin is the first and only company with an EU authorisation of two products in the group of feed additives,” he said.

Dr Avril Grieve from Elanco next introduced a new product called Hemicell described by Elanco as ‘The Immunity Enzyme’.

Avril, whose PhD studies involved the anti-nutritive properties of sorghum, has just the background to understand and promote the advantages of Hemicell to intensive livestock industries.

“Common feed ingredients contain a variety of anti-nutritive factors such as non starch polysaccharides (Phytin) and protease inhibitors.

“Though most of these anti-nutritive elements can be eliminated through processing, Beta-galactomannans are an exception. They are heat tolerant and therefore not eliminated through normal processing thus remaining as an anti-

nutritive dietary component,” Avril said.“These anti-nutritive factors can

appear falsely in the immune system as pathogens which promotes an innate response to B-Mannans which is a wasteful and unnecessary response which initiates a protective action – the w

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feed induced immune response (FIIR).“FIIR diverts energy from growth

and performance,” Avril warned.“This diversion can be costed

at around $0.040 a pig in typical production systems.

“Hemicell breaks down B-Galactomannans thus preventing this vicious cycle being initiated and therefore saving producers from economic loss due to FIIR,” Avril concluded.

Jim Walsh, sponsored by MSD, spoke on the topic of ‘Vaccination and vaccination technique’.

He warned about the dangers of poor refrigeration and storage and outlined correct vaccination processes.

“Having a plan that could effectively be completed was vital,” he said.

Amongst the exhibitors and speakers the record for distance travelled had to go to John Kongsgaard, Export Manager for Danish based manufacturer of farrowing pens for loose sows, Jyden.

“More than 6.5 million piglets are born globally in Jyden pens,” he said.

An example of the Jyden pens was on display in the exhibition hall and it attracted much interest.

Laurie Brosnan from Bettapork, Biloela Queensland, described his family farm’s conversion to a Jyden based system in new sheds recently completed.

Most of the shed construction was undertaken by Spanlift. Spanlift’s Jon Cox and Joe Grace were first timers in the exhibition hall this year.

Other leaders in the move to alternative sow housing and management is Feedworks with its Nedap electronic sow feeding system.

Doug Pearson was on hand to explain a new development from Nedap – a compact automated feeder designed to increase lactating sow intakes.

Jeremy Skuse from The Animal Welfare Science Centre, Melbourne University, spoke on the topic of ‘A model of human-animal interactions in livestock industries’.

He also announced the re-introduction of the Pro Hand system based on updated and user-friendlier advances generated by improved computer software.

Dr Chris Richards from Chris Richards and Associates spoke on the US based Pork Avenue Training system, which is delivering benefits to both productivity and pig welfare through the better understanding of worker training techniques and outcomes.

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1. LtoR: APL’s Pigs in School Resources, Ashley Norval; Heather Channon, Pork Integrity Supply Chain; Janine Price from APL gave an environmental update; Robyn Terry, APL’s Manager Innovations. 2. Editor Pete Bedwell on the Spanlift stand. 3. Dr Roger Campbell, CEO of Pork CRC. 4. Dr Bruce Welsh, PVS Ltd, NZ. 5. The Bridget Dunn Travel Award was presented to Marilyn Fernandez, Kiowa by John Bourke, President of the VFF. 6. Ian Kruger, presented his paper on ‘Under-standing Gas Emmissions’. 7. Steve Blain, Territory Stock Feed Manager and Matt Tull from Rivalea.

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Adrian Carr from Country Vet Wholesaling described an interesting product, Permazyme Soil Stabiliser that presented opportunities for growers to turn muddy and broken areas around the farm into permanent hard surfaces.

“Perma –Zyme Ag is an enzyme derived from the fermentation of feed grains and molasses that is completely organic and non toxic to humans or animals,” he said.

“It works by acting as a catalyst to bind fine clay particles that creates a solid shale/slate type of material.”

One new product that was launched at the fair was Sow Buddy from BEC. It is designed to supplement nutritional requirements of sows during late gestation and early lactation stages. It is a special formulation of unique raw materials that have synergistic effects in supporting sow health and help to counteract problems in farrowing sows.

These ingredients assist in maintaining microbial balance in the gut (prebiotic and probiotic), reduce instances of constipation, reduce farrowing duration, maintain normal gut activity (fermentable and non-fermentable fibre) and assist in glucose metabolism during late gestation.

Lienert’s pig expert Dr Jorge Pena introduced the Alltech/Lienert Blue print nutrition program. He described the fundamentals of nutrition and nutrigenomics and six key elements that make up the ‘Blue print’ nutrition program.

“Blueprint on-farm is supported by a five step process including farm analysis, nutritional assessment, a calculation of return, on-farm support tools and a Blueprint feed recommendation,” Jorge said.

Christine Clark, Auspac Sales Manager and co-event organiser, performed the introductions with the assistance of Dr Neil Gannon (Biomin) and a lot of information was delivered in a short time.

The seminars on both days were well attended and all very relevant to grower needs and production concerns.

No Victorian Pig Fair is complete without some serious cooking – and for the 2015 event there were two examples. A PorkFest Pulled Pork Cook-off, sponsored by Feedworks, followed by APL’s ‘Pork Pig Out’ which served up a selection of succulent Australin pork products.

The organisers of the Victorian Pig Fair, (all volunteers) do a great job, and the 2015 event maintained the standards and enthusiasm of both organisers and participants that is a hallmark of the event.

