Pork Journal Janurary/February 2013 by Primary Media

PJJanFeb2013:PJJanFeb09 1/03/13 3:34 PM Page 1

Pork Journal January/February 2013 Volume 35, Number 1

English free range pork may be imported into Australia

20/20: Alltechâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2013 Symposium offers a glimpse of the future Animal health and welfare focus in SA Pork Alliance

PorkStar 2013 kicks off at Quay in Sydney

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Contents 8 MAIN FEATURE English free range pork may be imported into Australia In February 2013 Mick Sloyan and Stewart Houston, the Director and Chairman of BPEX, visited Australia in order to finalise plans for English free range pork to be sold in the Australian market as processed product.

NEwS Ella Duldig. (See story page 16)

Pork Journal January/February 2013 Volume 35, Number 1 Editorial Enquiries Peter Bedwell or Rosemary Embery +6 1 2 4368 2220 Sales: Peter Bedwell Phone: +61 2 4368 2220 Mob: 0419 235 288 Email: rembery@iinet.net.au website: www.primarymedia.com.au PORk JOURNAL consists of a bi-monthly management magazine and an annual industry review. Published by C D Supplies Pty Ltd (ACN 091 560 557)

Production: Rosemary Embery Email: rembery@iinet.net.au OFFICE ADDRESS: 7 kerns Road, kincumber NSw 2251 Ph: (02) 4368 2220 Mob: 0419235288 SUBSCRIPTIONS: AUSTRALIA One year – $66.00*. Send payment and full details to: Pork Journal, GPO Box 1846, Sydney NSw 2001 Phone (02) 9492 7386 Fax: (02) 9492 7310 NEw ZEALAND One year – $NZ80. OTHER COUNTRIES Asia Pacific including the Subcontinent – One year: Airmail – $A90; Rest of the world – One year: Airmail – $A90. Please send payment in Australian dollars. *Australia subscription rate includes GST.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send details to: GPO Box 1846, Sydney NSw 2001, Fax: (02) 9492 7310 (Subscriptions only). ALL MATERIAL COPYRIGHT (editorial and advertisements) and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publishers. whilst every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents of PORk JOURNAL, the publishers do not accept any responsibility or liability for the material herein.

4 PorkStar 2013 kicks off at Quay in Sydney The now well known Australian Pork Limited PorkStar initiative to bring inventive pork based dishes to the nations top chefs and food service identities, kicked off 2013 with a spectacular event at the world famous Quay restaurant located at the Overseas Passenger Terminals, The Rocks, Sydney on Monday February 4, 2013. 6 Animal health and welfare focus in SA Pork Alliance South Australia’s pig industry will be supported by local research into sow and piglet housing, reproduction, welfare and other new initiatives under the new Southern Pork Alliance. 11 Mandy Bowling awarded 2013 RLM Scholarship Mandy Bowling, a 2012 Animal Science graduate at Adelaide University’s Roseworthy Campus has been awarded the 2013 Ronald J Lienert Memorial Scholarship. 12 Building leadership from the ground up The Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) is Australia’s top rural leadership program and works with committed industry leaders to extend their leadership potential, knowledge, understanding and ability. 14 ‘20/20’: Alltech’s 2013 Symposium offers a glimpse of the future with its impact on sustenance and wellness for a burgeoning population, the environment and possible applications for alternative energy, the world’s future arguably hinges more on the success of agriculture than any other industry. The 2013 Alltech International Symposium will zero in on the next seven years, posing the question – can agribusiness overcome the myriad challenges facing it and also feed 7.4 billion people by 2020? 16 Roseworthy students complete industry placements Two Roseworthy-enrolled Animal Science students, Bonnie Chapman and Ella Duldig, completed periods of industry-sponsored work experience within two different SA commercial piggeries during their University summer break. 15 40,000 pigs an hour from Europe’s illegally-run farms entering the food chain Around 40,000 ‘illegal’ pigs an hour will be entering the European food chain each month in 2013 and bacon, ham and pizzas containing their meat is destined for Britain’s supermarkets, corner shops and restaurants.

NEw PRODUCTS 21 Move dead pigs with ease and safety 22 New tough heat lamps last longer

PORK JOURNAL, Jan/Feb 2013 3

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NEwS PorkStar 2013 kicks off at Quay in Sydney The now well known Australian Pork Limited PorkStar initiative to bring inventive pork based dishes to the nations top chefs and food service identities, kicked off 2013 with a spectacular event at the world famous Quay restaurant located at the Overseas Passenger Terminals, The Rocks, Sydney on Monday February 4, 2013. APL’s driving force behind the PorkStar promotion Mitch Edwards introduced Quay’s famous head chef Peter Gilmore who has been an incredibly consistent performer in both Australian and international top restaurant rankings Quay has become one of the most awarded restaurants in Australia, one of only two restaurants in the country to have received the coveted ‘three-hat’ rating for nine years in a row (The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide). It has also been named SMH Restaurant of the Year in the Guide in 2003, 2005 and 2009 and 2010. Quay was also awarded Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year 2009 and 2010. Quay has also ranked consistently in the S.Pellegrino ‘World’s Top 50 Restaurants Award’. Maybe just as important as the awards and fame that goes with it has been Peter’s influence on the creative use of pork as others in Australia’s incredibly competitive restaurant industry followed his lead. Mitch mentioned specifically Peter’s use of pork belly, an under appreciated resource a decade or so ago that now features on menus across the land. Peter and his talented team excelled themselves with a range of savoury dishes including :- • Local black pig prosciutto on crostini with truffle butter • Pork fermented black bean and Korean rice ball • Savoury bitter chocolate, hazelnut and black pudding tart • Slow braised pork neck pies (fabulous). Mudgee NSW based Skimstone Wines supplied guests with a 2012 Skimstone Sangiovese Rose which went well with both the dishes and the balmy Sydney summer climate. Bowls of firstly pork mince, chilli, peanuts and silken tofu were followed by smoked and confit pig cheek and shaved scallops. Shitake mushroom and Jerusalem artichoke leaves were next with the final

delivery of bliss which was ‘Slow cooked pig jowl, maltose crackling, prunes and cauliflower cream’. A 2011 Skimstone Chardonnay Blend accompanied the second phase of pork based delight. So how do you link pork to the dessert? For peter Gilmore’s team it was easy: Vanilla custard tart made with pork based lard with a glass of Skimstone Botrytis Semillion to aid digestion! For those who had a taste for the hop, James Squire beers were available and those 1

2 1. APL’s Mitch Edwards. 2. Quay Head Chef Peter Gilmore. 3. LtoR: From APL are Rosa Josifoski, Kathleen Pinsdale and CEO Andrew Spencer complete with tatt. 4.Alvin Quah with Lauren Murdoch. 5. Guests Sean (left) and Kieren Prenter.

