Australian Pork Newspaper

01/08/2024

In recent years, Australians in rural and regional areas have faced unprecedented challenges that have taken a toll on mental health and well-being.

Factors such as inflation, cost-of-living pressures, climate change and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the importance of mental health support, particularly for farmers and rural communities.

Recognising the critical need for support, Zoetis has partnered with Beyond Blue to once again champion mental health initiatives in rural Australia.

With a commitment of $800,000 over the past eight years, Zoetis has been a steadfast supporter of Beyond Blue’s vital services, which have seen more than 300,000 individuals reach out for assistance in 2023 alone.

For 2024, Zoetis has set a goal to raise an additional $100,000 by the end of the year by donating $5 from each sale of the company’s livestock, pig and poultry vaccines and drenches.

Recognising the critical need for support, Zoetis has partnered with Beyond Blue to once again champion mental health initiatives in rural Australia.

01/08/2024

The August edition is now available to view or download at https://porknews.com.au/

01/08/2024

What's the latest in the pork industry? 🐖 - https://mailchi.mp/64d7e6023ae6/august-2024

25/07/2024

The following extract is taken from the study ‘Environmental impacts of Australian pork in 2020 and 2022 determined using life cycle assessments’ by Mary-Frances Copley, Eugene McGahan, Kate McCormack, and Stephen Wiedemann of Integrity Ag, commissioned by Australian Pork Limited and recently presented at Food with Purpose 2024.

The Australian pork industry has experienced substantial growth over the past four decades, resulting in a national herd of approximately 2.25 million pigs in 2019–2020.

The pork industry makes a significant contribution to the Australian economy, valued at $5.3 billion in 2020–2021.

Production occurs in each state in Australia, with the eastern seaboard – Queensland, NSW and Victoria – responsible for two-thirds of the national herd.

Pork is typically a lower environmental impact protein, but life cycle assessments (LCAs) in Australia have focused most strongly on greenhouse gas emissions, energy and water and not on other relevant impacts such as nutrient losses.

This extract is taken from the study ‘Environmental impacts of Australian pork in 2020 and 2022 determined using life cycle assessments.

27/06/2024

Sustainable biosecurity funding

Contribution of industry sectors to total Biosecurity Protection Levy revenue, based on the proportional share of total gross value of production are now available for download.

The proposed Biosecurity Protection Levy rates are being published in a staged approach.

While the first tranche of commodities is available for download, additional commodities will continue to be added in coming weeks.

Strengthening our biosecurity system

A strong and sustainably funded biosecurity system is critical to protecting Australia’s economy, environment and way of life.

Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, including contributing to the cost of safeguarding Australia from potentially devastating pest and disease outbreaks.

Australia has never had sustainable and predictable biosecurity funding.

https://porknews.com.au/sustainable-biosecurity-funding/

27/06/2024

The July edition is now available to view or download at https://porknews.com.au/

26/06/2024

What's the latest in the pork industry? 🐖 - https://mailchi.mp/15618fcefc92/july-2024

30/05/2024

The June edition is now available to view or download at https://porknews.com.au/

30/05/2024

What's the latest in the pork industry? 🐖 - https://mailchi.mp/6e63c17847f6/june-2024

23/05/2024

Global animal feed production remained steady in 2023 at 1.29 billion metric tons, a slight decrease of 2.6 million metric tons – or 0.2 percent – from 2022’s estimates, according to the 2024 Agri-Food Outlook released by Alltech recently.

The annual survey, now in its thirteenth year, includes data from 142 countries and more than 27,000 feed mills.

The overall lower demand for feed was due in part to the more efficient use of feed made possible by intensive production systems that focus on using animal nutrition, farm management and other technologies to lower feed intake, while producing the same amount of protein or more.

Global animal feed production remained steady in 2023, according to the 2024 Agri-Food Outlook released by Alltech recently.

16/05/2024

Act now, don’t delay – here’s what you need to know.

Australia’s 3G networks are closing down.

It is important that Australians know if they will be impacted and have time to upgrade their phones and other devices before the 3G networks close.

If you receive notice from your service provider to upgrade your device, don’t put off taking action, contact your service provider.

The closure has already commenced

TPG Telecom/Vodafone has already switched off its 3G mobile network services as of January 2024.

If you’re a Vodafone customer or business reliant on the 3G network, it’s crucial to upgrade to a device compatible with 4G or 5G networks.

Act now, don’t delay – here’s what you need to know. Australia’s 3G networks are closing down - closure has already commenced.

09/05/2024

According to Agriculture Victoria, the state’s pig welfare standards are “broadly consistent” with those of other countries.

Executive director of animal welfare at the department Dr Trevor Pisciotta said the pig husbandry and slaughter practices used in the state line up with those elsewhere.

“There is a wide range of different animal husbandry practices that are practised across various jurisdictions,” Dr Pisciotta said.

“What’s permissible under the Victorian regulatory system is broadly consistent with both the other Australian jurisdictions and the other international jurisdictions.”

Dr Pisciotta was speaking during a day of hearings as part of the Victorian Parliament’s Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee’s inquiry into pig welfare.

The committee had heard from farm representatives and animal welfare groups previously.

Bev McArthur, a member of the committee overseeing the inquiry, questioned Agriculture Victoria officials over suggestions by animal welfare groups that there was no way to farm pigs ethically.

According to Agriculture Victoria, the state’s pig welfare standards are “broadly consistent” with those of other countries.

