Poultry Digest June/July 2019

poultrydigest www.primarymedia.com.au

Volume 34, Number 6

June/July 2019

ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference 2019 Megg Miller honoured with an OAM Alltech Lienert layer group US Canadian Tour Print Post Approved PP243096/00007 ISSN 1444-8041

EIMERIAVAX Today’s solution for an antibiotic-free tomorrow • Develops natural immunity • Effective against the major causes of coccidiosis • A preferred alternative to antibiotics and chemicals • Flexibility to target just those coccidial species of importance to your flock • Convenient administration at hatchery or farm, for broilers, breeders and layers • Developed and manufactured in Australia for the global poultry industry SPECIES PRODUCT

E.tenella

E.acervulina

E.maxima

E.necatrix

E.brunetti

E.mitis

Eimeriavax 3M Eimeriavax 4M Eimeriavax Plus Eimeriavax TAMM

P h : ( 0 3 ) 9 8 7 1 2 0 0 2 | w w w. b i o p r o p e r t i e s . c o m . a u

poultrydigest

www.primarymedia.com.au

Volume 34, Number 6

June/July 2019

EDITORIAL & DESIGN EDITOR: JOURNALIST/PHOTOGRAPHER PRODUCTION EDITOR

Peter Bedwell Alex Bedwell Rosemary Embery

ADVERTISING Peter Bedwell Mob: 0419 235 288 Email: primarymedia@bigpond.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Sarah Haberecht, Ridley’s Poultry Technical Manager

Features Page 8: Ridley renovates an old broiler shed and re-purposes it as an Innovation Centre

by Peter Bedwell

Page 26: Salmonella Enteritides in NSW and Victoria – perspective, challenges and opportunities

AUSTRALIA One Year - $55.00* NEW ZEALAND One Year - NZ$80 OTHER COUNTRIES One Year: Airmail - $A90 Please send payment in Australian dollars.

Send payment and full details to: 250 Hawthorne Parade, Haberfield NSW, 2045 *Australian subscription rate includes GST

by George Arzey

News Page 4: ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference 2019 Page 12: Alltech appoints new Chief Scientific Officer to lead global innovation efforts Page 16: Santrev’s successful completion of two broiler sheds in Tasmania Page 32: How to house happy birds Page 33: Novus International shares latest research in Poultry Nutrition at ESPN 2019 Page 34: Megg Miller honoured with an OAM Page 38: TSA is now under new ownership

ENQUIRIES OFFICE ADDRESS: 250 Hawthorne Pde, Haberfield NSW, 2045 Phone: (02) 9797 2406 Mobile: 0419 235 288 Production: 0409 944 472 Email: primarymedia@bigpond.com Website: www.primarymedia.com.au Poultry Digest consists of a bi-monthly management magazine and an annual industry review, Poultry Industry Yearbook Published by CD 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 POULTRY DIGEST, the publishers do not accept any responsibility or liability for the material herein.

Code of Conduct and information about how to make a complaint can be found at www.primarymedia.com.au/aboutus

THE POULTRY HOUSE CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST 3

NEWS

ONE: The Alltech Ideas Conference 2019 Alltech held its ONE: Ideas Conference at the Lexington Convention Center, Kentucky USA on May 19-21, 2019.

On Monday May 20 in the opening session Dr Mark Lyons president and CEO of Alltech introduced Bear Grylls, the famous adventurer, survival expert and TV personality.

“Reach the peak: be extraordinary,’ was the title of his address to an audience of over 3000 delegates in the Lexington Convention Center Rupp Arena.

The trick he said was ‘to believe you can do it and never give up; just keep moving forward,” he said.

In recognition of his achievements and contributions to society Bear Grylls was presented with Alltech’s Humanitarian Award by Dr Mark Lyons.

Next, Dr Mark Lyons in his presentation ‘Be Bold: More than a dream’, asked “What’s your dream and what are you going to do with it?

“Be the one person in this world because you did something with your dream, “Dr Lyons said.

Dr Richard Murphy has been the Director at the Alltech European Bioscience Centre in Dunboyne, Ireland for seven years and was named by Dr Mark Lyons as the recipient of he Alltech Medal of Excellence.

He was specifically recognized for his pioneering work in the areas of organic trace element assimiliation, microbial enzyme technology and the mitigation of antimicrobial resistance in livestock production.

The Pearce Lyons Accelerator is dedicated to establishing a launch pad for food and ag-tech industry disruptors by providing opportunities to develop fledgling ideas in agriculture, food and ag-tech and get them to market.

In the final session of the conference Alltech’s Vice President and chief scientific officer Dr Karl Dawson introduced the three finalists in the Alltech Young Scientist Program Award who had presented their research on Sunday 19 May. The winner was Deeksha Shetty from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada and the award was presented

by Dr Mark Lyons.

The concluding address was delivered by Dr Mark Lyons ‘Planet of Plenty: a vision for the future.

He spoke about The Lyons Family Life Foundation where Alltech and UK Healthcare at the University of

4

Kentucky are working on a momentous partnership to honor the life and legacy of Dr Pearce Lyons, and support lifelong wellness.

“When charismatic ideas contribute to the culture they create a forward moving cycle that benefits all of us,” Dr Lyons said.

“The world is not doomed, by working together, we can create a planet of plenty where there is enough nutritious food for all.

“The world’s resources are responsibly managed for future generations and the environment is safe for people, animals and plants to live in harmony.

We have a unique opportunity to have a greater transformative impact than any other industry on the planet, “ Dr Lyons concluded.

The Alltech One19 Ideas conference was as inspirational as it was informative.

The Poultry Focus Session at the conference was held on May 20 2019 .

The first speaker was Dr Robert Beckstead, Associate Professor, North Carolina State University.

‘Happy and Healthy: optimising ingredients for the health of young birds’, was his subject.

While the goals of the nutritionist is firstly feed conversion, then weight gain and finally health, for the parasitologist health is number one followed by weight gain, then feed conversion.

Dr Beckstead revealed the problem of Blackhead disease (histomonosis) which results in up to 30% mortality in chickens and 100% mortality in turkey flocks.

“Could diet affect later transmission?” he asked “The Ferket high quality commercial diet vs the Blackhed model diet, that is high in sodium, deficient in crude protein with an imbalance of amino acids and low In calcium and phosphorous was used in trials with turkey poults,” Dr Beckstead said.

He showed what products can do to control blackhead by promoting gut health and reduce flushing, controlling secondary pathogens like coccidiosis with an anti-protozoal function.

In taking a health approach to feed additives, Dr Beckstead recommended ‘looking past FECR and weight gain and using encapsulation technology for cecal delivery.

Colin Usher, Senior Research w

1 2

3

1. Dr Karl Lawson, Chief Scientific Officer, Alltech. 2. Dr Richard Murphy, winner of the Alltech Medal of Excellence. 3. Dr Robert Beckstead, Carolina State University.

SUPERCIKKI80

HOT AIR HEATER

 External casing made of stainless steel with IP44 protection degree which gives the heater the best weather-proofing for external installation.

Quick disassembly of cabinet without disconnecting wires.  SUPERCIKKI 80 is certified CE0694BL2996, and has been designed and produced in accordance with the European Gas Directive 2009/142/EC.  Special atmospheric burner with deflectors anti-dust working either with LPG, or natural gas, hot surface ignition and flame control by ionisation.  Heating capacity output 80 Kw.  High pressure radial fan throws air 30 metres.  100% thermal efficiency with only 0.3% CO2 in the air-flow:

L r A e ON us eds I T ff h

i s OP ” D GE “T or CA F

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Model CERTIFIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH GAS DIRECTIVE 90/396/CEE LOW TENSION DIRECTIVE 73/23/CEE

AGA APPROVAL NO.

