Poultry Digest October/November

Poultry Digest

October/November 2013 $6.60

Volume 29, Number 2

Whangaripo Valley free range meets the New Zealand code of welfare

Poultry CRC Ideas Exchange Conference points to the future Zoetis introduces strategic plan for driving growth in Australia

New hatchery for Cobb and Shaver in New Zealand

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Contents

Whangaripo Valley free range egg farm meets the New Zealand layer code of welfare

Udo and Vicki Mulert with Gill Quested (centre) from Whangaripo Valley free range layer farm.

Poultry Digest October/November 2013 Volume 29, Number 2 editorial enquiries: Peter Bedwell or Rosemary embery +6 1 2 4323 0005 or 0419 235 288 Journalist/Photographer: Alex Bedwell 0478 647 690 sales: Peter Bedwell Phone: +61 2 4323 0005 Mob: 0419 235 288 Or Mob: 0409 944 472 website: www.primarymedia.com.au POULTRY DIGesT consists of a bi-monthly management magazine and an annual industry review.

Published by C D supplies Pty Ltd (ACN 091 560 557)

Like Australia there has been much debate in New Zealand over the last few years about what is and isn’t free range and how it should be defined. Poultry Digest reporter Alex Bedwell recently visited the Whangaripo Valley free range egg farm owned by Mathew and Gill Quested and Udo and Vicki von Mulert who decided to start a free range farm becasue of the new Layer Code of Welfare which was introduced in 2012.

20 FEATURE New hatchery for Cobb and Shaver in New Zealand On September 25, Poultry Digest attended the opening of the new Bromley Park Hatchery located 50km south of Auckland at Tuakau. Bromley Park is a privately held New Zealand owned company and the NZ franchise holder for both Cobb and Shaver producing commercial day old Cobb 500 broiler chicks and Shaver Brown layer chicks.

News 4 Poultry CRC Ideas exchange Conference points to the future At the conference, held between september 24 to 26 at the University of New england, it was decided that the essence of the CRC continuing in some form is vital for the future not only of the Australian poultry industry, but also for the benefit of consumers and the overall economy of which agriculture is a key component.

8 RFM facing shareholder resistance to takeover of its Chicken Income Fund The Australian Financial Review of November 11, 2013 revealed further investor disquiet about plans to merge Rural Funds Management’s three funds, its Chicken Income fund (CIF), representing 46% income, almond groves 36% and the wine fund the rest.

Production: Rosemary embery email: primarymedia@bigpond.com

16 wPsA schools’ Poultry education Competition Awards Day

OFFICe ADDRess: 22 George street, east Gosford Nsw 2250 Ph: (02) 4323 0005

The world Poultry science Association, Queensland Branch invited Poultry Digest to attend the schools’ Poultry education Competition Awards and Careers Day on Friday October 18 at the Redlands Research Facility in Brisbane.

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32 Zoetis introduces strategic plan for driving growth in Australia.

Zoetis, a global leader in animal health, has released a six point plan for growth in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region that builds on Australia’s long established and extensive research and development expertise.

NEW PRODUCTS 34 Chlorine Dioxide water sanitation could help in fight to stop spread of AI

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013 3

News Poultry CRC Ideas exchange Conference points to the future

By PETER BEDWELL One of the key topics in both presented papers and informal discussion at this year’s Poultry CRC Ideas Exchange Conference, was ‘What happens after the Poultry CRC Mk II’s remit ends in 2017’.

At the conference, held between September 24 to 26 at the University of New England, it was decided that the essence of the CRC continuing in some form is vital for the future not only of the Australian poultry industry, but also for the benefit of consumers and the overall economy of which agriculture is a key component.

Over the decade or so that the Poultry CRC has been formed and worked through its research programs at its UNE base, a considerable amount of research and solid commercial outcome has been achieved.

With just four years to go until the conclusion of the poultry CRC MkII, output will more likely accelerate than tail off.

This was definitely the buzz at the event, not what’s next? How can more be achieved in the time allocated by CRC parameters.

What is difficult to quantify is the value of ‘collective memory’ already created between academics, post graduates, researchers and the CRC itself.

Once this is dispersed it would be hard to recreate but if it is allowed to continue it can be added to and keep the ‘corporate aim’ of the CRC with its associated ideals alive.

Before we even consider the end of the CRC and what happens it is worth looking at the specific benefits it generates today.

What is raised at conferences as projects one year emerge as mainstream industry practice or problems to be addressed a couple of years later.

The most recent examples of this are Dr Mini Singh and Kate Hartcher’s work on free range poultry that build on the Radio Frequency Identification technology and methodology started by Dr Tugrul Durali.

All these researchers are or were based at the Sydney University, Camden Poultry Research facility and have been deeply involved with free range poultry research, its cost in terms of productivity and now dietary and nutrition issues.

Similarly the work done by Professor

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Steve Walkden-Brown at UNE (working within a poultry CRC Research Program on pathogen loads in chicken litter – its potential for re-use and safe handling) is now a mainstream industry reality as litter re-use becomes more widely practiced.

It is interesting to note at this year’s conference an increasing presence of industry representation, not only at senior management levels but sales and marketing.

This will deliver a valuable insight into the issues those working throughout the industry will face in the coming years.

Government at both state and federal level seem focused right now on cost cutting and in recent weeks the CSIRO has been a victim of cuts as has been the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.

An extended poultry related research organisation could in the future assist in advising government on issues such as poultry welfare and perhaps more importantly, dealing with existing and future disease outbreaks.

So far Australia has avoided highly pathogenic strains of AI but how long will our luck last: though the poultry industry may be low on the government’s current priority list, a major disease event could change that in a flash.

Finally there is the prospect of exports, particularly to Asia for the poultry industry.

At present markets like China are well catered for but that could change as either disease or changes in global supply and demand for poultry shift.

A growing middle class population in our region not only require affordable food, they want safe food – and it’s a fair bet they won’t share the obsession with free range that big retail tells us exists amongst consumers in Australia.

New customers might require different products including breeds more familiar to local pallets. All of this is the sort of challenge an extended CRC could tackle deeper into the 21st Century.

Main themes from CRC’s Ideas Exchange Forum “The Ideas Exchange is the annual gathering where end users, researchers, industry decision-makers and students meet in a semi-formal atmosphere to discuss major challenges faced by the Australian poultry industry, showcase important project outcomes, and identify future opportunities for research and

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

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1. Dr Rob Moore, CSIRO. Dr Mini Singh who looked at the ramifications of pasture feeding chickens.

Dr Vivien Kite, RIRDC, Chicken Meat Program.

News education,” said Professor Mingan Choct, CEO of the Poultry CRC. Message No. 1: Free range production systems continue to expand. Currently in Australia, about 40% of laying hens and 15% of broilers are produced on free range systems.

With the expansion of the free range layer systems, staff need to be re-trained in bird management and husbandry skills; nutritionists need to understand the dietary issues related to potential loss in laying performance; and researchers need to carefully examine the environmental impacts, welfare implications, and ranging behaviours associated with free range layers.

Some of these issues are also applicable to free range broilers. The industry R&D organisations have current research projects for free range poultry.

For instance, a Poultry CRC project is examining the nutritional and welfare aspects of free range poultry production, yielding some exciting results. But a lot more research is needed in order to increase the efficiency of free range poultry production.

Message No. 2: Efficiency, efficiency and efficiency. While on the point of efficiency, industry leaders know they must improve productivity in order to meet the growing demand for poultry products in the face of stricter environmental compliances, more stringent animal welfare requirements, and less availability of quality feed ingredients and litter materials at affordable prices.

Numerous novel research ideas covering welfare, food safety, disease diagnosis, vaccines, environmental management and nutrition were discussed. The Poultry CRC will call for research proposals to target some of these priority areas shortly.

Message No. 3: Education and communication cannot be ignored. Finally, throughout the event, there was a recurring theme in every discussion that science alone will not be able to satisfy the demand for productivity increases in the poultry industry.

On one hand, problems associated with poultry production are becoming more complex and any solution will need to be multifaceted. One of the facets is management and husbandry skills of people who are working on the farm.

Thus, it is absolutely essential to roll out skills training at all levels of the industry.

The Poultry CRC and its partners have started to deliver Certificate III level courses

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throughout Australia but much more needs to be done during the next few years.

Indeed the Poultry CRC is looking at developing more training materials. On the other hand, in this information-overloaded world, it is more important than ever to get the essential, succinct message out.

Thus, just doing the right thing is no longer sufficient and the poultry industry will have to step up its communication effort to ensure that the public and governments understand the importance of poultry’s contribution to the nation’s food basket.

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1. Bede Burke, Tamworth egg grower, President NSW Farmers Federation, Layer Group. 2. Nutrition for the troops as well as the chickens was of interest. 3. Dr David Cadogan, Feedworks. 4. Dr Angus Crossin, AECL R&D Director.