5 4

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watching their blood alcohol level or just wanting a refreshing alternative, Costella sparkling mineral water. As 140 guests enjoyed a fabulous experience in culinary excellance, literally thousands of cruise liner participants headed out of Circular Quay as the Porkstars event got under way. From where Pork Journal was standing watching an ocean liner the size of a small suburb manoeuver out of the Harbour the PorkStar participants envied them not. No matter how fine the dining on the world’s biggest fizzboat it couldn’t match the efforts of Quay’s kitchen!

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Pig Health. Performance. Growth. www .p fizeranimal f izeranimal health.com.au www.p P fizer Australia Australia Pty Pt y Ltd. Ltd. 38â&#x20AC;&#x201C;42 38 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 42 Wharf Whar f Road, Road, West West Ryde Ryde NSW NSW 22114. 114. Pfizer ABN 50 50 0008 08 422 422 3348. 48. ÂŽRegistered ÂŽ Registered trademark trademark ooff PPfizer fizer Australia. Australia. PAL0680/PJ PAL0680 / PJ ABN References: 1 Ross Bowles Bowles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DPI DPI pegpen, pegpen, 22002. 002. 2. Rafiee Rafiee M Blackall PPJ. J. Aust Aust Vet Ve Vet J 22000; 000; 78: 78: 172â&#x20AC;&#x201C;174. 172â&#x20AC;&#x201C;174. 3. 3. KKielstein ielstein P, P, Rapp-Gabrielson Rapp-Gabrielson VJ. VJ. J Clin Cli Clin Mi M icrobiol 1992; 1992; References: 1.. Ross M,, Blackall Microbiol ust Ve VVet et J 2010; 2010; 88: 88: 255â&#x20AC;&#x201C;259. 255â&#x20AC;&#x201C;259. 5. Cargill Cargill C, C, et et al al AAPV AAPV proceedings proceedings 2002; 2002; 29-33 29-33 6. 6. RRespiSure espiSure H PS PProduct roduct IInformation. nformation. Aust HPS 30:862â&#x20AC;&#x201C;865. 4. Turni Turni C, C, Blackall Blackall PJ. PJ. A 30:862â&#x20AC;&#x201C;865.

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NEwS Animal health and welfare focus in SA Pork Alliance South Australia’s pig industry will be supported by local research into sow and piglet housing, reproduction, welfare and other new initiatives under the new Southern Pork Alliance. The alliance, which was launched at the University of Adelaide Roseworthy Campus on February 22, consolidates SA’s leading role in Australian pig research, development and extension. The alliance between the University’s School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), will capitalise on the higher education, animal health and welfare, reproduction, molecular diagnostics, product quality and food safety capabilities at Roseworthy as well as the Waite Campus in Adelaide. SA is a major supplier of Australia’s pork, with more than 25% of domestic production – about 1.2 million pigs or more than 90,000 tonnes of pork – processed at modern plants in Murray Bridge and Port Wakefield. Dr Roger Campbell, Chief Executive of the national Cooperative Research Centre for High Integrity Pork Chief, said industry was working closely with Southern Pork Alliance specialists at Roseworthy to

promote better standards of production and product quality. “Whole-value-chain innovation, collaboration and research, development and education will ensure the future of a more efficient, sustainable and profitable Australian pork industry,” Dr Campbell said. The Pork CRC, which also is based at Roseworthy, funds a range of research projects covering nutrition, reproduction, housing, production and welfare, with several key projects involving University of Adelaide and SARDI scientists. Professor Iain Reid, Executive Dean (Roseworthy Campus) at University of Adelaide, said pork research at Roseworthy was focused on sow and piglet management, with particular emphasis on reproduction, health, welfare and housing. “These areas are becoming increasingly important for the efficient and ethical production of pork, without the need for confinement of sows in stalls or widespread use of antibiotic medications. “For the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, this alliance dramatically strengthens the potential for research and teaching in pig production and disease management, making it a unique resource

among Australian veterinary schools and ensuring a continuing supply of researchers and veterinarians to service the needs of the industry.” Professor Alan Tilbrook, SARDI Livestock and Farming Systems Research Chief, said the alliance brought together a diverse range of infrastructure and highlevel skills. “Our pig and poultry production researchers work with industry, producers, vets, engineers and nutritionists, as well as with University of Adelaide and TAFE programs at Roseworthy,” Prof Tilbrook said. “SARDI and the University of Adelaide have been conducting a nationally recognised course in pork industry training, which this year attracted participants from all around Australia.” The new pork alliance was launched at the SA Pig Industry Open Day at Roseworthy on February 22 where local producers, suppliers, researchers and students will be updated on the latest pork industry research. The alliance follows the establishment last year of the Southern Poultry Alliance between the University of Adelaide and SARDI.

