Pork Journal November/December 2014 by Rosemary Embery

porkjournal www.primarymedia.com.au

Volume 36 Issue 6

November/December 2014

Shaun Blenkironâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future is in pork

Award winning ham from Sunshine Meats Trace minerals: Is quality control a priority? PrintPost Approved PP10003090 ISSN 1032 3759

APLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s five year plan for the pork industry

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porkjournal www.primarymedia.com.au

Volume 36 Issue 6

November/December 2014

EDITOR:

EDITORIAL & DESIGN

JOURNALIST/PHOTOGRAPHER PRODUCTION EDITOR

Peter Bedwell Alex Bedwell

Rosemary Embery

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Alex Bedwell

ADVERTISING ADVERTISING SALES

Selina, Maria and Jose Pereira from Sunshine Meats

Peter Bedwell Phone: (02) 4323 0005 Mob: 0419 235 288 Email: primarymedia@bigpond.com Rates are available at www.primarymedia.com.au

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Cover photograph by Alex Bedwell

FEATURES Page 8: Shaun Blenkiron’s future is in pork Michael and Margaret Blenkiron’s ‘Gumshire’ piggery, located in South Australia, is a prime example of a family operated pork enterprise aiming for continuous improvement. Their son Shaun, now 24, has shown his interest in pig farming from a very young age and has been the key motivation behind the family expanding from 10 to 150 sows over the past 10 years.

NEWS Page 4: Award winning ham from Sunshine Meats Page 6: Winner of the 2014 Ron Pollard Undergraduate Scholarship Award announced Page 6: Danish Crown: Antibiotic-free pig production trial Page 13: Pressure on Australian government to accept fresh pig imports from the USA Page 16: APL’s five year plan for the pork industry PRODUCT NEWS Page 14: Trace minerals: Is quality control a priority? Page 17: New swine drinking water disinfectant and acidifier from DuPont

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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

Award winning ham from Sunshine Meats Pork Journal recently visited Sunshine Meats in Milperra in Sydney. The company was a winner at the Australian PorkMark Ham Awards 2014 for Australia’s Best Artisan Ham with its double smoked, maple infused boneless ham. It was voted the best in the country by a panel of three judges, including a master small goods maker and two chefs with a score of 100/100. The company was opened in late 1988 in Redfern and owner Jose Pereira’s goal has always been to create a unique range of small goods for the Australian market. Sunshine Meats offers both boneless and bone-in hams as well as skinless chilli ham and mini skinless ham portions, all made from Australian pork. Sunshine Meats has also won Australian Pork awards for its wine infused bacon. The range of pork products also include pork chorizo, salami, coppa, sausages and traditional Portuguese pork black pudding. Jose and his wife Maria moved their business to a purpose built factory in Sydney’s south-western suburb of Milperra three years ago. The move has not only provided them with more space to further develop and expand their small goods range but also the opportunity to set up their own retail store. Jose has always been a big supporter of local communities and small businesses and deals exclusively with small retailers. When he spoke to Pork Journal he said he was always looking for ways to expand the company’s range of small goods and is looking at the possibility of developing new products using free range pork.

Above: Jose and Maria Pereira with their award winning ham. Right: The wine-infused bacon and (left) a range of hams and smallgoods.

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NEWS Winner of the 2014 Ron Pollard Undergraduate Scholarship Award announced Australian Pork Limited (APL) has announced that University of Adelaide student, Tanya Nowland is the winner of the Ron Pollard Undergraduate Scholarship Award for 2014. Tanya was presented with the award at the recent NSW Farmers meeting in conjunction with the APL/Pork CRC Roadshow on Tuesday October 14, held in Young, NSW. Presenting Tanya with her award was Ron Pollard’s son Ean, and APL CEO, Andrew Spencer. Tanya is in her final year of a Bachelor of Animal Science with the desire to further her education by undertaking an Honours degree with the pork industry. The aim of the award is to recognise high calibre undergraduate students and foster their interest in pursuing a career in the pork industry. Tanya completed a two week placement on-farm as part of APL’s Undergraduate Industry Scholarship Program where she was able to gain practical experience in all aspects of pork production. Tanya’s host farm said “she is a very bright and enthusiastic girl who asked lots of questions and was very keen to learn about the pork industry. In fact, if

we could have given her a job we would have.” In learning that she was to receive the award, Tanya said “Thank you so much for this opportunity, I can’t express how happy I am and how much it means to me. “I look forward to meeting more people within the industry and learning more about the pork industry as a whole.” The Ron Pollard Undergraduate Scholarship Award was established in 2009 by APL’s Research and Innovation Division, in memory of the late Ron Pollard. The award honours Ron’s commitment to mentoring young people in the pork industry. Ron was a respected NSW pork producer and former President of the Pork Council of Australia, and was instrumental in the restructure of a number of national industry associations which resulted in the formation of APL. He also served as APL’s interim Chairman. In congratulating Tanya for receiving the award, Ron Pollard’s son and Westmill Products Managing Director, Ean Pollard said “I love it when young people get enthusiastic about our industry – it has a lot to offer”.

Tanya Nowland, who is the winner of the Ron Pollard Undergraduate Scholarship Award for 2014.