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

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News RFM facing shareholder resistance to takeover of its Chicken Income Fund The Australian Financial Review of November 11, 2013 revealed further investor disquiet about plans to merge Rural Funds Management’s three funds, its Chicken Income fund (CIF), representing 46% income, almond groves 36% and the wine fund the rest.

The article by Duncan Hughes commences with the statement “Feathers will fly this week when RFM attempts to convince investors about the bitterly contested merits of merging its chicken, wine and property funds into a single listed real estate investment trust,” the article revealed.

To add to RFM’s difficulties in achieving its management’s desire to make the transformation, its chicken fund rival ProTen “has been active behind the scenes and is believed to be ready to move if the opportunity arises,” the article adds.

In a spirited rebuttal of both disaffected investor claims and ProTen’s offer, RFM’s Managing Director David Bryant has plenty to say about the matter in a Video clip on the RFM website.

Those interested should take the time to listen to Mr Bryant’s statement: Go to www.ruralfunds.com.au/cif-proten-offer/ Perhaps predictably, there are counter claims coming from within the industry over the ProTen/RFM situation.

ProTen met with RFM management in May this year to suggest a merger strategy but RFM, according to Mr Bryant’s statement, was at that time a 41% bigger entity than ProTen. This statement is difficult to understand as ProTen, which operates 172 sheds with a capacity of 42 million birds, represents 7.5% of the Australian annual chicken meat production.

RFM, the investment manager of CIF, operates 154 sheds in Victoria and NSW and it is also interesting to note that while Proten has built and is continuing to build new state of the art large capacity high efficiency tunnel ventilated sheds (http://issuu.com/primarymedia/docs/pdau gsep2012), many of the RFM managed sheds are quite old.

In the AFR article Mr David Bryant of RFM is reported as stating that, “the newly merged Rural Funds Group should be launched before year’s end.”

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Mr Bryant claims that the merger will boost liquidity, reduce annual costs, improve access to capital markets and provide consistent cash flow.

Those against the scheme predictably have a different view and have disputed whether its asset base justify it being called a real estate investment trust (REIT).

“Simply calling it a REIT does not make it so; the substance of the assets won’t have changed,” the investor action group spokesperson said.

They claim that the funds will also remain illiquid because there is no planned capital raising or ability to sell the funds to investors, the article said.

“The situation post listing will be the same as now – the illiquidity, lack of buyers and deep discount of any trading will be more public,” the disaffected parties were reported as stating in the article.

Evidently ProTen has been engaging with RFM over a prolonged period with a view to forming an enlarged business growing about 13.4% of Australian broiler meat but RFM has stated that they see no alternative for unit holders in their funds other than a fund merger and listing strategy.

While various parties squabble over the form and function of their various assets there is another consideration.

Most of the broilers chickens reared are for market dominant Baiada and earlier this year Richard Goyder, CEO of Wesfarmers which own Coles supermarkets, stated that it (Coles) saw no reason in its much critisised negotiations with suppliers why it should favour any supplier who fails to invest in the efficiencies of its business.

ProTen has certainly demonstrated that it has both the expertise and determination to be the most efficient at growing conventional broiler meat.

Growing chickens is what it does and all it does. Its track record may be a critical element in any investor’s decisions as to the future path of these two major broiler growing enterprises.

The first 12 shed unit at the ProTen Rothdene Farm near Rankin Springs in the Riverina region of NSW.

Discovery of avian influenza in Germany leads to trade barrier Poultry from Germany has been banned from being imported into Hong Kong after a low-pathogenic form of avian influenza was detected at a poultry farm in Thuringen, Germany. Hong Kong’s ban on German poultry followed a report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) that confirmed the discovery of avian influenza.

The virus killed four birds, while another 823 birds at the farm were destroyed.

There has been no poultry movement from that farm to other regions in Germany or to other countries, according to the OIE report.

A spokesperson for Hong Kong’s Center for Food Safety has been in contact with officials from Germany concerning the avian influenza issue.

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

Hy-Line and Shaver layer hens are ‘free to roam’ at Whangaripo Valley free range farm.

Photo courtesy of Udo von Mulert.

Whangaripo Valley free range egg farm meets the New Zealand layer code of welfare

Story and photography by ALEX BEDWELL

L

ike Australia there has been much debate in New Zealand over the last few years about what is and isn’t free range and how it should be defined.

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Currently in New Zealand there are 124 layer farms with 3.2 million hens producing one billion eggs every year. At this stage 83% of these are caged, 3% are barn-laid and 14% are free range.

But with consumers wanting clarity about what they are actually buying, the Layer Hens Code of Welfare was introduced in 2012 which set out the standards of care and management for layer hens in New Zealand. It has been specifically reviewed and recommended by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), and ratified by the Minister for Primary Industries.

The new code is specific in its requirements of farmers and includes new detailed sections on colony farming, range management for free-range farming, natural animal behaviour and the handling, catching and transport of layer hens and chicks.

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

Importantly, the Code also identifies good stockmanship as the key to good welfare, a position the EPF fully endorses through farmer education and support activity.

Specific provisions of the new Code include: • Conventional cages: to be phased out by the end of 2022.

• Colonies: detailed standards on housing, including requirements for nest and scratch areas and individual perch spaces.

• Barns: detailed standards on individual perch and nesting spaces, and the provision of feed and water.

• Free-range: additional requirements for outdoor shelter and maximum stocking densities to ensure the essence of freerange.

This means that there will be a radical change in the New Zealand layer industry w

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Not only in turns of management but it terms of cost to fit out the old cage sheds and for the price of eggs for the consumer. Currently in New Zealand the cost for the consumer for a dozen cage eggs is $3.60 and up to $7 for a dozen free range eggs.

Steve Cadwallader from Big Dutchman has pointed out that with the new codes a farmer will be investing a considerable amount and actually ending up with less birds due to the reduction in stocking desnisty and limitations with existing layer house sizes.

Also if the majority of farmers were to change to barn or free range hens from caged, New Zealand would not have the same volume of hens necessary to produce enough eggs.

Poultry Digest recently visited the Whangaripo Valley free range egg farm owned by Mathew and Gill Quested and partners Udo and Vicki von Mulert. The farm is located in Wellsford about an hour and a half north of Auckland.

The farm, which they bought about two years ago, is jointly owned by the two couples and five other family members.

The farm was originally a sheep station and since then the shearing sheds have been converted into work offices. The operation is run by a farm manager with around eight staff on call to assist with egg packing and maintenance.

Matthew and Gill moved from London as they felt they needed a change of lifestyle and chose Wellsford in New Zealand because of its location in the picturesque valley surrounded by green hills.

Udo and Vicki had been living in New Zealand for a number of years and were also looking for an investment opportunity.

They decided to start a free range farm rather than an intensive caged layer farm because of the new code for layers which was coming into effect.

The sheds were supplied and built by local contractors, The Barn Company. Big Duthcman supplied all the internal fittings and equipment.

An important point with the new code and defining free range is that it may become harder for farmers to cheaply convert cage or barn sheds. It’s not just a matter of putting pop holes in existing sheds to meet the requirement.

The farm consists of three 8000 bird sheds and each shed includes 26.5 Colony nests with a capacity of 8,082 birds based on the New Zealand regulation of 120 birds/m of nest space.

The actual stocking rate is 118.8 bird/m nest space. The nests have a lifting floors and it lifts in two stages. The first

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Top: Overview of Whangaripo free range farm. (Photo courtesy of Udo von Mulert).

Centre: 432 metres of feed troughs and 8 naturally ventilating roof chimneys inside the sheds. Above: There are eight 2m pop holes which meet the regulation of 2,000 mm of opening per 1,000 birds.

stage increases the roll angle to the nest allowing any egg left sitting in the nest to roll to the egg belt before the floor lifts completely and the eggs are lost.

Any manure accumulated in the nest during the day falls off the mat while it is closed. “This ensures that each day you are

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

starting with a clean nest pad, which in turn means cleaner eggs,” said Steve.

The house is naturally ventilated with the addition of eight roof chimneys each with a capacity of 13,540m/hr, giving a total capacity of 108,320m/hr or 13.54m/bird. w

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“Chimneys have motorised shutters to control venilation so we can control the exhaust of the natural ventilation. That means we can control the house temperature.

“In hot weather we can run the chimney fans to create wind speed and increase colling,” said Steve.

The ventilation is fully automatic being controlled by a Big Dutchman Viper touch screen poultry house computer.

The opening of the sidewall curtains is by means of a roller system which keeps everything neat and tidy and prevents rodents from nesting in the fold of the curtain.

“The poultry house is alarmed for maximum and minimum temperature settings and water and feed consumption are also monitored and alarmed.

“All of the sheds communicate via WiFi with the main control computer located in the office. Here we have a Big Dutchman Big farm Net system where you can monitor the sheds performance, make changes and receive alarms.”

There are eight 2m pop holes in the house (four in each sidewall), which meets the New Zealand regulation of 2,000mm of opening per 1,000 birds.

The automatic lighting system has a simulated sunrise and sunset function and this allows the birds time to get into the house and find a place to spend the night before the shed is completely dark.

