Pork Journal March/April 2014 by Primary Media

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March/April 2014

Belgium farm sets new standards to reach the magic 30 piglets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and beyond Roseworthy students complete 2013/14 UIPAs

Selko pH â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A proven solution for drinking water acidification

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March/April 2014

Tanya Nowland in a Mallee Park Piggery weaner shelter.

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SUBSCRIPTIONS FEATURES Page 8: Belgium farm sets new standards to reach the magic 30 piglets – and beyond No element was forgotten when planning and constructing the newly built sow facility at the Beel family farm in Wortegem-Petegem, Belgium. The interesting mix of new technologies should lead to improved production too.

Page 14: Selko pH – A proven solution for drinking water acidification Research shows that using organic acids in drinking water rather than feed has a number of advantages. Selko-pH is a liquid, ready-to-use product.

NEWS Page 4: ABARES Outlook 2014 Conference Page 12: Roseworthy students complete 2013/14 UIPAs Page 12: Skiold & Vacuum and Milling Solutions expands and opens new premises Page 16: Alltech President Dr Lyons contrasts China of 20 years ago to today Page 18: BEC Feed Solutions set to taste New Zealand market Page 19: Megan Verdon wins prestigious Young Scientist award

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ENQUIRIES OFFICE ADDRESS: 22 George Street, East Gosford NSW, 2250 Phone: (02) 4323 0005 Mob: 0419 235 288 Production: 0409 944 472 Email: primarymedia@bigpond.com Pork Journal consists of a bi-monthly management magazine and an annual industry review, The Pig Industry Yearbook. Published by C D Supplies Pty Ltd trading as Primary Media (ACN 091 560 557) 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.

NEWS ABARES Outlook 2014 Conference The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics and Sciences (ABARES) 2014 Outlook Conference was held at the Canberra Conference Center on March 4-5 2014. Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce opened the proceedings on March 4. “Australian agriculture receives the second lowest levels of support when compared with other OECD nations,” Mr Joyce said. “Agriculture has become a highly regulated industry: regulated largely to suit urban consciousness,” he added. “It was the aim of the coalition government to reduce the ‘red and green’ tape that hindered the potential of Australian agriculture to grow to its full potential.” On the topic of the $100 million spent on R&D in agriculture, Mr Joyce pointed out, “that for every dollar spent by government on R&D the return was $11.” “Agriculture in Australia, apart from generating exports of more than $50 billion, employs far more people than our car industry,” Mr Joyce concluded. In the first session (Economic Overview) Karen Schneider from ABARES in her paper, ‘Realizing the opportunities’, spoke about ‘the burden of regulation’, and the clear need for infrastructure investment within Australia. “Contribution for food growth from 2007 to 2050 would be dominated by Asia with 71% growth, and of that growth China alone would account for 60%,” she revealed. “Global growth was recovering,” she stated and would probably run at around 3.6% to 2019. “Livestock exports would be up and China would account for a 50% increase in food production to 2050. “Airfreight was likely to become an important factor in Australia’s export growth,” she added. Yiping Huang from Peking University spoke about the ‘Economic outlook for China,’ and reported that, “the new government had taken a more favourable attitude to unilateral free trade arrangements which previous administration had regarded merely as a tool the US had used to dominate global trade,” he said. Alan Oster, National Australia Bank, was the final speaker in this session and predicted an exchange rate falling to US 84 cents in 2014 and down to US 80 in 2015 – and obviously this situation

would improve the competitiveness of our exports. In the following session, ‘Future of Agriculture’ Jamie Penm spoke on the critical topic of ‘Opportunities in Asia’ “They vary,” he stated. In our traditional markets of Japan and Korea opportunities are limited through declining populations, low income growth and high levels of competition for a market with relatively high income levels. “India will grow by 93% 2007/2050, ASEAN nations by 128% but China alone will account for 50% of any increases over the same period,” he predicted. “In China the key driver of meat consumption will be a migration from rural to urban areas resulting in the amount of meat, mostly pork and poultry increasing by 75%. “Local livestock production will be significant but as import barriers are removed there will be opportunities. Fast foods or convenience foods will also have a significant effect on consumption patterns,” he added. Matt Linnegar’s, from the National Farmers Federation, first major point made in his address “Profitability and competitiveness for the Australian farmer’ was that we don’t do as well as NZ in branding ourselves overseas (despite the fact that we think our clean green products deliver advantage in many markets). He suggested a ‘brand Australia’ would be particularly useful as more free trade agreements currently under negotiation deliver better access to key markets. Paul Morris from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet spoke on the ‘Agricultural Competitiveness White paper’ and the need for all those involved with agriculture at whatever level to be involved and submit views so future policy and directions can be refined. To start you can go to www. agriculturalcompetitiveness.dpmc.gov. au or call 02 6271 6272 Some key issues mentioned were opportunities offered by share farming and access to capital. In the session on ‘Meat’ held on March 4, APL’s CEO Andrew Spencer joined Trish Gleeson from ABARES and Michael Edmonds from Meat and Livestock Australia to present his paper, ‘Pork opportunities through a consumer orientation.’ w

4 1. Agricultrue Minister Barnaby Joyce opened proceedings. 2. Karen Schneider from ABARES. 3. Yiping Huang from Peking University spoke about the Economic outlook for China. 4. Alan Oster from the National Australia Bank.