VFF urges Coles to develop consistent sow stall policy The Victorian Farmers Federation has called on Coles to ensure all of its imported pork products are sow stall free, following the announcement that their home brand pork, bacon and ham products are sow stall free. Sow stalls, used to confine a pregnant pig during pregnancy, are being phased out in Australia following a pig industry vote in 2010, but European countries that trade with Australia can use sow stalls for up to 25% of a sow’s pregnancy. VFF Pig group president John Bourke said it was unfair to the consumer to have sow stall and non-sow stall produce on supermarket shelves. “There can’t be one rule for domestic produce and another rule for all other imports. “We want the same sow stall free rules for all local and imported produce,

PORK JOURNAL, Jan/Feb 2013

home brand and non-home brand,” Mr Bourke said. Market figures released by Australian Pork show that in 2011-12, 28.2% of Australian pork imports came from Denmark – a country Coles openly sources produce from. “Almost all the bacon is coming from Denmark and they are still allowed to use sow stalls for four weeks, so that’s not a sow stall ban,” Mr Bourke said. Australian pork figures also show that a large majority of Australian pork imports for 2011-12 came from countries without comprehensive sow stall bans. While Coles’ decision is seen to be a step in the right direction Mr Bourke encouraged the supermarket to develop a consistent policy on domestic and imported pork products. “Coles have said they are talking about

their home brand products but home brand is only a small percentage of Coles’ pork sales,” Mr Bourke said. Another area that produces inconsistency in trade is Coles’ quality assurance program, Mr Bourke says. “Coles’ quality assurance program appears to be based on UK standards, it doesn’t reference Australian conditions or Australian vets,” Mr Bourke said. “The program makes it tough for Australian producers and has a knock on effect on production figures. Domestic producers have to battle against imports that don’t have obstructive quality assurance programs and are allowed to use sow stalls.” Mr Bourke would welcome a discussion with Coles to assess what quality assurance program and conditions are best for domestic producers.

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English free range pork may be imported into Australia

By PETER BEDWELL

n February 2013 Mick Sloyan and Stewart Houston, the Director and Chairman of BPEX, visited Australia in order to finalise plans for English free range pork to be sold in the Australian market as processed product. BPEX, a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, represents pig levy payers in England and according to its director Mick Sloyan, its focus is on enhancing the competitiveness, efficiency and profitability for English pig levy payers and driving demand for English pork and pig meat products in Britain and globally. Pork Journal met Mr Sloyan and Mr Houston on February 24, the last day of their trip to Australia at the end of a busy week in which they visited APL in Canberra and regulatory authorities as well as examining some of Australia’s major pork production facilities. Delegates who were present at the 2012 Pan Pacific Pork Expo in May 2012, would have been interested to hear Dr Mike Varley, Director of the UK based The Pig Technology Company, deliver his paper, ‘Differentiation – A UK Pork industry perspective’. In that paper Dr Varley explained how the UK industry, struggling under similar competitive regulatory and retail pressures, had moved to establishing strong brand recognition (e.g. the Red Tractor logo) and to dramatically increase outdoor production to the point where it represented close to 40% of the total UK pig industry. Now in early 2013 Stewart Houston,

PORK JOURNAL, Jan/Feb 2013

Mick Sloyan, Director BPEX and Stewart Houston (right), Chairman BPEX in Sydney.

himself a grower as well as chair of the BPEX organization, confirmed that UK outdoor production was exceeding 40% of total and still growing. Mr Houston explained that, “the industry through BPEX had undertaken much research into consumer attitudes and expectations in a market where animal welfare issues were still a critical issue to both consumers and the retail sector”. “The industry has established three different and clearly defined codes so consumers are as aware as we can make them of our production methods,” he said.

“To be able to claim the ‘Free Range’ label, the pigs are born outdoors and remain in the outdoors environment until they are sent for processing, usually at around 100kg. “They are provided with food, water and shelter and are free to roam within defined boundaries. “Very generous space allowances are defined with minimum requirements dependent on soil conditions and rotation practices. Breeding sows are kept outside in fields for their productive life, again with w generous space allowance.

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“The sows are provided with individual ‘Arks’ in which to farrow and rear their piglets until weaning after a minimum period of three weeks. “These Arks or huts are designed with a low barrier or fender that prevents the piglets from roaming away from the hut but allows the sow to enter and leave the hut at will,” Mr Sloyan explained. The second code for outdoor production is ‘Outdoor Bred.’ “With this protocol pigs are born outside in fields where they are kept until weaning. “Breeding sows are kept outside in fields for their productive lives. Where soil types and climate are a constraint, producers can apply for a derogation to keep gestating sows in barns, in groups on deep straw bedding for a maximum of seven weeks at the start of each production cycle,” Mr Sloyan said. “The pigs are provided with food, water and shelter with generous minimum space allowances. “Pork and pork products labelled as Outdoor Bred will also contain a statement about how the pigs are subsequently farmed. “Where possible this will be in the same field of vision on the label as Outdoor Bred. “Retailers and foodservice businesses are encouraged to make further information available about the method of finishing to consumers through literature or websites. “The third category is Outdoor Reared where the pigs are born outside in fields, then they are reared for approximately half their life (defined as at least 30kg) inside barns. “Breeding sows are kept outside in fields for their productive lives. “They are provided with food, water and shelter and generous minimum space allowances. Pork and pork products labelled as Outdoor Reared will also contain a statement about the way the pigs are subsequently farmed. Where possible this will be in the same field of vision on the label as Outdoor Reared and again retailers and foodservice businesses are encouraged to make further information available about the method of finishing to consumers through literature or websites. “We spent a lot of time and effort on research at all stages of the production and distribution chain using industry experts and consumer focus groups,” Mr Houston stated. “We also consulted Dr Sandra Edwards from Newcastle University, an internationally recognised researcher on welfare friendly pig production systems,” he said. Dr Edwards has recently addressed Australian audiences at the Melbourne

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University Animal Welfare Science Unit seminars. “Assuming BPEX can satisfy Australian pork import protocols, given the high cost of production in the UK can your industry supply free range pork at cost levels that will satisfy our highly competitive market?” Pork Journal asked Mr Houston. “We believe that we can, because in developing our outdoor farms we have managed to achieve high levels of efficiencies,” he said. “Firstly the average size of our free range farms at between 800-1000 breeding sows is actually larger than some of our intensive operations and our farmers have becoming increasingly skilled at handling the animals to achieve good production levels,” he said. Certainly when Sandra Edwards was describing UK free range pig production at the AWSU seminar many would have been surprised by the number of piglets per sow achieved and overall low mortality levels. “Other specific initiatives have been the development of more sophisticated equipment to reduce labour costs and better serve our pigs with their requirements. “My company has developed and electronic sow feeding system for free range and outdoor farming operations that delivers similar benefits to ESF systems used in indoor group sow housing facilities,” he added. Given the size of the UK and its high density population, it came as a surprise to Pork Journal that there would be enough suitable land for extensive outdoor pig farming operations. “Our outdoor farms are concentrated in areas with sandy soil like East Anglia and the Thames Valley. Apart from being suitable for our outdoor pig farms these regions are close to large population centres as well,” Mr Houston said. Obviously Pork Journal was keen to seek APL’s views on prospective imports of free range pork from the UK. APL CEO Andrew Spencer stated that, “any country can apply to be an exporter of pork to Australia in alignment with our import protocols, however not all countries would be successful in their applications,” he said. “Those countries in Europe would be more likely to be well looked upon due to their relatively higher standards of production, food health and hygiene, based on a world comparative basis,” he explained. “If the British were to export pork to Australia, it would have to arrive in a frozen form, like every other exporter. “The imported meat would be processed upon arrival for use only in

