Pork Journal July/August 2009 by Primary Media

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:48 PM Page 1

Pork Journal July/August 2009 Volume 31, Number 4

Stockyard Industries benefits from BETCO prefabricated sheds

Man-made global warming â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a threat to the planet or just a new tax grab that will threaten industry and jobs? NuPro and the quality piglet Victorian Pig Fair 2009 at Bendigo

PrintPost Approved PP243096/00002 ISSN 1032 3759

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:48 PM Page 2

Parvo. Not your average disease. A constant threat. • Parvo is present on nearly all farms. • It can disrupt your herd output by reducing litter size. • Parvo can reduce your profit. • Vaccinating your gilts and sows against parvo protects your litter size and your investment.

PLEvac. We’re back! • PLEvac is the only 3 in 1 vaccine that protects sows and litters against three major causes of infectious disease in sows and baby pigs: parvo, lepto and erysipelas.

• Easy on them. Easy on you.

NOW AVAILABLE

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health 91-105 Harpin Street, Bendigo East VIC 3550 • Free Call: 1800 033 461 Free Fax: 1800 817 414 • sales.australia@intervet.com • www.intervet.com.au

RRA/IVT7253

• With just one shot at weaning, PLEvac reduces needles and labour.

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:48 PM Page 3

Contents 8 COVER FEATURE Stockyard Industries benefits from BETCO prefabricated sheds Stockyard Industries, part of the Jones family owned CEFN Group, is well known in the Australian pig industry. The company was established exactly 69 years ago by Keith (KB) Jones. Today the CEFN group, consisting of CEFN Pty Ltd pig rearing, CEFN Genetics and Stockyard Industries, is a still expanding family owned business run by KB’s grandsons Andrew and Marcus Jones.

18 NUTRITION FEATURE NuPro and the quality piglet Marcus Jones

Pork Journal July/August 2009 Volume 31, Number 4 Editorial Enquiries Peter Bedwell or Rosemary Embery +6 1 2 9798 3078 Sales: Peter Bedwell Phone: +61 2 9798 3078 Mob: 0419 235 288 Fax: + 61 2 9798 2105 Email: ilvaril@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: 250 Hawthorne Pde, Haberfield NSW 2045 Ph: (02) 9798 3078 Fax: (02) 9798 2105 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.

RRA/IVT7253

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.

Dr David Henman from Rivalea says that it is in these times of greatest challenges that innovation becomes the focus so that every cent we spend is returned to us with maximum interest. It is this very reason that the use of ingredients and additives needs to consider the return the ingredient gives in respect to pig performance and economics not just the feed cost changes.

NEWS 4 Man-made global warming – a threat to the planet or just a new tax grab that will threaten industries and jobs? In August, Editor Peter Bedwell attended a meeting where Professor Bob Carter, a senior science adviser to the Australian Climate Science Coalition (ACSC) and one of Australia’s most experienced environmental scientists and Dr Jay Lehr, the Scientific Director from the US based Heartland Institute, addressed a gathering of scientists, students, industry identities and the media at the Rydges World Square on the CPRS debate. 6 QAF aligns for growth with name change QAF Meat Industries has recently changed its name to Rivalea, marking a time when the company is moving from being a commodity producer to a diversified agribusiness, focused on achieving growth through quality and innovation. 14 Victorian Pig Fair 2009 at Bendigo About 400 visitors attended the 2009 Victorian Pig Fair held at Bendigo Showgrounds on July 28-29 and the mood was upbeat despite concerns over the H1N1 influenza situation. 22 Fair range of Pork CRC research highlighted Victoria’s pig industry was treated to the very latest in pig research when the Pork CRC presented its Program Update at the 2009 Victorian Pig Fair recently. 23 Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition Forum hears global perspectives on animal production and human health Relationships between animal production and both human health and the health of the planet were among the themes of a major international conference at the University of New England recently. About 100 delegates from Australia and abroad gathered for the 20th biennial conference in a unique series ‘Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition – Australia’.

NEW PRODUCTS 25 Spiraflo heat exchanger reconditioning 26 The stall that meets the demands of modern pig production

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:48 PM Page 4

NEWS Man-made global warming – a threat to the planet or just a new tax grab that will threaten industries and jobs? If anyone truly understands current emissions trading legislation and the ‘Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme’(CPRS) and specifically the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) bill that will soon return to Parliament, then it would be fair to assume that they are in a very small minority. Certainly a whole industry based on reduction of carbon emissions and carbon trading seems to have emerged in no time. The scientific community have in general embraced the idea and it has been estimated that more than $100 billion has been expended worldwide on proving man made global warming is taking place and of course, what can be done do to reduce its effects on humanity. To deny that man is a key cause of climate change invites ridicule at all levels of society and particularly amongst the scientific community. Against this tide of angst caused by the idea of man made global warming, there are a few eminent scientists willing to stand up and actually question the hypothesis that man’s activities seriously threaten the planet through carbon emissions. Recently Family First Senator Steve Fielding had the temerity to question where we as a nation are going on global warming/climate change. Senator Fieding consulted Professor Bob Carter, a senior science adviser to the Australian Climate Science Coalition (ACSC) and one of Australia’s most experienced environmental scientists. His research and long experience has convinced him that man-made carbon emissions have little effect on the overall climate of the planet Dr Carter is a Research Professor at James Cook University (Queensland) and at the University of Adelaide (South Australia). He is a palaeontologist, stratigrapher, marine geologist and environmental scientist with more than thirty years professional experience, and holds degrees from the University of Otago (New Zealand) and the University of Cambridge (England). He points out that both he and the Australian Climate Science Coalition receive no major grants, for research or otherwise from industry or government. In fact, Dr Carter states any chance he

had of well funded research into the proposition that man is not greatly affecting climate change, disappeared long ago. On August 12, Dr Carter conducted a briefing at Parliament house just prior to the Senate vote on the CPRS bill. Just 13 of our elected members of upper and lower houses bothered to attend, but as Dr Carter states that’s 13 more than the last time he tried to inform our politicians at the same location. At that August 12th briefing was another scientist and ‘man-made global warming ‘sceptic’, Dr Jay Lehr, the Scientific Director from the US based Heartland Institute. The Heartland Institute is an independent nonprofit organization based in Chicago. In 2008 Dr Lehr was named Chief hydro-geologist for Earth Water Global (EWG) corporation, one of the world’s largest providers of water supply projects. He is an internationally renowned speaker, scientist, and author who has testified before the US Congress on more than three dozen occasions on environmental issues, and consulted with nearly every agency of the US federal government including the current Obama administration. Like Dr Carter, Dr Lehr believes that the climate change debate has been hijacked by powerfull interest groups and political considerations have made it difficult to question the wisdom of going down the path of tax based carbon emission reduction policy like the Australian CPRS scheme. On the evening of August 12 Dr Carter and Dr Lehr addressed a gathering of scientists, students, industry identities and the media at the Rydges World Square on the Canberra briefings and their views on the CPRS debate. Dr Carter pointed to a mass of data accumulated over a long period that demonstrated naturally occurring climate change over a 170,000 year period. “In more recent times there have been ice ages – traditionally periods of low carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and warmer periods when carbon levels were similar to those of today,” he said. “There is plenty of recorded historical evidence as well as ice core data to confirm