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After explaining critical market factors and production statistics of the Australian pig industry, Mr Spencer stated that, “though we are a world leader in many aspects of pig production we will never be a world’s lowest cost industry. “We build quality attributes into our products including quality, environmental and sustainable farming methods, ethical values including world leading animal welfare standards. “Consumers didn’t like sow stalls so we voluntarily agreed to phase them out over a period to 2015 and we are already at well over 60% of production sow stall free. “Today with millions spent by the industry we lead the world in the management of sows in groups: no other country has matched this initiative,” he said. On the confinement of sows during pregnancy, Mr Spencer stated that, “only 10% of Australian farms still use the practice while in the EU there are low levels of compliance, typically at around 30% with major producing countries like France and Spain demonstrating very poor compliance rates. “In the US and Canada (both major importers of pork for processing into the Australian market) confinement occurs in close to 100% of production,” he pointed out. On environmental issues Mr Spencer informed delegates of the use of biogas from covered anaerobic ponds, a practice that can reduce GHG emissions by up to 80%. In the final sessions of March 4, Lindsay Hogan of ABARES delivered a paper ‘Australia’s airfreight food – exports, expanding supply chain options at the start of the ‘infrastructure’ topics. “Growth potential challenges included the privatization of airports and as a result the concentration on passenger growth rather than freight,” she pointed out. “80% of airfreight conducted in the holds of passenger planes but still 92% of Australian agriculture exports conducted by sea transport,” she added. “Livestock based food exports increased with Asian destinations constituting 70% of food exports though overall value of airfreight declined in NSW and WA – Australia ranks 21 out of 148 nations in air freight volumes. In concluding Ms Hogan posed the question, “Is there a role for Canberra

in increasing airfreight capacity in Australia?” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Warren Truss opened the proceedings on March 5. He mentioned on-going free trade talks with Japan and China as offering potential for high quality Australian agricultural products for the growing middle classes in the Asian region. “We are very interested in building agricultural capacity in northern Australia and we are studying land and water resources - 50,000 hectares could be irrigated in those regions,’ he said. Peter Corrish, in a question from the floor asked ‘How do we get Australia’s vast pool of superannuation funds interested in infrastructure that could boost agricultural production?” Mr Truss remarked that not only had Australians to this point not shown much interest in investing in their own national infrastructure, the Canadians had, but in a bizarre scenario Canadian investors were investing in Australian funds. Mr Truss also mentioned the benefits to transport that could be derived from a Melbourne to Brisbane rail link that would not only increase capacity but also lessen the strain on existing highways. The first speaker in the ‘Global Focus’ session March 5 was Berry Martin from Rabobank, a farmer, banker, and resident of Brazil though of Dutch family origin his paper ‘Investment and development in global food markets’ was possibly of most interest for those looking into the true potential for Australian agriculture. “The next global crisis following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis may well be ‘The Global Food Crisis,” Berry predicted. “China’s doubling of GDP per capita will have 21x the significance of Britain’s Industrial Revolution at 100x the scale.” Every month the world population grows by a city the size of Hong Kong. “From 2010-2050 income will increase by close to 200% and consumption will increase by between 60% to double what it is now and most of these changes will occur in Asia,” he said. “China and India while having 40% of global population, only have 20% of the world’s arable land but our own region, Oceania is one of the areas that has the most arable land in relation to its population. The world’s arable land will decline to .05 hectares per person by 2050,” he warned. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

1. Andrew Spencer APL’s CEO. 2. Lindsay Hogan from ABARES. 3. Berry Martin from Rabobank. 4. Jackie Healing from Coles. 1

3 4

FEATURE

Belgium farm sets new standards to reach the magic 30 piglets and beyond Water, sun, air, feed and of course pigs – no element is forgotten when planning and constructing the newly built sow facility at Beel family farm, in WortegemPetegem, Belgium. The interesting mix of new technologies should lead to improved production too.

The new sow house at the Beel farm.

By VINCENT TER BEEK This article was reproduced with the kind permission of Pig Progress Magazine.

ig producer Joost Beel, 53, and his wife Mieke Beel-Steyvaert, 51, have no doubt about their future. Before the expansion, their pig farm’s productivity was at a respectable 29.5 piglets per sow per year – but once the new additions are fully operational, the productivity of their farm will break that magic boundary of 30. Speaking mid-December 2013, the couple is lucky enough to be able to set new standards for themselves. In times of an ongoing financial crisis and ever-growing environmental and animal welfare concerns, pig farming has become top sport in Belgium just like anywhere else in Western Europe. Nevertheless, with their son PieterPaul, 20, interested in farming as well, farm continuation is guaranteed for another generation so investing would not be a jump in the dark. The Beel family farm added a large new sow house – the farrow-to-finish farm thus growing from 150 sows to 480, a tripling of the sow capacity. In addition, the existing growfinisher barn was extended by 28 metres to a total of 68 metres.

The next step will be the transformation of what used to be the sow facility into a nursery. As from 2014, the farm’s capacity will be 2,000 grower pig places (until 25 kg) and 1,600 finisher places. A fourth, existing building, was transformed to be used as quarantine facility for young gilts. The farm is located in relative isolation, as it is about 40 km east of Roeselare, which is considered the heart of Belgium’s pig production area. Previous expansions had already made the Beel family farm one of the pioneers in pig production. In order to continue to be on the forefront, and also to meet the latest requirements with regard to environment and animal welfare, the farm was in need of another upgrade in 2013. Implementing new technologies was taken into account from the very first designs. With 480 sows, the new sow house has space for eight groups of gestating sows, of 48 animals each. In addition, there are two farrowing rooms, also for 48 sows. Not surprisingly, and just like any other facility in the European Union, the Beel family farm had to comply with the group housing directive in the EU. Having come into effect on January 1, 2013, the directive states that all sows must be kept in group housing during gestation. Since the construction works were underway, the farm was given dispensation during last year. Unlike many in Belgium, the Beel family farm opted for Electronic Sow