Danish Crown: Antibiotic-free pig production trial From December this year five of Danish Crown’s cooperative owners who are located on the island of Bornholm, started a trial to produce pigs for slaughter without the use of any antibiotics. Worldwide, Denmark has one of the lowest levels of antibiotics use in pig production. Nevertheless, it is an issue which is receiving considerable attention and, together with its cooperative owners, Danish Crown would like to contribute to finding sustainable solutions for Danish pig production. “Inspired by the public debate, the firm is setting up a trial together with a handful of pig producers, the purpose being to increase our knowledge of what it takes to produce pigs for slaughter without using any antibiotics,” explained CEO of DC Pork, Jesper Friis. The trial will involve one integrated

production unit and a number of farms producing pigs for slaughter. The DC Advisory Service team will monitor the herds closely together with local consultants, the Danish Pig Research Centre (VSP) and other relevant experts. The monitoring aims to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised by the trial and that any sick animals receive treatment. At the same time, it will ensure that any animals which have been treated with antibiotics are removed from deliveries of antibiotics-free animals to the slaughterhouse. “On the farms producing pigs for slaughter, we will find out whether it is possible to produce pigs for slaughter – from when they are delivered to the farm as weaners until they are sent for slaughter – without using any antibiotics, and in the integrated

production we will establish whether it is possible to produce pigs from birth until slaughter without using antibiotics,” said Jesper Friis. The production of pigs for slaughter without the use of any antibiotics will entail additional costs for farmers. More inspections, increased staffing levels and improved hygiene efforts will increase labour costs. Therefore, Danish Crown will also use the trial to determine whether there is a market for the products. These products will cost more in the shops to cover the additional costs for farmers. At present, it is a documented fact that the meat sold to consumers contains no drug residues. The withdrawal period for animals for slaughter to which medicines have been administered is defined scientifically depending on the specific medicines used.

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At 24, Shaun Blenkiron is a refreshing change in an industry dominated by older farmers.

Shaun Blenkiron’s future is in pork By GRAEME POPE, Graeme Pope Consulting, Nuriootpa SA

erched on the eastern slopes of the Barossa Valley, Michael and Margaret Blenkiron’s ‘Gumshire’ piggery is a prime example of a family operated pork enterprise aiming for continuous improvement. Their son Shaun, now 24, has shown his interest in pig farming from a very young age and has been the key motivation behind the family expanding from 10 to 150 sows over the past 10 years. He first developed his interest at the Adelaide Show while still attending primary school, when SA stud breeder Ray Rudiger invited him to join his sons Chris and Josh in exhibiting his show team. At that time, both Michael and Margaret were working off-farm and running about 10 sows of their own. “We were running our pigs in what

you’d call pretty old school in those days, with a few farrowing crates in an old hay shed,” said Shaun. “Dad and I attended an A.I. training course run by SABOR when I was only 11 years old so we could start A.I. mating, because our boar had broken down. That allowed us to start batch farrowing, even with just a few sows. “We sold our growers as pork through the Truro saleyards to start with and eventually Austral Meats took us on-board to supply them with pork. “By year 10 at high school, I knew I wanted to spend more time with the pigs and so I changed to a vet course, which allowed me to spend more time at home building pigs sheds, right through to year 12. “I also completed a Certificate 3 in Pig Production course with TAFE while still at school,” added Shaun.

In 2001, the Blenkirons bought a second property and built two grower sheds, so they could continue to farrow sows at their original farm and move the weaners to the second site. “I was feeding and mating pigs before school,” said Shaun. “Dad could see I was committed to the pigs and so he gave me my first litter to look after and sell, provided that I had a budget showing what it had cost me to rear them and what profit I’d made.” The Blenkiron’s moved to the new farm when Shaun was 12 years old and increased their sow numbers to 30. “We built a sow shed divided down the centre, with mated sows in groups down one side and farrowing crates down the other, with everything run on straw, including the litters,” said Shaun. At 14 years of age, Shaun started

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his own stud breeding Large Whites, Landrace, Durocs and Hampshires, but the whole Blenkiron family now shares in Gumshire. “I got a lot of advice through the show ring in the early days about what to look for in a good pig from Ray Rudiger and John Singh from NSW. “One year, John trusted me to look after 30 of his own pigs at the Adelaide Show,” said Shaun. “All the hard work finally paid off this year after we took out the Supreme Champion Pig in Show at the Adelaide Show. We took 22 pigs down and 19 of them received ribbons. “In total we took home more than 40 ribbons and three trophies, including Champion Commercial Pork Exhibit,” said Shaun. “The judge Mr Robert Overend MBE from Northern Ireland, who runs Deerpark Pedigree Pigs, was very pleased with our pigs and said he’d be happy to take them home with them. “Robert is renowned for having the best Landrace pigs in Europe. He owns his own A.I. centre and sends fresh and frozen semen all over the world, so to get very good comments from him meant that we must be on the right track,” added Shaun. In 2006, the Blenkiron’s decided the industry’s increased focus on quality assurance and other regulations meant they’d need to either get bigger, or get out. At that time, Michael resigned from his fulltime off-farm employment and with Shaun now 16, commenced their expansion to 150 sows. “We’ve built everything ourselves, all the concrete work and the Jackson’s shelters together, so it’s taken a bit of time but we’ve got things running pretty close to how we want them these days,” explained Shaun. “We built a sow shelter, divided into four large pens to run a batch of 28 to 30 sows per group. One of those pens is fitted with open-access stalls, which I wean into and use for 90% of our matings.” Shaun does all the inseminations himself by temporarily locking in sows and running a boar out front of the stalls. “Dad brought back a Minitube A.I. catheter clamp from the Pan Pacific Pork Expo earlier this year and I’ve bought four more since. They allow me to do all the A.I.’s alone and save heaps of time,” added Shaun. “We use an external ultrasound contractor to pregnancy check our sow batch each month and that’s good assurance that our mating program is on-track,” he said. “We built two weaner shelters and three grower shelters, with 280 pigs a month weaned into a shelter and then shifted into a bigger shelter at 11 weeks