Dr Sandra Edwards from Newcastle University at the AWSU seminar.

manufactured products (ham, bacon and smallgoods). “Before any product can be imported from the UK, actual slaughter establishments need to be approved by the Australian authorities and at this stage I understand that none of them are approved as yet,” Mr Spencer said. “Just having an import approval is of course no guarantee that there will be any business either. “The British pork industry tends to have more highly priced product than the rest of Europe due to their different production systems. “This means it would be likely to be sold more into niche markets where there is already significant competition from local businesses. “Coles may well look on this product for branded processed product, which I understand is presently mainly coming from the Netherlands, so there is little if any potential to increase imports through any shift in supply there. “In summary, we don’t see this as significantly changing the present (high) import volumes or increasing competition for Australian pork, but of course we will be keeping a close eye on developments,” Mr Spencer concluded. Obviously the Australian pig industry has good reason to be wary of any new source of imports into our already crowded market for processed pork product, however we may as an industry be able to pick up a few ideas from the Brits both in on-farm management and product marketing. A critical take home message from both the BPEX interview and Mike Varley’s talk at PPPE, is that outdoor farming on a large scale can be viable in highly competitive markets if it is properly organised and just as important, clearly promoted and explained to consumers.

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NEwS Mandy Bowling awarded 2013 RLM Scholarship Mandy Bowling, a 2012 Animal Science graduate at Adelaide University’s Roseworthy Campus has been awarded the 2013 Ronald J Lienert Memorial Scholarship. The Scholarship was formally presented by Nick Lienert during the SA Pig Industry Day Dinner, held on campus on February 22 and attended by more than 90 pork producers, industry researchers and agribusiness representatives. The Ronald J Lienert Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually by the SA pig industry to support the study program of an Honours student focused on an aspect of pig production at Roseworthy Campus. Mandy Bowling’s research project will involve the novel measurement of the emotional or psychic status of pigs when placed within different social or environmental contexts, using heart rate variability as a measure of animal stress. There has been recent interest into this

objective measure to indicate temperament, emotional state and environmental stressors on animals, as it is noninvasive and may be a more objective measurement of animal welfare than others already in use. Mandy’s project will specifically aim to verify if LtoR: Nick & Chris Lienert, Mandy Bowling and Adam heart rate variability can be reliably measured in the ges- Lienert at SA Pig Industry Dinner. tating sow, to determine if it sows and how they affect pig productivity is related to social structure (and potentialand welfare. ly temperament) and to identify if it is The 2012 RLMS recipient Emma affected by acute or chronic stress. Greenwood completed her Honours project The research project will be conducted in 2012 and has recently re-enrolled into a within the Roseworthy Campus 300 sow PhD program at Roseworthy Campus, piggery. focused on the management of mixing The RLMS has been awarded annually sows into groups, the design of specialised since 2011. Its inaugural winner, Anthony mixing pens and the identification of paraMartynuik will be completing his Masters meters for key elements of group sow housDegree in 2013, assessing alternate ing, such as pen space and use of bedding. strategies for housing lactating gilts and

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NEwS Building leadership from the ground up The Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) is Australia’s top rural leadership program and works with committed industry leaders to extend their leadership potential, knowledge, understanding and ability. The program aims to produce a network of informed, capable and ethical leaders who are able to work collaboratively to advance the interests of their industries, communities and rural Australia in general. Australian Pork Limited (APL) actively invests in the Industry Leadership Scholarship of the ARLP, assisting and presenting up-and-coming pork industry leaders with the opportunity, skills and confidence to take on leadership positions within the industry. APL’s investment in the program not only promotes and encourages leadership but provides a method of future proofing the Australian pork industry. Participation in the program also reflects the organisation’s Core Objective ‘Viable Productive Farms – Build Skills and Capacity’. It also acts to facilitate APL’s responsibility to the Industry Leadership Scholarship recipient’s participation in the ARLP, in addition to investing $50,000 with contributions from participants and their employers to make their journey possible. Strategic Business Manager for Australian Pork Farms Group Ltd, Bjorn Ludvigsen will take part in the next course of the ARLP commencing in May of this year. Bjorn said, “I applied for the course as I thought it offered an excellent opportunity to further develop my leadership skills and become a more effective leader within my organisation and industry.” “I hope the experience leaves me with a life-long set of tools and leadership skills that I can reflect upon and draw from in all situations I encounter, whether they are at work, industry, community or at a personal level.” “I hope the course improves the way I do business by increasing my ability to quickly analyse a situation, formalise an opinion and negotiate a position and thereby become a more effective leader.” Westpork Production Manager, Richard Evison completed the course in late 2012. Richard’s love for travel has taken his career around the world, working in outdoor and indoor pork production in Australia, the UK and Canada. Reflecting on his experience on the

PORK JOURNAL, Jan/Feb 2013

course, Richard said “I looked through all the subject titles and readings we have worked through in the last 18 months and, to say the least, it’s extensive. I asked myself how do I write down what I have learnt and how I am applying it.” “It all depends on where you are in your life and career and it is true to say that you get from the course what you put in. “It is also about learning from your peers. The course structure is designed

around engagement and pushing you beyond your comfort zone. “The ARLP is not a leadership course that lays down a curriculum with a pass or fail. It is not a course where you take home today’s lesson and apply it instantly to your life tomorrow. “The course is a journey and the true learnings are about where you were, what you have learnt and where it will take you. “We cannot change what has happened in our lives nor do we often get to choose what happens, but we can choose how we deal with situations for a better outcome.