The owners believe that their decision to start a free range farm from scratch with all new systems and equipment has given them a significant advantage since the code has come into effect.

Not having to convert from a cage layer system has saved them significant amounts of time and money, they believe.

“We have been operational since February and we are experimenting with different types of birds in each of the different sheds to try and achieve the best quality and most efficient production,” said Gill.

Currently they are using Hy-Line and Shafer birds.

“The only problem we have experienced so far is flooding,” Gill explained.

Wellsford holds the record in New Zealand for the most rainfall in one day which was recorded last year. When Poultry Digest was there at the end of September, Wellsford had just flooded and the farm was recovering from some minor damage to the paddock and fences.

Apart from that inconvenience the farm is running productively and efficiently and the owners are more than happy with their investment and their change of lifestyle.

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Top left: The 1,104 drinker nipples mean there are 7.25 birds per nipple. Top right: Big Dutchman supplied feed silo. Centre: Egg packing station with the farm’s own free range lables. Above: Sidewall curtains are operated by a roller system which keeps everything neat and tidy and prevents rodents from nesting in the curtain folds.

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

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News wPsA schools’ Poultry education Competition Awards Day The World Poultry Science Association, Queensland Branch invited Poultry Digest to attend the Schools’ Poultry Education Competition Awards and Careers Day on Friday October 18 at the Redlands Research Facility in Brisbane.

This is the fourteenth year the awards have been presented and this year 45 schools from Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia competed.

Over a year, all schools undertook poultry trials, ranging from investigating egg quality under different storage methods to comparing the growth rate of broiler versus layer chicks. Student teams did a literature review associated with their topic, collected data, wrote a report and produced a poster.

“The competition is growing every year,” said competition co-ordinator Tanya Nagle, “and we had five new schools from Queensland this year”.

“We hope to make it a national event in the not too distant future,” she said.

“The objectives of the project are to provide accurate and balanced information to the community on poultry husbandry issues including antibiotic use, welfare and current research.

“Also we want to help to strengthen community and consumer confidence in the industry and its products and to promote the poultry industry as a sound career opportunity for students,” Tanya said.

Tanya also collects data about the students who go through the progam in order to see how many of them might go on to study agriculture in the future.

The students, who are separated into three groups, Senior, Years 11 to 12, Middle, Years 9 to 10 and Junior, Years 8 and under, are free to choose their own area of study.

At morning tea the students had the opportunity to talk to people from the poultry industry and then the schools split into three groups to watch various demonstrations, one consisting of a post mortem autopsy to check the health of a bird before it died, another was a powerpoint presentation on the danger of diseases and identifying them and how to control them, another on litter and bedding and products used to reduce odour.

Jodie Redcliffe, President of the Queensland Chicken Growers Association

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and Kylie Hewson, a recent graduate working in the poultry industry, spoke about potential careers in the poultry industry.

The traditional chicken BBQ lunch was provided by the WPSA Brisbane Branch, Baiada Select Poultry, Golden Cockerel, Sunny Queen and Ingham Enterprises.

The results were: Qld Snr First Place: Ferny Grove State High School Qld Mdle First Place: Genesis Christian College Qld Jnr First Place: Dakabin State High School NSW Snr First Place: Oakhill College NSW Mdle First Place: Wyong High School NSW Jnr First Place: Bundarra Central School SA Mdle First Place: Xavier College SA Jnr First Place: Lucindale Area School

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

Top: Students watching a post mortem demonstration. Above: Liz Roan, Education Officer Poultry CRC presenting one of the awards. Below: Tanya Nagle, competition coordinator.

Potters Poultry here

LtoR: Jimmy Chand, Operations Manager and Brent Williams, General Manager Bromley Park Hatcheries with Peter Mathews, Managing Director AAS.

New hatchery for Cobb and Shaver in New Zealand

Story and photography by ALEX BEDWELL

O

n September 25, Poultry Digest attended the opening of the new Bromley Park Hatchery located 50km south of Auckland at Tuakau.

Bromley Park is a privately held New

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Zealand owned company and the NZ franchise holder for both Cobb and Shaver producing commercial day old Cobb 500 broiler chicks and Shaver Brown layer chicks.

“Since losing the original commercial hatchery to fire in 2011 a team of Bromley Park staff and outside contractors has been working to get a replacement hatchery up and running and the hard work came to fruition in September this year,” said General Manager Brent Williams.

The facility was officially opened by company Chairman Greg Batkin in the presence of a large number of key industry players and guests including the Mayor of the Waikato Council Alan Sanson, Beverley Batkin, a Director of Bromley Park Hatcheries who cut the ribbon and Operations Manager Jimmy Chand.

“Building a new hatchery provided an ideal opportunity to install best-in-world facilities and create a great platform for future growth,” said Mr Williams.

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

“The $5m project, comprising over 1700 square meters of building, has an annual capacity to produce 1.5 million Shaver Brown commercials and 8.4 million Cobb broiler chicks with capability for further expansion and complements the other two hatcheries in the Bromley Park Group,” he said.

“The new hatchery utilises all the latest equipment from Chick Master, consisting of 24 single stage incubators, four hatching stage incubators and the revolutionary CC3 energy management system.

All hatchers feature easy-clean stainless steel trays and fittings for best possible hatchery hygiene and enhanced chick quality.

“The Chick Master CC3 energy management unit allows not only close control of ventilation and temperatures throughout the setters and hatchers but also very effective heat recovery to improve energy efficiency.”

This is the first hatchery in the southern

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hemisphere to use the energy management system.

“The hatchery has been designed in consultation with Chick Master to meet the needs of Bromley Park which hatches both meat and layer strains of chickens.

The building provides optimum ventilation requirements for hatchability and chicken quality and incorporates energy management systems that reduce the operation costs of the facility and also looks at long term expansion,” said Peter Mathews, Managing Director of AAS. “The sizing of the single stage Avida S setters and Zephyr hatchers chosen by Bromley Park provide flexibility in setting requirements within the operation of the hatchery.

“Chick Master Avida S Setters have been designed for optimum hatchability, bio-security and simplicity of maintenance and operation. Maintenance is easy because most of the system is positioned outside the cabinet.

“In terms of bio-security many internal fixtures and fittings are made of stainless steel to reduce areas where bacteria can breed.

“Chick Master offers a wide range of egg tray options to suit hatchery automation and vaccination systems.

“AAS has been involved as the agent for Chick Master in the region for the past ten years and with Bromley Park being the eleventh hatchery project we have completed, it means we have been able to provide valuable assistance,” said Mr Mathews.

“The outcome is an ability to control chick quality more closely than ever and make substantial energy savings at the same time. The unique combination of equipment being used makes it arguably the most energy efficient and eco-friendly hatchery in Australasia,” said Mr Williams.

Bromley Park Hatcheries has supplied the poultry industry in New Zealand and throughout the Pacific since its founding in 1920 by Leslie Batkin.

Still majority owned by the Batkin family more than 90 years later, in addition to supplying Cobb and Shaver commercial day olds, it supplies Cobb parent stock hatching eggs and day old parent chicks to a diverse and growing range of countries throughout the Pacific Islands and into Southeast Asia.

“We pride ourselves on the quality of our products, our flexibility to meet customer demands and the range of technical support services we provide.

“This new hatchery is an exciting development for Bromley Park – it not only allows us to maintain a high standard of chick quality but also leaves us poised for future growth,” said Mr Williams.

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POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

1. Greg Batkin, Chairman Bromley Park Hatchery Board. 2. Beverley Batkin, Director Bromley Park Hatchery cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony.

3. The Chick Master CC3 energy management unit allows close control of ventilation and temperatures through the setters and hatchers – also effective heat recovery for energy efficiency.

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News Court orders chicken companies to pay $400,000 for ‘free to roam’ misleading claims The Federal Court has ordered Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd and Bartter Enterprises Pty Ltd, the processers and suppliers of Steggles branded chicken products to pay a total of $400,000 in civil pecuniary penalties.

The Court declared that Baiada and Bartter engaged in false, misleading and deceptive conduct (or conduct liable to mislead and deceive) when it described on product packaging and in advertising that its meat chickens were ‘free to roam in large barns’.

The Court declared that prior to day 42 of a growth cycle that could be up to 56 days, the companies’ chickens were, in fact kept at such stocking densities that they did not have a largely uninhibited ability to move around at will in an aimless manner.

The Australian Chicken Meat Federation Inc (ACMF), the peak industry body for Australia’s chicken meat industry, was also ordered to pay $20,000 in penalties.

The Court declared ACMF engaged in false, misleading and deceptive conduct (or conduct liable to mislead or deceive), when it claimed in publications on its website that meat chickens produced in Australia were ‘free to roam’ or able to ‘roam freely’ in large barns.

The Court made its declaration against ACMF confined to the extent that they relate to the stocking densities of Baiada and Bartter’s meat chickens and that of Turi Foods Pty Ltd. Turi Foods, the processor and supplier of La Ionica Poultry products, was previously a respondent in the matter but had settled its proceedings with the ACCC in December 2011.