Feeding rather than free access stalls. The farm is one of the first worldwide to have Fidos ESF stations, designed by Belgian feeeding equipment manufacturer Roxell. The Belgian company recently entered the market with this design, which allows for up to two different types of feed to be fed. Sows can get different rations of the ingredients of their need depending on age, parity, gestation phase. The Roxell system comes without doors – and it was this which was important for Joost Beel. “Doors in my opinion cause restlessness among the sows,” he said. Instead, the Fidos ESF station is designed with an open door concept, which makes it very easy for all sows to enter the ESF system. Stealing leftover feed from the previous sows is prevented by the through valve, which closes off the through. The gestating sows can rest in compartmentalised sections which are slightly sloped. “Sows like it like this, they will usually lie head-down,” explains Joost Beel. “The concept works pretty well, as should there be any dunging taking place in the laying zones, then it will simply flow lower due to the slope and disappear through the slats.” Ventilation is a story in itself in both new sections of the farm. The gestating sow house is equipped with so-called roof ventilation. This system became an option as the gestating sows are housed in large, open, 33m wide spaces with no objects

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Above: The novel Electronic Sow Feeding system by Roxell at the Beel farm. Above right: Fresh air is brought to lactating sow snouts as it is released through the slats in the aisle. Right: The Balance Frame system helps to avoid the crushing of young piglets.

or walls blocking the air flow. The idea is that air is being drawn in above the ceiling at the pig house’s front, over the farrowing area and then released from the ceiling through little hole-punched metal sheets above the sows’ heads. The air will take a U flow through the area until it disappears again through the chimneys. The ceiling ventilation leads to a different lighting design, as TL tubes cannot be hung to the ceiling. These are now attached to the pen furniture, rather than to the ceiling. Where fresh air is coming from above in the gestating sow house, lactating sows benefit from air coming from below. Here, the air drawn in will follow a different path made just above the manure pits. It is released through slats in the aisles between the crates, thus rising up and circulating near the troughs and the sows’ snouts. This way, the sows are ensured of fresh, relatively cool air as they prefer a lower temperature than their piglets. The piglets, however, prosper when their environment is being kept warm – for them apart from a lamp, a heated floor section is provided inside the farrowing pen. This non-slatted floor part is heated by water inside, which has been warmed up by a heat pump and a heat exchanger just behind the air scrubber – more about this later. Included in the construction of the farrowing pens is the Balance Frame concept – an innovation by Nooyen Flooring Systems. This system protects the neonatal piglets from being crushed by the sow

in case she would decide to lie down suddenly. When she raises, her back touches a sensor, activating a lifting mechanism, effectively elevating the sow’s floor several cm above the piglet level. This way they cannot enter her zone. As soon as the sow lies down again, the mechanism performs the opposite function and will lower the sow to piglet level again, allowing perfect teat access.The expanded facility as well as the new facility have both been equipped with an air scrubber. These are placed in an addition at top level of the farm house. Air is first drawn away from the pig rooms through chimneys – the farm house’s entire attic thus functions as a long wind channel. When about to leave the farm house, the air is first drawn through a heat exchanger. In this system, the air flows through a maze of tiny tubes with water. The air’s rest warmth rises the temperature of the water. This water, then having a temperature of 18-20°C, is subsequently sent to a heat pump, after which the water at 35°C will heat the piglet nests in the farrowing rooms. Back to the outgoing air: Having gone through the heat exchanger, the air is also scrubbed by a mixture of water and bacteria, thus reducing up to 90% of the the outgoing air’s amount of atmospheric particulate matter as well as ammonia. The desire to be relatively independent from oil or other sources of fossil fuel is present in more features. Beel had solar panels added to the roof of the new additions. On top of that, the space between

the new sow facility and the expanded finisher house was covered with a roof too, also covered with solar panels. The total amount of solar panels thus was created to be 5,000 m2, which in summer should make the facility entirely self-sufficient, energy-wise. Also with regard to water, the farm aims for self-sufficiency. Large amounts of roof also allow for the ‘catching’ of rain water, which is carefully stored in two underground basins underneath this same space between the two buildings. In addition, water is pumped up from ground water level. Water quality up to drinking level is ensured by filtering using highly porous volcanic lava. Total combined storage facility of this rain water and drainage water is about 900,000 litres. The Beel family farm will endeavour to keep the sows in either farrowing or gestating areas – the insemination room will only be occupied very shortly. Since piglet embryos are moving towards the uterus as from day four post-insemination, sows should not be moved back into group housing between roughly day 4-5 and 25. Beel says, “We will do a pregnancy check in the group housing.” Last but not least – the future 30+ piglets per sow per year will go to the grow-finisher places, in the expanded 68 metre facility. The existing part used to house growers and is completely revamped and equipped with the Blu Hox Plus feeder equipment, also by Roxell. When in full operation again, distinguishing between old and new will be a job for the trained eye.