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

Professor Bob Carter

that Europe was hotter during Roman occupation with vines growing in northern Britain, and later a mini ice age when the sea froze continuously from Greenland to the French coast. “Carbon dioxide was not a poison but a benefit to plants that thrived at higher CO2 levels. “The danger,” he said, “was more likely to occur from natural events, volcanic eruption and major earthquakes that would have the potential to seriously threaten large communities. Governments should plan to deal better with those events than worry about unproven man made global warming,” he said. Dr Carter did stress that while manmade CO2 emission did little, he believed, to effect global warming overall, concentrated emissions from human activity could effect smaller localities. Also he stated huge human population stress had occurred in the past not through global warming but global cooling periods. The planet, Dr Carter said, had shown the ability to adapt to higher carbon levels in the past and would continue to do so. “While Australian governments at state and federal levels had been obsessed with ‘climate change issues’ the Victorian bush fires had destroyed millions of dollars worth of property and farming land and killed hundreds of people,” he pointed out. Dr Lehr stated that the ‘global warming’ issue was yet another fear campaign by governments around the world including those of the US and Australia, to increase its control over its citizens and create a new tax revenue w

IAH Sales Pty. Ltd. 18 Healey Circuit, Huntingwood NSW 2148 Australia

Freecall: 1800 801 201 Ph: 02 9672 7944

D-Scour Paste

Fax: 02 9672 7988 Email: info@iahp.com.au Website: www.iahp.com.au

Give Scours the Ass!!

A concentrated multi-strain probiotic with garlic extract aiding in the treatment / control of scours in animals.

D-Scour Paste has been formulated to control scours through the combined action of selected natural live micro-organisms complemented by a natural yet powerful antimicrobial. The combination is synergistic as the antimicrobial portion does not affect the probiotic yet both components attack the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gut. This is particularly important when treating animals with enteric disease caused by E.coli, Rotavirus or Candida spp. and microbially mediated diseases of the urino-genital tract, where

for example, Candida albicans is implicated. Garlic has been used for its nutritional and medicinal properties for thousands of years but only recently have manufacturing processes been developed which protect and stabilize its important antimicrobial active.

D-Scour Paste does not contain any chemical or antibiotic component, just safe ingredients produced by Mother Nature. In contrast the antibiotics used to treat scours donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just kill target pathogens but destroy beneficial digestive bacteria as well. If scouring persists consult your veterinarian.

The safe alternative to antibiotics

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 6

NEWS v stream. Carbon trading would also create a bonanza for the financial sector but cost ordinary citizens jobs and a healthy slice of income if they had one. In the case of Australia, he estimated that once the current proposed CPRS scheme was implemented as proposed, it could cost a typical Australian family an extra $3000 in today’s values. Industry would not fight that hard to resist CPRS because, he suggested, their costs would simply be passed on to consumers. “I feel sorry for farmers,” he said, as they, he predicted, would be amongst the first group to feel the full effects of CPRS while the big polluters like coal fired power generators would be exempted or compensated for losses for years to come. On the specifics of power generation and its relationship to global warming, Dr Lehr stated that renewable energy sources like solar and wind in Australia, would only be useful in remote areas to supplement more conventional forms of power generation. He suggested that for better efficiency, natural gas was the first option to replace coal fired power stations transitioning to nuclear generation which was the logical choice for Australia.

Though in original proposals for an ETS scheme, agriculture was exempt, that situation is unclear now that the whole debate is due to return to the Senate. At a conference run by the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation at Toowoomba on August 25, 2009 Chris Phillips from Dairy Australia in a paper, ‘Carbon Trading & Green House-Dairy Industry Issues & Initiatives, outlined the complexities and uncertainties now facing his industry. Apart from methane and nitrous oxide emissions caused by livestock on-farm, there was the issue of energy intensive processing of milk to milk products like milk powder, cheese etc. As Mr Phillips pointed out, the dairy farmers’ base product could only be sold as a further processed product, not a raw material. Apart from the cost of emissions there was also the question of increased energy costs consistent with achieving 20% of power through renewable sources – a concern backed up by Dr Lehr’s contention that renewables were a costly and ineffective solution to power requirements. Finally what does this mean for pork producers. Our battles in the past with government policy makers have nearly wrecked our industry and costs associated with an

Dr Jay Lehr

ETS would only make life harder. Further, there is the question of our trade competitiveness in both our ability to generate exports and compete against imports. If countries with whom we trade get exemptions, credits or more government financial support to help them through transition periods, (and you can bet they will) where does that leave us if our industry faces yet another cost to production? Carbon taxes notwithstanding, how will it be administered and what will compliance regulation look like? Not pretty you can bet. For those seeking more information from ‘The Other Side’ on this complex issue go to www.auscsc.org.au/ (click on link to the SBS interview with Brian Johnson for SBS news August 13).

QAF aligns for growth with name change Leading Australian Pork producer Rivalea Australia is working hard to defy widespread economic gloom, adverse commodity prices and drought. The company has recently changed its name from QAF Meat Industries, marking a time when the company is moving from being a commodity producer to a diversified agribusiness, focused on achieving growth through quality and innovation. Rivalea’s Managing Director Paul Pattison said, “We believe our name change will cement our clear focus on achieving continuous quality improvements. “This will secure the future for our key stakeholders – employees, consumers, suppliers, farmers and contractors. The integrated nature of our business, together with our investment in innovation, has seen the company become the largest private investor in livestock R&D in Australia as well as one of the largest pork producers.” Rivalea’s research and implementation of quality handling and welfare systems,

have enabled the company to develop Australia’s most advanced genetic programs, farm management systems and nutritional solutions. Many of these innovations are now available to other leading pork producers through Primegro Technologies, including Rivalea’s leading genetics and nutrition expertise. The Rivalea feedmill supplies in excess of 300,000 tonnes of grain both for Rivalea farming operations and other farmers. This is supported by a team of nutritionists and many years of experience. Mr Pattison said “We are particularly pleased to be positioning for growth at a time when the pork industry in particular and agriculture in general, is facing many challenges. Rivalea’s key operations include: • Farming and leasing land to produce grain, and purchasing significant quantities of grain, • Milling more than 300,000 tonnes of grain annually, in order to supply its own integrated pork production system as well

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

as other pork producers. • Producing and processing pigs to supply premium pork to wholesale and retail markets both in Australia and overseas. • Operating Australia’s largest commercial livestock research and development program. • Primegro Technologies supplies the superior Rivalea genetics to pork producers as well as nutrition and consulting services in Australia and abroad. • Operating large dairy farms. “We remain confident that past challenges are being overcome and that the future for the pork industry is brighter than ever. “As an industry leader, Rivalea will continue to strongly advocate Australian Pork among our domestic and international customers. “We’ll be continuing our support for research and development at our own facilities and through our partnership with the Australian Pork CRC,” said Mr Pattison.

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 7

Want more full value pigs?

About one third of pigs born never achieve their market potential due to poor growth rates, sickness or death. Elanco’s range of quality feed additives help to produce more “full value pigs” by preventing disease and maximising performance throughout the nursery, growing and finishing phases. For more information about how a customised health program incorporating quality feed additives from Elanco can maximise the profitability of your herd, contact your veterinarian, feedmill or Elanco on 1800 226 324 or visit www.elanco.com.au

Elanco® and the diagonal colour bar are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. WORDSMITH28397

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 8

New CEFN BETCO sheds at Strathane deliver productivity gains and cost savings on power and labour.