18/01/2024

With declining water and food resources available for feral pigs in late summer and early autumn in the major pig production regions, it’s the perfect time to talk with your neighbours to plan and conduct your joint feral pig management programs.

If you choose to bait or trap feral pigs, the most important yet overlooked aspect is the initial free (or pre) feeding stage.

If free feeding is not done correctly, is not done for long enough and is not done with lots of patience, it will break your management program.

An adequate duration of free feeding is essential to attract to the site all the feral pigs present in the group.

Generally, it’s better to bring free feed to the pigs rather than hoping the pigs will find the free feed.

Free feeding can:

Encourage regular visits of feral pigs to a site

Determine how many feral pigs are in the area, particularly if field cameras are being used to monitor feral pig visitations to the free feed site

Be used to familiarise feral pigs with the bait material

Be used to train pigs to access bait boxes and traps

APRIL is currently seeking eligible applications from anyone wishing to extend their study or training in the pork industry.

11/01/2024

The Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited is committed to enhancing the overall human capacity base for science, innovation and training in the pork industry.

To this end, APRIL is currently seeking eligible applications from anyone wishing to extend their study or training in the pork industry.

Chief executive officer Dr John Pluske said that APRIL offers a range of awards for undergraduate and post postgraduate study, as well as for the Industry Placement Program.

“The IPP is all about retaining graduates who have had support from APRIL, Pork CRC, Australian Pork Limited and or other relevant organisations, by sponsoring their placement in a commercial pork production organisation or an affiliated business in a structured and enhanced development program,” Dr Pluske said.

A successful IPP applicant will receive $75,000 over the first two years of a three-year agreement with APRIL to help cover salary and other costs associated with training an awardee for the three years.

More information on exactly how to apply can be found on the APRIL website.

With regard to undergraduate and postgraduate student support, there are a number of opportunities with varying eligibility according to the different scheme being applied for.

So, all interested people should check the guidelines and application forms on the APRIL website.

Dr Pluske said that anyone interested in welfare and tail biting is particularly encouraged to apply for an award and, if successful, they will have the opportunity to work with the Tails CRC-Project team.

“There are opportunities for Honours students, DVM undergraduate veterinary science projects and MS/MSc/MPhil students, where a research project is an incorporated component of the program of study,” Dr Pluske said.

“Invaluable applied industry training will be gained throughout the Tails Project, with around 10 students and early career researchers already contributing to various areas of research.”

All applications close on January 26, 2024 and must be lodged electronically.

The instructions are well documented on the APRIL website at apri.com.au/education-and-training-opportunities, however feel free to contact Dr John Pluske on [email protected] if you have any queries.

09/01/2024

The January edition is now available to view or download at https://porknews.com.au/

09/01/2024

What's the latest in the pork industry? 🐖 - https://mailchi.mp/9572bef5455e/january-2024

16/11/2023

Continuing on from the October issue, Part 2 of this review will address the immune challenges in pork production.

Stimulation of the immune system results in higher concentration of circulating acute-phase proteins, immune cell proliferation, secretion of various molecules secreted by immune cells and lymphoid tissue hyperplasia, with AA necessary to support the activated immune system.

Though the amount of AA required for the activated immune system is not a substantial component of whole-body protein turnover, the AA profile required to support the immune response is drastically different than for muscle protein synthesis, resulting in a disparity between AA requirement and supply and reduction in utilisation efficiency.

Accumulating evidence has shown that dietary supplementation of specific AA can strengthen the pig’s immune system

19/10/2023

Today’s swine production systems are mostly intensive, and pigs are continuously exposed to pathogens and immune stimulatory antigens that may negatively impact productivity.

It is known that immune system stimulation may reduce appetite, growth and nutrient use efficiency compared to healthy animals.

On the other hand, there is progressive pressure towards the reduction in antibiotic usage in livestock production, which highlights the need for furthering our understanding of the relationship between nutrition and the immune response.

Formulating diets for improved health status of pigs - Part 1 - Current knowledge and perspectives of Nutrition and health.

31/08/2023

As an industry, we know that ongoing investment is key to long-term success in shaping our industry for a stronger future.

As we continue to shift the dial and drive industry forward, it’s important that our levy payers remain engaged and have an understanding of Australian Pork Limited’s strategic direction, which was developed on extensive industry consultation and feedback.

To celebrate the great work we have already done in the areas of sustainability, pig welfare and consumer demand, it’s worth highlighting a few project achievements.

As an industry, we know that ongoing investment is key to long-term success in shaping our industry for a stronger future.

27/07/2023

At the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme, we often hear from interested individuals wanting to know more about farm animal welfare, conscious shopping and how the scheme works.

There are many assumptions about RSPCA Approved, but we’ve picked the top five facts and the background behind each.

We set standards that evolve with animal welfare science

The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme’s mission is to improve the quality of life for farmed animals, with the vision of a future of higher-welfare farming.

There are many assumptions about RSPCA Approved, but we’ve picked the top five facts and the background behind each.

20/07/2023

The national winner and runner up of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award will be announced at a gala dinner and national announcement on Tuesday September 12, 2023 at the Great Hall, Parliament House in Canberra.

The highly anticipated event celebrates female-led ingenuity in rural and regional Australia and limited tickets are now on sale.

2022 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award national winner Stephanie Trethewey will be the event MC and the black-tie evening will be attended by alumni, government officials, industry and private sector representatives and media.

AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award will be announced at a gala dinner and national announcement on Tuesday September 12, 2023.