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NEWS

Roseworthy students complete 2013/14 UIPAs By Graeme Pope Roseworthy-enrolled Animal Science undergraduate students Tanya Nowland and Lana Robertson completed industry placements on SA piggeries during their 2013/14 end of year academic break. Australian Pork Ltd has traditionally made Undergraduate Industry Placement Awards (UIPA) available to students enrolled in a relevant tertiary study program to undertake a period of work experience within a commercial piggery or within agribusiness servicing the pork industry. More than 65 Roseworthy-enrolled students have completed placements since the program’s inception, providing them with valuable hands-on experience working within an intensive livestock production system and a good appreciation of how to commercially apply the principles learnt during their undergraduate study programs. In SA, the delivery of the UIPA program is supported by the Pig Industry Advisory Board, using SA Pig Industry Funding to enable industry consultant Graeme Pope, Nuriootpa

to mentor students through the UIPA application process, selection of their placement farms, make introductions to the piggery owners and their farm staff, and to familiarise students with routine piggery tasks within the Roseworthy Campus piggery prior to commencing their Placements. Over 60% of these students have continued in industry after their graduation, either through careers in production or agribusiness, or continuing their education in pigfocused Honours and PhD study programs. In summer 2014, placements were completed by Tanya Nowland at Greg and Diana Parson’s Mallee Park Piggery, Pt Vincent and by Lana Robertson at Peter and Jenny McMahon’s McPiggery, Kulkami. Both these farms have a long association with the UIPA program, offering the right combination of piggery infrastructure and variety in their production systems, coupled with permanent farm staff interested in sharing their pig knowledge and experience with receptive students. In between her placement weeks,

Student Tanya Nowland in a Mallee Park Piggery weaner shelter. Tanya also completed the two-week Pig Production Course sponsored by APL and delivered at Roseworthy Campus in January, further building on her developing pig industry knowledge. With another two students intending to apply for UIPAs in July, 2014 the program continues to ‘tick-the-boxes’ for Roseworthy students interested in gaining practical pig production experience prior to their graduation.

Skiold &Vacuum and Milling Solutions expands and opens new premises Skiold’s Australian and New Zealand distributor, Skiold & Vac Milling Solutions, has recently opened its new premises at Jimboomba Queensland in mid March 2014. “Our business in both Australia and New Zealand has increased dramatically in recent years and we needed more space to accommodate products and more staff,” Martin Liese, Skiold & VMS Managing Director explained. “That Australia and New Zealand is expanding its livestock industries through exports to Asia and around the world is no secret, and we have been the beneficiary of this growth as we provide feed milling equipment to businesses big and small. “Our business started in Australia supplying feed milling equipment to the dairy and beef sector and has expanded

into pork and poultry industries is also a growing and important part of our business. “In Australia we have seen a growth in interest for the Skiold range of equipment and for the disc mill from the pork industry,” Martin said. “Having the capacity to produce their own on-farm feed is vital for the rapid expansion of pig rearing

enterprises. “Being able to efficiently mill feed gives farmers greater independence in both ability to formulate specific diets and chose the most cost effective raw materials. Our experience in providing feed milling and automation solutions in a variety of markets is of a great benefit to Australian and NZ growers,” Martin concluded.

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Selko pH - A proven solution for drinking water acidifcation By Harun Rashid Manager Technical Servies, Auspac Ingredients Water is the most important nutrient. Healthy animals consume twice as much water as feed. According to waterfootprint.org 3,900 litres of water is consumed to produce 1 kg of chicken, 4,800 litres for 1 kg of pork and 200 litres for one egg. No doubt they are big numbers but unfortunately less attention is given to ensure clean water is used throughout the process. This is not only essential for animal health but also for human health. On the other hand, it has been recognised that drinking water is the most prominent risk factor for the spread of microorganisms in animals. There are several measures in place to provide quality water to the stock. Water acidification is one of the tools used successfully to supply quality water in terms of less bacterial contamination. Water acidification protocols for the prevention or management of certain bacterial diseases have been developed, but in many instances required a drinking water pH at the level of 4.0 or below to be effective. A target pH of 3.5-4.0 is crucial to maintain for bacterial control programs to work. Organic acids have been used in animal production for the past 50 years. An organic acid is an acid that has carbon in it such as acetic acid, benzoic acid, butyric acid, citric acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, sorbic acid etc. Dissociation of organic acids releases free hydrogen protons that lowers pH, thereby creating unfavourable conditions for bacterial

pathogens. On the other hand, the undissociated form of organic acids directly penetrates the lipid membrane of Gram-negative bacterial (E. coli, Salmonella) cells. After entering cell cytoplasm at neutral pH, organic acids inhibit the bacteriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation and causing increased energy expenditure (H+ATPase pump). There are many products on the market, claiming to be strong acidifiers for drinking water. These products often contain inorganic acids such as Sulphuric, Hydrochloric or Phosphoric. Producers should be aware that products containing these acids (or there salts) can be not only dangerous to the animal if consumed, but also present a significant OH&S issue in regards to handling. It is important to understand that organic acids have their own pKa value. The pKa value equals the pH value at which 50% of the organic acid is dissociated and 50% is undissociated. The undissociated form is desirable to get anti-microbial effect of organic acids. The pH level in the different parts of gut is physiological phenomena of animals and it varies with wide ranges. So to ensure the optimum efficacy of organic acids the right combination with different pKa values is essential. Selko-pH contains a unique synergistic blend of organic acids with an excellent combination of different pKa values. It has also been demonstrated by research that blends of acids are more efficacious than single acids.

Another important feature of SelkopH is that it is buffered. This feature also makes the product non corrosive. Selko-pH is a ready to use product with safe handling properties. The buffering of organic acids used in Selko-pH provides the user with confidence that pH will be lowered to a level inhibiting gram negative bacteria in the water without causing harm to the animal or reducing water or feed intake. Firstly, a buffered product is safer, and the dosage is flexible since the pHlevel of acidified water will not fall below 3.5. A pH value just below 4.0 is optimal as it is known to inhibit pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae. Non-buffered acidifiers may, however, reach significantly lower pH values. This restricts variable dosages and thereby efficacy at the intestinal level. Due to its buffered stage, an important proportion of the acids will become available in the intestine. The selective components in the organic acids used in Selko-pH improve the microbial quality of water by inhibiting the growth of Gram negative Enterobacteriaceae such as Salmonella and E. coli. Analysis carried out in the Selko laboratory confirms that this approach works effectively. Analysis of nearly 3,500 water samples indicated that about 40% of untreated water samples have Enterobacteriaceae levels higher than 100 CFU / ml, whereas acidified water samples reveal a zero result. Acidifying drinking water also reduces contamination with yeasts and moulds, which in turn decreases the risk of blocked nipples and formation of biofilms in the drinking water system. This is important as biofilms can support spreading of bacteria and even viruses through contaminated in the drinking system. Conclusion: Research shows that using organic acids in drinking water rather than feed has a number of advantages. Selko-pH is a liquid, ready-to-use product. Organic acids in Selko-pH may help to destroy or reduce any vegetative pathogens in the drinking water. Selko-pH has the flexibility to use strategically or throughout rearing period with variable dosages as per