The Court handed down its findings in July 2013 against the remaining respondents, Baiada, Bartter and the ACMF, after the ACCC instituted proceedings in September 2011.

“Credence claims, which represent that a product possesses a premium attribute, are a priority area for the ACCC; particularly those in the food and beverage industry with the potential to influence consumers and disadvantage competitors,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.

“Consumers are increasingly making purchasing decisions that value the types of claims that directly affect the integrity of the product, such as where or how something was made, grown or produced.

“Consumers must be able to trust that products match descriptions so they can make informed purchasing decisions.

Misleading credence claims can also undermine the level playing field and disadvantage other suppliers,” Mr Sims said.

In making its orders, the Court also ordered ACMF to send a precribed letter to its members advising of the Court outcome, with a copy of the Court’s judgment enclosed, and ordered ACMF’s staff to attend trade practices compliance training.

The Court will consider submissions from the parties as to costs.

Justice Tracey’s earlier judgment against Turi Foods for engaging in false, misleading and deceptive conduct in relation to similar conduct, included orders by consent that Turi Foods pay a pecuniary penalty of $100,000, publish corrective advertisements and implement a compliance training program.

VIV europe 2014: Talking Poultry World animal agribusiness expo VIV Europe 2014 is underlining its major focus on poultry meat and eggs in May 2014 by planning a menu of technical programs with the help of two of the avian sector’s global associations.

VIV Europe 2014 returns to the city of Utrecht in The Netherlands on dates of Tuesday May 20 to Thursday May 22 2014. Its organisers have now revealed that

26

the world associations will back strongly poultry-oriented themes for conferences in its show-time agenda.

“On the Tuesday of the event there will be a conference on international poultry production that is being arranged for us by the World’s Poultry Science Association,” reports exhibition manager Ruwan Berculo.

“It will include highly topical remarks about sustainable intensification versus

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

wTO ruling should help Us chicken exports to other countries When the World Trade Organization (WTO) formally adopted the August 2 ruling that favors the US poultry industry in a dispute where China restricted US chicken exports, it was not only good for opening up trade to China, but trade to other nations as well.

The ruling was formally adopted by the WTO on September 25.

“It’s a very important signal to other markets to open to our exports and not think about trying to apply kind of restrictive WTO inconsistent measures,” Tim Reif, General Counsel for the US Trade Representative’s Office, said in a broadcast with Rod Bain of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

In the ruling, China’s imposition of duties on US broiler products was determined to be in violation of international trade rules. The case dates back to 2010, after China accused the US of dumping and imposed tariffs on imports of chicken products.

In the Chinese antidumping case, China alleged US chicken producers benefited from subsidies and were exporting poultry at unfair prices. US poultry interests quickly appealed to the WTO to resolve the situation.

With the report now formally adopted, China must comply with WTO obligations. Chinese officials have agreed to not appeal the ruling.

Prior to the ruling, Reif said, US poultry exports to China had been reduced by as much as 90%. organic produce as well as reviewing the latest production practices.

“But I am also pleased to announce that our VIV Animal Health Summit for executives in the chain from feed to meat and eggs will consist of a plenary conference by the World Veterinary Poultry Association, the organisation for poultry veterinarians.

It plans a morning session of seminars by exhibitors on specific health issues in poultry and the WVPA afternoon plenary Conference with the title ‘Emerging Avian Health Threats’”.

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News The true cost of free range On October 31 The Land (NSW main rural publication) ran an article by Bede Burke, Chairman of the Egg producing Committee at NSW Farmer’s Federation.

“Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has received criticism in some quarters about his recent statements warning that avian influenza (AI) outbreaks may be more common as a consequence of more egg producing farms going free range,” the article began.

“It’s true – you need only to look at the (NSW) Department of Primary Industry (DPI) website to see the facts on the matter.

“The DPI states that AI has been found in 90 species of wild birds and also that ducks and geese are ‘the recognised spreaders of the virus’.

“The good news for humans is that Australian ducks and geese are not migratory so the likelihood of other strains of AI coming into the country is low.

“However, in terms of the risk to birds, the strain that causes bird illness is present in wild bird populations here.

“This means all bird owners, backyard or commercial scale farmers, need to practice disease prevention every day.

“The DPI is clear on what this involves: simple and good housekeeping.

“While commercial egg farmers will be well aware of what this involves, backyard operators may not be; thus increasing the risk of an AI outbreak.

“As Minister Joyce alluded to it also demonstrates why biosecurity is a shared responsibility for all the community.

“This begs the question whether consumers who enjoy on average 214 whole eggs year – even more if you add in the eggs in other food products – will be willing to pay more for the increased management required if more farms become free range?”

“Environmentalists would be familiar with the concept of the market only pricing that can be measured with the cost of environmental considerations seldom included in the price of goods.

“It is the same for animal welfare and biosecurity measures farmers undertake.

“If the true cost of these were included in the price then it would be inevitable the price at farm gate would rise.

“If consumers are demanding more free range eggs it follows there will be more birds outdoors which in turn increases the risk of exposure to pests and disease.

“Research from the American Veterinarian Association confirms that birds in outdoor systems have a greater incidence of AI than those in indoor systems.

“Rather than criticising Minister Joyce, it would be more pertinent for consumers to ask themselves if they want to continue to enjoy this affordable protein,” Bede Burke concluded.

Is high density free range the problem?

An increase in free-range egg production will not lead to a rise in the number of avian flu outbreaks in the industry, according to free-range farmer Phil Westwood.

Agriculture Minister Senator Barnaby Joyce recently claimed that as the major supermarkets move towards free-range egg production, outbreaks of disease like avian flu would become more common.

According to information broadcast on the ABC, Mr Westwood, a free-range egg farmer from Philip Island in south eastern Victoria, said the real problems arise from high density systems where large bodies of water attract primary carriers of the disease, wild ducks.

“Most of the problems are created by large numbers of birds, many thousands of birds per shed and per flock,” he said.

28

“Farms that have big dams are obviously going to very attractive to wild ducks.”

Mr Westwood said that low density stocking rates reduce the need for large dams, which means less wild ducks.

Mr Westwood also accused Senator Joyce of being ‘misinformed’ and only listening to ‘the big end of town’.

“The corporate egg producers are the ones that are telling him this is an issue, because they don’t really want to go down the free-range route,” he said.

“To do the mickey-mouse operations that the big corporations are trying to do ... and call them free-range, isn’t going to work and is going to generate problems.”

The definition of ‘free-range’ is debatable, as there is no national standard in place, concluded the ABC report.

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

Indian Broilers to source breeding stock from Aviagen Indian Broilers, part of the IB Group of companies, has announced it will source breeding stock from Aviagen India as it continues to grow and plans further expansion in the domestic poultry industry.

The formal grandparent signing ceremony signalled the commencement of a partnership between the two companies in October, 2013 in Chhaittisgarth, India.

The signing was attended by senior management of Aviagen India and the IB Group who paid a visit after the ceremony to the State Minister for Chhattisgarh, Dr Raman Singh to herald the importance of the event for both companies in the rapidly evolving Indian market.

“We are pleased to be joining hands with Aviagen India,” commented Dr Jaiswal, President Indian Broilers, “the event is an important step for them and a major shift for Indian Broilers.

“The Aviagen Group is the global market leader in poultry genetics. The company develops pedigree lines for the breeding and production of broilers and turkeys, offering three commercial broiler breeder brands and two turkey brands to the customers in the industry,” he said.

Aviagen India is fully owned company

by Aviagen and represents the group’s long term commitment to develop a local supply facility for the Indian domestic market and emerging export industry.

The new production facility is located near Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu and occupies a 256 acre area with six modern, environmentally controlled houses, a dedicated hatchery, a feed mill treatment plant, fully equipped laboratory and business administration buildings.

A separate quarantine facility ensures the imported birds pass all Indian health and quarantine requirements. Aviagen India has developed and trained a team of 220 local employees to manage and assume responsibility for all aspects of production and believes this strategy will succeed over the long term “We are pleased to welcome Indian Broilers as a new customer and look forward to working with them as they continue to build and grow their business in India,” commented Paul Gittins, Business Manager, Aviagen India.

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News santrev’s new free range farms at Coominya what’s happening at PIX 2014? “The knowledge and experience has Following its free range innovation workshop in August, Santrev is now finishing off another free range build. “The project, located near the Santrev owned and run farms in Coominya, is a testament to the commitment showed by the company to high quality free range projects,� said Santrev Director and CEO, Luke Trevanion. “We know people choose to build with us because we have incomparable experience in building free range sheds and are growers ourselves,� Luke said.