of age. Getting straw locally is not a problem in this district. “About four years ago, we built a drafting yard connected to our loading ramp and a Prattley auto’ sorter, so we can weigh and draft every pig we sell. We ear notch our purebreds and take another look at them at bacon weight,” said Shaun. “Once we enter their notch number,

we can see at a glance their breeding history, date of birth, dam, sire and the litter size they were reared in. Then I take a good look at their conformation. A breeding pig needs to have at least 14 teats and good legs. You can’t just sell pigs on good figures. “In future, I’d like to speed up the process of getting pigs through the sorter by using transponders and a

Top: Shaun with the Skiold SK5000 disc mill 3.5/5.5 tph, supplied by Skiold & VMS. Shaun wanted to improve the consistency of the grain. Above: The drafting yard that was built four years ago. It is connected to the loading ramp and a Prattley auto sorter so they can weigh and draft every pig they sell.

The Blenkiron family’s ‘Gumshire’ piggery has expanded from 10 to 150 sows in the past 10 years.

reader, so we don’t have to manually read ear notches and input their numbers”, added Shaun. In February this year, the Blenkiron’s installed a new Skiold disc mill to improve the consistency of grain particle size in their diets and to reduce milling labour. Their traditional feed milling had relied on a 353 hammermill, but the farm’s grain silos and feed bins were never located in a single spot, and valuable time was lost unloading feed instead of milling. “A local poultry farmer retired about five years ago and left a fairly new feed milling setup behind. “We bought the lot, silos, weigh bins, augers, computer boards and a mixer, and moved it all home about two years ago,” explained Shaun. “All we needed was a better mill. “We spoke with a couple of other pig producers we knew had installed disc mills and decided we’d get one ourselves. “We haven’t looked back. Our grain comes through now with a more consistent grind and our pigs are filling out more and growing faster. “Steve Fairey at Laucke’s formulates our diets and we use all their bagged premixes. “These days we use the hammermill to deliver feed around the farm, but we can set the new mill going with the next diet in the meantime, so that means we’re doing two jobs at the same time and reducing our overall labour spent

on milling feed,” added Shaun. In January, 2014 Shaun purchased Future Pork, a genetic supply business currently standing 32 A.I. boars at SABOR Artificial Breeding Centre, Clare. “There is a fair variety to choose from, Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Hampshire and Terminal. “I supply semen to all sorts of farms, from free range to stud breeders and big commercial piggeries,” said Shaun. “The top five placings in the Commercial Pork & Bacon sections this year at the Royal Adelaide Show all used Future Pork genetics. I have semen going into every state at the moment. “A.I. is a great way to get your genetics out to industry and while we are at our current herd size, I can put time into this side of our business. Genetic improvement is something that has always interested me,” explained Shaun. “There’s no sense in locking-up your best genetics and hiding it from the industry. You’re better off getting it out there for everyone to use. “In the long term I’d like to get into supplying semen overseas. All our boars are listed on our futurepork.com. au website and I personally handle all the administration and semen sales,” said Shaun. “I get a lot of satisfaction watching the pigs as they come through the sorter looking their best and able to add something to our client’s herds.” Michael Blenkiron serves as

a Councillor on the Pig and Dairy Committee of the Adelaide Show and is current President of the SA Purebred Pig Breeders’ Association. “It’s a good feeling to be able to track a batch of pigs from when they were born to when they were sold, and see the results from their breeding are headed in the direction we want,” said Michael. “And it’s satisfying to know that your genetics are working in other herds,” Shaun added. With the average age of Australian piggery staff now more than 60 years, it’s a refreshing change to be able to track the progress of someone like Shaun Blenkiron, who has already spent half his life working towards breeding a better pig. His future is certainly embedded in pork!

If you would like to advertise in Pork Journal Magazine, please contact Pete Bedwell on 0419 235 288 or (02) 4323 0005. You can visit the website to view the latest issues and see the advertising rates. www.primarymedia.com.au

NEWS Pressure on Australian government to accept fresh pig imports from the USA The Australian pig industry is concerned that the United States is pressuring the Australian Government to accept fresh pork imports, as part of the Trans Pacific Partnership. Australia currently imports pork for smallgoods, including bacon. About 70% of all the ham and bacon consumed in Australia is made from pigs grown overseas, with imports predominantly from the United States, Canada and Denmark. But fresh cuts aren’t allowed because they can carry diseases like porcine epidemic virus, which has killed millions of pigs in the United States. Deb Kerr, from Australian Pork Limited, claims the US National Pork Industry Council wants Australia to relax its biosecurity protocols. “Our pig herd is a closed herd, and if those sorts of diseases got in, then it could absolutely devastate our herd in Australia,” she said.