2 1. Richard Evison and other Course 20 members outised Parliament House as part of their Canberra session. 2. Richard Evison in a group during the cohort’s first course activity in the Kimberley. 3. Bjorn Ludvigsen (left) and APL Research and 5 Innovation General Manager Dr Darryl D’Souza.

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NEwS

LR POSITIONAL

3 “This course gives you the skills to make better choices and I think this is the biggest learning I will take away with me.” Dr Lesley Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation said “The Foundation congratulates Australian Pork Limited again on its commitment to building leadership in the pork industry.” “We welcome their investment in the latest Course of the Australian Rural Leadership Program. The pork industry and rural and regional Australia will be the beneficiaries of this commitment.” The next ARLP Course 20 will commence in the coming months and travel the nation on the following dates and locations: 14-26 May 2013 Kimberley, WA 11-18 Aug 2013 South Australia 16-23 Nov 2013 ACT/NSW 9-22 Feb 2014 Overseas 15-22 Jun 2014 State based depending on topic of the case study 14-21 Sep 2014 Regional Centre Graduation for ARLP Course 20 is end of September 2014. Applications for Course 21 (May 2014 – September 2015) are now open to those who live or work in, or on behalf of, rural Australian industry and communities. Applications close 31 July 2013. Make a difference to the future of rural Australia now. More information can be found at http://www.rural-leaders. com.au/programs/arlp/applications-for-course-21-may2014-sept-2015 The ARLP is part of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation which was established in 1992 to respond to emerging challenges for rural, regional and remote Australia. It exists to create a network of leaders with compassion and commitment, strategic thinking and negotiating skills, and the foresight to influence communities, industries, businesses and policy makers. The Foundation now has more than 500 graduates of the ARLP who are committed to the resilience of rural Australia through their industry, community, and family leadership roles.

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NEwS ‘20/20’: Alltech’s 2013 Symposium offers a glimpse of the future With its impact on sustenance and wellness for a burgeoning population, the environment and possible applications for alternative energy, the world’s future arguably hinges more on the success of agriculture than any other industry. The 2013 Alltech International Symposium will zero in on the next seven years, posing the question – can agribusiness overcome the myriad challenges facing it and also feed 7.4 billion people by 2020? The 29th Annual Alltech International Symposium in Lexington, Ky., USA, from May 19-22, will offer a fresh glimpse into the future of agribusiness. In a recently published International Food and Agribusiness Management Review article, interviews with 25 agribusiness experts identified seven key barriers that may impede the world’s ability to feed nine billion people by 2050. The challenges and opportunities were organized under the acronym GLIMPSE: Government, Losses in the food and ingredient supply chains, Infrastructure, Markets, Politics and policies, Science and innovation, and the Environment. GLIMPSE’s findings will be a centerpiece of symposium plenary session discussions, which will also review the state of play in the global feed industry. Given the new information revealed in Alltech’s 2013 Global Feed Tonnage Survey, is agriculture’s next great frontier possibly Africa? In light of recent food crises, the symposium will explore how the industry can maintain or restore consumers’ perceptions of food

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NEwS • Connecting with Consumers through the World’s Premier Equestrian Event • Profit from the Core • Next Generation Foods • Celebrating the Farmer • Beyond the Brand: Customer Engagement • Farm to Fork: Branding All-Natural Omega-3 Pork to the Consumer • Communicating Diversity: A Dialogue with the Latin Market • The Changing Face of Media • Building a Successful Brand Beyond Your Home Market • Crops: An Extra Ton per 2.5 Acres? Registration for Alltech’s 29th Annual International Symposium is open now and available for an early discount price of $599 until April 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Standard registration after April 15 will be $850. Two paid registrations from a single company or organisation will receive a third registration free of charge. Delegates who are members of ARPAS and AAVSB can also earn CEUs. Attendees are encouraged to register early as space is limited. Of the nearly 3,000 international delegates who attended the 2012 Alltech International Symposium, 97 percent indicated that they plan to attend again. For more information, or to request an invitation, contact a local Alltech representative, visit www.alltech.com/symposium or email symposium@alltech.com.

40,000 pigs an hour from Europe’s illegally-run farms entering the food chain Around 40,000 ‘illegal’ pigs an hour will be entering the European food chain each month in 2013 and bacon, ham and pizzas containing their meat is destined for Britain’s supermarkets, corner shops and restaurants. The pigs will come from continental farms where sows are still confined in stalls – a practice outlawed by European Union animal welfare legislation from January 1, 2013, according to a press release from the NPA (National Pig Association UK). The stalls have not been used in the United Kingdom for many years, but figures released by Brussels recently show that with the continental ban now in place 80% of European Union countries have not yet complied with the ban. Even allowing for a last minute rush to remove sows from stalls and house them in new group pens, this indicates that nearly two million pigs a week from farms operating illegally will be delivered to Europe’s processing plants. “It makes a mockery of Europe’s animal welfare legislation,” says NPA (National Pig Association UK) Chairman Richard Longthorp. “As the United Kingdom imports around 60% of its pork – much of it as

processed food such as ham and bacon – shoppers will need to be very careful about what they choose from supermarket shelves and when eating out in restaurants.” NPA is urging British shoppers who care about animal welfare not to buy imported pork or processed pork products such as bacon, until all European Union member countries have complied with the stalls ban. “The major British supermarkets have promised they will not sell pork from continental farms operating illegally but our concern is that in many cases these farms will be difficult to identify and everybody admits that imported processed foods will be almost impossible to trace,” said NPA General Manager Dr Zoe Davies. “Our advice to shoppers is always to look for the independent Red Tractor logo on the pack, which is an absolute guarantee that the product comes from a British pig farm where keeping sows in stalls has been banned for over a decade.” The data published by Brussels this month shows France is only 33% compliant with the European stalls ban, Germany only 48% and Ireland only 57%. Other countries unable to hit the January 2013 deadline include Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain.