MANAGEMENT requirements to suppress bacterial contamination in water. Another study shows, reducing pH to 4 resulted in the excretion of less faecal E. coli compared to pigs given water of pH 8. It is suggested by the same study that lowering the pH of the drinking water in newly weaned pigs reduces the E. coli load. References: Emily V. De Busser et al. (2011). Effect of 6 administration of organic acids in drinking water on faecal shedding of E. coli, performance parameters and health in nursery pigs - The Veterinary Journal 188, 184–188 Sevinc Koyuncu et al. (2013). Organic acids for control of Salmonella in different feed materials BMC Veterinary Research, 9:81 Wales, A.D., Allen, V.M. and Davies, R.H. (2010). Chemical treatment of animal feed and water for the control of Salmonella. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease 7(1), 3-15. P. Chaveerach et al (2004). Effect of Organic Acids in Drinking Water for Young Broilers on Campylobacter Infection, Volatile Fatty Acid Production, Gut Microﬂora and Histological Cell Changes. Poultry Science 83:330–334

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US pig inventory numbers decline The United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1 was at 62.9 million head, the lowest it has been since 2007. The swine inventory numbers were released in the USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report, released on March 28. The hogs and pigs inventory number of 62.9 million head is a 3% decline from March 1, 2013, and a 4% decline from December 1, 2013. Shayle Shagam, USDA livestock analyst, said the report clearly reflects that porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus has impacted US swine numbers. The USDA Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report also showed the average pigs saved per litter was 9.53 for the three-month period from December 2013 through February 2014, a year-over-year drop of almost 5%, close to what most analysts were expecting, Shagam said in a USDA radio interview that the PED virus had not yet been discovered in the US during the December 2012-Feburary 2013 period.

The Australian Government has failed to gain better access to Japanese market for our pork while PED further ravages their main supplier, the US and now their own industry. Go to www.primarymedia.com.au for the full story.

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News Alltech President Dr Lyons contrasts China of 20 years ago to today The last twenty years have brought unprecedented development to Chinese agriculture, but it also brought challenges that shook the whole food chain in recent years and undermined consumer confidence. Companies that dare to make changes while sticking to their core survived. The ones that are using the latest technologies will have a great future in the world’s largest swine, aqua and feed producing country. Alltech Founder and President Dr Pearse Lyons shared his vision with Chinese industry professionals on the Alltech China 20 Year Celebratory Summit. The event was organized both to celebrate the global animal nutrition company’s twenty years of successful presence and to look into where the Chinese feed and food industries are going. “China must be able to feed itself,” said Dr Lyons to more than 700 attendees at the Summit. The Middle Kingdom has 7% of the world’s arable land and 20% of the world’s population. Yet, the country, is depending heavily on grain or milk imports. Although over 50% of the worlds’s pig production takes place in China, the

country is a net importer of pork meat. The agriculture sector in China has gone through tremendous changes, but recent year’s food safety scandals have clearly shown the areas where significant developments need to be made. Lyons believes that the last twenty years were the time of consolidation moving from backyard farming to large, modern integrations. The next two decades will be more of how companies will be able to increase their production efficiency in a sustainable way without damaging the environment and maintaining their profitability. Chinese companies have the capability to quickly adapt technologies and learn from other markets. Dr Lyons spoke about the very recent Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) cases in US and Canada. Due to using plasma in piglet diets, entire swine populations have broken out with PED disease at several feed companies. “Plasma is a bad idea and we, at Alltech knew it thirty years ago. We have solutions to completely replace plasma,” commented Dr Lyons. The latest technologies are available for producers to significantly reduce the

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risk of diseases and sustainably grow their business. It will soon be critical that Chinese companies use alternative raw material sources. Dr Lyons predicts that such systems as Solid State Fermentation (SSF) will soon allow the production of customized enzyme cocktails for improving digestion, animal performance and health. Algae has already began to play an increasing role in animal production as a source of sustainable vegetable protein or oils (DHA). “Alltech today is a $1billion dollar company. We were one of the very first ones who came to China twenty years ago. “China has become one of the top three key markets for Alltech over the years and will be a strong contributor to our global goal of $4billion in sales in the near future. “We have never been as excited as we are today about the opportunities in China and we look forward to closely supporting the industry in the next twenty years as well,” Dr Lyons said.

Pan Pacific Pork Expo 2014 This year’s theme at the 2014 Pan Pacific Pork Expo (PPPE) to be held on May 21 and 22 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland is ‘Forward Thinking: Creating Opportunities’. PPPE is a bi-annual event that combines a pork industry trade show and exhibition with information sessions supported by APL and Pork CRC Limited to showcase and encourage Australian producers to discuss, debate and where suitable, adopt new technologies and innovations. Attending PPPE provides valuable opportunities to network with fellow producers and suppliers, plus it delivers a wonderful forum to gain further information around major industry issues, either at the trade fair or at the wide range of ‘Uptake’ presentations by key speakers on topical issues, trials and world trends. These presentations will include scientific research data and trials from Australia and around the world, the Pork CRC Limited and APL Research and Innovation Division. For further information contact Dean Kominek on 02 6270 8832 or email pppe@australianpork.com.au or visit www.australianpork.com.au.