1. Ross Ord gave an update on ‘Business Skills Analysis of Pork Industry’. 2. Jeremy Skuse from the Animal Welfare Science Centre, Melbourne. 3. Attila Honfi from Nutreco. 4. David Nicol from BEC. 5. Jim Walsh sponsored by MSD. 6. John Kongsgaard, Export Manager for Danish based Jyden. 7. Julie and Mike Andersen from Mundigo. 8. Dr Dave Cadogan from Feedworks with the Nedap compact automated feeder.

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NEWSv

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VIV Asia 2015 showcases complete global feed to meat supply chainThe VIV Asia livestock exhibition and conference event was held once again at Bitec Bangkok, Thailand from March 11-13 this year.

The simple concept of VIV Asia is to showcase the complete global feed to meat supply chain.

“Consumer attitude and behaviour towards food is rapidly changing on a world wide scale,” the organisers of VIV stated.

“Today there is a strong focus on health issues, including healthier food.

“The demand for convenience food products, in smaller ‘ready to eat’ portions is on the rise,” said Ruwald Berculo, VIV Asia’s Project Manager.

“Consequently the importance of delivering fresh and safe meat products with an extended shelf life is increasing.

“Packaging is becoming more important in the selling process: fresh foods should be conveniently packaged and easy to store,” he said.

In the 10 years or so since Poultry Digest has been attending this event it has changed from a primarily Thai farmer driven event with international interests to a major global business to business focused event with a distinctly Thai flavour.

Initially focused on poultry and pork production, VIV Asia now includes dairy, aquaculture and whole of protein production from feed to meat.

Now, not only is it a truly international event but major agri producing countries take blocks of stands in the exhibition halls. This year it was the turn of Holland whose dominance in intensive livestock technology for a comparatively small nation was on display both in the trade halls and lecture theatres.

The country had its own pavilion, as did the USA at the 2015 event.

Many companies take advantage of the VIV Asia week to hold their own seminars both on and off site.

Poultry Digest attended events organized by US-based Animal Science Products, Alltech, Nutreco and recruitment organization AgJobs Asia.

Once again the number of exhibitors increased again in 2015; 863 participants filled the seven main exhibition areas.

Poultry still dominates but aquaculture, dairy and this year biogas and waste recycling are growing in importance as the Asian food market becomes more broadly based and

sophisticated in response to growing consumer demand for safe and affordable protein.

Other innovations that were welcome were the extentsion of hours that the exhibition halls were open until 8.00 p.m.

Given the sheer numbers of business attendees – at least 25,000 – just getting around the stands can be a challenge with so much to see and do.

The Exhibitors’ attitude to the extended hours was very positive.

For some time there has been an initiative by the organizers of VIV Asia, called ‘Meet the Press’.

Over the years this has been refined from a separate event that precedes the actual event to an integral part of the 3-day exhibition and conference.

‘Meet the Press’ this year was held on March 9 at the Bitec venue and 28 companies had a three minute window to tell the press who they were and what they did.

Following the presentations, journalists had a few minutes with each company’s representatives to discuss their activities in more detail.

Given the number of exhibitors and the limited time available to explore w

NEWS

LtoR: Ruwan Berculo, Project Manager VIV Asia; Nopparat Maythaveekulchai President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Centre at the Opening Ceremony; H.E. Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand; Ms Sharon Dijksma, Minister of Agriculture Netherlands; Arie Veldhuizen, Agricultural Counsellor for Vietnam and Thailand, Royal Netherlands Embassy.

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NEWS

1. Asian Pig Industry Personality for 2015, Christopher Jackson from the UK with Ruwan Berculo, Project Manager VIV Asia (left) and Nigel Horrocks, MD of Positive Action Publications. 2. Arjan van de Vondervoort, Marketing & Sales Manager from Intracare presenting at Meet The Press. 3. Rick Carter, Technical Services Manager, Kemin and Matt Henry, Australia & New Zealand Country Manager, Kemin. 4. The Danisco Animal Nutrition stand.

all the stands, ‘Meet the Press’ is a valuable tool to help journalists zero in on new and innovative products that will appeal to their readership base.

Journalists from 42 news and media organisations including Primary Media participated in the exercise.

Poultry Digest formed at least half a dozen useful contacts with companies whose products would have appeal in the Australasian market.

The opening ceremony on the morning of March 11, maintained the tradition of formality with keynote speakers and dignitaries from government.

For 2015 however, the formality was mixed with entertainment as talented young Thai musicians performed for guests at the official opening.

The presentation of the Personality Awards VIV Asia, an initiative of UK based Positive Action Publications and VIV Worldwide, included the 2015 Asian Pig Industry Personality.

The awards were presented by Ruwan Berculo from VIV Asia and Nigel Horrox, Positive Action Publications for significant contributions to the feed and livestock industries.

The Asian Pig Industry Personality award for 2015 went to Christopher Jackson from the UK.

Mr Jackson has been a pig breeder for many years and member of The British Pig Association.

Mr Jackson won the award for his contribution in building cooperation in pig production between Asia and the United Kingdom.

Chinese influence at VIV Asia remains high, there was a little less emphasis on equipment at the 2015 event but more stands representing companies selling feed additives and animal health products most of which would struggle entering Australia due to regulatory compliance.

VIV Asia consistently delivers a treasure trove of new products and innovation for the Australian industry.