“It’s a people welfare issue. Pork producers are very concerned about their pigs and so they see it as much as a welfare issue as a rules issue.” She’s worried that Australia’s strict biosecurity protocols are being ‘targeted’ not just by the US, but also European countries. “These protocols or these rules, if you like, are in place because of science. Science has told us that they are appropriate and that they are robust and we support the Australian Government’s position on that. “So when they’re trying to say that it’s a barrier, they’re using what they call a technical trade barrier and saying that they aren’t scientifically established and Australia should be letting fresh pork imports into Australia. “The industry is also concerned because NZ opened its doors to US fresh pork imports about one year ago. “Our industry is worried about the

precedent that that decision has set and whether that will have implications for Australia,” she explained. “We understand it was a technical decision around their protocols and it went to a court decision in New Zealand, and the court found in favour of importation of fresh pork.” She says French President Francois Hollande has also made comments about his eagerness to see fresh pork exported to Australia, if a free trade deal is struck with the European Union. But Ms Kerr claims she’s confident the federal trade and agriculture ministers are listening to the pork industry’s concerns. “Both Minister Andrew Robb and Minister Barnaby Joyce have been very supportive of Australia’s sciencebased and robust rules around fresh pork imports and they’ve continued to support our cause to make sure that they remain in place,” she said.

“Commitment. It’s what we do.” It’s what we do that makes it more profitable. As a pig producer, you know that hard work and care for the farm today will ensure that it will be there for tomorrow. You also know that a helping hand can make it more profitable. Alltech has been working with pig producers for over 30 years; understanding the farm, offering advice, and making a difference. For over 40 years, Lienert Australia has built a strong reputation as a supplier of quality products and services to the Australian pig industry. Alltech and Lienert Australia are now working together with local pig producers to ensure their feed produces the best results. The Alltech Pig On-farm Advantage programs have been designed to maximise the farm’s potential. The range includes: Sow Advantage • Weaner Advantage • Finisher Advantage Alltech’s On-farm Advantage range is sold exclusively through Lienert Australia. It is available in 25 kg bags and is added to your existing feed. To find out more contact Lienert Australia on: 1800 649 231

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Trace minerals: Is quality control a priority? By TARA JARMAN, AP Mineral Manager Alltech Now more than ever it is essential to know the source of your minerals to ensure feed safety. Quality control has to be at the top of each producers list when selecting trace minerals. In recent years, contamination of trace mineral supplements has been causing more frequent problems across borders. Recently, trace elements shipped from China, including sources of zinc, copper and manganese, have been included in a list of products that are subject to enhanced checks before being allowed to enter the European Union. Cadmium and lead contamination have been identified as the potential hazards in these shipments. Trace minerals contaminates Millions of tonnes of metals are produced annually for a wide variety of applications, primarily in manufacturing: automotive, electronics, aircraft, etc. Few of these applications require a high level of purity. Metals used as minerals in animal feed supplements must be very pure as not only are these products going to affect the health of our livestock, but they are also entering the food chain. Raw minerals are typically mined or recycled. Mineral ore deposits are often a mixture of several different inorganic forms and may include several other minerals as well. Recycled Project4:Layout 1 21/03/14 12:22 PM Page 1

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minerals are often reclaimed from electronics and other manufactured goods. Dioxin is a general term for a large group of fat soluble organochlorine compounds, the polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans, about 30 of which are significantly toxic. Dioxins can potentially be formed whenever organic compounds, chlorine and high temperatures are involved. Common sources include volcanic eruptions, forest fires, exhaust emissions, incinerators and in the manufacturing of chemicals, pesticides and paints. Dioxins can also be formed during the processing of inorganic minerals. Metals, especially copper, can act as catalysts in dioxin formation. Dioxins are termed ‘persistent organic pollutants’ because they are very stable, resisting physical and biological breakdown to remain in the environment for long periods of time. Dioxins are known teratogens, mutagens and carcinogens in humans and animals. PCBs, dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, differ from dioxins in that they are intentionally produced for the manufacture of transformers, inks, plasticisers, lubricants and building materials. PCBs are present in inorganic trace mineral sources due to the recycling of metal sources, such as copper wiring. At least 70 percent of copper sulfate is produced from renewable sources. PCBs are also a known carcinogen in humans and animals. Heavy metals are a concern because they can enter the soil resulting in the contamination of inorganic trace mineral sources and can enter groundwater as a pollutant. Mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic can cause neurological signs in livestock such as blindness, anemia, soft-shelled eggs, kidney and renal damage, and sudden death. A global Issue The use of mined versus recycled minerals has also been debated, however both have had negative implications. Mined minerals tend to be higher in heavy metal contamination, and the mining process can cause contamination with dioxins and PCBs. Dioxins can also be formed during recycling and often materials such as PVC coating are not removed during the process of recycling which introduces PCB risks. Dioxins, PCBs and heavy metals are a global issue. In December 2008, pork in Ireland was found to be tainted with dioxin contamination, resulting in the product being pulled from 24 countries. In July 2011, Belgian food safety officials found a 138 ton consignment of feed grade copper sulfate imported from Romania with higher than permitted presence of dioxin. Lead contaminated zinc oxide imported from China found its way into the pig industry in Australia in recent years. The levels of lead detected in the livers of pigs, exceeded allowable limits and they were destroyed. In January last year, China’s State Council publicized a circular on soil pollution that sets out a plan to contain the increasingly severe problem by 2015. For heavy metals alone, experts estimate the country’s pollution results in the loss of 10