NEWS Pauline Mooney Joins Pork CRC Board Pauline Mooney, Executive Director, South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork (Pork CRC). Affiliate Professor Mooney replaces Simon Maddocks on the Board, after he resigned to accept a position as Vice Chancellor at Charles Darwin University in Pauline Mooney the NT. The Pork CRC Board comprises Dennis Mutton (Chairman), Kathryn Adams, Sandra Di Blasio, Rod Hamann, Professor Pauline Mooney, Professor John Pluske, Kenton Shaw, Andrew Spencer, Chris Trengrove, Professor Robert van Barneveld and Dr Hugh Wirth. Announcing the appointment, Pork CRC Chairman, Dennis Mutton, welcomed Professor Mooney and paid tribute to the contribution of Professor Maddocks. “Simon not only represented SARDI, regarded as one of the Pork CRC’s most significant participants, but also contributed in his own right as a scientist and an administrator with substantial experience on the boards of CRC’s,” Mr Mutton said. “Pauline brings similar outstanding scientific and management rigour to the Pork CRC Board and we look forward to her contributions as we move deep into our second term.” Despite 29 years in science, business and financial leadership, including extensive experience in strategy planning, research and project management for primary industries research across terrestrial, marine, livestock and food sectors, Professor Mooney admits to never having worked directly in the pig or pork industry. “Although the drivers and science behind the Pork CRC’s programs will be new to me, my research interests have always been eclectic, so the opportunities the industry has before it and the associated challenges certainly have sparked my interest,” she said. “I look forward to working with Pork CRC’s Board of Directors, its highly motivated Executive management team, fellow participants and research providers to address such topical issues as animal welfare, pig health, meat quality and the environment.” Professor Mooney has broad knowledge across a range of science programs and related research activities, including breeding superior plants and developing sustainable production systems through novel processing techniques, post-harvest handling and storage systems, evaluating consumer preferences and natural resource management.

NEWS BEC Feed Solutions set to taste New Zealand market BEC Feed Solutions Australia has cemented its commitment to the New Zealand agricultural market with the opening of a New Zealand trading arm, BEC Feed Solutions NZ. The move was prompted by New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rapidly developing animal production market and thriving dairy industry, which has seen a 70% growth in dairy production over the past 20 years. This, coupled with the dairy industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing preference for supplementary feeding over a solely pasture-based system, provides a sound platform for BEC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest independent animal pre-mix manufacturer - to officially enter the New Zealand market. Specialising in high quality, innovative animal nutrition products, including premixes, feed additives, supplements and feed commodities, BEC Feed Solutions NZ will service the dairy industry plus New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calf rearing, horse breeding, pig, poultry, dry-stock and companion animal sectors. Trina Parker, Country Manager and Jennifer McCarty, Technical Services Officer from BEC Feed Solutions NZ.

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Until now, BEC Feed Solutions Australia has been supplying nutritional products to key manufacturers in the New Zealand market. Growing these existing partnerships and finding new supply relationships is an important part of BECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategy. Brett Antonio, Managing Director of BEC Feed Solutions Australia says the company is well-placed to supply the needs of modern agricultural production in New Zealand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s animal production industry is growing rapidly, with over 953,000 tonnes of compound feed produced in 2012 and 35-40% of owner-operated dairy farms now opting for a supplementary-feed system. With two dedicated full-time manufacturing plants, sound distribution capacity, leading quality assurance and over 25 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; industry experience, we are perfectly positioned to service the New Zealand market,â&#x20AC;? says Mr Antonio. Mr Antonio adds that producing optimum quality ingredients is at the core of BECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business philosophy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our business is guided by a healthy respect for our relationship to the human food chain and as such we are committed to manufacturing and supplying safe, quality feed products. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is now more crucial than ever considering New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s increasing consumer demand, stringent regulations, increasing exports, animal welfare, and the need to maintain competitive quality advantage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to contribute to further growing the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s animal production market by working closely with New Zealand companies to optimise nutritional healthâ&#x20AC;? explained Mr Antonio. BEC Feed Solutions NZ will be managed by a dedicated New Zealand-based technical team, with a collective 20 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in animal nutrition and health, ingredient procurement and related regulatory controls. BEC Feed Solutions Pty Ltd is an independent familyowned company located in Brisbane. Its mission is to become the leader in the supply of nutritional advice, premixes, feed ingredients and feed commodities to the Australian, New Zealand and international agricultural markets. With the addition of its New Zealand trading arm, BEC Feed Solutions now operates in three countries; Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. For further information see www.becfeedsolutions.co.nz

NEWS Megan Verdon wins prestigious Young Scientist award Australian Pork Limited (APL) has congratulated Megan Verdon for receiving the Australian Pork Award, as part of the 2014 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Minister for Agriculture, Senator Barnaby Joyce presented the award at a gala dinner for the agriculture sector’s key annual conference, Outlook, noting the government’s investment in Research and Development (R&D). The award presentation was held at the National Convention Centre Canberra. Megan Verdon is currently completing her PhD at the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the Animal Welfare Science Centre. She is researching animal behaviour and wellbeing, particularly ‘Social Strategies of Sows in Groups,’ and is also the recipient of an APL Postgraduate Research Scholarship (PhD). The grant Megan received will go towards her project titled ‘Pre-weaning Social Exposure: Effects on Aggression, Injuries and Growth of Weaner and Growing Pigs’. Megan plans to assess housing piglets in group-housed sow lactation systems and its effects on aggression and injuries following mixing at the weaning and growing stages of production, in comparison to piglets raised in a non-group lactation system. Pigs form groups with a dominance hierarchy social system. Increased levels of aggression are observed when pigs are mixed into groups to establish these dominance ranks. These higher levels of aggression compromise pig welfare by increasing the occurrence fighting, injury and stress, ultimately effecting productivity by reducing

growth, feed conversion and meat quality, can also result in increased mortality. Megan said “I feel very fortunate to have won this prestigious award and am very grateful to APL for giving me the opportunity to continue doing what I love – working with pigs”.