For those who take the trouble to visit the event the rewards are plenty and then there is Bangkok’s vibrant nightlife and the opportunity to socialise and enjoy the bustle of an Asian mega city.

Not appreciated on this trip was an exchange rate (24 Baht to A$) that made many a diner gasp when the bill arrived.

The venue at Bitec is great as is the Skytrain that gets you there from the Bangkok CBD and hotel belt.

We noticed that overnight the construction workers building the new high rise multi story car park had added

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a complete extra floor level overnight!Australia talks endlessly about

infrastructure development whereas Thailand just gets on with it hurling real estate into the sky at a rate that shames our pedestrian progress.

VIV Asia 2015 was a great event and increases its depth and capabilities event by event – if you didn’t make the 2015 start planning for 2017.

A tip – get there a couple of days before and maybe stay a couple of days after the close of the event. You will meet a lot of people that you need more time with than can be managed in the frenetic exhibition halls.

Apart from the business aspect Pork Journal enjoyed the company of friends from both Australia and overseas.

Due to lack of space and the large number of events and trade show displays we would like to bring you, Primary Media has produced a 16 page special VIV Asia magazine which is available to view or download on our website.

Go to www.primarymedia.com.au/latestissues.

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1. LtoR: Dr Neil Gannon, Ursula Hofstetter, Dr Hannes Binder and Mark Olley on the Biomin stand. 2. The Virkon S stand. 3. The PIC stand. 4. The Roxell stand. 5. LtoR: Darryl Meany, National Sales Manager at Zoetis, Alex Turney, Managing Director-Australia at Lallemand Animal Nutrition. 6. The Rotem stand. 7. The Kemin stand. 8. The Evonik stand. 9. The Hamlet Protein stand. 10. The Skiold stand.

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NEW PRODUCTSFarrowing pens for the futureMany years of professional experience together with increasing consumer demands are important mile stones for modern pig production.

A common issue among pig producers is that it has been difficult to combine loose housing systems and more animal welfare to harmonise with being competitive and able to maintain a high level of pig production.

For most pig producers, the farrowing pens for loose nursing sows are obviously linked to an increased investment, and the main concern is probably the risk of increased piglet mortality. At the same time, animal welfare is an important topic which the farrowing pens for loose nursing sows will fulfill.

Scandinavian experience is trend-setting

To facilitate animal welfare and the focus of piglet mortality, Denmark and the Nordic countries have been moving forward in the process of creating farrowing pens that will take these factors into account.

Turning the eyes of the Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden, the legislation has required that the sows are loose in the farrowing units, meaning that this kind of pig production has been established for decades – and with success. All though there are many different models of farrowing pens, the loose farrowing system has been integrated in the

pig production as a well-functioning housing system.

In Denmark, The Danish Pig Research Centre (board member of Danish Agriculture and Food Council, Pig Production) is in charge of research and development tasks related to the live pig and of communicating knowledge obtained through these activities. Among these activities is production systems and environmental technology focusing on effort areas such as animal welfare, animal health and food safety. In 2014, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council dedicated and prioritised an effort area of several millions DKK for establishment of farrowing pens for loose sows.

The support for this type of housing systems has resulted in research and development of farrowing pens for loose nursing sows. In Denmark the Danish Pig Research Centre and several suppliers and relevant organisations have identified the natural behavior and the needs of the sow and piglets to examine the pen design that would meet the needs of sow and piglets and at the same time fulfill the needs of great usability for the staff.

Danish investment improves loose farrowing housing

The Danish company, Jyden, which specialises in development and production of animal housing systems, has dedicated a huge amount of know-how and resources in developing

farrowing pens for loose, nursing sows. “We feel a certain responsibility

to pig production in general – and that’s why we want to be in front of development for optimal production systems that can meet both legal and consumer requirements,” said Jesper Bech, Sales Director of Jyden.

“From our point of view, it requires that we are proactive and contribute with our experience, expertise and know-how. It is not without reason that we have supplied the largest number of farrowing pens for loose sows.”

One of the key factors of Jyden’s farrowing pens is that the pens are designed with the fact that the sow is loose while nursing. The pen design then makes it possible to protect the piglets the first, critical days right after farrowing (where the piglet mortality is greatest).

To Jyden it is primarily essential that the design is focused on a farrowing pen (for loose sows) with the possibility to use the integrated protection wings – and not just to open a traditional farrowing crate. With these thoughts in mind, it will be possible to achieve production results in line with traditional farrowing pens.

Jyden has not only one but more solutions for farrowing pens for loose sows, depending on the different needs. At the time being the most popular farrowing pens are the JLF10 (without protection wing), the JLF10 SWAP (with protection wing including base plate), the AP LF14 (square pen with protection wings including base plates) and the JLF14 (with protection wings without base plates).

At the Victorian Pig Fair on April 14-15th 2015, Jyden showed the JLF10 SWAP for the audience.

Worldwide interest Jyden has designed the pens

by leading Danish principles and according to Jyden, it will provide good opportunities on the international market as well.

“Danish pig producers are known and taking serious for their quality in pig production – and Denmark is a good model to many other pig producers worldwide. For that reason, we experience a huge interest in our housing systems for loose sows which have given us a more attention on the markets abroad,” said John Kongsgaard, Export Manager of Jyden.

“We have supplied large export orders worldwide, i.e. to England and Australia where there is a great consumer demand for pork that is produced with animal welfare in mind.”

Jydon has several examples of solutions for farrowing pens for loose sows, depending on different needs.