Stockyard Industries benefits from BETCO prefabricated sheds

By PETER BEDWELL

tockyard industries, part of the Jones family owned CEFN Group, is well known in the Australian pig industry. The company was established exactly 69 years ago by Keith (KB) Jones when he

travelled to the Brisbane ‘EKKA’ from his Clifton property to acquire seed stock for his new pig rearing business. At exactly the same time on the other side of the world the Luftwaffe was engaging the Royal Air Force over the skies of the UK in what later became known as the Battle of Britain. Back in those dark times, most pundits predicted the defeat of Britain at the hands of Nazi Germany and thus grave consequences for the British Empire and its dominion nations including Australia. In current day parlance, given the momentous events occurring back in August 1940, it could fairly be said that at the very least KB’s new enterprise was ‘counter cyclical’. It is obviously a matter of happy record that the UK survived – so did KB Jones and CEFN!

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

Today the CEFN group, consisting of CEFN Pty Ltd pig rearing, CEFN Genetics and Stockyard Industries, is a still expanding family owned business run by KB’s grandsons Andrew and Marcus Jones. On-farm activities of the group include the operation of a 4000 sow piggery at Strathane near Clifton in Queensland with three breeder units integrated into overall pig production on the 23 shed farm. The company holds 4500 acres on which it rears 300 head of breeder cattle and raises crops, mainly sorghum on 1800 acres. More recently the piggery waste has been used to establish a valuable product for fertiliser and pasture improvement on both the CEFN owned properties and on other farms in the locality. In the time he has worked with CEFN and Stockyard Industries, Marcus Jones has travelled extensively, not only promoting the pig production business, but also looking at how things were done in both advanced and developing overseas pig industry markets. Marcus spent two years living and working in China just 20 years ago and was in fact in that country around the time of the Tiananmen Square crack down by Chinese military forces. He also became convinced that US pig rearing methodology and related equipment was more in tune with Australian requirew

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 9

Just add water WORLD FIRST

atented atented roduct

Now ther there’s e’s a water tight solution to pig parasite contr control. ol. IMAX® Soluble W Wormer ormer For Pigs is a revolutionary revolutionary new way to contr control ol parasites in pigs. In a world first, you simply add IMAX® Soluble to the water at the rrecommended ecommended dose and the pigs do the rrest. est. It’ s mor e ef fective than in-feed medication and ther e’s no need for needles. It’s more effective there’s

99.9% efficacy against Ascaris based on total worm counts*

Highly Effective Effective – Easy to Use – Cost Ef Effective fective – No Needles Available A vailable now fr from om your local pig specialist or more call Bomac (02) 9987 4922 for mor e information. *Results fr from om an independent GLP study study,, records records on file.

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 10

v ments than European designed and manufactured infrastructure. Stockyard Industries consequently sources most of its key products from the US including AP equipment and in 2004 Marcus, looking for a better alternative to the locally designed and built sheds at the Strathane piggery, came across the BETCO prefabricated livestock shed range. These sheds are specifically designed by BETCO Agri-Housing to suit both the specific livestock species and the local climate. The company has sold its highly specific livestock sheds for use in sub-arctic regions and also the tropics, including Australia. Marcus explains that the BETCO sheds are delivered as a complete knock down kit and include all components including the steel main structure, the timber sub frames (plantation treated pine) steel cladding and roofing and even the specially treated (for pest resistance) recycled paper roofing insulation material (Cellulose). “The fact that the sheds have an A frame roof that is insulated and then a ceiling that also carries the paper based insulation material, makes them far more thermally efficient that conventional sheds with roof insulation only,” Marcus said. “Each shed, which is 22 metres wide and 67 metres long, has a capacity of up to 980 pigs per room – the design features a common wall down the centre which saves on cost and construction time when compared with a conventional stand alone shed of similar size and pig housing capacity. “The sheds are fully climate controlled through use of AP fans and evaporative cool pads all controlled through an AP computer climate control system. “The control set up also features back to base reporting so that we can constantly monitor the shed’s vital functions off site. This is another AP product known as the Integra System and it’s a very valuable tool for effective farm management,” Marcus explained. “Another recent initiative built into our computer based management system is the monitoring of feed levels in our silos through weight sensors. “This means that we can more accurately predict when we will need feed deliveries and can give our feed supplier more advanced warning. “Greater automation and accurate climate and feed control helps to lower labour costs – we can run our farm with just four permanent staff who can concentrate on vital animal husbandry tasks and not be diverted by shed management chores now performed by computers and the automated systems they are linked to.” Apart from the AP equipment in the new BETCO sheds, the feeders are Stockyard Industries’ popular Penguin units w

1 2

4 5

1. New BETCO automated climate controlled double shed. 2. Conventional sheds, built in 2003 are not as efficient as BETCO units. 3. New sheds house 980 pigs in each room. 4. New BETCO weaner shed showing ceiling and easy to manage layout. 5. On a hot August day fans in conventional sheds are working flat out whereas only one or two main fans operating in BETCO insulated units.

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 11

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 12

v and the flooring tiles placed over concrete floors are concrete Stocktiles in the finisher sheds and Faroex’s Polygrate in weaner/ nursery units. “We are very pleased with the BETCO sheds and we first demonstrated to ourselves that they were clearly better than the conventional sheds we built before finding the BETCO sheds in 2004. “The fact that we operate both types of sheds on the time site with the same staff, feed and climate control automation systems means that we can make realistic comparisons – they run the same heaters and fans,” Marcus stated. “The BETCO units are faster to build – our guys can erect a pair of sheds in about six weeks – we get better pigs and we save heaps on energy costs because the new sheds are just so much more thermally efficient. “This last claim was clearly demonstrated when Pork Journal visited the Strathane piggery on August 13. By early afternoon the temperature had reached an unseasonal 28 degrees C. The climate controllers are all set to the same shed temperature and the main fans in the end walls on the conventional sheds were all hammering away, yet in the BETCO units only one or at most two fans were running and then only at lower speeds. In answer to the obvious question, “yes they may be a superior shed design, but how much more do they cost than more conventional units”, Marcus said this. “After savings on labour through

reduced building time are taken into account, not much more, or in some cases no more at all,” Marcus said. “Further, the demonstrable gains in overall pig production efficiencies and serious savings in energy costs very soon cancel out any cost differential. “The BETCO sheds are easier for staff to work in and keep clean,” Marcus added. With the pork production and genetics business looking up as the pig industry recovers from recent tough times, what’s next for Stockyard Industries? “Well,” said Marcus “the popularity of the BETCO sheds has lead us into another

enterprise and that’s as a supplier to the poultry industry. “BETCO also supplies a range of specifically designed poultry housing and before we even thought of supplying the chicken broiler and layer farmers some came to us to enquire about the sheds. “On a recent trip to Europe our biggest initiative was recently to become an Australian dealer for Big Dutchman poultry shed equipment,” Marcus revealed. All in all CEFN and Stockyard Industries has come a long way since KB Jones made his trip from Clifton to Brisbane to acquire his first pigs back in 1940.

NOW AVAILABLE

VIRUGARD APVMA APPROVAL NO 60917/5KG/1007

VIRUGARD FOR.... TERMINAL DISINFECTING FOGGING FOOT AND WHEEL DIPS

VIRUGARD SAFE FOR ANIMALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT For further information please contact: ADVANCED ANIMAL NUTRITION Ph 02 6851 1747 Fax 02 6851 2134 Email: info@sarus.com.au

PORK JOURNAL,July/August 2009

Top: BETCO sheds are quicker and easier to erect than conventional sheds. Above: AP computer based climate controlled system with Integra back to base reporting system.