MACHINE DIRECTIVE 89/392/CEE

AGA 8215 G

ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILTY DIRECTIVE 89/336/CEE

Unit

Supercikki80

kW

80.0

Kcal/h

68,800

M³/hr

2.000

Temperature Deviation

°K

135

Air throw

m

30

L+N+E

230V—50Hz

Heating Capacity Output Airflow Rate (+15°C)

Monophase electric supply

F1/2023 Frankston-Flinders Rd. Hastings, Victoria 3915 Ph: 03 5979 1666 Mob: 0438 029 468 Email: steve@agriculturalautomation.com.au

NEWS v

Scientist at Georgia Tech Institute, US spoke about the latest innovations in poultry production.

Colin summarised the progress made in efficient poultry production since 1925 and then predicted that the next level of progress would be achieved with the use of robotic technology.

“Available right now is the Tibot Spoutnic, Octopus Robotics and products designed by Charoen Pokphand, and the Chicken Boy and the Georgia Research Tech Institute.

“Robot interaction with chickens was not detrimental to their wellbeing and the breadth and depth of technology being deployed to achieve previously arduous manual tasks (including egg collection) using a variety of technologies, including the use of 3D imagery, was fast gaining pace.

“Potential application on farms covered sensing, environmental conditions (temp gasses) animal welfare, manipulation, floor egg removal, mortality handling, sampling, and litter distribution.

“Other applications included disinfection, bacterial reduction, vaccinating and pest control,” Colin concluded.

The next speaker, Dr Stephen Collett, poultry consultant 4FC Consulting LLC, is well known to Poultry Digest.

‘Building a finer flock: improving hatchling quality’ was Dr Collett’s topic.

“In essence what we are about with hatchling performance is improving the efficiency of converting feed into marketable food; in other words dollars invested for the purpose of generating profit,” he stated.

“Critical is intestinal health, a

complex system with no start/finish,” he said.

“Adsorbtion is totally surface area dependent and ingredient digestion is also surface area dependent,” he stressed.

In summarising a detailed presentation Dr Collett asked the question, “What are the issues?”

They were, he stated, “rate of intake and functional intestinal surface area that determine efficiency and microbiota composition. “”Microbiota is vertically transmitted and this effects the hatchling quality, also we are no longer able to manage the microbiota with antibiotics which we relied on in the past.

“Intestinal integrity ensures rapid and efficient growth through digestion, adsorbtion utilising maximum functional surface area.

“Managing the immune response through immune modulation, i.e, a protective vs destructive approach 1

with anti inflammatory strategies, “ he concluded.

‘Make a house a home; modern poultry housing’ was Dr Brian Fairchild’s subject. He is a Professor and extension poultry scientist at the University of Georgia, and he is well known to the Australian poultry industry.

He identified current trends in managing poultry house moisture for optimum health and performance.

“The critical factors that affect litter quality were “diet, bird health, bird density, drinker management, litter depth, litter type, relative humidity and ventilation.

“Excessive moisture levels are at the root cause of many bird health issues such as wet manure/litter leading to high ammonia levels, coccidiousis, paw quality, leg problems, and respiratory issues, Dr Faichchild said.

“In ventilating houses to minimise adverse bird health issues, minimum CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 w 2

3

1. Colin Usher, Senior Research Scientist, Georgia Tech Institute. 2. Dr Brian Fairchild, Professor and extension poultry scientist, University of Georgia. 3. Dr Mark Lyons intorduces the Pearse Lyons Accelerator Program participants.

6

ROSS – THE COMPLETE PACKAGE

The Chick – The Support – The Performance You Want To learn more about Ross® visit aviagen.com/ross

GLOBAL REACH

LOCAL TOUCH

Sarah Haberecht, Ridley’s Poultry Technical Manager at the new Innovation Centre

Ridley renovates an old broiler shed and re-purposes it as an Innovation Centre

By PETER BEDWELL On June 12, Poultry Digest met Sarah Haberecht, Ridley’s Poultry Technical Manager, to visit the Ridley Innovation Centre, a renovated broiler shed on a ‘retired’ two shed farm near Tyabb in Victoria.

Ridley leased one shed and Sarah set about re-purposing it to suit

8

numerous broiler research projects.

These projects include ingredient comparison trials, product testing for new additives and bacterial challenge work.

The idea was to make the Innovation Centre replicate as far as possible a typical commercial broiler operation but design it so that individual pens of birds could be effectively monitored and studied as the growth phases evolve.

When Poultry Digest visited, the birds were on day 30 and the current trial to evaluate variance between pens and between the two separate rooms was progressing well.

The final results were shared later, with analysis displaying a less than 3.5% variance for FCR and weight gain between pens within the facility.

The old shed has been made tight and fitted with modern automated Fancom climate control with minimum

ventilation vents and stirrer fans.

LED lighting brings the facility right into 21st Century broiler rearing technology.

The pens, housing up to 20 birds each, are equipped with highly modified Big Dutchman drinkers with a single tube feeder for each of the 96 pens across the two rooms.

The Barastoc diets are manually transferred into the feeders and though this is a time consuming task, Sarah considers it necessary to ensure accurate measurement of diets.

Wood shaving litter is used in each pen and the only major item of improvement left was the addition of a new concrete floor, which has been added since our visit.

Sarah, who is completing her PhD (when not project managing poultry shed renovations and monitoring ongoing broiler trials) in studies around the use of algae in poultry nutrition.

w

The perfect production partnership At SBA, we know the perfect egg begins with a quality layer. That’s why we’ve spent over 50 years ensuring our customers benefit from a dependable supply of genetically superior Hy-Line and Lohmann day-old chicks and point-of-lay pullets.

As the largest specialist supplier to Australia’s egg farms, we continue to invest in the world’s most technically advanced breeding facilities – and offer on the ground husbandry and technical advice so you can continuously improve productivity, feed conversion and egg quality.

At SBA, quality is just part of our DNA.

WWW.SPECIALISEDBREEDERS.COM.AU

v

Sarah looks forward to not only using her facility for more Ridley company-based trial work but also making the facility available for other relevant trial work in commercial poultry research.

Future trial work, already booked into the facility includes internal Ridley studies, external projects with global additive companies and further health studies with more local businesses.

Ridley also hopes to promote the Innovation Centre’s availability for more commercial and research-based work.

In an industry struggling with wafer thin profit margins and the constant battle to reduce costs, particularly feed, and more recently energy, the need to find ways to get better value out of feed materials and genetics is critical.

Work like that being undertaken by Sarah and her company, and hopefully in the future other research projects that suit the renovated Ridley Innovation Centre, are vital to maintaining chicken as Australia’s most popular protein source.

1 3

2

4 5

6

1. Big Dutchman fabricated the drinkers. 2. Scales – a vital component.

3. Ridley Barastoc feed pellets. 4. Sarah Haberecht with her chook head she uses in industry training. 5. Feeders get filled manually to maintain accuracy.

6. Old shed brought to life with purpose designed renovation.

10

Five steps to move your animals’ nutrition at the pace of genetics.

Issue Assessment

Report

Formulation

Recommendation

Measurement

INTRODUCING THE NEW Blueprint Chick Starter Pellet for Layers Both genetics and management practices have been rapidly advancing in agriculture over the past 10 years.

The BlueprintÂŽ Nutrition Program is that next step in nutritional evolution.

Call your local Alltech Lienert representative to find out more!

NUTRITION PROGRAM

Alltech Lienert Australia 8 Roseworthy Rd | Roseworthy 5371 | SA | Australia Tel: 1 800 649 231 alltechaustralia@alltech.com alltechlienert.com.au

Alltech Lienert

NEWS

Alltech appoints new Chief Scientific Officer to lead global innovation efforts Alltech has appointed a new Chief Scientific Officer to advance innovative research to improve the health and nutrition of animals, plants and people.

Dr Ronan Power has assumed the role following the retirement of Dr Karl Dawson on June 28.

Dr Power joined the Alltech team in 1991 as the European Director of research and has been closely involved in the development of Alltech’s product portfolio, including its organic selenium, Sel-Plex.