Construction Manager Adam Berry is thrilled to wrap up another project and is keen to help more growers with their free range requirements. “Every build is unique and necessitates a different set of plans or approach. “We’re determined to deliver 100% of what the client needs and look forward to supporting growers with building to higher welfare standards, just as we do our own farms.� “The owner/grower combination is a key part of what makes Santrev uniquely qualified to build free range,� said Santrev Director Richard Sanday. “It’s important to all our clients that we know and understand their needs, the best way for us to do that is by owning and managing our own farms. “It’s understandable how Santrev has fast become leaders in the free range shed design arena considering their long track record of innovation, flexibility and involvement in the industry,� he said.

come hand in hand with the running of Santrev’s 700,000 bird commercial broiler farm and owning the renowned 13 shed breeder farm at Purga,� said Richard. “Next year will also mean big things for both Santrev and the free range industry with the development of its state of the art facility at Blanchetown ready to start in the new year. The 1,200 hectare, $34 million project is set to be the biggest in the world. “The facility will be at the forefront of world free range design and technology and will be a flagship model for large scale projects in the future. “Following our success delivering the Hamley Bridge Inghams farm, the Santrev team is keen to prove themselves with another full turn-key facility,� said Richard.

Santrev Director Luke Trevanion said the they ready to take on the venture. “Everyone on the Santrev team is eager to start in Blanchetown; the project will be fully Santrev designed so we are keen to get on with it and show once again the quality of a Santrev built poultry shed,� he said. “If you’re looking to build a free range shed, commercial broiler or breeder shed, Santrev is happy to visit your site and give you a free consultation to assess your free range needs. “We can offer the full turnkey package, from design to ongoing management support,� Luke said.

Call 1300 815 888 or visit www.santrev.com for information.

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PIX organisers have announced the keynote speakers for 2014.

The first is Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce who will be opening the conference and giving his views on the future of the industry and the issues confronting us.

The President of the National Farmers Federation (whoever is elected in November) will speak on its ‘Blueprint for Australian Agriculture’.

Geoff Frost from the Australian Centre for Food Integrity will speak on ‘Building Consumer Trust and Confidence in Today’s Modern Australian Food Systems’.

Peter Wilkinson from Two Sisters in the UK will talk about ‘UK experiences with real outcomes of increased welfare standards’.

There are also meat chicken sessions devoted to animal welfare, biosecurity and disease control, food safety, improving productivity, energy and environment.

Layer sessions include food safety and egg quality, animal welfare and sustainability – energy and carbon.

There will be four workshops – hatchery, breeders, ask-a-vet, and ask-anutritionist, running at various times.

There will be an all-day litter management workshop on the Wednesday which is replacing the tunnel ventilation workshops.

This workshop is designed to give everyone, processors and growers alike, a better understanding of causes, ramifications and solutions to litter problems, including wet litter, litter re-use technologies and litter pasteurisation methods.

Of special interest is the key speaker coming from the UK (Mr Alo Mohan) to provide information on how the UK industry learned to cope with the challenges brought on by more stringent welfare standards. This is targeted at meat chicken producers, but open to anyone.  There will be a fantastic social program. The theme of the gala dinner this year is ‘James Bond – Casino Royale’.

There is also some fantastic showman entertainment lined up for the dinner also.

The trade show is being supported very strongly already, as is sponsorship from industry suppliers.

The organisers are predicting that the trade show will be at least 10% bigger than last time.

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News Zoetis introduces strategic plan for driving growth in Australia Zoetis, a global leader in animal health, has released a six point plan for growth in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region that builds on Australia’s long established and extensive research and development expertise.

According to Dr Stefan Weiskopf, Executive Vice President and Area President Asia Pacific, specifics of the plan are ‘to leverage its local presence and strong customer relationships; further penetrate emerging markets while pursuing new product development and value added life cycle management to extend the Zoetis product portfolio,” he said.

“We also want to continue providing high quality products and expand complementary businesses to become a more complete trusted partner,” he added.

“Zoetis, formerly a business unit of Pfizer, has combined its previous parent company’s 60 years heritage of expertise and innovation to deliver market leading animal health products including the world’s first Hendra virus horse vaccine (Equivac HeV) and Improvac for pigs: a product developed in Australia and now marketed globally,” Dr Weiskopf revealed.

“We forsee that Australia will play a pivotal role in building and strengthening the company’s position in the region.

“We pride ourselves on being able to align the Zoetis vision to local, regional and global demand.

“We strive every day to help our customers meet and overcome real-world challenges through high quality medicines and vaccines complemented by diagnostic products and genetic markers,” he said.

“Our R&D hub at the Parkville Facility in Melbourne plays a vital role in delivering our vision for the future.

“We have a direct presence in 13 countries across the APAC region with more than 2700 employees at eight manufacturing operations and three R&D sites which account for approximately 16% of Zoetis total global revenue.

“As well as developing innovative products, our Australian operation is an example of manufacturing best practice for the rest of the region, with this expertise being leveraged across sites in the region, including China,” Dr Weiskopf said.

Mike van Blommestein, General Manager of Zoetis Australia, stated that the success of Zoetis’ local innovations is based on more than Zoetis alone. Rather it is a

32

LtoR: Paul Halliday, Site Leader, R&D Plant, Parkville; Dr Stefan Weiskopf, Executive Vice President and Area President, Asia Pacific Region and Mike van Bloomestein, Vice President and General Manager, Australia and New Zealand.

testament to the relationships and partnerships that the company has with leading research and academic institutions and key stakeholders, both locally and internationally,” Mr van Blommestein said.

“We are proud to have led the development of innovative products like Equivac HeV and we are currently celebrating the administration of the 150,000th dose of the Hendra horse vaccine which is fantastic news given that it is still less than a year since it was made available.

“Focusing on preventative health, such as vaccines, also means that we are better able to support Australian agricultural customers in providing higher quality meat, enhance production and improve welfare outcomes, which helps meet the growing demand for protein in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

In discussions Poultry Digest had on October 30, 2013, Dr Weiskopf covered a number of topics including a question on reduction of reliance on antibiotics by livestock producers in key markets.

“Vaccines obviously play an important role in antibiotic use reduction but then so does more targeted use of diagnostic skills,” he said.

Dr Weiskopf declined to comment on Australian ‘big retail’ food policies but

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

pointed out that Zoetis’ contribution to overall animal health through both preventative and disease treatment strategies had to have a benefit not only for farm animals but food retailers and consumers as not only food quality was maintained but disease risk overall was lowered.

Asked the question ‘What other country besides China in the region for which you have responsibility, offers the most potential for your Australian operations?’

Dr Weiskop’s reply was, “In all probability Indonesia – a country with a rapidly growing middle class and a huge requirement for protein sources,” he said.

Zoetis in Australia is building on a 60 year long history in the animal health business of Pfizer.

The company discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines with a focus on both farm and companion animals.

In 2012 the company generated anuual revenues of US$4.3 billion.

With around 9300 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2013, Zoetis has a local presence in 70 countries and includes 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries.

Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for animals in 120 countries.

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POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013 33

PRODUCT News Chlorine Dioxide water sanitation could help in fight to stop spread of AI The recent AI outbreaks in south western NSW on layer farms has highlighted the threat to the overall poultry industry posed

by Avian Influenza.

The combination of open water sources, migrating ducks (which are protected outside the duck hunting season) and big retail’s drive towards higher sales of free range eggs and broiler meat, have all been factors contributing to more potential for AI outbreaks.

While industry, government authorities, regulators like the ACCC, retailers and animal rights activists all argue about how we should raise our layer hens and broiler birds one thing is clear: the threat from AI is clear and present.

Sanitisation of drinking water and sheds in general is a key factor in preventing the spread of AI and a product called Zydox could, according to its Australian distributors ProWash Poultry, offer a solution to some of the risk factors associated with AI and its transmission to vulnerable birds.

Lisa Grant, Co-Director of ProWash Poultry with husband Rod Grant, has recently put a submission to NSW DPI on the potential benefits of using Zydox to help in the fight against AI in the poultry industry.

“Zydox is an aqueous chlorine dioxide broad spectrum disinfectant and bacticide,”

explained Lisa Grant in her submission to the DPI. “Zydox chlorine dioxide water sanitation system is primarily for surface and bore water supply sanitation of poultry drinking water.

“It is also recommended for mains water supplied farms to keep lines clear of biofilm and provide the birds with an effect similar to that provided by some antibiotics in the drinking water, due to the general bactericidal properties of chlorine dioxide,” she said.

“Zydox has recently been added to fogging water for birds with ILT and Aspergillus and is also available as a chlorine dioxide gas fumigant.

“The fumigant is administered via a GITA (Gas Infusion Technology Applicator).

“There are three various sized GITA used for different applications. The larger Macro GITA is used for poultry shed disinfection/fumigation and the Mini GITAs are used for egg fumigation etc,” Lisa advised.

“What we propose for situations like the one near Young is: “Firstly, gas fumigation/disinfection: Using Macro GITA units, fumigate the structures and equipment on the contaminated farm.

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POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

“Secondly, Zydox chlorine dioxide fogging: Depending on the circumstance and set up at each site we would use mobile fogging equipment or backpack foggers or existing fogging lines to fog the contaminated farm equipment and exterior farm areas and fog the birds and interiors of farms in the surrounding area of Young to protect from the risk of the spread of infection.