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 13

!"#$%&&$'"(#$ )(*&+*,-$#./(*#.0.,12$

Top: AP feed monitoring control unit on supply lines. Top centre: New sheds showing heater and cross flow fans. Above centre: Ceiling vents are part of effective climate control system. Above: Weight pads on silo supports allow management to predict feed replenishment requirements.

STOCKYARD INDUSTRIES King Street, Clifton, Qld Australia 4361 Phone: (61) 7 4697 3344 Email: sales@stockyardindustries.com

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 14

NEWS Victorian Pig Fair 2009 at Bendigo About 400 visitors attended the Victorian Pig Fair held at the Bendigo Showgrounds on July 28-29, 2009 and the mood was upbeat despite concerns over the H1N1 influenza situation. The Trade Fair was also well supported and it was pleasing to see some new exhibitors as well as the regulars who attend this long established event. The main sponsor was the Pork CRC and the event kicked off with the CEO Dr Roger Campbell outlining recent Pork CRC updates and he officially declared the event open. The well-attended conference session on the 28th was started by Cherie Collins with her paper ‘Strategies to enhance the performance of pigs post weaning and improve profitability through to sale’. In this CRC supported project jointly conducted by Rivalea and the WA Department of Agriculture, Ms Collins first pointed out that poorly performing pigs post weaning take an extra 10 days to reach market weight. Feeding strategies were examined in some detail and Ms Collins and her research colleagues established that light birthweight affects carcass P2 – these pigs end up being fatter. In concluding her presentation Ms Collins stated that, “birth weight, weaning weight and time to first suckle were all critical for good lifetime performance. There was no noticeable improvement in lifetime performance if pigs were weaned at 29 days rather than 22 days”. “There was only limited value of supplying creep feed or expensive diets to all pigs pre and post weening and that light for age pigs at weaning should possibly be treated as a separate population,” she concluded. Next Dr Bruce Mullan from the WA Department of Agriculture and Food spoke on the topic of ‘Strategies to optimise performance and profit from growerfinisher pigs’. He outlined recent experiments including feeding strategies, lysine requirement and the use of Improvac. Then he proceeded to explain how this research could be applied to on-farm conditions. The Feedlogic research at the WA Medina facility was described in some detail. On the topic of boar taint Dr Mullan stated that taint could occur in up to 50%

of boars and that the only certain method of elimination was either chemical or surgical castration. He added that both surgical and chemical castration could cause pigs to put on more fat than the complete animal but that the chemically castrated pigs put on less than those subject to surgical procedure. Kenton Shaw, General Manager of farming operations at Rivalea in his address, ‘APP control in large systems - a vaccine to save the day?’ outlined the problem APP-Pleuro pneumonia causes in large populations including increased mortality, loss of profitability and cost of the disease control. “It also has a detrimental effect on stock people with more effort required and huge levels of frustration,” he said. Previously conventional killed vaccination was labour intensive, difficult in large populations and eco shelters so the only real answer was depop-repop. “There were also carcass quality issues through abscesses and pleurisy leading to a typically 10% loss,” Mr Shaw said. “With the new live vaccine administered with one dose of aerosol at 4-7 days into the nasal passage of the piglet, there has been a great improvement in disease control. “The live vaccine however presents its own set of problems including a short half life and difficulties in use during periods of high temperatures. “The vaccine needs to be stored at -80 degrees C and trans4 ported in dry ice and ice packs are needed for dosing in sheds, also administration needs to be completed within an hour,” he said. “Finishers are still susceptible to disease challenge at 16-18 weeks and we are trialling fogging rather than multi- dosing at 8 weeks of age. Despite these challenges, the live APP vaccine showed significant improvement in the proportion of carcass downgrades to 0.5% of pigs sold, and mortalities down from 6% to 2%. “The delivery system is less invasive and need administration less often: costs w

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

1: Mike Pritchard from Lienerts. 2. Darren Smethurst from Hydor 3. Evo Slots, B&M Slots with grower Mick Kellett. 4. LtoR: Pat Mitchell APL, Kenton Shaw, Rivalea, Dr Bruce Mullan, Cherie Collins, Dr Roger Campbell and Ben Collins, Collins Media.

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 15

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ESTABLISHES VIRKON S 速 AS GOLD STANDARD DISINFECTANT Below is a summary of the work carried out at Purdue University

Lienert Australia Pty Ltd PO Box 65 Roseworthy SA 5371 1 Gartrel Street Roseworthy SA 5371 Ph: (08) 8524 8150 Fax: (08) 8524 8001 Email: admin@lienerts.com.au Website: www.lienerts.com.au

DISINFECTION ACHIEVED IN:

5 MINUTES

30 SECONDS

ALDEHYDE

CHLOROHEXIDINE

CHLORINE

IODINE

QUATS

YES

VIRKON S

YES

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 16

NEWS v through less labour involvement and less medication are reduced. “Depop still remains the ultimate strategy but we will continue improving our use of the live vaccine,” Mr Shaw concluded. Dr Roger Campbell was the final speaker on the first day’s session speaking on the topic, ‘Managing feed efficiency in finishing’. “Pigs growing from 65kgs to sale use 35-45% and costs increases daily. Feed efficiency can decline by 15-35% in the last two weeks of growth,” he said. Dr Campbell then explained the relevance of effects on weight on DE (MJ) used per Kg of gain in females grown in commercial situations when measured by use of the Feedlogic system which revealed cost build up in later growth stages. He then went on to summarise results to date on trials using Paylean and Reporcin in combination in commercial situations. The take home message of the combination in a 1200 head shed was an overall improvement in efficiencies of 6.7%. The following seminar session on July 29 featured papers on sow lameness and then ‘net energy’, the new way of measuring energy in diets. Dean Guenther, Oceania Area Manager for Zinpro, in his address, ‘Sow lameness - Assessing the herd’ introduced the Zinpro ‘Feet First’ initiative to raise awareness of the problem of sow lameness and the need for growers to understand the issue and its ramifications on economics of production, welfare issues and practical solutions (www.feetfirst.zinpro.com).

Manure Spreaders

SPREADER SIZES: 7-35 TONNES • IDEAL FOR STRAW/ECO SHELTER MANURE • EMPTY LESS 4 MINS • AN EVEN 9 -11 METRE SPREAD WIDTH

Vacuum Slurry Tankers

TANK CAPACITIES: 3-16,000 LITRES • FULL CHASSIS CONSTRUCTION • 6MM TANK WALL • LOW GROUND PRESSURE WHEEL EQUIPMENT • BRAKES ON ALL WHEELS

AXON

Mobile.......0428 637 717 Phone.....(02) 9974 2704 Fax..........(02) 9974 2705

www.gtbunning.co.uk

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

1. Charles Rickard-Bell, Elanco. 2. Chris Brewster from Ridley. 3. Dean Gunther from Zinpro 4. Neil Sammons from Intervet Schering-Plough. 5. Adam Naylor from Alltech (right) with Rob Rosaia from Rivalea.

We will be dealing with this topic and the ‘Feet First’ program in a later issue of Pork Journal. Similarly the ‘Net Energy (NE) vs. Digestible Energy (DE) debate teased out by Dr David Cadogan (Feedworks) and Chris Brewster (Ridleys) needs more detailed explanation which will, like sow lameness, appear in subsequent issues of Pork Journal. The Victorian Pig Fair, organised by hard working people like Pat Mitchell (APL) and Jodie Boyce (Ridley) to name but two of a great team of volunteers, was run to a highly professional standard. It is a credit to these volunteers that the show ran well, it is also a credit to organisations like Ridley and APL for their support in not only sponsoring this event but also allowing their key staff to participate, and Jodie Boyce acknowledged this is summing up the seminar session. The social side of these events with opportunities to network are not to be underestimated and the PIC and APL supported Networking session on the evening of the 28th and following APL ‘Pork Pig Out’ for hungry participants was well attended and appreciated by exhibitors and growers alike.