He most recently served as the Vice President of Alltech Life Sciences, a division dedicated to researching gut and brain health in humans. As chief scientific officer, Dr Power will oversee more than 100 researchers worldwide, more than 20 research alliances spread over 12 countries, and four bioscience centers, located in the United States, China, the Netherlands and Ireland, where Dr Richard Murphy leads the center’s activities.

“Recent acquisitions have broadened our ability to apply solutions to any point along the food supply chain and provide transformative innovation to customers,” said Dr Mark Lyons, President and CEO of Alltech.

“With Dr Power at the helm of our research team, Alltech will advance into the next frontier, supporting producers as they overcome today’s challenges and work toward a Planet of Plenty.

Alltech’s key areas of scientific exploration include five divisions: • Biological sciences research, led by Dr. Karina Horgan • Chemistry and toxicology research, led by Dr. Alexandros Yiannikouris • Life sciences research, which Dr Ronan Power will continue to lead • Monogastric research, led by Dr Daniel Graugnard • Ruminant research, led by Dr Vaughn Holder Dr Power will focus on innovation, furthering the development of nutrition technology that supports the agriculture industry in sustainably feeding a rising global population.

“Never before has the efficient use of our planet’s resources been more critical,” said Dr Power.

“Just as Alltech was founded on the ACE principle, which commits us to the benefit of animals, consumers and

12

LtoR: Dr Ronan Power, Dr Richard Murphy, Dr Karl Dawson and Dr Mark Lyons.

Dr Power has been named Chief Scientific Officer following Dr Dawson’s retirement. the environment, those elements will continue to guide our research. We will build upon the legacy of groundbreaking scientific discovery in the lab and in the field as we work toward a more sustainable future.”

Dr Power says the speed at which technological advancements are occurring makes it difficult to determine the ‘next big thing’, but his team will prioritise the exploration of the biome and products that enhance energy metabolism in production animals.

“At this point in time, my feeling is that exploring the functions of the gut microbiome – and other biomes, including the reproductive tract – and developing products to modulate biome activity will be an active research mine for many years to come,” said Dr Power.

Retiring after 20 years, Dr Dawson was introduced to the company in its early days as he developed a friendship with the late Dr Pearse Lyons, founder of Alltech, in 1981.

The two scientific visionaries remained in close contact during Dr Dawson’s 20-year tenure as a professor of nutritional microbiology and director of the nutritional microbiology laboratory in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Kentucky. He joined Alltech full time in 1999.

“Dr Dawson has played a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining Alltech’s position at the forefront of

scientific discovery, first collaborating with my father and later joining Alltech full-time,” said Dr Mark Lyons.

In recent years, Dr Dawson has provided leadership for nutrigenomics research initiatives, which have led to strategic programs that use epigenetic switches to more effectively control nutrient utilization and improve animal health.

During Dr Dawson’s time with the company, Alltech has fostered and supported the development of more than 200 graduate students at universities around the world.

Dr Dawson’s team has been responsible for revolutionizing many aspects of nutritional science, publishing more than 400 scientific papers and making more than 600 presentations at international scientific meetings.

“It has been incredible to see the progression of nutrition technology over the last 40 years,” said Dr Dawson.

“I’m extremely proud of the changes we’ve made in how the industry thinks about the impact of nutrition. The next few years will catapult us into a new dawn in agriculture and technology, and I look forward to seeing Alltech continue to lead the way.”

Dr Dawson’s partnership with Alltech will continue into his retirement, as he will chair the company’s scientific advisory board and help guide its core research areas.

R&DG Sanday Tunnel Ventilated Shed Specialists The ORIGINAL designer and builder of the

GENUINE CLEAN SKIN SHED with no exposed trusses, columns or internal bracing

Fully experienced in all aspects of poultry shed design and construction Fully licenced throughout Australia Highest quality workmanship and materials No project too large Competitive prices Reliable honest and friendly advice Flexible design which can be adapted to meet any client needs and shed size

Don’t be misled by companies claiming to be Australian but use overseas materials!

100% Australian Owned 100% Australian Designs 100% Australian materials 100% Australian, fullstop!

OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Call Ron Now 0404 489 573

www.RDGSanday.com

NEWS

Santrev’ s successful completion of two broiler sheds in Tasmania Santrev has announced that two broiler sheds for Tas Foods are now complete and were handed over on July 12 by Construction Manager, Adam Berry.

Santrev’s representation in various farming operations creates a significant point of difference with other shed builders, the company states. The opportunity to constantly research and innovate, with the focus on achieving better results, drives change in shed design and utilisation.

A spokesperson for Santrev says this ensures the company’s clients keep ahead of the pack in achieving better returns on their investment.

Santrev has brought the latest in shed design to Tasmania providing the client with a smooth skin, tunnel ventilated, well-insulated energy efficient shed.

“Energy efficiency is really important in Tasmania especially at this time of the year with high heating costs.

The Santrev team knew at the start of the project it would be challenging to build in the middle of the Tasmania winter. From a building prospective it was my main goal to progress the build as quickly as possible in regard to placement of the roof to ensure works could be ongoing, even when challenged with inclement weather,” said Site Supervisor, Tim Trevanion.

Adhering to all required occupational health and safety standards was important to the client.

Santrev adopts and implements occupational health and safety policies and procedures on all its construction

projects.

“We were able to fly crews in and out from all over Australia and this resulted in one of the best teams I’ve built with in my 10 years’ supervising at Santrev. The great teamwork of our office, the procurement team, project management team run by Adam Berry and onsite building team, resulted in a smooth and well executed project.

It was a pleasure to be working in the beautiful surroundings of Tasmania,” said Tim. Santrev said Tim and his crew have

done a great job delivering another pair of quality sheds in record time and have done a great job working with the client.

The company has announced its next sheds with a contracted grower to Nicholls Poultry, is due to start in January 2020. The Santrev Team said it was looking forward to working closely with Tasmanian poultry growers going forward, working with them to deliver the best possible result for their operations.

For more information call Santrev on 1300 815 888.

1

2

4

3

16

1.The latest shed design. 2. Beautiful but cold surroundings for building sheds. 3. Santrev delivered new sheds in record time.

4. Tim Trevanion (third from left) with his crew.

spray one step ahead of E. coli Help stop disease before it stops you. Poulvac E. coli is the only commercially available modified live vaccine that helps prevent disease caused by E. coli in chickens. Help your birds before they need it with Poulvac E. coli.

For more information please contact your local Zoetis representative or Customer Service on 1800 022 442.

Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd. ABN 94 156 476 425. Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes NSW 2138. Š 2017 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. www.zoetis.com.au ZL0821

NEWS

Introducing solar energy to a greenfields poultry development at Mogumber, WA Poultry grower, Tony Young and his business partners, recently decided to convert their 24 shed greenfield poultry operation to solar power at their Mogumber facility, 150km from Perth.

SBT Properties developed the Mogumber site as a state-of-the-art broiler farm with a vision to create an innovative, cutting edge operation to supply the WA poultry market.

The owners were motivated to reduce their energy bills, lift the capital value of the property and reduce their anticipated carbon footprint. Escalating energy costs are a problem faced by many poultry growers. SBT Properties was attracted to solar energy to solve its problem.

SBT Properties was wary of sole source offers from solar installers and struggled to compare quotes from installers on a like-for-like basis.

The owners engaged Santrev Solar, a division of Santrev, poultry shed provider, to manage and coordinate an independent process to ensure Mogumber ultimately procured a premium solar solution at the best possible price around bird cycles and budget constraints.

Santrev Solar explored solar solutions that provided the owners with confidence they were getting a great price, comparable bids to evaluate and tier one system components within a ‘turnkey’ project managed solution.

Santrev Solar, together with its partner Solar Choice, conducted an integrated process for the client to achieve their objectives for solar.