The Science and Innovation Awards are held annually and are coordinated by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) and foster greater participation in agriculture, fisheries and forestry by providing grant funding for innovative scientific research projects.

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Certain statements may not be applicable in all geographic regions. Product labelling and associated claims may differ based upon regulatory requirements.

Andrew Spencer, CEO APL with Megan Verdon.

NEWS No stalling on more space for Australian sows Australia’s pork producers have passed another key milestone in their positive and world leading move to voluntarily phase out the use of ‘sow’ or ‘gestation’ stalls. Interim survey results of industry progress on the phase out shows that more than 60% of sows are now gestation stall free. The industry forecasts that when the survey is complete, more than two thirds of Australian sows will be shown to be meeting the gestation stall free phase out definition right now. Australian Pork Limited (APL) Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Spencer said in his speech to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) Outlook Conference in Canberra “This is a world leading initiative, boosting Australia’s animal welfare credentials globally that puts us well ahead of what is happening in other countries. “In Europe, pregnant sows are confined for up to 30% of their pregnancy (except in the Netherlands and the UK) while in the US and Canada they still typically use gestation stalls for the entirety of a sows pregnancy.” Mr Spencer said, “The gestation stall phase-out initiative was our

industry’s response to meet the growing desires among consumers for higher welfare food, balanced with ensuring the long term sustainability of the industry by managing the transition in a balanced/cost controlled way. Our industry’s ability to make the change has come through millions of dollars of investment in research and development with estimates of well over $50 million to complete this change made voluntarily by farmers. “Despite the phenomenal efforts and progress made by the Australian industry since making the decision just over three years ago, we still face considerable difficulties and challenges. “This includes competition from subsidised imported pork sent to Australia from countries with lower welfare standards than we have here. At the same time, our industry has been impacted by high profile campaigns from anti farming groups that have mislead consumers and worse still, farm invasions by these groups under the guise of protecting animal welfare. “If animal welfare is the true motivation, they should be supporting Australian farmers in implementing this world leading initiative.”

Mr Spencer explained that the broader challenge for Australian pig farmers was not only communicating its positive results in animal welfare, but also its leadership on environmental initiatives including its management of by-products, reduction in carbon emissions and the positive impact this has on production costs. Gaining recognition and managing consumers’ expectations about different types of pork production, the high quality Australian pork and how healthy it is to eat are also high on our agenda. Mr Spencer said “rest assured as proud and progressive farmers producing wholesome Australian pork, we are listening to and responding to consumers. In turn, we call on Australian consumers to support our world leading initiatives.” The definition of gestation stall free means that a sow will only spend up to five days in a mating stall, to stabilise pregnancy and then later be moved into a farrowing crate or birthing stall, up to a week before she is due to give birth. In this way, Australia’s pregnant sows only spend a maximum of 10% of their total pregnancy individually confined under the gestation stall free definition.

Culinary diva is ambassador of Australian Porkfest Australia’s pork farmers have declared statuesque chef Dominique Rizzo as the ambassador for Australian PorkFest - the month-long peak season for pork that will occur throughout April. April is a time when fresh Australian pork is at its most plentiful, at its peak quality, and is most economical – deliciously putting consumers in the winning seat. Dominique Rizzo, chef, author and presenter has built a reputation for inspiring people to cook with fresh, seasonal and local produce. And nothing will be more seasonal than pork this April. “I am deeply passionate about creating innovative food using quality safe and clean fresh produce,” she says. From her earliest childhood memories of visiting family in Sicily and being part of the festive sharing of a whole pig in the family village, Dominique Rizzo has been fascinated with food - and pork has been an

integral, cultural part of that fascination. This year, the Easter and ANZAC Day holidays will make April an extraordinary month for entertaining and cooking and the bounty of PorkFest is destined to take centre stage. During April, butchers and supermarkets will join the PorkFest band wagon showcasing fresh Aussie pork while restaurant chefs will hero pork on their menus. With the country already slipping into another severe drought the pork farmers are hoping April will be good for them - and consumers alike. Why April? Australia’s pig herd predominantly consists of two types of white pigs (Large Whites and Landrace) which are sometimes crossed with the robust Duroc breed. They are leaner, faster growing pigs that traditionally don’t breed and grow out as well over the warmer summer months. As the weather starts to cool down their growth rate and fertility lifts

due to the cooler weather. It takes about nine months for a pig to go from birth to market. Pigs that are born June, July and August of the previous year hit the market around April of the year ahead. And as it gets cooler their growth rate increases as well. Consequently as nature would have it, more pigs come onto the market during April.