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 17

Design consultation Shed construction Pig production equipment

Mundigo now offer a complete service from design conception to the finished building, ready to use. We offer the complete range of pig production equipment from AP Systems, your source of innovative solutions for ventilation systems, feeding systems, and a huge range of special equipment for intensive agriculture. For more information, contact our office today.

Lot 7 Cleggett Road Bordertown SA 5268

Freecall 1800 100 820 Fax 08 8752 0999

Feed costs too high? This is just one of the challenges that Danisco can help you solve. When the pressure's on, turn to Danisco. As leaders in delivering the greatest value from Avizyme, Porzyme, Grindazym and Phyzyme XP feed enzymes and Betafin feed betaine, we are able to offer both the ingredients and expert knowledge to help keep your feed costs to a minimum.

Danisco - more profit from lower feed costs

To find out more please contact your local distributor Feedworks, Australia mal.mottram@feedworks.com.au Tel: 03 5429 6458 david.cadogan@feedworks.com.au www.feedworks.com.au

www.danisco.com/animalnutrition

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 18

NUTRITIONAL FEATURE

NuPro and the quality piglet By Dr DAVID HENMAN, Rivalea

he volatility in raw material prices that have occurred in the last few years have caused all businesses to re evaluate the way they do business. This is especially the case for agricultural industries facing shifts in climate effecting production efficiency. The pig industry has been at the forefront of change with many countries around the world reducing the amount of pigs they produce and focusing on improving efficiency to just stay in business. It is these times of greatest challenges that innovation becomes the focus so that every cent we spend is returned to us with maximum interest. It is this very reason that the use of ingredients and additives needs to consider the return the ingredient gives in respect to pig performance and economics not just the feed cost changes. The most effective ingredient is one that promotes the performance and well being of the pig. An ingredient that now has gone past the tag of showing great promise to becoming a well known product with significant scientific as well as

commercial data is NuPro. The Quality Piglet Program The key to a good finish in pig production is a better start. A 3kg advantage at 10 weeks of age with the right gut development program can lead to a 6kg advantage at slaughter or six days less to market utilising 15kg of feed less which can increase your returns by up to $15.00 per pig. Utilising the Alltech Premier Pig Program put together by Dr William Close, which has been instrumental in many pig operations in highlighting all the requirements needed to produce the 30 kg quality piglet at 10 weeks of age and the nutrition capabilities of Primegro (A Rivalea division), we can help to ensure your piglets are the quality piglets that will lead to future profits. Primegro has developed a specially formulated Primegro Piglet Starter Feed utilising the technology encompassed in the Premier Pig Program and the Alltech Advantage combination to achieve the ideal gut development of the piglet before and

DO YOU NEED TO ADD CHEMICALS, MEDICATION OR NUTRIENTS TO WATER? THINK LIVESTOCK CAN PROVIDE A CUSTOMISED WATER DOSING SYSTEM TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

Gator-XL

Phone: (03) 5448 8942 Fax: (03) 5448 8943 info@thinklivestock.com www.thinklivestock.com

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

Select Doser

Figure 1- A 3kg advantage at 10 weeks of age can mean 6 days less to market or a 6kg heavier pig utilising 15 kg less of feed which is profit to your bottom line.

after weaning. One of the technologies utilising the Alltech Advantage is the functional nutrient, NuPro, where recent research has shown that it can replace the whey powder we traditional utilised in Australia to maximise performance. In other countries in the world NuPro has shown that it can replace Spray dried Blood Plasma in piglet diets and not only improve performance of the piglets and set the piglet up with a better gut development but also reduce the costs of these diets. A summary of all the scientific experiments conducted to date is shown here. Work conducted by Professor Ron Ball and Dr Soenke Moehn at the University of Alberta and recently published at the American Midwest Swine Conference shows that piglets fed NuPro Diets were increasing their intake over time. This suggests that gut development was improved which will having a lasting effect on the capability of those piglets to digest and utilise nutrients in the feed. The critical area of piglet weaning performance is feed intake and digestibility of the diet. This is a primary driver for the inclusion of high quality raw materials such as Spray Dried Blood Plasma, Fishmeal and lactose. The cost of these ingredients has been volatile and while they may always have their place in starter diets, functional nutrients can reduce our reliance on them to achieve the desired performance goals of w

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 19

Functional Nutrition For

PIGS

An animal never gets over a bad start — that’s why we developed NuPro®. Young pigs experience many stresses during the early stages of life, especially at weaning, which can check growth. Providing the essential nutrients for growth and development in a readily digestible form can be the difference between a healthy start and a challenging one.

NuPro® can help.

NuPro is a yeast-derived protein containing highly concentrated levels of essential and functional nutrients. NuPro is added to the diets of young pigs and supports digestive efficiency through precision nutrition.

NP.V169.08.09.PJ

For more information about NuPro Tel: (03) 9767-2800 | E-mail: australia@alltech.com | www.alltech.com

Big Dutchman: No.1 world-wide …with top products for successful pig breeding and finishing.

HydroMix Liquid feeding

PigNic Automatic dry feeder

Callmatic2 Electronic sow feeding

Farrowing pen with SowComfort slats

MagixX Exhaust air cleaner

MC135 Climate computer

Crates in sow management

Tube feeder for group management

Big Dutchman Pig Equipment GmbH · P.O. Box 1163 · 49360 Vechta, Germany · Phone +49(0)4447-801-0 Fax +49(0)4447-801-237 · E-Mail big@bigdutchman.de · Internet www.bigdutchman.de Australian agent: B & M Slots Pty. Ltd. · 13 Lucknow Cres. · Thomastown VIC 3074 Freecall 1800 999 245 · Fax (03) 9462 4866 · info@bmslots.com

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 20

NUTRITIONAL FEATURE Fans for intensive livestock industries manufactured in Australia to suit Australian conditions. HE FAN RANGE

Figure 2 - Different change of daily feed intake in weaned pigs fed either a control diet or diets containing NuPro

v our piglets. An experiment conducted at Rivalea Australia research facilities, has shown that when whey is removed from the diet given A modern high quality range of during the first 19 days post weaning there is a significant reduction in feed intake and propellor fans designed to move digestibility of the diet resulting in a poor large volumes of air with growth rate. minimum energy use. This reduction in performance can be HV FAN RANGE overcome by the formulation of 4% NuPro into the diet (Figure 4). Thus high cost ingredients such as SDPBP, skim milk and whey powder can be replaced by 4% NuPro into those diets fed immediately post-weaning to reduce the cost of these diets. The experiment was a 2X2 factorial design with Whey (0 and 10%) and NuPro (0 and 4%) as factors for the first 19 days, and for the next 20 days just NuPro was the factor as whey is not commercially High efficiency belt driven fans used in these diets. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; three phase and single The experiment involved 800 male phase range. piglets with weight, feed intake and feed conversion as the main measurements. HYDOR TURBULATOR The continued improvement of the RECIRCULATION FANS pigs that remained on a diet formulated with NuPro during period 2 (Figure 5) of 20% in growth rate, 10% in feed intake (figure 6) and 9.3% in feed efficiency indicates that the pigs were utilising the nutrients in the diets significantly better than the pigs without NuPro.