SBT Properties was delighted with the end to end process which resulted in the installation and commissioning of a 340KW system comprising Fronius ECO 27KW solar inverters and TIER ONE 330-watt Trina poly panels over three sheds including one ground mount. The owners opted to purchase solar outright and received an investment payback of 3.2 years.

Tony Young said, “By investing in solar we can help our business in many ways. Most importantly, we can boost our bottom line with savings on electricity and operating costs.

“Our system designers have advised that daytime running cost can be greatly reduced as well as lowering demand charges for the size of business we operate.

18

“Going solar isn’t just a financial decision, we are responsible for the influence we have on the environment, switching our business to the commercial solar panel strengthens our commitment.

“Solar panel systems are a smart capital investment for any business.

They have a short-term payback period, provide steady financial returns and require little ongoing maintenance.”

By investing in solar power, the owners were able to improve the capital value of their operation through the

permanent reduction in energy bills, saving more than $100,000 per annum for the life of the system.

The owners wanted to contribute to the environment and by switching to solar energy, more than 17,000 tonnes in carbon emissions will be offset over the life of the solar system.

To initiate a conversation about solar energy for your operations you can contact Justin Brown on 0404 703 118, email: justin@santrevsolar.com.au at Santrev Solar or go to website at https://santrev.com.au/santrev-solar/

Top and above: The 24 shed greenfield poultry operation owned by SBT Properties has converted to solar power in WA.

Santrev launch solar division Santrev Solar launches a new solar division aimed at Growers to take back control of rising energy prices and reduce their carbon emissions in the poultry and wider intensive farming sectors. Now is the time to investigate the business case for installing solar energy on your farm operations with generous government subsidies and Santrev Solar’s fully project managed “turnkey” solutions a compelling proposition.

Key Solar Energy Features and Benefits include: Investment payback of 3.5 – 4 years readily available Internal Rate of Return approaching 30% possible Substantial reduction in energy operating costs for the life of the equipment – up to 25 years Farm value uplift using premium inverters and PV panels

For more information please call 1300 815 888 or Justin Brown 0404 703 118

Substantial reduction in on farm carbon emissions Range of financing options available from outright purchase, to leasing to 3rd party ownership/maintain

and leaseback (PPA)

Please see santrev.com.au/santrev-solar/ to complete a Solar Enquiry Form. Our Sales Team will contact you to discuss the benefits of solar energy for your farming needs.

No Obligation Assessment & Quote

NEWS

Alltech Lienert layer group US Canadian Tour Following the Alltech ONE: Ideas Conference held in Lexington, Kentucky in May, Poultry Digest joined the Alltech Leinert organized layer group visit to farms, feedmills and other industry related facilities in the US and Canada.

The first stop at Georgetown in Kentucky was he USDA Organic certified Elmwood stock farm run by Mac Stone.

The farm employs well established organic principals to raise a variety of livestock, including free range layers and broilers.

He also grows pasture raised pork A variety of crops including asparagus and strawberries are raised in both outdoor paddocks and hoop sheds.

Legal cannabis plants are also included in the range of cropping activities.

Mac took our group on a tour of his property and explained the principles of crop and livestock management under the certified USDA Organic protocols.

One item of interest was a flint arrowhead, thought to be over 900 years old found on the farm, and as Mac commented “a demonstration that his land had been in use by humans long before European settlement”.

Organic food sales as a proportion of total food sold are over 4% but the growth in the last decade has been spectacular and today there are more than 15000 certified organic farming operations, like Elmwood in the USA. While Australia has been battling drought the reverse is true of Kentucky where rainfall has been near record levels.

Mac’s lush paddocks were certainly evidence of plentiful moisture and the farm bristles with simple innovations to keep production of both livestock and cash crops in healthy progress.

Elmwood is a well organised, well 3 run mixed farming enterprise that not only supplies a growing number of consumers food products produced the way they prefer, but does so in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Mac’s ability to generate direct sales as well as a well recognised profile as a local organic producer, helps to keep his enterprise economically sustainable as well.

The group split into two vehicles with Damien Kelly and Rohan Wundke as our guides and pilots and then headed for Indianapolis.

That evening we had dinner with w Dr Darrin Karcher, Asst Prof Poultry

20

1

2

4

1. Elmwood USDA certified organic farm with layers, broilers and selective crops.

2. Purdue research farm.

Trials for cage free layer housing.

3. Group shot at Purdue Research Farm.

4. LtoR: Purdue Poultry Farm Manager Jason Fields, student Kailynn VanDeWater, Rohan Wundke, Alltech Leinert and student Meagan Abraham.

NEWS v

Extension at Purdue University and his colleagues.

We discovered that Americans really do enjoy their meat and lots of it!

The next day, May 23, we headed for Purdue University’s research farm but on the way stopped off at the Amish settlement at Grabill Indiana.

The Amish have been practicing sustainable agriculture for centuries and today their produce attracts a great response from consumers.

While we were there they harnessed their fabulous Belgian Draft horses to plough the recently rain soaked paddocks – lovely and hospitable people.

Arriving at the Perdue University Animal Sciences Research and Education Center (ASREC), located at West LaFayette Indiana, we were welcomed

by Jason Fields the Manager for Poultry Research.

“Besides providing a research and learning facility, the farm, with an operating budget of US$4 million, is partially subsidised by university funding but a significant proportion of that operating cost is generated by the sale of animals and animal products,” Jason told our group.

“The farm covers around 1200 acres and we raise corn and hay and have our own feedmill and produce all our diets.

“Our layer research is mostly for industry located in the Midwest states, in particular cage enrichment, and we conduct other product testing relevant to cage free for the whole of the US,” Jason explained.

“By partnering with leading companies we remodel housing and equipment to suit the changing requirements of layer producers.

“We are working with 4000 pullets in nutritional, behavioral and probiotic studies.

“Astroturf is an interesting material for use in layer nests,” Jason told Poultry Digest.

“Our involvement with the broiler sector in particular involves teaching and other extension work.

“We place incubators in elementary schools and produce fertilised eggs for school programs,” he said.

Jason and two post graduate students working on poultry projects, took our group through the trial pens and showed us their work in some detail.

After a trip to the famous Fair Oaks Pig and Dairy farm, where visitors get to see all the vital production stages, we headed on to Detroit and a flight to Toronto for the Canadian leg of the tour.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 42 w

22

1

2

3

4 1. Egg farmer Wade Moncrief, Damien Kelly (Alltech Lienert), Franco Pirovic and Gemma Wyburn. 2. Group shot at Masterfeeds. 3. Masterfeeds feedmill runs a huge fleet of trucks. 4. Diamond Systems egg grader/packer at Burnbrae facility.

THE POULTRY HO CONSTRUCTION SPE Santrev, Australia and New Zealand Sole distributor of:

Ecodrum is mortality composting equipment for poultry, turkey and pig producers. The Ecodrum composters dispose of mortality in a cost effective and environmentally sensitive manner producing a high quality compost that can be used as a soil enhancer.

BENEFITS Estimated Average Payback 3.2 Years Clean and simple to operate.

Excellent payback period.

Low cost operation.

Improved biosecurity.

Reduces odour and pathogens.

Processor approved.

Provides supplementary income.

Maintains composting activity in cold weather.

Please see santrev.com.au to complete an Ecodrum Payback Enquiry Form. Our Sales Team will provide specific information on correct model, install price and calculated payback period, on your investment.

OUSE ECIALISTS

Santrev is the company that most Austalian chicken growers and processors choose for commercial and free range poultry housing.

Our exceptional poultry houses are designed and built in Australia using highest quality materials.

HEALTH FEATURE

Salmonella Enteritides in NSW and Victoria – perspective, challenges and opportunities

By GEORGE ARZEY, Veterinary Poultry Consultant Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is one of many Salmonella strains capable of causing disease in humans. Overseas it has been closely associated with consumption of contaminated eggs, and with Salmonella Typhimurium, it accounts for 60% of human cases globally1.