“Thirdly, Zydox water sanitation system: Both the contaminated farm and surrounding farms should install the Zydox chlorine dioxide water treatment system to provide bactericidal protection in the water supply and eliminate microbial contaminated biofilm from water lines.

“It is our belief that all poultry farms in Australia with surface water supply and all free range farms (regardless of water supply source) should consider the use of Zydox chlorine dioxide for water sanitation as an added biosecurity measure.

“In the past, chlorine dioxide has been cost prohibitive. Many imported chlorine dioxide products are still very expensive and involve the use of use harsh activation chemicals,” Lisa explained “Zydox is a pure aqueous stabilised chlorine dioxide manufactured in Australia.

It is extremely cost effective due to the high concentration and minimal dosing required.

“The capital investment in the equipment needed is minimal and the benefits in terms of improved biosecurity, health and performance will, we believe at ProWash outweigh the usage cost of Zydox” she said.

“There are a variety of data sheets available on the GITA fumigation system and research papers on the use of ClO2 and its use with influenza and infection control.

“ZYDOX is available in 1 and 5 litre containers as well as in 20 and 200 litre drums.

“It is an extremely pure chlorine dioxide which is approved as a processing aid in food manufacture in the FSANZ codes.

“It also has AQIS, USFDA and EU approvals.

“Chlorine dioxide has been used in the USA and Europe for more than 25 years to treat drinking water and as a ‘food safe’ sanitiser,” Lisa concluded.

ProWash Poultry supplied Poultry Digest with trial results and research papers which are available on the Primary Media website (www.primarymedia.com.au)

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POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013 35

HeALTH

The efficacy of Farm Fluid s as a pathogen reducing agent in re-used chicken litter

By BENJAMIN A. WELLS BVSc, Wells Avian Consultancy

R

Road in Londonderry.

In the two days following final pick up caked litter was removed using a litter bug.

Approximately 50% of the litter was removed from the non brood end and discarded. All the litter from the brood end was pushed into the non brood end which process mixed it with the remaining litter in that end.

The brood end received new shavings Materials and methods and was not part of this study Two sheds were selected on a broiler From each shed four samples of litter farm contracted to a broiler processor in were taken from the surface of the Sydney, Australia. The farm is in Reynolds litter and four samples from the bottom of the litter immediately above the dirt floor.

These samples were submitted to a NATA accredited laboratory for The most affordable litter management Coliform counts. (Birling Avian labodevice on the market! ratories, Bringelly, NSW. Results are seen in table 1.

Ammonia was measured immediPULVERIZES ately above the litter using ammonia papers. These are semiquantitative AERATES relying on comparing the paper with a colour scale on the container. A DRIES week later ammonia was tested again using the same method. At this time LEVELS the sheds were shut up as chickens had been placed in the other end.

GOOD LITTER MANAGEMENT IS TO KEY TO PERFORMANCE AND PROFITABILITY. The test end had not been heated Results are in table 2.

Perfect for 5 Pulverizes hard caked litter and allows Farm Fluid S was applied using a UÊ >Ì }Ê> ÞÊV> i`ÊEÊÜiÌÊ ÌÌiÀ moisture to evaporate UÊ Õ Ì >ÌV Ê ÌÌiÀÊÕÃiÊÊ boom spray. It was diluted to a 1% 5 Will ride under litter without digging into UÊ7iÌÊ- >Û }ÃÊ> `Ê i`` }Ê >ÌiÀ > ÃÊ the pad solution with town water. In shed 1 UÊ,-* Ê ««À Ûi`Ê >À }Ê-V i iÊÊ 5 Leaves a smooth, soft, well aerated surface it was applied at 500ml/m2. In shed 7iÊÃÌ V ÊÌ iÊvÕ ÊÀ> }iÊ vÊ*À iviÀÌÊ* Õ ÌÀÞÊ 2 it was applied at 500ml/m2 then 5 Low Maintenance, compact and easy to use µÕ « i ÌÊ V Õ` }ÊÌ iÊ*À iviÀÌÊ ÌÌiÀÊ >`iÊv ÀÊ incorporated with a rotary hoe. This Ü `À Ü }° 5 Available in two sizes with PTO driver or Bobcat options was repeated with a total of 1l/m2 applied and incorporated in this shed CALL US TO ARRANGE AN ON FARM DEMONSTRATION OR REQUEST A BROCHURE BROCHURE AND AND PRICING PRICING The day following treatment litter samples were collected as above and PRO P RO WASH WASH P POULTRY OULTRY PPOULTRY OULTRY S SPECIALIST PECIALIST D DEALER EALER FFOR OR PRIEFERT PRIEFERT AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA the coliform counts are in Table 1.

02 0 24 4971 971 2347 2347 | 0 0427 427 8 886866 86866 www.prowashpoultry.com.au www.prowashpoultry.com.au Ammonia was measured as above w

e-use of litter is common in the Australian chicken meat industry. But there is a need to reduce viral pathogens to maintain bird performance and reduce Salmonella to protect the consumer from food borne illness.

The common method is pasteurization by heaping the litter and allowing heat to reduce pathogens. Efficacy of this has been demonstrated by Australian research.

However, it is time consuming and so incompatible with short breaks, relatively labour intensive and is prone to neighbor

and family complaints on the grounds of odour when the heap is spread. There is also a problem with ammonia which is managed by treatment with bentonite.

This study was to determine whether Spraying Farm Fluid S on the litter would reduce both bacterial pathogens and ammonia.

THE LITTER SAVER

36

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

+(@

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37

HeALTH v and the results are in table 2.

Chicks were placed on the farm one Average week later. Ammonia readings were taken in the sheds which had been heated to 33c 8.75 to brood the chickens. Results in Table 2.

Table 1: Ammonia Levels 1

2

3

4

Before treatment After treatment One week later

5 10 30

10 5 40

10 10 35

10 10 25

Shed 2

Before treatment After treatment One week later

30 5 15

30 10 10

20 10 10

25 10 12

26.25 8.75 11.75

Shed 3

Before treatment No treatment

30 30

30 30

30 30

30 30

30 30

Ammonia Levels Shed 1

8.75 32.5

Table 2: Coliform counts Shed 1 Surface before treatment Surface after treatment Change Bottom before treament Bottom after treatment Change Shed 2 Surface before treatment Surface after treatment Change Bottom before treament Bottom after treatment Change

38

Surface Application without incorporation 87,500

240,000

175,000 2,900,000

52,000

60,000

270,000

8,200

Average 850,652

Percentage reduction

90,800 759,852

89.3%

11,300

56,500

14,000

8,300

22,252

2,200

175,000

10,500

118,000

76,425 (54,202)

45,000

21,000

460,000

22,000

137,000

85,500

6,500

27,500

3,600

30,755 106,245

10,500

10,500

6,400

280,000

76,850

17,000

14,500

10,500

25,000

16,750 60,100

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

(343%)

77.5%

78%

Discussion The surface application in shed 1 was designed to mirror the reported use in Brazil where Farm Fluid S was sprayed on old litter. We also added a treatment where the FF was incorporated into the litter and dispersed all the way through to the floor which mirrors the spray application via a 200l drum on a Litter Bug as practiced in Sydney some 15 years ago.

Ammonia is not in itself pathogenic but is a concern in brood areas. Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to animals, (RSPCA) farming standards7 which is now gaining market share in Australia requires <15ppm ammonia. In this study ammonia levels increased significantly after the shed was closed up for brooding a week after treatment.

Surface application of 500ml/m2 of Farm Fluid S had no effect on ammonia levels. However 1l/m2 reduced ammonia levels from a higher starting level to that meeting the RSPCA standard. It continued to meet the standard a week later.

The coliform counts were highly variable and the differences seen may not be statistically significant without more replicates, but the trend is clear. When looking at the data it is important to note all samples were taken randomly from the shed. The table does not show paired data Farm Fluid S reduced coliform counts approximately 80% in both sheds.

However surface application of 500ml did not allow penetration and there was no

HeALTH effect deeper in the litter.

Litter treatment with Farm Fluid S was quicker than heaping the litter for heat treatment taking 25% of the time measuring the growerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time.

However, heaping the litter for heat treatment requires a five day period for the heap to achieve the temperatures required to kill pathogens. Consequently, the use of Farm Fluid S shortens the down time potentially by five days per batch.

This could shorten the growing cycle by five days each batch. Sydney, Australia growers typically get approximately 5.7 batches per year which could be increased to 6.3 batches per year with a concomitant increase in farm income.

When litter heaps are broken and spread after five days of heat treatment, there is a strong odour which growers find offensive and which can lead to neighbor complaints. The sheds sprayed with Farm Fluid S had very litle odour which was not offensive.

Further work would be very useful. A higher dose rate may give even better results and it may be possible to apply the spray in one pass through the shed by mounting a 200l drum on a litter bug and spraying as the cake is removed Summary Spraying litter with 1l/m2 of a 1% solution of Farm Fluid S1r reduced coliform counts by an average of 77.75% and reduced ammonia to <15% which complies with RSPCA standards. The spray was incorporated with a rotary hoe.