Figure 3 - Impact of NuPro on swine performance

This supports the hypothesis that NuPro formulated into the diets is improving the gut development of the piglets from weaning allow better nutrient utilisation through better absorption through the gut wall. It was expected that the improvement would be greater in the pigs that were lighter at weaning but the results from this experiment suggest that both the light and heavy weight pig groups will benefit similarly from the inclusion of the functional protein. The Economic returns associated with using the functional nutrient and whey is shown in Figure 7. Piglets on the negative control consumed the least of all treatments while pigs that had NuPro formulated into their diets ate the most and also gained the most weight over the experimental period. The cost per pig was also the highest given the higher feed intake for the NuPro fed pigs. If we assume that the cost of rearing a piglet is constant except for feed costs we can compare all treatments against the lowest performing treatment (the negative control). Assuming that the return for every extra kilogram in weight is $2.50 we can compare the treatments in terms of return to the producer. Formulating whey into the diet, as per the control diet, we see that the

These fans are designed to have a long throw and move air efficiently to give temperature and humidity control in pig houses

Phone: 1300 655 730 Fax: 1300 134 319 Web: www.hydor.com.au

Figure 4 - Impact of NuPro and whey on piglet performance.

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

Figure 5 - Feed intake improved with the inclusion of NuPro (p<0.004).

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 21

NUTRITIONAL FEATURE return to the producer is an extra $2.24 per pig. Formulating NuPro into the diet shows an increase return of $5.22 per pig and formulating both NuPro and whey into the diet increases the return to $6.02 per pig. A breakeven analysis will show that to pay for the use of NuPro into the diet of the weaner pig at 4% up to 10 weeks of age there needs to be an increase in return of $3.00 per pig as the pig is sold or an extra 1.2 kilograms in liveweight ($2.50/kg live selling price). The bottom line The bottom line is that to maximise the quality and quantity of the final product cost effectively we need to utilise the best approach possible for those few weeks after weaning. The Primegro Quality piglet program aims at bring together the unique tool of the Alltech Premier Pig Program and Primegro Piglet Starter Diets produced in Australia (available throughout the Asian region) in combination with the experience of Rivalea Australia’s technical team to deliver the best possible start to your piglets. n

Figure 6 - Feed efficiency improved with the inclusion of NuPro (p<0.004).

Figure 7 -Profit was substantially increased with the use of Nupro in the diets of weaner pigs.

Design • Engineering • Fabrication

SHELTERS 8, 10, 12, 13 & 15M Clearspan Configured to suit your requirements

FEEDERS 2 – 8 tonne storage capcity Ideal for non-powered sites

LOAD OUT FACILITIES Ramps, round yards, shelters, yards

SILOS 4 – 70 tonne

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Ph: 08 8531 2700 Fax: 08 8531 2711 185 Thomas Street, Murray Bridge SA 5253

Email: sales@jacksonsaustralia.com Website: www.jacksonsaustralia.com

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 22

NEWS Fair range of Pork CRC research highlighted Victoria’s pig industry was treated to the very latest in pig research when the Pork CRC presented its Program Update at the 2009 Victorian Pig Fair recently. The Pork CRC was the Gold Sponsor of the Fair, which highlighted the best of Victoria’s and Australia’s pig industry at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre, July 28-29. The Pork CRC’s Program Update opened the fair and illustrated the breadth and depth of its extensive research program. Dr Cherie Collins, of Rivalea Australia (formerly known as QAF), presented the Pork CRC’s project on strategies to enhance the performance of pigs after weaning and improve profitability through to sale. Leader of the Pork CRC’s Subprogram 2a, which examines innovative products and strategies for the measurement of feed intake, Dr Bruce Mullan of the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, presented on feeding strategies to reduce cost of production. The Pork CRC research examined pigs fed on conventional, blended and single diets. It concluded that producers have options to reduce feed costs that are largely associated with feeding pigs diets where the nutrient concentration closely matches the pig’s requirements.

LtoR: Kenton Shaw and Dr Cherie Collins of Rivalea Australia, Dr Roger Campbell, Pork CRC CEO and Pork CRC Subprogram 2a Leader, Dr Bruce Mullan of of the Department of Agriculture and Food WA.

Pork CRC supported students Robyn Terry, University of Adelaide, Amy Bellhouse, Melbourne University, Rebecca Athorn, University of Adelaide and Meeka Capozzalo, University of Western Australia, at the Pork CRC Gold sponsored 2009 Victorian Pig Fair at Bendigo.

Proven Shedding Alternative

• Good Growth Rates • Versatile • 20’, 30’ & 40’ wide • Semi-portable • Easy To Construct • Good Ventilation • Less Odour and Flies 4 P

000 rov loc en o ati no the ons th ver wo rou rld gho ut

Clear Span Shelters

Ph: 1800 500 944 Fax: (03) 5423 7145

NZ enquiries: John Chaplin (07) 544 1168 www.macedonranges.com/clearspan

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

Dr Mullan also presented results of a Pork CRC honours student’s project on the effect of timing of immunocastration on pig performance. The results showed the decline in feed efficiency and increase in back fat thickness associated with the second vaccination against boar taint increased with the time between the second vaccination and sale. Kenton Shaw, of Rivalea Australia, updated an attentive audience on the commercial implementation of the Pork CRC’s APP-Alive vaccine, which is significantly reducing carcass downgrades and mortalities and lowering costs for the industry. Dr Roger Campbell, CEO of the Pork CRC, concluded the presentations by speaking on managing feed efficiency in late finishing. He concluded by saying that it was very gratifying to present the practical results of the Pork CRC’s research work at a forum as successful as the Victorian Pig Fair.

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 23

NEWS Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition Forum hears global perspectives on animal production and human health Relationships between animal production and both human health and the health of the planet were among the themes of a major international conference at the University of New England recently. About 100 delegates from Australia and abroad gathered for the 20th biennial conference in a unique series ‘Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition – Australia’. All 20 conferences have been held at UNE. The opening speaker, Professor Andrew Sinclair from Deakin University, commented that UNE provided “a very positive location” for the conference, allowing national and international leaders in the field of animal nutrition to mingle freely in an “informal setting”. Professor Sinclair, the President of the Nutrition Society of Australia, spoke about the need for closer links between people who work in agriculture and those who work in human nutrition. Emphasising the importance of producing healthy food, he spoke about the complexity of the current problem of obesity. “We live in an ‘obesogenic’ environment,” he said, “ – an environment that entices us to eat more than we need to.” Innovations to meet the challenges of climate change, and concerns about the Australian Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS), were a major theme of the 2009 conference, which ran from the July 12 to 15. The prominent Australian industry consultant Dr Robert van Barneveld and UNE’s Professor David Cottle spoke about the implications of the scheme for the pig industry and the sheep industry respectively. Dr van Barneveld said that new technologies – including the growing of algae to feed pigs – had the potential to reduce carbon emissions in pork production to zero, but that the CPRS (which, he said, was “effectively a tax”) provided the industry with no incentives to implement these advances. Dr Roger Hegarty from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Dr Bob Hunter from CSIRO’s Division of Livestock Industries provided the latest information on ways of reducing the production of methane by cattle and sheep, and several papers by UNE scientists highlighted the potential for a new method of reducing methane output in these animals by using a dietary supplement containing nitrate instead of urea. A number of presentations by delegates from abroad provided the conference with the information on a range of recent nutritional advances. One of these, presented by Dr Aaron Cowieson from AB Vista Feed Ingredients in the UK, dealt with the use of feed enzymes to enhance amino acid digestibility in the diets of pigs and poultry. UNE’s Dr Darryl Savage, who chaired the organising committee for the conference, said that “Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition” was unique in Australia in bringing together the commercial and research sectors of the animal nutrition community. Over the years, he said, “Recent Advances” had developed “from a small, informal meeting of animal nutrition scientists to Australia’s leading animal nutrition conference, attracting researchers and practitioners from throughout the world”. One of the delegates – Tony Edwards, a livestock consultant from South Australia – has attended all 20 of the conferences at UNE. “It’s been a fascinating progression,” said Mr Edwards, a UNE Rural Science graduate, who reviewed nutritional developments in the pig industry since the conference series began. “As several hundred papers have been presented at ‘Recent