In most cases, affected individuals recover without specific treatment or further complications. However, in children, the elderly and immunosuppressed individuals, the disease can become severe and life-threatening.

The majority of human SE cases in Australia have been associated with overseas travel but approximately 10% have been reported as locally acquired although the sources are not clear.

In Queensland the number of locally acquired infections is double the national average1. Until mid-2018, SE phage type 26 was consistently the major strain responsible for locally acquired human infection in Australia.

This strain has been reported to be endemic in Queensland2.

The current ongoing SE outbreak that started in May 2018 has been linked to eggs. It is not the only outbreak of SE in Australia that was traced to locally produced eggs (see Tasmania 2000) but it is the largest and most likely involves a SE strain that was not reported previously in Australia.

In June 2019, NSW Health reported that a total of 184 NSW residents had become unwell with the outbreak strain of SE since it was first reported in May 20183.

While the human SE cases started in May, the focus on eggs and layer farms commenced in September when the link to eggs became apparent. A layer farm on the outskirts of Sydney was identified as the source of the eggs.

Over the coming months SE was detected on six more premises on the outskirts of Sydney, three more in Mangrove Mountain and Peats Ridge, and two premises in Port Stephens and the Southern Highlands. SE was also detected on one large farm in Victoria where six human cases were linked to egg consumption.

Currently NSW has 11 infected premises and Victoria one. All the

26

affected farms in NSW (infected and uninfected sheds) were quarantined and depopulated. The large (reportedly 500,000 – 600,000 birds) infected farm in Victoria was only partially depopulated - unaffected sheds were placed on a monitoring regimen.

Compensation for loss of stock was paid to the first SE infected farm in NSW. The manure from this farm was removed off site at no expense to the producer. The infected farms have been issued with biosecurity directives requiring them to clean and disinfect the sheds within a certain time frame.

SE in Australia - Historical perspective Until the recent SE outbreaks, SE has not commonly been found in poultry flocks in Australia. It has been detected from time to time (sporadically) for more than 30 years in poultry (layers and meat birds) and/or in poultry products in Australia. Several aspects are notable: 1. The bulk of the detections in poultry or poultry environment have been in Queensland and the most common phage type among locally humanacquired SE was reported to be PT 26 that is also recognised to be endemic in Queensland.

2. SE has been detected in chicken litter/faeces, in chickens and chicken meat and eggs; chicken litter (1979, 1983 both in Qld), egg products (1984, Qld), egg pulp (1990, Qld), chicken intestines (1991, Qld), chickens (1992, Qld), chicken meat, chicken litter/faeces and chicken feed (1993, Qld), chicken layers and feed (1994, Qld), meat chickens and chicken litter (1995, Qld), egg white (1996, Qld), chicken meat (1997 NSW), chicken internal organs (1997 Victoria), eggs (2000, Tasmania), layer shed manure (2005, Qld), chicken meat (2006, Qld and NSW), egg pulp (2007, Qld), chicken meat and chicken shed environment (2010, Qld), chicken meat (2011, NSW), poultry, unspecified (2013, Qld), layer shed manure (2015, Qld).

3. Importantly, on two occasions 22 years apart (1993 and 2015) when structured surveys of layer farms were undertaken, SE was found in shed environments. In 1993 it was found on two

George Arzey, Veterinary Poultry Consultant layer farms – one in south eastern Qld, one in north Qld4. Additionally, in a 2015 survey SE was found on a layer farm in North Queensland5.

4. In Tasmania in 2000, locally produced eggs were linked to 4 human cases that were diagnosed with SE PT4 that was also found in environmental samples in 3 out of 13 sheds tested in July 2000 and in 1 of the 3 sheds tested in February 2001. On two occasions, six months apart, SE was detected serologically in sampled birds6.

5. Until the Sydney 2018 SE cases emerged, farms (including multi-age farms) where SE was detected were not depopulated.

6. Unlike the current SE, previous detections in Australia have not been reported to involve spread beyond the individual farm but the extent of investigations is unclear.

7. According to the annual IMVS reports, SE has been detected in Australia also in cattle, horse meat, pigs, goat skin, dairy factory, dog, sludge compost and sewage effluent.

SE has been monitored in NSW on participating poultry farms since 1996 and Victoria joined in 2004.

The program was then named the Joint NSW-Vic Salmonella Enteritidis Accreditation and Monitoring Program (only recently this program was adopted nationally). Mainly large producers in NSW and Victoria enrolled in the program and at its peak the surveillance

w

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP Technical Systems Australia has changed hands but will continue to provide the same high levels of service, innovation and industry expertise that has always been the company’s hallmark.

TSA will continue as a leader in agricultural sales and technical support Supplying to the poultry industry: • Feeders • Drinkers • Silos • Environmental control • Heating • Cooling ....and much more Fabrication – TSA can fabricate parts to your needs Plus many more

Website: www.tsa.tech

Technical Systems Australia Pty Ltd Tel: (07) 5429 2028 Fax: (07) 5429 2038 Mobile: 0424 413 484 Email: scotty@tsa.tech

HEALTH FEATURE v

on farms covered approximately 70% of the eggs produced in Australia (and most breeder flocks) but did not cover a large number of egg producers in these States or any producers from other States.

Nevertheless, it was encouraging that since the inception in 1996 of the SE Monitoring and Accreditation Program, SE was never detected on any of the participating farms in monthly and tri-monthly intensive sampling of the shed environment.

Furthermore, this negative status was supported by the NSW Food Authority microbiological survey of layer farms in NSW (2013)7 that reported no farm positive for SE, although, in 22 of 49-layer farms Salmonella other than SE was detected. In the same year the Animal Health in Australia Report to OIE listed the finding in June of Salmonella Enteritidis in poultry in Queensland8.

Animal Health Australia 2016 and 2017 Reports to OIE also listed SE as present in poultry9.

A recently published paper by Graham et al (2018)1, provides scientific information on the unique lineage of Australian SE isolates, including those from poultry. The report explains that Australian SE isolates, like Phage type 26, belong to separate clades that are predominantly Australian and it appears that the Australian strains associated with chickens in Qld are substantially different from those found in overseas flocks. Notably, they lack a genomic component proposed to be implicated in virulence and invasion of the oviduct in chickens.

Therefore, the implications are that the current SE outbreak strain, like other overseas strains, may possess a good capacity for vertical transmission and infect the egg when it is formed inside the hen. These aspects could have far reaching consequences if this SE enters a breeding flock be it a layer or meat breeders.

Aspects of Risk and Risk mitigation There are several elements that should be emphasised – the identification of the source of the outbreaks, the ability to detect SE infection in flocks / their environment, the ability of SE to survive a long-time in the environment, the storage temperature of eggs, biosecurity and vaccination.

The source In order to successfully eradicate a pathogen newly introduced into Australia, a fundamental requirement is to determine the source and the time

28

frame between introduction and discovery. The opportunity for SE to spread between farms increases proportionally to this gap.

The larger the gap, more likely is the spread to other farms before the source is identified.

In the current outbreak, the detection of SE came about as a result of reported human sickness as well as effective trace-back investigations on farms with known contacts with infected premises that were recognised previously. SE usually does not cause obvious clinical signs in healthy adult hens and can be present unrecognised in a flock and infect a very small number of eggs.

The number of organisms in each egg could also be small and the human cases as a result of food poisoning could be a mere consequence of SE build up along the food chain from improper storage temperature of eggs, or egg products and unhygienic practices in food outlets that allowed it to multiply to a level capable of causing sickness in humans.

It may be present in a flock for many months, even years before its presence is suspected as a result of human illness.

Unfortunately, there was a gap of 3-4 months between the first human outbreaks and the investigations on the first farm. Therefore, it is unclear if the first farm that was involved in human SE cases was indeed the first farm to become infected with SE. It is also unclear if the feed was the source as the feed that was sampled on the first farm (in September) was not the feed that was present when the outbreak started in May 2018.