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NEWSAustralian Steelers butcher team powered by porkAustralia’s top butchers will be powered by pork when they head to the TriNations international butchery competition this September.

Australian Pork Limited will be the major sponsor of The Australian Steelers when they take on New Zealand and Britain in Auckland.

The Tri-Nations butchery competition pitches teams of six butchers against each other in a three-hour test of skills, innovation and presentation.

Representing Australia this year will be:• Michael James, Carina North Quality Meats, Queensland• Matthew Papandrea, Joe Papandrea Quality Meats, Bossley Park, NSW• Adam Stratton, Tender Gourmet Butchery, NSW• Ben Barrow, head butchery teacher

South Western Sydney Institute, NSW• Tom Bouchier, Peter Bouchier Butchers of Distinction, Victoria, and• Paul Brady, Tender Gourmet Butchery, NSW

Michael James will captain the team for the third year, after representing Australia for four years.

“We have a great team and we’ve been working hard to develop our skills and products every year,” Mr James said.

“It can be challenging to source the right ingredients when we compete overseas and the time pressure is always a factor but we spend a lot time training to ensure we’ve done all the preparation possible.

“This is our chance to showcase how skilled Australian butchers are and the diversity of skills required in this field.

“We’re hoping this year the Australian Steelers will blunt the run of the Sharp Blacks.”

Australian Pork Limited Marketing Manager, Peter Haydon, said for the first time pork would be used in the competition.

“Pork is one the most-widely consumed meats in the world so we’re pleased these world-class butchers will be showcasing its diversity this year,” he said.

“We’re pleased to sponsor the Australian Steelers because these butchers are leaders in their field and we know they love Australian pork. We’re looking forward to seeing the products they create and getting some pork on their customers’ forks!”

The Australian Steelers will head to Auckland in New Zealand on September 5 and compete for the TriNations title on September 10.

The Kiwi team, the Sharp Blacks, are not only hosting the 2015 competition, but also defending their back-to-back titles. The British team are expected to step up their skills after losing at home in 2014.

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NEWS

APL beats the record with lots of pork on your fork

Rabobank: Vast supply lowers pork prices

By JESSIE UPSONOn Tuesday morning on April 14, Australian Pork Limited (APL) broke the Guinness World Record for the largest serving of pulled pork as part of the Australian Festival of Pork, better known as PorkFest, in Martin place in Sydney.

The previous record to beat was 500kg and it took more than 20 volunteers who started working from 3 a.m. pulling apart the slow cooked pork shoulder which had been cooked for 10 hours, to achieve a new record of 707kg.

This was confirmed by Guiness World Record official adjudicator Kimberley Dennis.

“This Guinness World Records attempt celebrates the quality of Australian pork, shows that cooking pork is great fun and it was a great chance to share that with the people of Sydney,” APL Marketing Manager Mitch Edwards said.

Colin Fassnidge is this year’s ambassador for PorkFest.

“A lot of hard work has gone into this morning’s event, that’s for sure,” Colin said.

The pork shoulder was provided by producer Matt Simmons from Melanda Park Free Range Pork, Richmond NSW.

Gold coin donations were taken and either went to Beyond Blue, Breast Cancer Foundation or the Starlight Children’s Foundation, based on the customer’s choice. All the left over pork was donated to Ozharvest.

Above: Mitch Edwards, Marketing Manager from APL. Left: Jessie Upson and Colin Fassnidge with a pulled pork and cabbage roll. Below: Lunch time crowds lining up in Martin Place to get their pulled pork burgers.

According to the latest Rabobank Pork Quarterly report, the global pork industry has been searching for stability during Q1 2015, with strong supply growth and relatively weak demand driving the market.

Pork prices are sharply lower, as robust global supply growth (driven by the US, Russia and Brazil) has outpaced rather subdued demand, dragging producer profitability into negative territory, according to the Pork Quarterly Q2 2015.

Rabobank animal protein analyst

Albert Vernooij said: “The increasing competition in the global export market will result in continuous price and margin pressure in most countries around the globe.

“Therefore, after the buoyant-at least price-wise-last couple of years, the global pork industry is slowly moving towards the bottom of the cycle.”

The outlook for global and regional markets:• In the US, as supply recovers after PEDv, the question is as to what

degree recovery will be coupled with the strengthening US dollar and lower prices.• In the EU, prices will follow seasonal developments, but will remain lower than the historical average and below break-even level.• With the industry slowly improving, prices bottomed out in China during March.• Brazilian prospects remain positive, but less buoyant than in Q1, driven by pressured domestic consumption and difficult Russian export negotiations.

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PrimegroAd:PrimegroAd 18/02/14 1:51 PM Page 1

NEWSNutrifoss announced as Vitfoss Australian DistributorGlobal vitamin and mineral premix manufacturer, Vitfoss has appointed Nutrifoss as their Australian distributor.

The announcement means Australian producers will be able to access a range of livestock premixes that are already available to European producers including Stalosan F, X-Zelit and Active NS.

Nutrifoss Director, Steve Howland advised the Vitfoss range would enhance the ability of Australian producers to deliver better animal health management outcomes and improve profitability.

Steve said, “The Vitfoss brand is recognised internationally as providing premium, safe and innovative livestock health management solutions which add value and provide a solid return on investment.

“Producers are under increasing pressure to provide healthier, chemical free living conditions for their animals and yet at the same time, are seeking to improve production and profitability to stay viable.

