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March 13, 2009
PORK CRC SPECIALS SUMMER 2009
Making headlines in this issue:
From the Top Shelf by Dr Roger Campbell, CEO, Pork CRC
Battling Birth Weights and Priming Piglets
Forking Selenium: you can almost swear by it
AUSPIG: Expert Advice At Your Fingertips
Breakthrough APP Vaccine Available
Embryo Mortality Research Alive and Well
A New England for Genetecist
Pork CRC Toolbox Technologies
Diary Dates 2009
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February 25, 2009
WA AGRICULTURAL SCIENTIST JOINS PORK CRC BOARD
Pork CRC today announced the appointment of agricultural scientist Professor John Pluske to its board.
He is Director of the Animal Research Institute at one of the CRC’s core participants, Murdoch University, Western Australia and will represent Murdoch on the board.
Welcoming him to the board, Pork CRC Chairman, Dr John Keniry, said his skills and experience would further the CRC's contribution to Australia’s pork industry.
"John's research and work in pig nutrition, digestive physiology and gastrointestinal tract diseases will greatly benefit Pork CRC's work keeping Australia’s pork industry internationally competitive," Dr Keniry said.
Professor John Pluske, Pork CRC Board
With experience gained in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, Professor Pluske brings a strong international perspective to Pork CRC. His current research interests include antimicrobial compounds in piglet diets and the role of nutrition and environment in modifying immune function and the gastrointestinal microbiota.
He is also interested in feedstuff evaluation and controlling enteric diseases in pigs nutritionally, without antimicrobials and has been leading Pork CRC subprogram 2B, which aims to improve feed intake and performance of pigs immediately after weaning.
Professor Pluske also helps recruit and train undergraduate and postgraduate students for Pork CRC and is a member of Pork CRC Education Committee.
He replaces Murdoch University's Professor Jim Reynoldson on the board. Dr Keniry thanked Professor Reynoldson for his work.
"With his vast experience in pharmacology and anti-parasitic chemotherapy, Jim made an outstanding contribution to the work of the board and the functioning of Pork CRC during the last two years. Jim’s extensive managerial experience in the university sector and his strong links with the pork industry have been invaluable," Dr Keniry said.
Pork CRC Board comprises Dr John Keniry (Independent), Enzo Allara (Australian Pork Ltd), Brian Halstead (Independent), Rodney Hamann (Australian Pork Farms), Professor Simon Maddocks (SARDI), Andrew Maughan (Independent), Samuel McIvor (NZ Pork Board), Associate Professor Wayne Pitchford (University of Adelaide), Professor John Pluske (Murdoch University), Nigel Smith (Independent) and Dr Robert van Barneveld (CHM Alliance).
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Februrary 11, 2009
PORK CRC EXCEEDS ITS TARGETS
Three years of innovative research has seen Pork CRC cutting the cost of pork production and enhancing the global competitiveness of Australia's pork industry, according to Pork CRC Chairman, Dr John Keniry.
Marking Pork CRC's Third Year Review, Dr Keniry said Pork CRC had met and, in some cases, exceeded, the targets set out for it in its Commonwealth Agreement.
"Pork CRC enjoys strong support from the pork industry, which has significant influence on its strategic direction, ensuring its research is relevant and valued," Dr Keniry said.
"Some industry leaders have estimated that Pork CRC is now responsible for 80 per cent of Australia's current pork research.
"So, perhaps it's little wonder that we're seeing more industry participants in the work of the CRC, including one overseas company – Nutreco Nederland NV," he said.
In a highly competitive industry with strong cost pressures, Pork CRC research has reduced the cost of production for Australian growers by an average 30–35 cents/kg carcase weight.
Pork CRC Executive team outside their office on a hot January day at the Roseworthy Campus of Adelaide University, South Australia (L –R) Business and Finance Manager Patrick Derham, Office Manager Suzanne Merry, CEO Dr Roger Campbell, Office Administrator Sarah Hodge and Project Manager Graeme Crook.
Pork CRC's three research programs aim for better feed, better pigs and better pork.
Three new grain varieties will be released for planting in 2009 and another in 2010 as a result of Pork CRC research to secure more reliable and consistent supplies of protein and energy for pig diets.
Robust Near Infrared Spectrometry (NIRS) calibration to estimate the nutritive value of grains has recently been made available to the industry across the supply chain and a new novel ingredient, glycerol, has also been introduced.
A number of Pork CRC projects conducted in its first three years will ensure improved whole herd efficiency.
Professor Chris Hudson, who chaired Pork CRC's Third Year Review Panel, said it was most pleasing to see, at first hand, the strong commitment and support for Pork CRC shown by the pork industry's stakeholders.
"These stakeholders endorsed the role Pork CRC has played in raising industry's commitment to investment in science and technology in the sector and they also noted that several of Pork CRC’s projects were already delivering significant benefits to the industry," Professor Hudson said.
Other members of the Review Panel were Melville Charles, pork producer of Western Plains Pork, Professor Elizabeth Deane of Australian National University and Professor Tony Peacock of Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre. The Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research attended as an observer.
Dr Keniry concluded by saying that many industry leaders, including those from the pork production, processing and retailing sectors, were keen to see a sustainable future for Pork CRC and looked forward to its continued contribution to the pork industry.
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January 6 , 2009
NEW COLLEGE WILL MEET AGRIFOOD TRAINING NEEDS
At a time of economic upheaval and uncertainty, Australian College of Training has demonstrated its confidence in the future of Western Australian agriculture with the
opening of the state’s first dedicated food and agriculture vocational college.
Opening the $2.5 million centre at Victoria Park, WA, on Wednesday, February 4,
WA Minister for Energy and Training, Peter Collier, said it would be a valuable asset to the state’s agriculture and food sector, addressing key skill needs and
re-training the workforce
WA Minister for Energy and Training, Peter Collier, opening the Australian College of Training’s new dedicated food and agriculture vocational college at Victoria Park, WA.
"It’s extremely pleasing to see a private Registered Training Organisation working closely with industry to provide the flexible training arrangements they require," Mr Collier said.
It has also clearly demonstrated what can be achieved when a private Registered Training Organisation has a solid working relationship with the State Government and Department of Education and Training, which actively facilitates development of the training industry.
"This will be an exciting year for the college, as it will become involved in delivering apprenticeship training in WA for the first time," Mr Collier said.
Australian College of Training is recognised as a leader, winning the 2008 Australian Training Award and WA Training Excellence Award.
It offers a wide range of training courses in the food, beverage, meat and stock feed processing sectors in metropolitan and country areas in WA and throughout Australia.
In doing so, it’s changed people’s lives for the better, issuing 800 full qualifications and with 18,600 units completed of 20,000 commenced – a completion rate of 92 per cent.
Terry Richards, CEO of Australian College of Training, said the College’s dedicated staff had helped nurture its growth from a home business started by himself and his wife, Christina, to a major training provider in just five years.
At the opening of the Australian College of Training’s new dedicated agriculture and food vocational college at Victoria Park, WA, is WA Minister for Energy and Training, Peter Collier, with Australian College of Training Principals Christina and Terry Richards.
"I know Christina shares my pride and appreciation for our dedicated team," he said.
The College enrolled more than 1100 students in 2008/09, of whom 356 were funded by the WA Department of Education and Training. Across Australia, 115 companies are involved with traineeships with the College. Since it began it has taught 1896 students.
Education exports contribute $5.2 billion to the Australian economy and WA contributes 36 per cent of that.
"We’re proud to be a part of Australia’s education and training success, while making a major contribution to its dynamic agricultural and food production and manufacturing sectors," Mr Richards said.
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