Feed, especially if it contains imported ingredients, should be suspected and the SE status explored.

The three months gap leaves several potential sources that remain unidentified that are capable of silently spreading the infection and silently generating eggs infected with SE. Unless there is a high level of certainty that the first farm that was traced back as a result of the human cases was the first farm in Australia that contracted the infection, the potential to eradicate SE is not high. In the absence of this level of certainty, an extensive and repeated surveillance of all layer farms as well as pullet farms in Australia is a must.

Without these epidemiological explorations, depopulation of farms may only provide an illusion of success and unfortunately harshly impact on individual farms.

Furthermore, even if these farms

repopulate after successful decontamination operations, it is difficult to predict that they will not contract it from a farm where SE has remained undetected.

It is also difficult to be confident that decontaminated farms will not acquire SE again from their environment.

The repopulation of a farm with new hens may cost the producer hundreds of thousands of dollars and the flock may not last beyond weeks or few months if SE re-infection occurs.

Unless a comprehensive surveillance is instigated, the status of the Australian flocks remains unclear and SE outbreaks could occur months or years from now, detected only when human cases emerge and the investigation traces it to eggs.

Survival in the environment A study in Europe on consistentlycontaminated SE layer farms1 reported the recovery of the same SE type from hens’ faeces and caeca, egg contents, eggshells, mice, rats, red mites, flies and pets (dog and cat faeces). It concluded that vectors (i.e. rodents, insects like domestic flies or beetles) that enable long term persistence of SE on farms represent a significant environmental reservoir of Salmonella.

However, Salmonella Enteritidis is also capable of long-term survival in the environment in soil, dirt and on various surfaces. Further complications arise from the ability of Salmonella to respond to adverse environmental conditions with changes in cellular morphology and physiology leading to aggregation of cells (biofilm) that provide a protective environment to each other.

This conserving strategy of Salmonella (and other micro-organisms) enables increased persistence and long-term survival of SE in the environment even without requiring an animal reservoir. In this form SE is also more resistant to detergents, disinfectants and other chemicals.

Thus, on both accounts (vector presence and ability to survive in the environment), the long-term survival and presence of SE in the farm environment presents an epic challenge for eradication.

Depopulation of infected farms and egg recalls provide market assurance and may mitigate further spread but the effectiveness of this strategy would depend on a multitude of factors, not the least the ability of SE to outsmart the environment, effectiveness of the clean-out of sheds and to what degree SE is widespread in the farm environ-

w

Farm Grading made Simple

Universal grading unit for Hatchery Packer, Farmpacker or as a stand alone.

Capacity up to 28,000 eggs per hour.

Appointed distributor in Australia:

www.macrospec.com.au - sales@macrospec.com.au - tel. +61 3 52730224 www.sanovogroup.com - asia@sanovogroup.com - tel. +603-4820 8301

29

NEWS v

ment or its supply chain. The ability to prevent spread from farms or the re-infection of already infected farms is the litmus test of biosecurity on farms.

Unfortunately, with these organisms more so than Avian Influenza virus, Newcastle Disease and other pathogens, it is the little sins that will determine success or failure. I have seen producers meticulously cleaning a shed only to walk into it again after visiting a shed that was still in the process of being cleaned.

I have seen an effective baiting program that is doomed to fail because the water lines in the shed were not drained before cleaning commenced.

The rats, increasingly thirsty after consuming rat baits, entered the shed sensing and seeking water in the line.

Not surprisingly, they can manipulate nipples. Let’s not forget the humble fly.

When researchers11 placed flies into rooms with hens infected with SE, the organism was detected in 45%-50% of the flies at 48 hours. When five infected flies were fed to naïve hens, 30% of the hens became SE positive.

Studies reported that 22% of flies captured in facilities that housed egglaying hens were Salmonella positive.

Transmission by flies between pig farms was also reported12. Flies have the ability to travel in vehicles and transmit SE between farms.

This may not invariably result in a flock becoming infected, nevertheless, biosecurity should strive to address this aspect as much as practically possible.

Mitigation of the risk of survival of Salmonella in the environment becomes even more challenging when free-range operations are considered. In these circumstances, lateral thinking incorporating pasture management, heat and steam application as well as appropriate use of chemicals, may provide some hope. Consultation with agronomists before chemicals are used is prudent.

Depopulation of an infected farm can serve to minimise the potential for spread provided it is done judiciously.

Spread of pathogen from infected farms to other farms during cleaning and decontamination operations has been reported with other pathogens like Newcastle Disease virus and Avian Influenza virus when not all operational aspects were fully considered.

Depopulation, cleaning and disinfection, in order to be done effectively and minimise local spread, should strive to establish optimal communication and coordination with neighbouring poultry farms and consider wind direction.

It must use proven, effective chemi-

30

cals, be closely supervised by persons with biosecurity understanding and a dedication to match this knowledge.

Depopulation of an infected farm, while addressing immediate public health concerns and potential spread, may not necessarily provide a long-term successful strategy, unless it can be demonstrated through on-going national surveillance that poultry flocks in Australia are indeed free of SE and this is unlikely to be achieved without the cooperation of egg producers.

Being faced with a high chance of economic disaster if SE is detected and with no compensation agreement, the likelihood of a high level of participation in a voluntary surveillance program could be low.

I watched the efforts on some farms to meet the decontamination requirements and remove every speck of dust.

In an industry where total cleaning and decontamination of sheds housing multiple age layers is rarely practised, the challenge to achieve good results has been indeed heroic.

Time will tell how effective decontamination was on each of the farms. SE may take days or months to re-appear on decontaminated farms.

Whether producers are advised to initially place a small number of birds (sentinel birds) on the farm or repopulate the entire farm is an important strategic aspect, made more complex by the lack of compensation.

SE is not covered by the Cost Sharing Agreement that applied to entities such as Newcastle Disease and AI. The cost sharing slice between government and industry is based, among others, on the benefit to the public and to industry. In the case of SE, it is possible to argue that the public benefits and cost savings are so significant that SE should be at least covered by 80% government, 20% Industry cost sharing.

Therefore, confirmation of flock infection through hen sampling is challenging and requires intensive sampling.

Finding SE in randomly collected eggs is even more challenging.

Considering that SE may not be excreted by infected birds continuously, there is also a risk that one-off sampling may fail to detect its presence when only a few birds are infected.

In the recent SE outbreak in NSW, the detection on some farms was heralded by outbreaks in humans.

However, the time gap between human outbreaks and the appearance of SE on farms could be months and sometimes even years when the rate of infection in eggs is considered and when the catalysts of human outbreaks are known to be variables in food outlets such as improper storage temperature and poor hygiene.

Under these circumstances the presence of SE contaminated eggs in the market may remain undetected for months until practices mentioned above facilitate SE build- up in contaminated eggs, egg products and raw food containing eggs stored improperly.

SE has been detected sporadically in poultry products and shed environments throughout the last 30 years.

This should raise some concern about the potential presence of SE, and not necessarily the latest strain, in other flocks, especially in areas where some strains of the Australian SE are prevalent.

Early detection in flocks before human outbreaks is imperative and it relies on monitoring and regular surveillance.

The National Salmonella Enteritidis Monitoring & Accreditation Program provides framework for a voluntary surveillance for SE on layer farms but a voluntary uptake may face significant hurdles now, especially in the absence of a cost sharing agreement that covers SE.

Detecting Salmonella Enteritidis

Biosecurity

The flock incidence of eggs with SE in overseas studies was found to be very low – detected in only a small percentage of eggs in a flock.

Prevalence among birds in infected flocks can vary significantly, with most estimates in the range of 0.3% to 3%.

It has been estimated that a flock prevalence of 0.3% (one infected bird detected out of 300 sampled), corresponds to a frequency of infected eggs of about 6 per 100,000 (0.006%).