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NEwS Roseworrthy students complete industry placements Two Roseworthy-enrolled Animal Science students completed periods of industry-sponsored work experience within two different SA commercial piggeries during their University summer break. Bonnie Chapman completed her placement at Salt Lake Bacon, Lochiel and Ella Duldig completed hers at McPiggery, Lameroo after being awarded Undergraduate Industry Placement Scholarships by Australian Pork Ltd. This scholarship program provides undergraduate students enrolled within a relevant study course with the opportunity to experience hands-on commercial pork production as an adjunct to their formal livestock management studies. The skillsets learnt on-farm during these placements benefit the students’ understanding of the pig industry and can generate their interest in undertaking further pig studies, or investigate career opportunities after graduation.

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Student Ella Duldig records mating details at McPiggery, Lameroo

Since the UIPS program’s inception, close to 60 Roseworthyenrolled students have been awarded Industry Undergraduate Placement Scholarships by Australian Pork Ltd, with more than 50% returning to further post-graduate studies at Roseworthy Campus with a pig R&D focus, or seeking industry-based career starts. The SA Pig Industry Advisory Group, using (SA) Pig Industry Funds, assists APL with the UIPS program by approving the funding of a student mentoring program delivered by SA industry consultant Graeme Pope, Nuriootpa. This PIAG Project ensures the Roseworthy student community is made aware of the APL UIPS program, enables Graeme to use the Roseworthy Campus piggery to familiarise UIPS recipients with routine piggery tasks likely to be encountered during their industry placement, and to conduct visits to placement farms with the students (prior to their Placement commencing) to familiarise with farm staff and piggery infrastructure. The continued success of both these projects within SA will always be dependent on the availability of suitable farms willing to invest in the time and effort it takes to educate and expose students to the many facets of operating a commercial piggery. Both APL and PIAG acknowledge the support given annually by SA producers to this successful program.

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NEwS Research aims to beat pig disease PwMS New research findings could take farmers one step closer to controlling the devastating pig disease, Post Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS). A project funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, published recently, has identified the factors that make some farms more likely to develop the disease which is estimated to cost the UK pig industry £30m each year. The research could help to outline best practice husbandry to enable farmers to optimise animal welfare and maintain production. In the study, researchers at the Royal Veterinary College looked at 147 pig farms across England and found the farms with the lowest incidence of PMWS had clean, enriched environments with the maximum amount of space for pigs as possible. They also found that pigs reared outside were at considerably less risk from PMWS. PMWS is widespread in the UK, striking young pigs from about six weeks after they are removed from their mothers; they then lose weight, have difficulty breathing and can suffer from fever and diarrhoea as they slowly become emaciated. Up to 30% of infected pigs die of the disease. PMWS is associated with the presence of a virus called porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) but the virus alone does not seem to cause the syndrome. Many pigs with the virus do not develop the disease. This suggests that PMWS is only likely to develop when pigs are unhealthy for other reasons. Dirk Werling, a professor at the RVC, explains: “We found that good animal husbandry is the best way to guard against an outbreak of PMWS. “If pigs are reared outdoors, or in an enriched, clean environment, they are far less likely to get sick, even if the virus is present. Our research suggests that by reducing the likelihood of PMWS, improving conditions for pigs is a good investment because, in the long term, production is improved.” Prof Werling received £2.4 million for the PMWS project through the BBSRC Combating Endemic Diseases For FarmAnimal Sustainability program (CEDFAS). As part of the project his team have been working with the British Pig Executive (BPEX) to develop monitoring tools to help farmers judge whether their

farms are at high risk of PMWS. Professor Douglas Kell, Chief Executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, said combating animal diseases, both in the UK and internationally, would be crucial to ensure we could provide safe, sustainable, nutritious and affordable food to all. “PMWS is endemic to the UK, but this research demonstrates the disease can be combated in a way that saves the pig farming industry millions of pounds while also improving animal welfare.”

Victorian Pig Fair The Victorian Pig Fair will be held on April 16-17, 2013 at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre located at the Bendigo Show-grounds and entry for producers and their employees will be free. As with previous Fairs, in addition to the trade show, the Pig Fair Program will be crammed full of many different events including the seminar program, and the cocktail party and networking session. Contact Christine Clark, 0429 662 519, Vice-President & Media Officer Victorian Pig Fair Committee 2012/2013.

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NEwS Dr Pearse Lyons receives Business Person of the Year Award Irish-born entrepreneur Dr Pearse Lyons, President and founder of Alltech, has received the Business and Finance ‘Business Person of the Year’ award. The annual award honouring an individual who has enhanced business in Ireland was the highlight of the Business and Finance Award ceremony, held in December in the Convention Centre in Dublin city, Ireland. A panel of Dr Lyons’ peers were chosen to select the winner. In the past, this prestigious program has celebrated the outstanding achievements of individuals such as JP McManus, Neville Isdell, Michael Smurfit, Tony Ryan, Dermot Desmond, Liam O’ Mahony, Willie Walsh, Philip Lynch, Peter Sutherland, T.K. Whitaker and Denis O’ Brien. A native of Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, Dr Lyons has helped revolutionise the animal feed industry with Alltech’s natural solutions, which are safe and beneficial for the animal, consumer and environment. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University College Dublin, Ireland, and a master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Birmingham, England. He worked as a biochemist at Irish distilleries before establishing Alltech in

1980. In the past 32 years, Alltech has grown to employ 2,800 people and conduct business in 128 countries, with annual sales of approximately $750 million. In 1981, Alltech responded to a demand for products in the European agricultural market with the opening of its first international office in Dunboyne, County Meath, Ireland. Alltech Ireland is the location of the company’s second international Bioscience Centre, a 120-acre facility that serves as the focal point of Alltech operations in Europe. Alltech Ireland continues to expand, with a multi-million Euro construction project currently taking place, which will triple the size of the facility. This will enlarge the research department and will provide the resources for the European Bioscience Centre to serve as headquarters for operations leading up to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy, France. Drawing on his distiller’s background, Dr Lyons also established Alltech’s Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, which includes a line of awardwinning beers – Kentucky Ale, Kentucky Light and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale – and several spirits such as Town Branch Bourbon and Pearse Lyons Reserve malt

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whiskey. In 2012, Alltech launched Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale in Ireland and partnered with Ireland’s Carlow Brewing Co. to begin the distilling of its first genuine Irish whiskey. “The Irish are instilled with a fiery passion that carries over into everything that they do – from making fine whiskey to conducting business with countries abroad. This is who we are, this is what you do for entrepreneurship. First order, don’t get it right, get it going, the ferocious togetherness, and be agile,” Dr. Lyons said. “My dream of building a top global animal nutrition company was fuelled by the passion I inherited. Over the past 30 years, it’s been my pleasure to watch the Alltech-Ireland stories become intertwined as we work together to achieve economic growth and stability.”