Dr Darryl Savage (left) and Tony Edwards at the conference. Advances in Animal Nutrition – Australia’ conferences since 1973,” he said, “it is easy to overlook significant breakthroughs that were first posed or developed within this forum and have become common practice for nutritionists across the world.”

Mix with versatility Mixquip Mixquip, i i ab brand d lleader d in liliquid processing, operates successfully as a specialist in the design and delivery of quality mixing systems. The Mixquip ‘clamp on’ range offers all stainless steel wetted components including the multi position clamp.

Versatility and innovation is the key to the Mixquip brand.

Ph: (02) 4626 5000 Email: mixquip@teralba.com www.teralba.com

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 24

NEWS Talking pig health at Southern Queensland Seminar Protecting pigs against the H1N1 strain of influenza was one of the issues producers learnt about at a recent Pig Health and Biosecurity seminar in Toowoomba. Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) and Elders Toowoomba, hosted a free seminar on July 28 to provide valuable information on improving pig health and on farm biosecurity. QPIF Biosecurity Queensland principal policy officer, Dr Lyndon Dadswell said a total of 60 people attended, including producers from across the Darling Downs, Lockyer Valley, Warwick, Bunya Mountains, Kingaroy and Marburg. “Piggery owners, operators, workers and industry representatives attended the seminar to learn about how to protect their pigs from disease,” he said. “Good on farm biosecurity practices can prevent diseases such as Influenza H1N1 from being introduced into a piggery – it’s vital that producers are aware of this.” The key note speaker was Dr Greg Marr, a pig veterinarian, consultant and piggery owner from Kingaroy. Dr Marr said pig heath was influenced by the presence of disease agents, physiology, management, nutrition and the environment. “Minimising the number of diseasecausing agents, providing appropriate and adequate diets, sufficient good quality water, an environment that suits the age/size of pig and handling pigs appropriately minimises the risk of disease in pigs.” Dr Marr said weaner pigs could not handle cold and drafty conditions and benefited from controlled environment housing. Other speakers were veterinarian Dr Marta Hernandez-Jover from University of Sydney and QPIF Biosecurity Queensland senior inspector Peter Mowett. Dr Hernandez-Jover said that most diseases entered a farm through the entry of infected animals. “Although, only a small percentage of disease enters through other ways, such as aerosol spread from other farms, contaminated objects such as dirty boots, and vehicles, vectors (mosquitoes) or equipment used for treatments, these pathways need to be considered too” she said. “Infected animals could be new animals which have been bought from another property.

Top: LtoR: Pig producer Will Beijsens from ‘Ballgrove’ Kingaroy, vet Greg Marr from Kingaroy, Sara Willis from QPIF Toowoomba and Marta Hernandez-Jover from University of Sydney. Above: LtoR: Pig producers Belinda Marriage from Tillari Trotters, Karara, and Judy Barnet from Black Beauty Large Black Pig Stud at Clintonvale with Laurie Dunn from QPIF Toowoomba and Peter Mowett from QPIF Oakey.

“Also taking your own animals to another property and bringing them home may introduce disease.” To reduce the risk of introducing disease with pigs, Dr Hernandez-Jover urges pig producers to: know the health status of suppliers; minimise the number of source herds; use Artificial Insemination where possible; use quarantine; and have a fence around the farm to keep out feral pigs. At the seminar, Dr Marta HernandezJover introduced a national biosecurity training project for pig producers to increase the understanding of biosecurity, traceability and welfare requirements for the pig industry. “The project is being run over 12 to 18 months with cooperating pig producers,” she said. Peter Mowett from Biosecurity Queensland outlined the state’s biosecurity requirements to protect the health of individual piggeries and to protect markets for

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

pigs and pig products. “In the event of disease or residues in pigs or pig products, it is necessary to be able to trace the movement of pigs to determine the source and spread of disease,” Mr Mowett said. Property registration, pig identification and PigPass records are used to trace the movements of pigs. “This means Property Registration + Animal Identification + Pig Pass = Traceability,” Mr Mowett said. “It is also essential to reiterate that the feeding of meat, carcases, eggs or food scraps containing meat or eggs to livestock is illegal because it can introduce and spread animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease.” The Pig Health and Biosecurity seminar was sponsored by Australian Pork Limited and the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre. For further information contact DEEDI information centre on 13 25 23.

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 25

NEWS NZ pork industry votes to give consumers clarity New Zealand Pork has announced a strategy focused on consumer choice, confidence and continuing action on animal welfare following its Annual General Meeting in Christchurch recently. New Zealand Pork Chief Executive Sam McIvor said the industry would continue to actively engage with government as it reviews animal welfare practices, establish an industry-wide animal welfare audit scheme and investigate improved product labelling. “Consumer confidence is vital to ensure the continued success of the NZ pork industry, especially when record levels of inferior imported product has arrived on our shores,” Mr McIvor said. “To a large extent this confidence is based on three key elements – product quality, information and choice. There is no doubt that New Zealand pork is of the highest of quality but there needs to be more work to ensure consumers have accurate information about our pork and are able to make appropriate purchasing

Spiraflo heat exchanger reconditioning Teralba Industries has expanded its refurbishment options for Spiraflo Tubular Heat Exchangers. This includes S5.5 & S6, which were installed into many heat transfer systems and pasteurisers in 1970s and 80s. Most Spiraflo Multi-annular heat exchangers sold over the last 35 years in Australia can be cost effectively retubed and reconditioned. Reconditioning can include new spiralled tubing, new gaskets sets, high pressure cleaning and hydrostatic testing to applicable Australian Standards. If a Spiraflo is unrepairable then a replacement Dimpleflo Tubular heat exchanger can be supplied with exact dimensions to fit into pipework or plant where the Spiraflo was. Repair and recertification of existing heat exchangers to new condition is both cost effective and tax effective, as the repairs are fully tax deductible in most cases. For further information, contact Teralba Industries on (02) 4626 5000 or email:sales@teralba.com

decisions based on this. “For this reason, as well as our focus on the review of the Pig Welfare Code, we will begin an industry-wide animal welfare audit of every commercial pig farm in New Zealand. We will develop a product labeling descriptor system that will allow wholesalers and retailers to clearly identify the production system their pork has been grown under.” The audit scheme will be based around an independent annual review of compliance with the Pig Welfare Code and will dovetail into regular vet visits that commercial pigs farmers have as part of their current animal health and care programmes. The approach has been strongly supported by abattoirs, wholesalers, processors and retailers as part of their consumer assurance programs. “We believe this is the last plank in the pork industry’s ten year welfare improvement programme started in 2005. This program includes farmer training and education, the monitoring of changes in sow housing methods, the problem piggery reporting scheme and a research programme targeted at testing new sow housing methods. “Providing accurate descriptions of farming systems will allow consumers to purchase with confidence, in the knowledge these descriptors accurately reflect the farming practices used in NZ. “It is too early to say how we will describe our different farming systems, but this will be part of the work that will be undertaken to ensure we get this right,” Mr McIvor said. “We believe that a focus on the way we produce our pork will help show the consumer that the 700,000 kg of imported pork and pork products arriving in NZ every week are produced under framing systems that are not as animal-friendly as ours,” Mr McIvor said.