“Our aim for introducing the Vitfoss range to Australia is to provide products that tick all the boxes in animal welfare, safety, clean and natural, affordable and environmentally superior.

“We also recognise that healthy stock equals healthy profits so we are keen to work collaboratively with producers to see our products used to their maximum advantage.”

Nutrifoss anticipates that the Vitfoss range, particularly the flagship product, Stalosan F, will prove particularly popular across the country, replicating the brand’s success overseas within the poultry, pig and dairy industries.

“Stalosan F binds moisture and ammonia and has proven efficacy against resistant microbial strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi parasites making it ideal for use within sheds, animal housing and calving areas.”

“For Australian producers that means cleaner housing areas, less risk of infection and disease and better outcomes in farrowing sheds, calving sheds and poultry houses.”

Nutrifoss has a range of products and equipment already available in Australia. To find out more regarding the products or to locate a distributor, visit www.nutrifoss.com.au.

16

NEWSWAPPA Pig Day Out

Research and development underpinning modern pork production systems was highlighted at the 2015 Pig Day Out, co-hosted by West Australian Pork Producers’ Association (WAPPA) and Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) on Friday, April 17 at Technology Park.

With demand for free range pork on the rise and around 20% of the state’s pig kill now sourced from free range enterprises, Dr Megan Trezona of DAFWA addressed the issue of the impact outdoor production was having on product quality.

Complementing her address, which touched on feed and feed conversion ratios, DAFWA colleague and PhD candidate Karen Moore, detailed her work on the dietary needs and feeding strategies for finisher pigs, before also presenting her Pork CRC supported research into the impact on body composition and eating quality after pigs have received the second dose of Improvac.

Dr Cam Jose of Murdoch University discussed how predicting ultimate muscle pH can help measure subsequent eating quality and Dr Jae Kim of DAFWA demonstrated that feeding Vitamin E to finishers could help deliver a premium pork product.

With the morning R&D session concluded, WA Liberal Senator and former veterinarian, Chris Back, explained that his proposed private members’ anti-trespass bill, if and when passed, would make a positive contribution to animal welfare.

James Battams and Janine Price, both of Australian Pork Limited, told Pig Day Out attendees, including many producers, that correctly registering pig movements and appropriately dealing with environmental applications, while sometimes burdensome, were necessary to address community and biosecurity concerns.

Ms Price’s environmental presentation was complemented by one from consultant Ian Kruger, who explained how using the greenhouse gas calculator, PigGas, could help producers understand and manage their farm’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“Using the Pig Gas Calculator to identify emission intensity levels,

efficiencies in production and appropriate waste management systems can only aid Australian pig farmers in becoming more environmentally friendly and efficient,” Mr Kruger said.

Dr Trish Fleming of Murdoch University discussed her research at a Great Southern outdoor piggery into the predatory impact of foxes, especially on piglets. She indicated that some sows seemed to be more protective of their litters than others.

The final presentation was an entertaining one from Portec veterinarian Kim Nairn.

Aside from discussing the unpleasant subject of abattoir condemnations, Dr Nairn was most uplifting when commending producers and their staff for the initiatives they showed in and around their piggeries, subsequently announcing a substantial cash prize for the forthcoming ‘Portec Producer Ingenuity Awards’.

At the conclusion of the event and while addressing a brief WAPPA General Meeting, also held on the same day and at the same venue, Technology Park,

WAPPA President, Richard Evison, commended WA’s producers on how well they collaborated with researchers and research institutions.

“Producer adoption rate of innovative technologies, especially those that directly improve bottom lines, reflects the quality of the research that, in many cases, the producers are co-funding and this sustains WA’s industry,” Mr Evison said.

WA’s pork industry employs an estimated 1700 full and part-time workers and an estimated $50 million has been invested in housing and production systems during the past five years to meet new guidelines for sow housing and production efficiency.

Jan Cooper, WAPPA’s new Executive Officer, encouraged members at the General Meeting to engage with her in shaping WAPPA’s direction.

WAPPA’s Executive Committee comprises Graeme Dent of Cuballing, Dawson Bradford (Vice President) of Popanyinning, Torben Soerensen (Treasurer) of GD Pork, Dean Romaniello of Craig Mostyn Group and Richard Evison (President) of Westpork.

Top: York pork producers Jan and Els Testerink caught up with WAPPA President Richard Evison of Westpork. Above right: WAPPA Executive Officer, Jan Cooper and President, Richard Evison of Westpork. Above left: Boyup Brook pork producer Peter Bradford chatted with Dr Trish Fleming of Murdoch University after her presentation at WAPPA’s 2015 Pig Day Out.

By BRENDON CANT, Brendon Cant & Associates, Inglewood WA

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Naturally ahead

NEWS

Australian Pork Limited’s Undergraduate Industry Placement Award opportunity has again ‘ticked all the boxes’, with five Adelaide University students applying for industry placements in 2015.

These awards are made available to students enrolled in a relevant study program to undertake a period of work experience on a piggery, or within a service company operating within the pork industry, such as feed manufacturers and pig veterinarians.

Within South Australia, the program is supported by the SA Pig Industry Advisory Group (PIAG) and managed by pig industry consultant Graeme Pope, Nuriootpa.

With this support, students are assisted with locating a suitable placement farm, completing their Placement Award application and are introduced to their host farm’s owners and staff prior to commencement of their placement.