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NEWS US: Funding to drive pork demand As pork producers struggle with recordhigh feed prices caused by the worst US drought since the 1950s, the National Pork Board has approved domestic and international marketing budgets that will help drive pork demand at a critical time. The Board is committing $27,735,000 in FY2013 for domestic marketing efforts and $7,102,000 for international marketing efforts that will help stem producer losses that are forecast for this next year. The Board added almost $2 million in additional dollars to the marketing effort from its September preliminary budget. The action came as the board approved a 2013 program budget of $69.8 million, slightly higher than the 2012 budget of $69.3 million. The budget now goes to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for final approval. USDA oversees the National Pork Board’s spending of the Pork Checkoff. “Pork is a great value in the grocery store today for consumers, but we know we face challenges in the year ahead,” said National Pork Board President Conley Nelson, an Algona, Iowa, farmer and pork production executive. “As pork prices rise next year because of reduced pork supplies, supporting the ‘Pork Be inspired’ advertising and promotional campaign is going to be important in moving more pork. “During the first quarter of 2013, the Checkoff is working to feature pork at retail, in foodservice and online for a shortterm, measurable impact for farmers.” Nelson added, “The Board added more funding for domestic promotional support to ensure that we can continue to build upon the success of thePork Be inspiredcampaign. “The campaign has been able to grow its target audience – consumers who are medium-to-heavy fresh-pork eaters – from 30 percent of US households to 35 percent.” National data show that consumption of fresh pork is holding steady among all consumers while consumers in the Checkoff ’s Pork Be Inspired target audience are trending toward higher intake. In September, the amount spent per US consumer on pork was the highest of any month since 2004. In addition, the recent Pork Checkoff tracking study conducted in June surveyed

1,200 US households and found that targeted consumers reported enjoying three servings of fresh pork in the previous two weeks. These consumers are open to fresh pork, with more rating fresh pork cuts higher compared with previous tracking studies. Internationally, US pork exports are on pace to match the 2011 record of $6.108 billion in value and 4.97 billion pounds. For the first eight months of the year, export value is more than $56 per head. ”Farmers have come to depend on export markets,” Nelson said. “Investing additional dollars into international marketing programs will allow the Checkoff to expand US Meat Export Federation promotions, as well as to fund research to continue to keep export markets open and look at new market opportunities.”

EU members still not compliant on sow stalls A total of 17 out of 27 member states are still not fully compliant with the EU’s partial ban on stalls, according to latest figures. The ban on the use of sow stalls in pig production came into force on January 1, although the practice has been outlawed in the UK since 1999. According to the National Pig Association, they were told that only 10 countries, including the United Kingdom were fully compliant with the new rules. Of the significant pig producing countries, Germany, France and Ireland are reported to be least compliant. Germany’s level of compliance is estimated at 73%, France’s at 72% and Ireland’s at 82%. Denmark is understood to be 94% compliant and the Netherlands 98%.

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NEwS Phytase Summit takes pig and poultry nutrition to new levels High phytase doses can benefit both pigs and poultry – but only when used correctly in feed formulations, said leading academics at the 2nd International Phytase Summit (IPS 2), which took place in Rome in December. Phytase is being used increasingly by the animal production industry to destroy the anti-nutrient phytate that is present in many plant-based foodstuffs. But as well as championing the use of phytase, particularly for improving nutrient digestion, IPS 2 delegates advised caution when formulating feeds with increasing phytase levels. In a session on phytase ‘mega-dosing’, Dr Craig Wyatt and Tiago dos Santos of AB Vista highlighted that levels of nutrient absorption do not necessarily improve in line with dosage increases – underlining the need for non-linear formulation. Later, Dr Hadden Graham, also of AB Vista, and Dr David Cresswell, of Cresswell Livestock Consulting (in absentia), addressed the much-questioned validity of high doses of phytase in low-phytate diets. Here, the presenters demonstrated that mega-dosing could indeed reduce feeding costs and maintain animal performance, though again depending on getting phytase levels and formulations exactly right. Dr Aaron Cowieson of the University of Sydney talked in another session about using ‘nutritional geometry’ in feed formulation. Dr Cowieson sees dietary calcium and phosphorus requirements as being interdependent across a range of values rather than

having an absolute value. And going straight the root of the issue, Drs Charles Brearley of the University of East Anglia and Victor Raboy from the US Department of Agriculture reported on the ongoing development of low-phytate crops, by making enzyme changes at seed level. Tiago dos Santos, Global Technical Manager, AB Vista, said: “AB Vista was

delighted with the success of IPS 2, which we hosted jointly with Massey University, University of Maryland, Scothorst Feed Research and The University of Sydney. The discussions made a valuable contribution to the debate of how far we can go with phosphate replacement and creating a phytate-free world. “I look forward to seeing the industry progress as a result of this meeting.”

Staff changes at Biomin As a result of increasing business opportunities in Australia and the Asia Pacific region, Dr Jan Vanbrabant, CEO Asia Pacific for Biomin Singapore Pte Ltd has announced staff changes effective January 1, 2013, Dr Neil Gannon has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Biomin Australia Pty Ltd. Neil joined Biomin Australia in November 2011 as Technical Manager, with a strong background in animal nutrition and research in Australia and overseas, in both the commercial and public sectors, and has successfully promoted Biomin products and values to Australian customers. Previously, Mr Mark Olley had being performing the dual role of COO (Australia) and Regional Director. The promotion of Neil will allow Mark to further develop the regional business. Neil will continue to focus on the require-

ments of customers in Australia and bring the latest products from Biomin’s R&D Centres to the Australian market. Neil is supported in Australia by Mr Denis M’Gee (Northern Australia), Mr Sam Custodio (Southern Australia) and Mr Bernard Chuah (Supply Chain). Biomin develops and produces feed additives and services with the aim of improving animal health and performance in a natural and economically viable way. Using the latest technology Biomin promotes sustainable solutions and supports environmentally friendly animal production through mycotoxin risk management and extensive knowledge in the area of application of phytogenics, acids and probiotics. Biomin products have been available in Australia for eight years and the company is looking forward to growing with the Australian livestock and aquaculture industries into the future.