The road to quality feed...

...has never been clearer! 6-second NIR feed analyser. Simple ”pour and place” whole grains, pellets, hay, fodder or liquids. No sample preparation and no clean up. Inspect ingredients, improve your formulation, monitor your entire process and verify final products. For more information: support@newport.com.au

SPECIALISTS IN QUALITY CONTROL OF GRAIN, FLOUR, FOOD AND FEED

Damaged (left) and refurbished heat exchanger (right).

www.perten.com

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 26

NEW PRODUCTS The stall that meets the demands of modern pig production Introduced at the Victorian Pig Fair on the Mundigo stand was a new sow stall that, according to Mundigo’s Managing Director Mike Andersen, “meets all the demands of modern pig production”. The stall is supplied with three adjustable spacer pipes attached to the top of the stalls. “Other stall designs are available on special request,and a range of other lengths can be made to order,” Mike said. “Feet positions can be changed on ordering to match drain and front trough positions. “The stalls are hot dip galvanized, with strength built into the design and manufacture. “The standard dimensions 2300mm x 615mm internal size which meets new welfare code requirements,” Mike added. “There is the option of rear entry, front exit or rear entry and exit. Sows can enter or leave in either direction and the design

features a low rear gate step through section section for safe and easy AI management. “The design features stainless steel legs and feet, with height and direction adjustable at the rear foot. “The gate pins lift only 50mm to open and close the gates and sows cannot open the gates themselves. “There is an optional steel feed dispenser pipe. “This dry sow stall has been designed with consideration to sow welfare and operator safety. “It is easy to use with operatorfriendly gate latches. A large diameter bottom rail gives sows an easier rest while laying down, and adds to the stalls strength,” said Mike. Contact Mike Anderson from Mundigo on (08) 8752 0777 for more information about the stalls.

New welfare code approved sow stalls from Mundigo on display at the recent Victorian Pig Fair 2009.

Rodent Baiting Stations CONTROLS RATS and MICE Economical DURABLE 6-10 years Easy to use OH&S Compliant - VERY effective control Commercial Baits also available – bulk order discounts For Supply Call 03 5253 2847 www.doyourownpestcontrol.com.au

PORK JOURNAL, July/August 2009

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 27

** +,,/)/+3)= 84 =496 45+6'8/43 ;/8. 8./7 3+; '2(4649-. 74;

",#.1.4() 2 )8#1*% 5*(.41 "++.62 $423.,&12 3. '.$42 .- &''*$*&-3 /1.%4$3*.- 3)1.4() 9 .1& #.1- "+*5& "-% ,.1& /*(2 6&"-&% 9 41"#*+*38 "-% +.-(&5*38 9 &%4$&% $"1$"22 5"1*"3*.9 &%4$&% ,4+3*/+*$"3*.- $.232

'2(4649-. /7 8.+ /*+'1 -/18 ,46 564*9)+67 ;.4 ;'38 84 14;+6 8.+/6 )478 4, 564*9)8/43 8.649-. -6+'8+6 498598 5+6 -/18 /3864*9)+* /384 8.+ .+6* !.+ /7 ' 5641/,/) .=(6/* 8.'8 /2564:+7 1/,+8/2+ 2'6-/3 5+6 74; '2(4649-. /7 ' 64(978 5+6,462+6 ;/8. 8.+ :+67'8/1/8= 84 '*'58 84 ' :'6/+8= 4, +3:/6432+387 ? /3*446 46 498*446 #31/0+ )425+8/846 -/187 '2(4649-. 7 795+6/46/8= '6/7+7 ,642 )42(/3/3- ./-. 1+:+17 4, 564*9)8/:/8= ;/8. 795+6/46 564-+3= -64;8. '3* )'6)'77 ).'6')8+6/78/)7 ;/8.498 )425642/7/3- 43 74; 143-+:/8= %5"-$& 8.41 )&1% (&-&3*$2 "4 */7)4:+6 /, '2(4649-. /7 8.+ 6/-.8 -/18 ,46 =49 51+'7+ )438')8 =496 14)'1 '6+' 6+56+7+38'8/:+

641/,/)')=

'8+63'1 378/3)8

43-+:/8=

96'(/1/8=

/10/3-

'7+ 4, '3'-+2+38

64;8. '8+

'6)'77 $'19+

+'8 9'1/8=

",#.1.4() (*+32 '6+ ')034;1+*-+* '7 43+ 4, 8.+ ;461* 7 2478 5641/,/) '3* -+3+8/)'11= /2564:+* ,+2'1+7 '3* '6+ 8.+ */6+)8 6+7918 4, 98/1/>/3- 7 75+)/'1/7+* 7=78+27 ,46 )4378'38 -+3+8/) /2564:+2+38 1"0: /7 7 14('1 +3+8/) 3,462'8/43 !=78+2 '3* 8.+ ,493*'8/43 ,46 7 -+3+8/) /2564:+2+38 564-6'22+ 8 /7 ' 596547+ *+7/-3+* -+3+8/) *'8'('7+ ;./). 78'68+* 6+)46*/3- /3 '3* 34; .'7 *'8' 43 4:+6 2/11/43 '3/2'17 $7 '6+ 95*'8+* *'/1= 43 4:+6 43+ 2/11/43 /3*/:/*9'1 5/-7 "3&: /7 ' )42598+6 74,8;'6+ 5')0'-+ ('7+* 43 & 58/2'1 4386/(98/43 ".+46= '3* 564*9)+7 1/787 ,46 97+ /3 8.+ +3+8/) 9)1+97 .+6* 35987 /3)19*+ 8.+ /3)6+'7/3-1= '))96'8+ +(:A 4, +'). (4'6 '3* -/18 /3 8.+ .+6* 8.+ 5+*/-6++ '3* ,'2/1= 7869)896+ 4, +'). (4'6 '3* -/18 /3 8.+ .+6* '3* 7 2'</292 5+62/77/(1+ 6'8+ 4, /3(6++*/3-

5342",*" 5= )'(& 754. 754. .7 "& 1.-' 1.-' )

, 777 0*$"5342",*" $/- "5 +++ $ )'(& #! )

PJJulyAug09:PJJanFeb09 28/08/09 2:49 PM Page 28

b u i l d i n g s pty ltd Manufacturers of Quality Rural & Industrial Buildings

• SP A

IFT building NL

lu E f ar m in g so

INTE

ty ltd • sp

Specialised Buildings: ∏ Australian made and owned ∏ All Australian steel ∏ Fully hot-dip galvanised frame ∏ Heavy duty structure ∏ Professional design consultancy ∏ Unique construction method

∏ Flexible design

Phone Spanlift Buildings for a free information pack.

Also manufacturing commercial, industrial, machinery, hay, poultry, dairys & feed sheds

www.spanlift.com.au

ph.1300 234 321

sales@spanlift.com.au