Spraying with 500ml/m2 reduced coliform counts at the surface but had no impact deeper in the litter. Ammonia was not reduced.

Coliform counts were used as an indicator of Salmonella.

It is recommended that further work is done using this product at a greater strength and different application methods

Above: Collecting litter sample. Opposite page bottom: The Boom Spray.

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39

News Court orders Luv-a-Duck to pay $360,000 for misleading claims tations by using words on its packaging, website, brochures and in a promotion for the Good Food & Wine Show in Adelaide in 2012, that its ducks were: ‘Grown and grain fed in the spacious Victorian Wimmera Wheatlands’; and/or ‘Range reared and grain fed’ (which mainly appeared as a logo).

The ACCC argued that these descriptions represented Luv-a-Duck’s duck meat products were or will be processed from ducks that: spent at least a substantial amount of their time outdoors; were raised in a spacious outdoor environment; and were of a different quality than duck meat

The Federal Court has ordered by consent that Luv-a-Duck Pty Ltd (Luv-a-Duck) pay $360,000 in civil pecuniary penalties following action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

The Court also ordered Luv-a-Duck to pay $15,000 towards the ACCC’s costs.

Luv-a-Duck is a large supplier of duck meat products, with a market share of about 40% for duck meat products in Australia, selling around 80,000 ducks per week.

The Court declared by consent that Luv-a-Duck engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct (or conduct likely to mislead or deceive) and made false represen-

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POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

products processed from barn-raised ducks, when this was not the case.

In fact, the duck meat products that Luv-a-Duck sold or offered for sale were processed from ducks that did not spend any of their time outside of their barn.

Justice Davies stated it was reasonable to infer that Luv-a-Duck’s representations “…would have been an inducement to consumers to prefer Luv-a-Duck’s products and give Luv-a-Duck a competitive advantage in the industry.”

“This penalty is a further warning to the poultry industry and businesses generally that consumers are entitled to trust that what is said on product packaging and other promotional product material is true and accurate,” ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said.

“Traders who abuse the trust of Australian consumers may also find themselves exposed to similar enforcement action.”

“Credence claims which represent that a product possesses a premium attribute are a priority area for the ACCC, particularly those in the food and beverage industry with the potential to influence consumers and disadvantage competitors,” Ms Court said.

In addition to the penalties and costs, the Court also made consent orders: restraining Luv-a-Duck for a period of three years from using the phrases ‘grown and grain fed in the spacious Victorian Wimmera Wheatlands’ and ‘ranged reared and grain fed’ or modifications of those words when its ducks are not raised in such conditions; requiring Luv-a-Duck to publish corrective notices on its website and business premises and send a corrective notice to its customers; and requiring Luv-a-Duck to implement and maintain a trade practices compliance program for three years.

This is the second court outcome this week relating to a processor and supplier in the Australian poultry industry contravening the Australian Consumer Law (and former Trade Practices Act).

Please note that Primary Media, publisher of Poultry Digest, has moved. The new address is 22 George Street, East Gosford NSW 2250 and the new phone number is (02) 4323 0005.

To advertise contact Peter Bedwell on 0419 235 288.For rates go to the website www.primarymedia.com

News Michiel Peters appointed as Managing Director of Moba Group Moba Group has appointed Michiel Peters as its new Managing Director as of January 6, 2014. Moba is the world’s leading manufacturer of egg grading, packaging and processing equipment.

The company’s head office is located in Barneveld, the Netherlands. Over the past few years, Moba has developed from being a machine manufacturer to being a one-stop supplier of integrated solutions for its customers.

In his new position at Moba, Michiel Peters’ main task will be to broaden the company’s product and service portfolio, strengthen its innovative capacity and expand its international operations.

During recent years Moba has successfully introduced numerous innovations for the industrialised western markets and also expanded its operations on emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America.

The broadening of the company’s product range with logistical systems and robot technology also means that it can now offer international customers a more comprehensive service package.

The appointment of Michiel Peters fits in perfectly with the company’s ambition to further advance its international position.

During his prior working period as from 2004 with Vanderlande Industries, first as Director of Operations and subsequently as Managing Director, Michiel Peters played a major role in establishing the market-oriented and innovative business operations that currently form the basis for the strong international expansion of that company.

Prior to his employment with Vanderlande Industries, Michiel Peters worked for Fokker and McKinsey & Company. He graduated as an applied physics engineer at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

“Moba is a leading company in a globally expanding industry that still offers plenty of opportunities. The company’s experience, reputation and technical expertise form a solid basis for it to seize those opportunities. I very much look forward to taking up my position as the Managing Director of Moba,” said new Managing Director Michiel Peters.

New office for Jansen Poultry equipment Asia Jansen Poultry Equipment has opened a new office in Malaysia under the name Jansen Asia. Jansen Poultry Equipment is a worldwide player in turn key poultry solutions and equipment. Carmelo Ferlito is the new Sales Director of Jansen Asia and lives in Malaysia.

Ferlito will be working together with Gerard Llanes from the Philippines and David Jia Weike from China who have already been working in this region for quite a few years.

Jansen Poultry Equipment is rapidly expanding. Just a few months ago they opened a new office in Moscow, Russia under the name Jansen Russia. Together with existing offices Jansen UK, Jansen USA and of course the head office in the Netherlands, Jansen Poultry Equipment is well represented all-over the world.

World-wide customers from Jansen Poultry Equipment benefit from customized service, stated the company.

T: 02 4971 2347 M: 0427 886 866 www.prowashpoultry.com.au

News Growth in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;pasturedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; egg farming as industrialised â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;free rangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; called into question The number of small-scale, family-run pastured egg farms is increasing across the country amid speculation that consumers are being duped and ripped off by industrial, intensive â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;free-rangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; supermarket suppliers.

Speaking at the Farming Small Areas Expo at the Hawkesbury Showground on 2nd and 3rd November, Daniel Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien from Chicken Caravan said interest in pastured egg farming had never been stronger, from both farming families and those looking to buy more ethical eggs.

Mr Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien launched his Chicken Caravans, which make pastured egg farming easy, at the Farming Small Areas Expo two years ago and already more than 10,000 hens around Australia call them home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even before Choice lodged its supercomplaint with NSW Fair Trading last month, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been seeing a backlash against misleading free-range labelling.

The standards are scrambled across the country and the codes are not enforced,â&#x20AC;?

Mr Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some producers have up to 20,000 hens per hectare â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bad news for the birds which arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really free to roam at all.

Imagine 18 chickens scratching around in your average sized bedroom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pastured egg farming families arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t big

business and generally stock between 500 and 1500 birds per hectare. Many have moveable sheds so they can move the hens to fresh grass every few days. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They may have between a few dozen and a few hundred chickens producing eggs for local farmers markets, green grocers, butchers, cafes and restaurants, and even farm gate stalls.â&#x20AC;?

The pasture farming method allows small flocks of hens to graze and interact naturally in open paddocks, with birds regularly moved to fresh, clean and fertile pasture.

The birds are able to seek shelter from the elements, lay their eggs in comfortable nesting boxes and roost at night in moveable coops like those manufactured by Chicken Caravan.

Daniel Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien said pastured egg farming is less intensive on the environment and natural resources as there is no need for electricity, heating and cooling, or flushing out industrial sized sheds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has the added benefits of lower food miles, sustainable farming practices and supporting local economies and communities. Pastured farming can be sustained for generations and offers greater security of our food supply,â&#x20AC;? Mr Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien said.

!

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% & ' ! ( $ #)*+ $,+ - $ #*.$ + / # , ..$ #*

42

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The growth in this type of farming is also being driven by second generation farmers looking for sustainable ways, both financially and environmentally, to stay on the land.â&#x20AC;?

With the NSW Fair Trading report due back by the end of the year, Mr Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien urged consumers to make a more informed choice next time they buy free-range eggs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Until consumers can be certain of the conditions in which their eggs are produced, it might be best to bypass the big supermarket brands and support your local pastured egg farmers instead.â&#x20AC;?

Pig,Poultry & Dairy Focus Asia 2014 The 6th edition of Pig, Poultry & Dairy Focus Asia 2014 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the independent technical conference for the pig, poultry and dairy sectors, which is Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading technical conference for the livestock sectors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on March 3-5, 2014.

Following the joint session on the first morning, that will feature four keynote lectures, the program will then run as three parallel programs for pigs, poultry and dairy. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s keynote lectures will be on the intestinal targeting of nutrients for specific gene expression, the revolutionary road in diagnostics, the latest developments in mycotoxin control and vaccination in the future.

The three programs will update delegates on the latest thinking and technologies in nutrition, breeding, management and disease control in their sectors and will feature internationally acclaimed experts from around the world.