Mycotoxins & Salmonella 2013 The organisers of Mycotoxins2011 have responded to positive feedback after that event and created Mycotoxins& Salmonella2013 which will be held at the Imperial Queens Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday 12th March 2013 (the day before VIV Asia). This conference features technical papers on two of the key issues facing animal feed producers and livestock farmers in Asia today – mycotoxins and salmonella – and brings to Bangkok internationally renowned experts from around the world. The Mycotoxins half of the conference looks at the current Asia Pacific situation,

PORK JOURNAL, Jan/Feb 2013

Fusaria, toxin control, influence on the inflammatory response and the mycotoxin control whereas the Salmonella half of the event looks at EU and USA regulations, control in feed, European experiences, biosecurity and vaccination and the two halves are linked by a presentation on testing feed for mycotoxins and salmonella. Mycotoxins&Salmonella2013 is a one day independent technical conference on the subjects of its title that is targeted at livestock directors and farmers, feed mill managers, veterinarians, nutritionists and anyone involved in the production of safe animal feed.

All of Mycotoxins&Salmonella2013 speakers are experts in their own field and have a wealth of experience to share with delegates. This is a must attend conference for anyone involved in livestock farming and animal feed production. Mycotoxins&Salmonella2013 will be a unique Asian networking opportunity for anyone involved in mycotoxin and salmonella control and a great way to start your VIV Asia week. For further information: www.positive action.co.uk and to book your place(s) please contact palmpositive@yahoo.com.

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NEw PRODUCTS Move dead pigs with ease and safety The Boar Buzzard is the easiest way to move dead pigs from restricted spaces. “Thanks to its unique steering mechanism it can turn in and out of tight walkways with heavy loads,” said Mike Anderson from Mudigo. “The strong electric winch is powered by a deep-cycle battery. The whole device is designed specifically for the purpose with solid rubber tyres, telescopic spine, adjustable rake angle, dual pulley attachment points and altogether strong construction. “Take the pain out of heavy lifting and OH&S concerns. The Boar Buzzard is the best machine for the job,” said Mike. Phone Mundigo on 1800 100 820 for more details and pricing, or go to YouTube and search Mundigo Boar Buzzard for a demonstration video.

NEwS US EPA releases information on hog farmers to activist groups The National Pork Producers Council is extremely troubled by the US Environmental Protection Agency’s release recently to several activist groups of personal information on US hog farmers and on other livestock and poultry farmers and, possibly, business-confidential data on their farms. EPA in early February released raw data from farms in 30 states, including, in some instances, farmers’ home addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses as well as information on employees of operations, to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Earth Justice and the Pew Charitable Trusts under Freedom of Information Act requests the groups filed. “The release of data containing personal and confidential information is extremely troubling; we feel betrayed,” said NPPC President R C Hunt, a hog farmer from Wilson, NC “We are very concerned for farmers and with the ability of those opposed to modern livestock and poultry farms to manipulate that data to advance their extremist agenda.” EPA gathered the information despite being forced last year to drop a proposed reporting rule for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) because of concerns about the privacy and biosecurity of family farms. The regulation was the result of a 2010 ‘sweetheart’ deal the agency entered with environmental groups, including NRDC. The deal was struck while EPA and livestock and poultry producers were in the middle of a lawsuit brought by NPPC over EPA’s 2008 CAFO rule, which required large livestock and poultry operations that propose to or that might discharge into waterways to obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) permits. A federal appeals court ruled that the CWA requires permits only for farms that actually discharge. In dropping the reporting rule, EPA indicated it still wanted to collect data on CAFOs to “more effectively carry out its CAFO permitting programs on a national level and ensure that CAFOs are implementing practices to protect water quality and human health.” But the agency gathered the data from state water agencies without informing them about its intention to share the information with outside groups, including through a searchable national database.

MANURE SPREADERS

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NEw PRODUCTS New tough heat lamps last longer New from Mundigo are quartz heat lamps which directly replace typical 175W glass heat bulbs. “They are tough and will last three to four times longer than normal heat bulbs under normal conditions,” said Mike Anderson from Mundigo. “The main frame of the lamps is made of aluminium and stainless steel – absolutely no glass! The infrared quartz element is coated to make it water resistant, which is perfect for piggeries,” Mike said. “There are two ways you can use the new quartz heat lamps on your farm. “Firstly, the heat lamps are available as a complete fixture including aluminium reflective shade, lamp holder with HI-LOOFF switch, and 1.7m cord with 3-pin plug. The lamp replacement costs are very low because only the element is replaced – not the entire lamp. “Alternatively if you already have the shade, lamp holder and cord, you can simply use the quartz 175W lamp with Edison screw thread in place of the traditional glass bulb. “Even if they last twice as long as what

Pork Journal

you have, they will cut your costs in half. So they are definitely worth trying. The cost of the lamps is comparable, if not cheaper than glass bulbs,” said Mike. To see how tough they are, go to You-

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Tube and search for Mundigo quartz heat lamps. Phone Mundigo on 1800 100 820 for more information.

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1. Data on file. 2. Eileen L. Thacker, DVM, PhD; Brad J. Thacker, DVM, PhD; Tamara B. Boettcher, DVM; H. Jayappa, MVSc, PhD. Comparison of antibody production, lymphocyte stimulation, and protection induced by four commercial Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterins. Swine Health and Production. 1998: 6(3): 107-112. 3. Davis RG et al. Onset and Duration of Immunity of a single dose of M+PAC. Proc. Leman Swine Conference 2003. 4. Jayappa H et al. Evaluation of Stability and Duration of Immunity of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterin. Proc. IPVS 2000: 165.

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