PRODUCT NEWS million metric tonnes of grain and the contamination of another 12 million metric tonnes annually. What is the risk? A clear take-home message from these events is that industry quality assurance programs are essential. And for any quality assurance program, continuous quality improvement must occur for risk management strategies to remain effective. Building off their Quality Plus (Q+TM) mineral quality program, Alltech conducted a survey of mineral sources intended for animal feed in the Asia-Pacific region. The survey revealed a high prevalence of heavy metal contamination in feedstuffs. In 2014, a survey of more than 480 samples of various inorganic minerals, premixes, organic minerals and complete feeds from different countries in Asia was carried out. Lead, arsenic and cadmium was analysed using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) at the Alltech China facility. Results showed contamination from 3 to 65 percent of samples. Overall, 19 percent of all samples were contaminated with at least one heavy metal (lead, arsenic and cadmium). This is consistent with previous results from Alltechâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AsiaPacific heavy metal surveys. The risk of contamination associated with inorganic minerals is a concern for manufacturers of all mineral supplement forms because inorganic mineral sources are used to manufacture organic mineral products. Guaranteeing quality and safety Alltech is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest manufacturer of organic trace minerals (Bioplex and Sel-Plex) for the livestock industry, with five state-of-the-art production facilities around the world. As the industry leader, Alltech has implemented a quality assurance program to ensure the quality, safety, traceability, and consistency of all Alltech products. This Q+ mineral quality control program is unique to Bioplex trace minerals and sets the standard, enabling Alltech to offer a global quality guarantee to customers using this feed additive in over 128 countries. Q+ is a positive release program that combines a number of quality control measures, whereby all batches of trace mineral sources and final Bioplex batches are tested for heavy metals, dioxin, and PCBs before sale. The Q+ program represents but one facet of the overall rigorous Alltech Quality SystemTM (AQS). Industry-driven safeguards, like these enforced by Alltech, are necessary to safeguard our increasingly global, interdependent food chain. Besides contamination issues, many producers are turning to organic minerals to limit their impact on the environment. Growing awareness of the environmental pollution caused by unused trace minerals has led to concern and even new legislation in parts of the world controlling trace minerals in feed and manure levels. Quality control has to be at the top of each producers list when choosing trace minerals. As a result of past and current food crises, animal feed is an important area that affects the integrity and safety of the food chain. In addition, legislation concerning the production of feed is getting tougher. Routine analysis of feed and food ingredients and the assurance of equally high standards of quality and transparency from suppliers will continue to be critical in a global ingredient market to protect the food chain from contaminants such as dioxins, heavy metals and PCBs. The Q+ program, unique to Alltech and the Bioplex trace mineral range, is a positive release program that combines a number of quality control measures, including testing every batch of minerals for heavy metals, dioxins, and PCBs.

NEWS APL’s five year plan for the pork industry Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce, together with Australian Pork Limited Chairman Enzo Allara, hosted a gathering of pork producers, industry representatives and pork connoisseurs to launch Australian Pork Limited’s five year plan for the Australian pork industry. Minister Joyce said APL’s 20152020 Strategic Plan reflected the progressive nature of Australia’s pork industry and outlined the industry’s vision to grow the $1 billion a year sector. “Consumers around the world want safe and sustainably produced food and Australia’s pork industry, with its high quality, is well positioned to meet this growing demand and generate some real returns to the farmgate,” Minister Joyce said. “I congratulate Australian Pork Limited and the pork industry more broadly, for demonstrating a real passion and commitment to their industry. “The pork industry is vital for many rural and regionals communities and underpins jobs and livelihoods throughout Australia. The Government fully supports the industry ans is committed to its long term future in this country.

LtoR: APL Chairman Enzo Allara, Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce and APL CEO Andrew Spencer at the launch of the Strategic Plan.

“The focus of this new Strategic Plan is about anticipating and responding to emerging consumer opportunities and community expectations, while significantly

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improving pig producer revenues. “An additional element of the plan is to identify and expand business opprtunities in new markets, both internationally and domestically,” Minister Joyce said. He added that Australian pork producers are some of the world leaders in animal welfare and said that all Australians can be proud of the industry voluntarily phasing out the use of sow stalls. APL Chairman Enzo Allara said that since the launch of the Strategic Plan in 2009, the industry had been conscious of the need to be proactive and progressive in the implementation of change so that it will bring long term benefitsto consumers, community and pig producers. “We believe the Australian community should feel comfortable in the knowledge that this plan represents positive benefits for not only our industry but for the wider community,” Mr Allara said. “Australians can feel proud of their pork industry as one which operates responsibly and ethically in the production of nutritious and affordable food.” Among the invitees was celebrity butcher Anthony Puharich, as host chef, who prepared a barbecue pork lunch for all guests.