Once again the event will be jointly organised by Positive Action Publications Ltd from the UK, publishers of the global technical magazines International Pig Topics, International Dairy Topics and International Poultry Production, and VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific from Thailand, who are the organisers of VIV Asia and the ILDEX exhibitions. The full program of presentations can be seen in at www.positiveaction.co.uk

News egg farmers are the latest victims from the retailer tactic Cage egg farmers and consumers are the latest victims of the one-upmanship game being played between the two major retailers, Woolworths and Coles, the Queensland United Egg Producers Pty Ltd (QUEP) said recently.

QUEP CEO, John Coward, said it was disappointing that Woolworths have taken the position endorsed by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to phase out the sale of all cage eggs from their stores by 2018 as the financial impacts on farmers and consumers are significant.

“The decision comes without any consultation with industry to address the financial impacts and the ability for industry to make significant changes in such a short timeline,” Mr Coward said.

“While QUEP respect the rights of the retailer to manage what they offer the customer, industry is concerned they are taking away consumer choice by removing what is often the most affordable egg category – cage eggs, which retail at approximately 40% discount to the free range offer,” he said.

Meanwhile, Coles and other retailers have opted to continue to provide the customer with a choice of cage or cage free eggs with only Coles removing cage eggs from their own brand range.

“I would like to reinforce to consumers that the welfare of hens in all egg production systems exists under strict government legislation and is top of mind for all egg farmers,” he said.

The government, the egg industry and other stakeholders are soon set to commence a structured review of the Model Code of Practice relating to egg production. Egg farmers have already invested more than $500M on upgrading to more welfare friendly cages required under the current Code.

“Farmers think it is unacceptable that they have to invest hundreds of millions more, well before their current cages reach the Model Code of Practice agreed use-by date,” Mr Coward said.

QUEP endorses Free Range, Barn or Cage egg production systems that meet government welfare standards and believe the consumer should have the right to choose the kinds of eggs they want to buy. Cage eggs represent about 50% of all eggs sold in Australia.

Don’t miss out on being included in the Poultry Industry Yearbook for 2014.

Contact us on primarymedia@bigpond.com or (02) 4323 0005

Yum! Brands still struggling with poultry fears in China Yum! Brands profits fell 68% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013, as the company’s China unit continues to struggle to recover from a controversy over its chicken supply and avian influenza scare.

The parent company of KFC on October 8 reported its results for the quarter ending September 7.

China normally accounts for more than 40% of the Yum! Brands’ operating profit, but sales at restaurants there took a sharp decline in late 2012 after a television report said some of the company’s suppliers were giving chickens unapproved levels of antibiotics.

A few months later, the chain’s recovery efforts were set back by an avian influenza scare.

“Even with our recent challenges, KFC is unquestionably the category leader in China and we remain confident sales will fully recover from the adverse publicity surrounding the December poultry supply incident,” said Yum! Brands CEO David Novak.

Net income for the quarter fell to $152 million, compared to a net income income of $471 million, for the third quarter of 2012.

Yum! Brands also operates Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants.

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

43

PRODUCT News Direct BioBedding extends delivery regions Direct Bio Bedding which manufactures inert poultry litter from recycled softwood pallets, has extended its delivery envelope on the Central Coast and now delivers south of Sydney.

Poultry Digest ran a story on this interesting company in our last issue. (See our website for an on-line version). â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have also extended deliveries from our Ingleburn NSW base where we process

the timber into poultry shed bedding south to Marulan and Goulburn where the broiler industry continues to expand,â&#x20AC;? said Rob James, Managing Director of Direct BioBedding. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We use one of our larger 80cu metre capacity â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;walking floorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; delivery vehicles on these new routes to the south,â&#x20AC;?he added.

For more information you can go to the website: www.directbiobedding.com.au

Avien influenza kills two year old girl in Cambodia A two year-old girl has become the 12th person to die of avian influenza in Cambodia in 2013, the Cambodian Health Ministry and WHOÂ jointly announced.

The girl died on October 26 after contracting H5N1 avian influenza.

According to the two agencies, the girl had been experiencing fever, difficulty breathing and lethargy.

An investigation was conducted in the girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s village in the western province of Pursat, which revealed that poultry had died suddenly at her grandparentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home in September. The girl often stayed with her grandparents, leading authorities to suspect a link between the two cases.

The latest case marks Cambodiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 12th human fatality related to avian influenza and the 23rd human infection. A total of 44 human infections have been confirmed.

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Last chance to be in the 2014 Yearbook – it’s a must have for everyone in the poultry industry to stay connected If you would like to be included in the Poultry Industry Yearbook please contact us on primarymedia@bigpond.com or (02) 4323 0005.

Your can be included in the Personel Section which is free of charge and open to everyone connected with the poultry industry both here and overseas.

Your company can also be included in the advertising section which includes a company listing for advertisers only.

For rates and more information please go to our website at www.primarymedia.com.au and under ‘Yearbooks’ you’ll find everything you need to know.

poultry farm manager Leaders in Free Range and Organic Egg Production Opportunity to Grow and Progress in a Large Agribusiness Rewarding Salary Package + Vehicle + House Working with an Experienced and Dedicated Team Our client is one of the largest organic and free-range egg producers in Australia. They are leaders in animal care and production efficiency and due to the ever increasing need in the market, are looking to expand their operations. They are currently seeking a full time, permanent Farm Manager for the overall management of the farm including both free-range and organic egg production systems. The position will require an individual who has an understanding of, and empathy for, the ongoing care and attention to animals and animal production along with an organic and free range ethos. An interest in production and animal health will be a key part in fulfilling the responsibilities within this progressive organisation. The role will also require; - An understanding of leading edge egg production technologies and computer software; - A high level of communication and management skills across a broad multi-cultural team, of over 20 staff members, including rostering; - Monitoring basic financials and production data, ensuring that all budgetary requirements are met; - Flexibility and ability to multi task and handle complex challenges in production as well as being an analytical problem solver with real world solutions; - Ensuring optimal feed and climatic conditions for the birds; - Experience with Quality Systems/Standards – preferably ISO, HACCP, AECL and ACO; - Fundamental knowledge of bird welfare and the Poultry Model Code of Practice; and - Understanding the complexities and demands of a 24 hour a day, seven days a week business.

This role is a pivotal part in an ever increasing and expanding Queensland agribusiness. The production volumes and capacities will be increasing consistently over the coming years and as such, you will be prepared to be at the helm of an expanding business unit. Demonstrated experience in poultry management is essential, as well as a sound knowledge of and passion for the agricultural sector in general.

In return, the organisation will support and reward you with the following: -

A generous, industry-leading salary package; A fully maintained company vehicle; A house with electricity and internet connection (within 12 months, a brand-new residence will be built on the property as well); Professional development including the ability to attend conferences, seminars and support for further study; A management team of genuine business professionals who are focused on efficiency and the bottom line; and The opportunity to grow a defined career within a diversified agricultural entity.

If this is the position for you, please send your application with the reference number 1389071 as the subject title to, apply@jpsmith.com.au. For any queries regarding this role, please call Jamie Smith on 07 4659 7400.

w w w. j p s m i t h . c o m . a u

POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013 45

News ILDeX Vietnam returns in March 2014 ILDEX Vietnam 2014 returns on March 19-21, 2014, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The organisers believe that ILDEX Vietnam has truly proven to serve the domestic market together with a great variety of activities.

In 2012 the exhibition welcomed more than 200 exhibitors worldwide to meet and connect with around 7,000 visitors who are both Vietnamese and participants from neighboring countries.

The main well-received activities were the professional business platform with good support from the Department of Livestock Production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

ILDEX Vietnam 2014 will return in March with the objective to serve the domestic market by organizing the trade exhibition together with a variety of activi-

ties such as technical seminars including both commercial and non-commercial sections, supported by the government, associations as well as private companies.

Here are some of the companies that will be attending.

Agrovet Atlantik group from Ukraine, will attend for the first time in Vietnam and the company believes that ILDEX Vietnam is the trusted marketing channel to explore Vietnamese market of the Ukrainian.

The company mainly develops and implements complex solutions in nutrition, housing by using advanced modern technologies.

EW Nutrition from Germany, the fast growing company with a strong science based product portfolio will also be attending for the first time.

Getting involved in the Vietnamese feed additives market has been the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long-term plan and it hopes ILDEX Vietnam will be the effective

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46 POULTRY DIGEST, October/November 2013

platform to explore the Vietnamese market.

Moreover, ILDEX Vietnam has been chosen by the other leading companies such as BIOMIN, Nutiad, Buhler, Lohmann, Muyang, Tecno, Texha to exhibit and to participate in this promising market.

The organisers suggest that joining ILDEX Forum Hanoi and ILDEX Vietnam will open up a great opportunity to put your mark on these strategically important cities, with the network linkage among the ASEAN Countries and Asia.

Moreover, they suggest, organizing by industry integrations and the government will ensure your continued success in livestock and aquaculture business in this market.

To register your conferences and space booking, please contact Mr Akachai: akachai.pon@vnuexhibitionsap.com or visit www.ILDEX.com

If you have an event coming up in 2014 take advantage of our website to promote it. We have a new events page for future events.

Contact us for details.

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