Students with limited piggery experience prior to their placement commencing are also encouraged to take part in a ‘tour’ of the University’s Roseworthy Campus piggery, conducted by Graeme Pope to familiarise them with the range of work routines likely to be encountered during their placement period on a commercial piggery.

Four Adelaide University Animal Science students and one enrolled in Agricultural Science have applied for industry placements in 2015.

Animal Science student Rudi McEwin already had extensive sheep and cattle handling experience but was interested in expanding her intensive livestock skills. She completed her placement at a 600-sow farm at Tintinara in January.

“I found the Placement Program an enlightening and fantastic experience that I would encourage any livestock inclined agricultural student to undertake,’’ Rudi said on completion of her Placement.

“I was surprised to find that many of the skills I have developed for sheep and cattle management were immediately transferrable to pig management.

“This industry placement really combined information previously learnt in lectures with practical application and showed me that pigs are just as

rewarding to work with as sheep and cattle,” she said.

Agricultural Science student Holly Crighton has a personal interest in animal breeding and genetics, and so her placement was organised on a 500-sow farm using PigBLUP to identify its superior purebred boars.

“This placement has been a rewarding experience,” she said.

“Working with the pigs and gaining a hands-on experience has been far more valuable than learning about the pork industry in a lecture theatre,” Holly reported.

“Being able to witness first hand, from the genetic selection process to the bustling farrowing shed and on to the trucks, was so exciting. I highly recommend this program to anyone, even if pigs aren’t on their radar.

“The smell wasn’t too bad and I especially enjoyed helping with the mating and performing artificial insemination on the sows,” she said.

Three other Animal Science students interested in both conventional and outdoor pig production have applied for their UIPA’s to be completed interstate during September.

APL’s UIPA opportunity has been

taken up annually by a number of Adelaide University undergraduate students now for over 12 years, with over 60 % of those either re-enrolling in post-graduate studies focused on pig science, or seeking careers in the pork industry following their graduation.

As an example, in 2014 Agricultural Science student Hin Yam Lam completed her UIPA at the Roseworthy Campus piggery, graduated in November and commenced working at TOP Multiplier in February, farrowing 930 sows!

With the support of APL and the SA Pig Industry Advisory Group, the UIPA program can often be the single catalyst required to convince young graduates to seek production or research careers within the Australian pork industry.

For further information, contact Ashley Norval at APL, 02 6285 2200.

Pork Industry Placements ‘tick all the boxes!’

Agricultural Science student Holly Crighton on industry placement.

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PRODUCT FEATUREIncreasing precision in feeding lactating sows

The main objectives to be achieved in any farrowing house should be to assist sows to deliver the maximum number of live born piglets, to maintain sow body condition during lactation and to maximise the number and weight of piglets weaned.

The success, or otherwise, in achieving these targets will depend on the suitability of the feeding program imposed on each individual sow. The importance of daily feed intakes for sows can only increase in future as geneticists and breeding managers push to further improve litter size born.

Factors affecting an individual sow’s daily feed intake during lactation include her body condition and weight, parity and health, milk yield and composition, water intake, diet composition and feeding frequency, litter creep feed intake and environmental conditions within the farrowing house (especially temperature).

Traditionally, most farms have manually fed their sows from the time they enter farrowing accommodation through until they are offered feed ad-libitum sometime towards the end of the first week post-farrowing, by following a one-size-fits-all feeding curve.

Overfeeding sows in early lactation has been seen as likely to cause udder congestion, reduced milk production, piglet scours, sow constipation and sows ‘going off-feed’ in mid-lactation.

Every sow herd is made up of individuals, each with individual nutrient needs (particularly for protein and energy) which are unlikely to be met by a ‘standard’ feeding curve designed for the herd as a whole.

In addition, sow milk yield peaks between weeks two and three post-farrowing. Therefore, it is important farm staff are able to assess each sow’s requirements for maintenance and growth, milk production and bodyweight recovery during lactation, in order to achieve their rapid re-breeding and subsequent litter size and farrowing rate targets.

Failing to meet the sow’s nutrient requirements during any week of lactation can reduce subsequent fertility. Due to an inherent drive to

achieve target body mass through the mobilisation of body fat to sustain lean tissue deposition, the reproductive output of first parity sows is more likely to be impaired by inadequate nutrient intake than older parities.

One way to assist individual sows to achieve their required feed intakes through lactation is to automate and then monitor their daily feed delivery, similar to group-housed sows being fed through electronic sow feeding systems (ESF’s).

Nikki van Ruiten, an Animal Science graduate from the University of Adelaide, is about to conduct an honours project within the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences under the supervision of Dr William van Wettere. Nikki’s research project is aimed at demonstrating the impact increased feeding frequency can have upon both daily and total sow feed intakes during lactation, sow weight change, litter weaning weight, wean-to-oestrus interval and litter size at next breeding using Jyga Technologies Gestal Solo lactation feeding system.

Each Gestal feed allocation unit mounted above the feeder at each farrowing crate delivers multiple feed drops to each sow at pre-set amounts and time frequencies, following a feeding curve.

The system can be setup as stand-alone units above each sow, each individually monitoring feed drops, or networked to allow staff to interrogate sow intakes across a room or shed from a central data download point elsewhere on the farm.

During Nikki’s Honours project she will be comparing manual ‘feed dumps’ three times/day with Gestal’s smaller and more frequent feed drops set every 15 minutes over an 18-hour feeding cycle, during a three week lactation.