A flock prevalence of 1% corresponds to about two infected eggs in every 10,000 eggs produced - 0.02%13.

Biosecurity is often regarded as the tool to prevent disease entering a farm.

Indeed, it is an important prevention tool but like any tool, effectiveness ultimately depends on correct application and understanding of the limitations, generally, and on each site.

Consistency and unflinching biosecurity are the keys for prevention of incursion of SE onto a farm. Biosecurity that would come close to the optimal requirements for Salmonella prevention is far more challenging than the biosecurity for Newcastle disease, Avian CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 w

Australian Made Poultry Winches

Certified to Australian Standards AS/NZS1418 Crane, Hoist & Winches

• Built-in easy-to-set limit switches • Robust direct drive gear box • Cable Winch rated to 800kg & 1200kg direct lift • Belt Winch rated to 400 kg direct lift

1800 GRIFCO grifco.com.au poultry@chamberlainanz.com

MORE PROFIT FROM IMPROVED NUTRITION Lower your feed costs, improve uniformity and increase raw material flexibility, while reducing environmental impact with these innovative feed solutions.

Used alone, or in combination, these reliable, heat stable enzyme and natural betaine products are customized to increase nutrient availability and improve profitability for poultry producers.

Contact our distributor Feedworks, Australia. Tel: 03 5429 2411 Email: mal.mottram@feedworks.com.au david.cadogan@feedworks.com.au stuart.wilkinson@feedworks.com.au

Copyright© 2014 DuPont or its affiliates. All rights reserved. The DuPont Oval Logo, DuPont™ and all products denoted with ® or ™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of DuPont or its affiliates.

Danisco Animal Nutrition

31

PRODUCT NEWS

How to house happy birds Happy birds produce the best layers which is why aviary systems were invented to provide laying hens with maximum freedom, while using floor space efficiently.

Aviaries consist of multiple tiers where birds are challenged to use the vertical space to find feed, water, nests and perches. For maximum floor and nest utilisation a house often has multiple system rows and movement from one row to the other is possible.

Safety first The challenge in designing an aviary system is finding the right balance between maximising bird capacity, access to nests, water, feed, and bird safety.

Movement through an aviary system is not always hazard free. Systems are up to three metres high, and birds may fall during their jumps or flights.

Research shows that up to 80% of aviary birds at the end of lay show keel bone damage, varying from severe fractures to bone deformations. Keel bone damage is obviously a major welfare issue, but also results in decreased production and therefore poses an economic problem as well.

Several scientists have already revealed that to reduce the risk of birds falling and crashing, the angles from one perch to the other should not exceed 45° and distances for jumping/flying should be maximized at one metre.

On the other hand, for workers in an aviary system, an aisle between two system rows of less than one metre is too narrow. Therefore, aviaries should allow birds to make vertical movements within the system, so there is no need to fly from one row to the other.

Perches should be positioned in a way that allows birds to jump up and down the system, all the way to the top tier.

“After working with aviary systems for almost 20 years, Vencomatic knows what makes birds thrive and perform best. Our aviary systems are designed to find the optimum balance in birds’ happiness and production efficiency,” said Bas Liebregts, Vencomatic Product Manager.

“We advise system rows should be at a distance of at least 1.5 metres, preventing birds flying between rows.”

A miteless rest Another challenge when working

32

Top: Vencomatic system designed to help birds thrive and perform best.

Above: Vencomatic has developed the Q-perch to prevent red mites. with aviary systems is red mite. Apart from being a serious welfare issue, red mite results in increased feed intake by birds to compensate for the blood that the mites consume.

Also, each time a crew is engaged to eradicate the red mite population, stress to the flock is increased.

Over the past few years, Vencomatic Group has been developing a special perch, the Q-Perch, that electrocutes mites on their way to the laying hen as it perches at night.

The company’s researchers discovered that mites come out of their hiding places during a specific timeframe in the night, to feed on the birds.

The Q-perch obstructs the red mites’ route to the birds and prevents them from feeding. Most importantly, it obstructs the red mite from reproducing. This means the population of mites never increases and stays at an acceptable low level.

“This means there is no need for eradication programs, reducing the stress in the flock. In addition, behavioural observations discovered that the birds rest better at night; there is less bird movement, as they are not disturbed by the mites,” said Mr Liebregts.

“The Q-Perch was not only invented to solve the problem of the red mite.

The shape of the perch is also designed to provide the birds with improved grip.

“The mushroom-shaped perch allows birds a better opportunity for landing while moving throughout the system and offers a more comfortable resting place at night.”

Vencomatic Group is known for its innovative and sustainable systems for the poultry industry.

Combining three well-known brands, Vencomatic, Agro Supply and Prinzen, the Vencomatic Group states that it offers a full range of innovative systems for all types of poultry farms.

NEWS

Novus International shares latest research in Poultry Nutrition at ESPN 2019 Novus International, Inc., a leader in animal nutrition and health solutions, supported the global poultry industry as a diamond sponsor of the 22nd European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition (ESPN).

ESPN is a significant forum for industry professionals to exchange information and engage in discussions on poultry nutrition issues and advancements.

Novus shared latest innovations in minerals, enzymes, eubiotics and pigments during the scientific conference in Gdansk, Poland from June 10-13.

With the move towards antibiotic-free production continuing to be on the rise and a limited number of studies showing benefits of combinations of gut active feed additives for broiler performance, Novus saw the importance of studying the specific benefits of a range of feed additives that historically showed benefits to hind gut health and bird performance.

Importantly, these additives were studied in the same experiment allowing for direct comparison across a range of measurements. The experiment also looked at each additive independently and in conjunction with a foregut acidifier, all conducted in the absence of antibiotics.

The feed additives included in this extensive trial were organic acid blend, essential oils and copper methionine hydroxy acid chelate at 30ppm.

The key findings of the study are as below;

Introducing 30ppm of copper methionine hydroxy acid chelate was effective alone or in combination with water acid to improve FCR in the first 10 days and significantly improved villous architecture and surface area.

• Effective water acidification with a methionine hydroxy analogue based solution improved performance regardless of hind gut active compound.

• In the first 10 days of broiler production, the combination of organic acid water based solution decreasing pH in the fore gut and slow release hind gut organic acid was the most successful in reducing FCR. • Although the birds in the negative control group had no reduction in performance, measures such as FPD and tibial head lesions showed sub-acute symptoms and a significant reduction in carcase integrity at 35 days.

“The data is still being analysed, however it is clear that organic acids both in fore and hind gut health are very effective.

The combination of both is very powerful for bird health,” commented Matthew Bekker, Senior Technical Services Manager, Novus Oceania.

Supporting all previous studies, the stand-alone addition of copper methionine hydroxy analogue at 30ppm continues to show the greatest overall performance especially in growth efficiency, gut health, tissue development and structural integrity of any treatment.

For more information, you can contact a Novus representative at www.novusint.com

•

Aviagen Management Essentials Bernard Green

Ventilation Technical Services Manager, Asia Author biography: Bernard is a mechanical engineer, and has been working as a ventilation specialist in the poultry industry since 1995; his first job was at Rainbow Farms in South Africa. In 2008 Bernard became an independent consultant, and in 2016 he joined Aviagen.

Author Quote: “You don’t always need special equipment to manage your ventilation system”.

CHECK YOUR SIDE WALL INLET SETTING Objective: Check your minimum ventilation inlet setting.

Key Points: Proper management of the side wall inlets is a critical part of keeping the birds comfortable and maintaining the house temperature in cold weather.

Often growers focus only on ensuring that the house pressure is correct.

Admittedly, this is very important, but what about the period when the fans switch on and off and the inlets open and close? Are your birds still comfortable during this time?

The following simple test that can be done any time you are in the house and requires no equipment. Do this test when the house is in minimum ventilation: 1. When the minimum ventilation fans are off, stand ± 2-3 meters away in front of a minimum ventilation inlet, facing the inlet.