NEW PRODUCTS New swine drinking water disinfectant from Dupont DuPoint has launched a new swine drinking water disinfectant and acidifier under the Virkon brand name. “New Virkon H2O is the ideal multifunctional disinfectant and acidifier for enhancing swine drinking water quality and promoting good piglet performance in weaner units,” said the press release from DuPont. “Virkon H2O is an important addition to the Virkon product portfolio that offers the ‘science to kill pathogens’ in the form of a multifunctional drinking water disinfectant and acidifier for use in swine weaner units. “Weaning causes stress within piglets, which reduces the animals’ natural ability to resist disease, which is already on the decline through the loss of maternal immunity. “Virkon H2O’s powerful formulation has been engineered to promote good piglet performance during this period

South Korea confirms footand-mouth case at pig farm

of stress by killing major disease – causing pathogens of concern such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, E-coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can be present in the drinking waterline,” the press release said. “Independent studies to European test standards (EN1656) have proven Virkon H2O effective against these key pathogens at a dilution rate of 1:800. “With its powerful oxidative chemistry, it works in a number of important ways to protect the well-being of piglets that can be compromised by the rapid spread of disease-causing pathogens through drinking water systems during weaning: • It deters biofilm proliferation by controlling the planktonic bacteria that can initiate and increase biofilms within drinking water systems. • It protects against infection, during the stress of the weaning period, ensuring the highest levels of biosecurity are maintained during management processes that inevitably cause stress. Virkon H2O offers important

operational advantages: • It is non-corrosive to the skin and at operational dilution rates is non-irritating to skin or eyes, and is not a sensitising agent. • Sustained efficacy at low temperatures with proven biocidal effectiveness at 4ºC. • Readily biodegradable in the environment, according to OECD and EU tests, breaking down to form naturally occurring substances. • Virkon H2O is not persistent in the environment. • Compatible with antibiotic reduction programs that are increasingly being legislated for worldwide to restrict the use of prophylactic antibiotics entering the human food chain. “The strategic use of Virkon H2O leads to a biosecurity ‘best practice’ program that combines high-level biocidal efficacy, the hallmark of all Virkon products, with important practical operational benefits,” concluded the press release.

South Korea has confirmed a fresh case of foot-and-mouth disease at a pig farm, the agriculture ministry said recently, five months after an outbreak elsewhere. A ministry official said the farm was in Jincheon county, some 85 km southeast of the capital, Seoul, adding that the disease was unlikely to spread as it was one of three types that animals are inoculated against in South Korea. He said there were 15,884 pigs at the affected farm and those that showed symptoms of the disease would be slaughtered. The outbreak was the first in more than three years but it came as the authorities struggled to contain a continuing problem with bird flu, which has pushed up the price of pork as consumers bought alternative meat. The livestock disease problems are a big factor behind a jump in pork imports, mainly from the US and Germany. These rose 17.6% to 295,485 tonnes in the first 10 months of this year from the same period last year.

PRODUCT NEWS

Danisco discusses the role of probiotics Dr Ajay Awati, Senior Scientist at Danisco Animal Nutrition, a subsidiary of DuPont Industrial Biosciences, recently presented a lecture on the topic â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The role of probiotics in animal production profitability and sustainabilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at Animal Nutrition 2014. The topics that Dr Awati, a qualified vet and doctor of Animal Sciences with over ten years of experience in the feed industry and an extensive catalogue of peer reviewed publications, covered in his talk included: â&#x20AC;˘ The sustainability and profitability challenges that animal production is facing now and could face in the future â&#x20AC;˘ The symbiotic relationship between nutrition, the gut microbiota and immunity, and how probiotics can help address physiological challenges and improve healthy performance â&#x20AC;˘ The role that probiotics can play in resolving external

sustainability and profitability challenges, such as pollution and food safety. Dr Awati argued that profitability and sustainability challenges can mainly be met by supporting the development of healthy gastrointestinal micro-biota. He also revealed newly published research that points to the vital role that probiotics have played in resolving poultry production challenges such as foot pad dermatitis and necrotic enteritis (NE). Dr Awati commented, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Numerous scientists have made the connection between healthy nutrition, a balanced gut micro-flora and animal immunity and performance. In my talk, I looked at how probiotics can help solve sustainability and profitability challenges posed by animal physiology and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gut Dr Awatiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presentation is available to download from the website at animalnutrition.dupont.com. Alternatively email info. animalnutrition@dupont.com Danisco Animal Nutrition aims to help animal producers maximise the return on their feed investment, improve liveability and tackle environmental and sustainability challenges through the delivery of optimized enzyme, betaine and probiotic feed solutions.

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The 2013 Victorian Pig Fair attracted approximately 460 pig industry people and the 2015 Pig Fair will also be a great opportunity to meet new and current customers, promote your company, display your products and make some sales, according to John Bourke, President of the VPF Committee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To ensure that each exhibitor receives the best value for money, we are offering exhibitors packages and a program to optimise the time available to meet with new and existing customers,â&#x20AC;? Mr Bourke said. The 2015 fair runs from April 14 to 15 and on Tuesday April 14 their will be a seminar program from 1 to 3 pm and the trade fair opens at 3 pm and runs runs to 8pm. This may vary closer to the date. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This allows exhibitors at least 10 hours of focused time with producers,â&#x20AC;? said Mr Bourke. On Wednesday the trade fair opens at 9 am and runs to 4 pm with short information sessions scheduled during the day. The exhibition area will be located in the main hall of the Bendigo Exhibition Centre. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The final layout will aim to ensure all pig producers and visitors walk near your display,â&#x20AC;? Mr Bourke said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The trade exhibitors package will include two entry passes, two lunch vouchers and a VPF show bag. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For anyone interested in the trade exhibition please contact the committee to receive an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Agreement and Order for Trade Exhibition Boothâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; form. Bookings are required by February 6. The package includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Fully carpeted floor area â&#x20AC;˘ Fully paneled back and side walls â&#x20AC;˘ Company name on the front of the fascia â&#x20AC;˘ One electric power point for you computer and TV/Video/DVD â&#x20AC;˘ Spotlights to brighten up your day. Call 0419 552 768 or email bourke@iinet.net.au for more information.