The Gestal equipment is capable of dividing a ‘feeding day’ up into 6-8 different feeding periods, with both the amount of feed/drop and time delay between each feed inputted and controlled by farm staff at each unit, to construct each sow’s ideal feeding curve.

Staff can use the electronic readout

at each unit to see at a glance how closely each sow is meeting her pre-set daily feed intake curve. The time set between feeds, or the number of ‘nudges’ required by the sow to drop her more feed can also be manipulated to prevent sow’s wasting feed.

During Nikki’s trial initially involving 60 sows, she will be measuring sow live weight change during lactation, daily and total feed intakes, subsequent wean-to-oestrus interval and blood plasma progesterone at day #7 post-breeding as an indicator of luteal function.

The Gestal Solo lactation feeding system is distributed within Australia by Vaucluse-APS, South Australia.

“Gestal’s daily monitoring system can show farrowing staff at any time during a sow’s lactation how close she has stuck to the pre-set feeding curve,” said Gabbrielle Brooke, Vaucluse-APS’s business development manager.

“The digital display on each feed dispensing unit will show if a sow has not eaten and needs further investigation, if she is close to achieving her targeted feed intake, is on-track, or requires some adjustment up or down to her daily feed curve,” she said.

By GRAEME POPE, Graeme Pope Consulting, Nuriootpa.

1. The Gestal Solo lactation feeding system. 2. The Gestal feed allocation unit mounted above the farrowing crate. 3. Each unit can be set up to individually monitor each sow. 4. Nikki van Ruiten, Animal Science graduate from the University of Adelaide.

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PRODUCT FEATURE

Feeding times can also be targeted more towards later in the day during hot weather, to allow sows to eat 20-25 percent of their daily feed allocation in the cool of evening. A room of sows fed by the Gestal system soon learn not to associate staff coming into the shed with their feeding, and so they behave more calmly and are less likely to jump up and disturb their litters when staff approach to go about their routine checks,” she added.

Vaucluse-APS see major benefits in installing the Gestal sow feeding system to improve feeding efficiencies by being less dependent on farm staff being able to closely monitor and adjust the daily feed intakes of individual sows.

“We’ve gone from hand feeding to automatic feeding so that we can more precisely feed each sow according to her body condition and daily energy

needs, Gabbrielle said. The effects of doing so are increased farrowing rate, number of piglets born alive, weaning weight, decreased weaning-to-oestrus interval, improved sow longevity and lower gestation feed costs, since sows are holding body condition during lactation.

“The Gestal Solo allows a farm to

gain these benefits by offering feed to a sow as she requires it, using an individual feeding schedule designed to work for an individual animal”, she said.

For more information regarding the Gestal Solo research trial at Roseworthy Campus, contact Vaucluse-APS on (08) 8380 5672 or Dr Wil van Wettere on (08) 85 212 888.

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NEWS

Are the ‘Five Freedoms’ still relevant?

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One of the outcomes of the initial efforts by the UK Government to implement stronger farm animal welfare standards in 1965, was the development of a set of principles that it was considered should form the basis of any farm animal welfare policy.

These principles were what have now become known as the ‘Five Freedoms’, and almost any animal welfare organisation and indeed many businesses involved in livestock production or processing express their support for these principles. Current examples include McDonalds, Nestle, and the RSPCA. The five freedoms can be summarised as follows:• freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition• freedom from discomfort• freedom from pain, injury and disease• freedom to display most normal patterns of behaviour• freedom from fear and distress.

Whatever a person’s beliefs are regarding the way that farm animals should be treated, it seems hard to disagree with these principles. But with the development of vastly improved scientific understanding of animal welfare and behaviour over the past forty years, the Five Freedoms are becoming increasingly outdated, especially when it comes to making decisions about what might enhance farm animal welfare.

When the Five Freedoms were first detailed, the publication of the book ‘Animal machines’, which described the

industrialisation of livestock production, triggered a community uproar as it detailed the way pigs and layer hens were housed in modern farms in the UK. Most readers had not realised that farming had greatly changed in the previous 50 years. They still imagined farms with a handful of hens roaming around and two or three pigs playing in the mud in the back paddock.

Suddenly they were seeing pigs kept in cages, similar to ones used in jails, and hens housed in multi-storey cages.

Fifty years ago, doctors and biologists were just starting to understand the ‘stress response’ of both humans and animals, which results in the release of hormones such as cortisol into the bloodstream. Specialists in animal behaviour were starting to observe, understand and correlate the relationship between animal housing conditions, animal stress and animal health.

Many experts jumped into this new field of research, and a range of different approaches were developed to consider the welfare of farm animals. The included the so called ‘natural approach’ based on what the animal would experience in its natural environment, the ‘biological approach’ (focused on organ functioning and biochemical responses) and the ‘affective approach’(focused on animal behaviour and choices).

Since that time, a lot has changed. The ‘natural approach’ has gradually died out as a scientific method, as none of the research has been able to show that farm animals living in pre-modern conditions were coping better with their environment than animal living on modern farms. The two other approaches are now largely been consolidated into a consolidated approach, none of them have confirmed that the five freedoms were relevant principles to understand and measure farm animal welfare.

For example, an animal has to be able to experience some degree of stress or hunger in order to trigger it to seek food and comfort. A pig kept outdoors in a large enclosure with other pigs will certainly experience some stress (for example when the weather gets cold) and a certain level of hunger (for example if dominant animals monopolise access to food). What matters the most for the welfare of the pig is its capacity to access shelter and food in a reasonable time, not to be completely free from these experiences.