Dominique Rizzo

NEWS SA Pig Industry Day 2014 held at Roseworthy Campus Pork SA Inc with support from Australian Pork Limited, Industry Partner Sponsors and the SA Pig Industry Fund sponsored the SA Pig Industry Day at Roseworthy campus on Friday February 21. Following the day’s agenda, the SA Pig Industry Dinner was held to celebrate the awarding of the Ronald J Lienert Memorial Scholarship to a University of Adelaide honours student. Highlights of the day included presentations from Darryl D’Souza who gave an APL Strategic Acivity Update, a ‘Practical on-farm welfare symposium by Dr Pat Mitchell from APL, Edwina Beveridge, a NSW producer and Dr Barry Lloyd, veterinarian. Edwina Beveridge and Peter Schmidt Sow also presented ‘Stall-free conversions, a producers perspective’. Dr Roger Campbell from the CRC then spoke about the ‘CRC Benchmarking program; What we are seeing with performance’, ‘Across Australia, in group housing compared to stalls/part stalls’ and ‘Research Outcomes critical for success in group housing’. Industry partner sponsors included Lienert Australia, iifp, PIC, AUSPORK, National Feed Solutions, Chris Richards & Associates, Boehringer Ingelheim, CEFN, Ridley AgriProducts, BE Campbell Pty Ltd, LalleMand, Elanco, SARDI, Mundigo, Zoetis, MSD, Primo, Pork Storks, Feedworks, AusPac Ingredients, Biomin, Laucke Mills, Stockyard Industries and Alltech.

3 1. Attila Honfi from Selko with Chirs Cameron from ACE Livestock Consulting. 2. Nigel Young and Graeme Crook. 3. Darryl D’Souza from Australian Pork Limited

NEWS v

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“At the same time mega cities will drive the challenge to produce more with less: water availability will become more critical so we need to create more crop per drop,” he said. “Currently yield gains are lagging behind annual productivity which is around 1.4% pa but needs to be 1.752% pa to keep pace with food demand. “Profitability at the farm gate is critical: no cash, no crop and it won’t be the best soils and climate but social enabling factors that will be the key to yield,” he said. Speaking in the questions and answers after delivering his paper Berry stated that consistently, “the best returns came from family owned farms and that we have to show the next generation how they can benefit from involvement with farming. “Farming is exciting, technologically advanced and a very complex business: though we need entrepreneurs we have to have farmers involved. “He concluded by asking a question that resonated throughout the conference from government ministers to statisticians, “Are we paying too much attention to environmentalists and not to enough to production issues?” he asked. The session ‘Responding to Society’ chaired by Australian Farm Institute on Executive Director Mick Keogh was very well attended on March 5. Saan Ecker ABARES opened the session with ‘Community views on agriculture’. With the statement that “the community is more concerned about what we eat and grow: price, quality and taste are still key factors but animal welfare issues like conditions for both laying hens and pigs are of concern to consumers,” she said. “Other concerns are human health and associated issues like antibiotic use in livestock and GM crops.

“There is an increasing preference for outdoor raised livestock and/or access to the outdoors during the day. Stockmanship skills and interaction between animals and humans are also key issues. “As an indication of consumer preferences in 2002, only 8% of eggs sold were free range but by 2013 that proportion had risen to 38%,” she said. “The challenge is to understand and act on the increases in community expectation, also issues like licenses, regulation, legal concern, producer reputation and economics (can I sell my product?). “Retailers have taken on the role of aligning our agricultural industries with consumers. “There is a move towards ‘community juries’ rather than reliance on ‘experts’ in consumer opinion on food issues,” she concluded. Next, Ross Hampton from the Australian Forest products association in his talk, ‘Responding to which Society’ outlined the problems his industry experienced in achieving rational outcomes. Isabell MacNeill from Dairy Australia in ‘Talking about our future’ demonstrated her organisation’s ability to engage with community, and promote her organisation’s products. “Understand the consumer but lead the debate – run your own story,” she advised. Jackie Healing, General Manager responsible for sourcing, quality and product technology at Coles Supermarkets, spoke on ‘Responsible sourcing through the food chain – a retail perspective’. “Trust, quality, value and the fresh food offer largely determine the store of choice,” she stated. “Consumers believe that supermarkets are responsible for an ethical offer and they want to support local farmers with a regionally provided

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Warren Truss. product but they expect value. “Customers don’t always trust supermarkets or regulators but they are influenced by celebrity chefs,” she revealed. “Coles sells pork products from more than 9000 pigs weekly. “Key drivers of future food success are quality, innovation, and branding. “In identifying customer hierarchy of needs, being kind to others (the RSPCA approved meat and poultry products, for example), back to nature, good for me and my family, and being legal and safe, are the key concerns”. In the questions and answers at the end of the session Jackie commented that “Over 95% of our produce is Australian sourced but one of the concerns remains over the care and attention producers need to pay to maintaining consistent best achievable quality”. On the subject of outside influences she commented that, “lobby groups and ngo’s make a lot of noise but are not really capable of fermenting real change in the long run,” she said.

Free range certifier attacks RSPCA logo One of Australia’s certifiers of ‘freerange’ egg, beef and pork farms has lodged a complaint with the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) over the labelling of Primo pork products as ‘RSPCA Free Range’. The certifying organisation, Humane Choice, claims the RSPCA’s certification of the Primo pork products does not meet consumer expectation of ‘free range’ products, and that the brand is

endorsed as free range by the RSPCA, and that the label is ‘misleading’. RSPCA standards allow for larger stocking densities in their accredited pork program with an average Babe size pig (around 35kg) needing 0.51 sq metres of space outdoors. That equates to nearly 20,000 pigs per hectare which, Humane Choice says, does not meet most consumers’ perceptions of what free range means. By contrast, the Humane Choice

standard requires 40sq metres of outdoor space for growing pigs. Humane Choice’s Chief Operating Officer, Lee McCosker said, “Currently, the RSPCA has a commercial arrangement with brands such as Primo that carry its trademark but the RSPCA refuses to endorse small scale producers farming pigs under ‘genuine free range’ conditions because they have deemed them ‘not commercially large enough’.”

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