APSA_Advert_Final.pdf

NEWS WAPPA appoints new Executive Officer West Australian Pork Producers’ Association (WAPPA) has appointed Jan Cooper as its new Executive Officer, commencing in the New Year in a part-time role. Announcing the appointment, WAPPA President, Richard Evison, said Mrs Cooper was the best candidate in a strong field. He was confident her agricultural and leadership experience and skills would ensure WA pork producers were well positioned to pursue growth opportunities at a time of considerable change. Born and raised on a mixed grain and sheep farm at Kojonup C in WA’s Great Southern, Mrs Cooper has been Executive Officer of the WA Livestock and M Rural Transport Association for the past 10 years and will continue, part-time, in that role. “I see that experience as very complementary to my new role Y at WAPPA, with the issue of welfare high on the agendas of both CM associations and it’s clearly a priority for WA pork producers, as many transition to lower confinement piggeries,” she said. MY Growth in demand for the niche free range market has seen WA increase its free range herd this year and next year 25 per CY cent of WA’s sows will be farmed outdoors. Mrs Cooper attended WAPPA’s most recent General MeetingCMY where the agenda focussed sharply on animal welfare and how producers are continuing to raise the welfare bar. K “With producers openly discussing what they are doing about animal welfare on their farms, WAPPA can continue to review how best to help further enhance welfare, from the pigs’ perspective as well as for piggery workers and, ultimately, to satisfy consumers.” Mrs Cooper has extensive governmental experience, having held senior management positions in the State Government’s Department of Productivity and Labour Relations from 1994 to 2001. Since 2001, she has been a director of Cooper Piesse and Associates Pty Ltd., a consulting practice providing strategic business advice. From 2012 to 2104 she was a member of the WA Beef Council, which works with the state government, industry organisations and funding bodies to develop long term growth for WA’s beef industry and has worked in the horticultural industry. WA’s pork industry employs an estimated 1700 full and parttime workers and an estimated $50 million has been invested in housing and production systems during the past five years to meet new guidelines for sow housing and production efficiency. WAPPA estimates only 20% of sows in WA are kept in gestation stalls, putting WA on track to meet the national industry target of gestation stall free by 2017. WAPPA’s Executive Committee comprises producers Graeme Dent of Cuballing, Dawson Bradford (Vice President) of Popanyinning, Torben Soerensen (Treasurer) of Pinjarra, Dean Romaniello of Craig Mostyn Group and Richard Evison (President) of Westpork.

1/12/14

Australasian Pig Science Association (Inc)

15 Biennial Conference Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Australia th

22 - 25 November 2015

Mark these dates in your calendar

22 - 25 November 2015

The Australasian Pig Science Association is pleased to announce that the 2015 APSA Biennial Conference will be held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Australia from 22nd to 25th November 2015.

Submissions for the International Travel Scholarship and Extended Abstracts Open Now Visit the website for more details -

www.apsa.asn.au

1:23 PM

NEWS Reduction of Salmonella prevalence in finisher pigs In recent decades acidifiers have been reported as having the potential to reduce salmonella prevalence in pigs. Research has shown positive effects with dietary acidifiers in improving growth rate and feed efficiency. Organic acid supplementation was initially targeted for weaned piglets. There is growing evidence that dietary acidification may also be beneficial in the performance of fattening pigs. Recent results have indicated that in fattening pigs organic acids improved the apparent ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids and absorption of minerals. This contributes to improved performance. C.M. Tung and J.E. Pettigrew have done a critical review on acidifiers. In the review it is stated that acid products significantly increase growth rate of pigs, on average more than 12.0% and 6.0% for 0-2 and 0-4 week post-weaning periods, respectively. The addition of acids to the diet also improves the performance of growing (3.5%) and finishing pigs (2.7%). Under stressful or disease conditions acids appear to be an effective measure to reduce scouring rate and mortality and to sustain a good growth performance. Several mechanisms through which dietary organic acids

ASSISTANT MANAGER SABOR LTD An opportunity exists at SABOR LTD for an Assistant Manager. SABOR is a 300 boar Artificial Breeding Centre based in the Clare Valley, South Australia. The successful applicant will have pig production knowledge, understanding of our clients and customers requirements, good communication and record keeping skills, laboratory knowledge and being able to work within a small team or independently. An attractive salary package will be negotiated with the successful applicant. All applications will be treated as private and confidential Applications close Friday 30th January 2015 To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: Graham Reu, General Manager SABOR Ltd. PO Box 413 Clare S.A. 5453 or email graham@sabor.com.au 20