It’s also often said that pigs kept in pens, such as is the case for pregnant sows, display disruptive behaviour like biting the bars and lack the ability to socialise. This certainly seems contrary to the ‘freedom to display normal patterns of behaviour” principle. But scientific research also shows that at the beginning of pregnancy, hormonal changes in the sow lead it to display aggressive behaviour and, if housed in a group with other pregnant sows, can lead to fights for food and aggressive behaviour that disrupts the health and welfare of the other pigs.

The Five Freedoms are no help when it comes to making decisions about the best management of pigs in this situation, or which of the five freedoms should have priority. Instead, animal welfare science now makes it possible to objectively understand and monitor whether farm animals are coping well with their environment. It is even possible to design optimal solutions that address both animal welfare and production needs.

These issues have been the subject of a major research project, recently completed by researchers at the Australian Farm Institute. If you want to know more about the finding of this research report, book for the forthcoming seminar.

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Genie diagnosis unit allows for rapid detection of on-farm diseaseIn the February/March issue of Primary Media’s other publication, Poultry Digest, we ran a story on an RIRDC funded research program being conducted by Dr Katrin Renz, a researcher based at the University of New England (UNE), the location for the Poultry CRC – one of Australia’s most successful Co-operative Research Centres.

Critical to Dr Renz’s work on the detection of Avian Adenovirus is the portable UK manufactured Optigene Genie III, a compact portable battery powered instrument that can deliver a basic indication of disease presence in around 45 minutes or less.

Go to http://issuu.com/primarymedia/docs/pdfebmarch2015lores/3?e=1 for our electronic version of that publication containing the article on the specific research and a scientific paper delivered by Dr Renz at the Australian Poultry Science Symposium February 2015 at Sydney University, Camperdown Campus, on that subject.

So what does this have to do with the pig industry?Identifying disease on-farm in its early stages for any

commercial livestock industry is a vital advantage for consumer safety, preservation of reputation and profitability, as well as providing improved animal welfare.

If it’s important to the Australian poultry industry, it’s just as vital for our pork industry where exports depend, in no small measure, on our clean, green and safe food reputation.

Further, we face the challenge of imported pig meat that is used in processed pork product. Any source of contamination or disease needs to be identified quickly to protect Australian growers from problems that may occur in overseas markets.

New technology like the Genie unit won’t necessarily give an exact diagnosis on a specific strain of any critical disease or contaminant but it will assist vets and scientifically trained staff

to swiftly act and instigate procedures to protect consumers, the food supply chain and livestock.

The Genie II and Genie III units are sold in Australia through Adelaide based GeneWorks.

Sean McDonald is GeneWorks Product Manager for OptiGene products.

“The OptiGene Genie III offers great savings over other currently available technology designed to achieve the same ends,” Sean said.

“Cost depends on the specification but typically is around the $20k mark per unit.

“We are considering leasing plans for clients who want to test the unit for themselves and logically depend on the length of time requested by a client,” Sean concluded.

Dr Katrin Renz with the Optigene Genie III.

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NEWS

porkjournalServing the pork industry in Australia and New Zealand

Don’t miss out on a single issue of porkjournalFill out the coupon and send it in.To view copies of the magazine on-line go to our website www.primarymedia.com.au and click on latest issues

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Danisco Animal Nutrition presents new research at China Feed ShowDanisco Animal Nutrition, a business subsidiary of DuPont Industrial Biociences, unveiled new research at the 2015 China Feed Expo showing the benefits of using its essential oil product, Enviva EO, in swine.

The research, carried out in conjunction with the China Agricultural University, shows that that Enviva EO – a product containing carefully balanced, high concentration blends of thymol and cinnamaldehyde in nature-identical form – is a superior solution for resolving common production challenges in swine, including: • Improving bodyweight gain in piglets suffering from production stress, with feed intake increasing by up to 19%, resulting in a net profit improvement of $25.96*/tonne and net profit saving of over 19% (which is comparable to savings offered through antibiotic

growth promoter application).• The development of a positive gut microbiota in newly weaned pigs, which results in digestibility benefits and helps to control populations of certain bacteria that may have a negative impact on production. • Supporting food safety through reduced occurrence of diarrhoea and decreased E. coli counts in faeces, which can, in turn, resolve issues with carcass contamination.• Free-flowing, dust and odour free, Enviva EO’s, active components are protected by patented ‘encapsulation’ process making them heat stable up to 85°C , improving production efficiency in poultry and swine production.

The company also exhibited its multi-enzyme solutions which have played a part in achieving healthy, profitable performance since the initial

product versions were launched in the late 1980s.

“Recent research shows the negative impact that undigested nutrients have, not only on the rate at which a bird or pig grows, but also in terms of undesirable shifts in its gut microbiota,” Liza Fan, Regional Industry Leader for China at Danisco Animal Nutrition said.

“This evidence also points to the fact that combinations of feed enzymes, such as xylanase, amylase and protease found in Danisco Animal Nutrition’s carbohydrase and protease portfolio, can address this imbalance, improving digestion and producer profitability.

“Our local research shows that the use of essential oils and other feed additives can increase profitability and reduce the impact of high feed costs.

“Our essential oils offering can also help our customers improve food safety and quality with reduced use of antibiotics.”

For more information, visit the company website http://animalnutrition.dupont.com/

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