work includes i) reducing the digesta pH value in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) ii) regulating the balance of microbial populations in the gut iii) stimulating the secretion of digestive enzyme and promoting the growth and recovery of the intestinal morphology and iv) direct killing of microorganism. The efficacy of organic acids depends on (1) chemical formula, (2) pKa value of the acid, (3) chemical form (esterified or not, acid, salt, coated or not), (4) molecular weight, (5) the micro-organism related MIC-value of the acid, (6) the nature of the micro-organism, (7) animal species, and (8) the buffering capacity of the feed (Gerard Huyghebaert et al. 2011). It is thus clear that each acid has its own spectrum of microbial activity related to differences in both specific pH ranges, membrane structure and in-cell physiology of the microbiota species. Blends of acids represent additional benefits by generating an array of pKa values and are used because of the broader spectrum of activity. The coating or micro-encapsulation of acids with a progressive â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;slow releaseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; matrix is essential for their antimicrobial activity throughout the distal part of the gastro-intestinal tract. There are indications that the medium chain fatty acids (lower absorption rate because of the higher molecular weight) may improve the efficacy of the short chain fatty acids. In the field, mixtures of organic acids are mainly used, which makes their spectrum broader and combines the good qualities of the different acids. Fysal is a non-corrosive synergistic blend of the most potent organic acids with their ammonium salts. Fysal has been designed and manufactured by carefully considering the above factors which make the product very successful. A trial was conducted in Australia recently to assess the efficacy of Fysal to control Salmonella under conventional housing and to improve the growth performance of finisher pigs. Salmonella infection in growing pigs is associated with reduced growth performance and a reduction in the number of full value pigs sold out of a batch. Research has shown infection with Salmonella in pigs can result in higher Lawsonia and Brachspira infections and more signs of illness, such as colonic ulceration, scouring and deaths. Recent trial conducted using FysalÂŽ: 3258 pigs (1641 females and 1617 Improvac vaccinated males, Large White x Landrace, 13 weeks of age) were housed in a finisher facility of a large integrator in pens of approximately 38 pigs per pen (84 pens in total). Pens were allocated within sex to one of four treatment groups. A grower diet was fed from day 0 to day 21 and finisher diet from day 21 to 56. The experiment was started over four days to accommodate logistical constraints both at the piggery and slaughter house. Animals had ad libitum access to feed and water. Every two weeks a pulse of 20 mg/kg Tylan was added to the drinking water for Lawsonia control. Body weight was measured per pen at day 0, day 21 and day 56. Feed intake and feed efficiency were measured per pen and for the grower period and the finisher period separately.

NEWS

Figure 1. Influence of Fysal on the prevalence of Salmonella in pens at day 0, day 21 and day 56 of the trial.

Figure 2. Influence of Fysal on mortality and removal compared to pigs that were not offered the acid.

Faecal samples were collected from 5 individual pigs in each pen at day 0, day 21 and day 56. Samples were analysed for Salmonella presence. Deaths and removals were recorded from each of the pens over the test period. Results Average daily feed intake of the pigs fed the Fysal diets significantly (P = 0.006) increased compared to the control group from day 21 to day 56 of the trial. Feed conversion ratio was numerically lower for pigs fed the Fysal速 diets compared to the control group during the complete trial. Figure 1 shows the effect of Fysal supplementation on Salmonella presence in the pens. Percentage of negative pens was highest for the control group at day 0. At day 21 the percentage of negative pens for the control group was increased with almost 4.8% compared to day 0. However, a bigger increase in number of negative pens was found at day 21 for the Fysal 1.5 kg/ton treatment, Fysal 3.0 kg/ton treatment and Fysal step down treatment with an increase of 19%, 15.8% and 14.3% respectively. At day 56 of the trial Salmonella pressure was clearly higher compared to day 21 for all treatments. The number of Salmonella negative pens was the lowest for the control group (9.5%). All Fysal treatments showed a lower number of Salmonella positive pens compared to the control. For the Fysal 3 kg/ton treatment the decrease in number of negative pens was lowest, resulting in the highest percentage of Salmonella negative pens at the end of the trial (57.9%). w

NEWS v

The total mortality over the test period was 1.8%. There was a trend for a reduced number of deaths (χ2=6.35, P=0.096) when pigs were offered diets containing Fysal at a rate of 1.5kg/ton compared to the control group. When the deaths and removals are combined, pigs offered diets containing Fysal at a constant rate (either 1.5kg/ton or 3.0 kg/ton) displayed a lower rate of mortality/removal compared to the pigs that were not offered the acid (χ2=9.02, P=0.029) (Figure 2). Discussion This trial gives an insight into the effect of Fysal on Salmonella prevalence in pens during a cycle. At day 56 Salmonella pressure is much higher compared to earlier in the trial and Fysal at 3 kg/ton shows the highest number of negative pens. This indicates that the dosage of 1.5kg/ton of the Fysal 1.5kg/ton treatment and the second part of the Fysal step down treatment might not

be sufficient to suppress the higher Salmonella pressure at 56 days. However, all Fysal treatments reduce Salmonella compared to the control group. Conclusion Addition of Fysal in feed results in: • Significantly increased feed intake from 16 weeks of age • Numerically lower feed conversion ratio • Lower number of Salmonella positive pens • Significantly lower mortality rates

References: Critical Review of Acidifiers C.M. Tung and J.E. Pettigrew Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois An update on alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters for broilers. Gerard Huyghebaert a,*, Richard Ducatelle b, Filip Van Immerseel Salmonella control in feed: Can organic acids application be an important part of the solution? Dinabandhu Joardar 1, Drew L. Lichtenstein 2, and Christopher Garner.

Auspac Ingredients is the agent for Selko which manufacters Fysal. For more information call (02) 6762 7708 or email sales@auspacingredients.com.au

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