2. Wait for the minimum ventilation fans to start, run their ON time, and switch off again.

At any time during that cycle, did you feel any cold air flow onto your face/head? If so, your inlets may not be set as well as you think.

Ideally, from the fans being off and the inlets closed, all the way through the running of the cycle timer until the fans are once again off and the inlets are closed, you should not feel any cold air flow. All air flow should take place above your head, along the ceiling, and away from the birds.

Sometimes, just after the cycle timer starts, there is a period of 2-4 seconds when you may feel cold air on your head/face, and then it disappears. This occurrence may seem insignificant, but if you are using a 5-minute cycle timer, it means that there is cold air dropping onto your birds up to 288 times a day, and it may indicate a problem with the "inlet pre-opening" setting on the controller. Most likely, the setting is allowing the inlets to open too much before the fans switch on. Reduce the pre-opening setting and check again.

Aviagen and the Aviagen logo are registered trademarks of Aviagen in the US and other countries.

All other trademarks or brands are registered by their respective owners. © 2019 Aviagen

33

NEWS

Megg Miller honoured with an OAM In this year’s honours list, Megg Miller from Australasian Poultry and Grass Roots magazine was awarded an OAM for services to the poultry industry.

Megg gave Poultry Digest an interview about her career and her involvement in the industry.

“An upbringing with purebred backyard chooks together with regular visits to my maternal grandparents farm where 100 plus Australorp were kept, established an early fascination with fowls and farm animals.

“This interest resurfaced after moving back to the country following marriage and secondary teaching training. Renting an old house and land led to a menagerie and an exploration of self-sufficiency, and in 1973, the first Grass Roots magazine.

“It was in those early 70s and 80s I got behind traditional poultry breeds and started advocating them, exhibiting rare breeds and turkeys. There was little interest in these breeds at the time but patronage of overseas publications and numerous visits to UK rare breed places indicated a growing public interest in traditional breeds and their products.

“Ironically, a Victorian Department of Agriculture poultry officer took me aside in the mid 80s and said, ‘My lot were out of step with ideas of returning to free range and pure breeds and thought that such activities belonged in the past’.

“I often recall and smile over this.

“Obtaining information was very difficult as there were few books aimed at backyarders and government poultry sections were downsizing and poorly equipped to satisfy the growing hobby interest in domestic species.

“In 1990 Bruce Bartlett asked me to join a new venture that included Bill Stanhope, a small hobby/sideline producer bimonthly magazine. So Australasian Poultry was launched in 1990 and 10 years later I purchased it outright from these ex departmental poultry advisers. It is from Bill that I learnt the importance of listening and responding to all types and classes of people and to grant them the satisfaction of being listened to. Bills’ knowledge and wisdom realigned my focus to be open minded and consider conventional methods and thought.

“I make an effort to regularly attend PIX, the PHWLG meetings at Agriculture Victoria and seminars concerning eggs and their production. Membership in the

34

Megg Miller OAM. Photo courtesy of Seymour Telegraph.

WPSA has led to hours of research and further reading.

“So the privilege of having access to current poultry practices and thinking has led to skilful representation of much of this in a style that Australasian Poultry readers can embrace and use.

My passion has been to share best practice, welfare initiatives and modern methods to the purebred and hobby sector and help them achieve healthier more sustainable management.

“After being a foundation member of the rare breeds movement in Australia, I keep a lower profile now though still support the cause.

“I’m on the current committee of RASV and therefore involved with the Royal Show and especially the Hyline School’s Layer Competition. I also attend several other state Royals each year, often judging the egg competition, turkeys or geese.

“Judging and being one of the few highly experienced female judges in Australia has led to prestigious roles at our National Poultry Shows, held every four years, and recently the tenure of Patron at the Royal Canberra Poultry Show.

“The role of patron is highly regarded and involves the ability to unify members and exhibitors of very diverse backgrounds. I’m honoured to participate in this role with a number of clubs and it’s not one that’s taken lightly.

“To be part of the team, so to speak, I breed for egg exhibition and have egg recorded small numbers of pure breeds over many years. I can quote a lifetime egg output in an Australian Langshan hen, hatched late 2011 and still going well, of 939 eggs. With good shell quality too!

“Eggs at present are popping in the exhibition world. Stand-alone shows in the UK attract entries in the 900s. We’re not there yet but people are fascinated by the range of colours and shapes and egg displays attract all comers. As a regular club and dinner speaker, eggs along with hen behaviour attract bums on seats and give me the opportunity to discuss current management issues in both fields.

“Grass Roots magazine maintains a dedicated following committed to slow food and sustainable practices.

Australasian Poultry is in its 30th year of publication and I write regularly for two other publications. Interest in permaculture and DIY food production for poultry has led to involvement in this popular lifestyle system with participation in a number of workshops each year.

“It’s very rare for poultry people to be all on the same page but the recent announcement has had very positive support and in fact is probably viewed as offering validity to the fancy hobby as well as increased status,” Megg concluded.

NEWS

Aviagen New Zealand debuts Ross 450 Club Due to the dedication and skill of New Zealand broiler growers, Ross performance continues to climb. To reward the hard work of Ross poultry producers, on July 1 Aviagen New Zealand launched the Ross 450 Club.

The new Ross Club joins others around the world that celebrate the star achievements of poultry producers. The Club recognises farmers who, through excellence in stockmanship, reach a European Performance Efficiency Factor (EPEF) of 450 or more. (EPEF is a performance benchmark that takes into account feed conversion, mortality and daily weight gain).

Awarding performance “The EPEF scores we are seeing in New Zealand are some of the highest on the globe,” explained Aviagen New Zealand Operations Manager Abbey Mathew.

“To highlight the exceptional efforts of our farmers and the performance of Ross birds in our region, we’re proud to introduce the Ross 450 Club. Our dedicated producers are a great example of the achievement possible when skilful management combined with team work enables the genetic potential of Ross birds to be expressed.”

All customers earning this top performance will be honored in yearly presentations, where Aviagen officials will present the farm managers and staff with a certificate, hat and shirt.

Approaching PIX 2020 The organising committee is promoting the AMC/PIX 2020 event to be held again at The Gold Coast Convention Centre QLD from May17-20 with a target attendance of over 1500 delegates.

A quick look at already committed visitors shows increased international interest in the region’s major combined feed milling and poultry industry event, with booths being snapped up within hours of the release.

The 2018 event had record participation and attendance and showed a continued improvement in the format of the trade exhibition and conferences sessions The Panel discussion at the end of the final day, June 5, 2018 was particularly successful with a strong attendance of delegates actively involved with an expert panel consisting of Dr Peter Scott -Scolexia, Heather Neill RSPCA, Prof Malcolm Mitchell (Scotland’s Rural University College), Prof Wendy Umberger from Centre for Global Food & Resources, University of Adelaide and Rob Kestel from FREPA (pictured below).

The theme for 2020 is ‘Beyond 2020 – Feeding the Future’ and looks sure to bring about some interesting discussions.

Aviagen Management Essentials Debbie Fisher

Technical Service Manager ANZ Aviagen Author Biography: Debbie joined Aviagen in July 2013 as part for the Asia team as Technical Service Manager. Debbie provided Technical Service across that region for 5 years with customers based in Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea. In April 2018 Debbie moved back into the ANZ region providing Technical Service to our customers here. Prior to joining Aviagen Debbie worked for 20 years in NZ with a large poultry company with operations across NZ and Australia. During her time she worked in many roles including, Broiler, Breeders and Livestock and Processing Planner.

Placing chicks Objective: To place chicks in a way that promotes development and subsequent performance.

Key Points: 1. Ideally chicks should come from one source flock: • There should be no more than four days difference in egg age.

• Underweight eggs must be removed before setting.

• If chicks cannot be sourced from one parent stock flock, chicks from different source flocks must be brooded separately.

2. Adapt brooding conditions to the chicks you receive: • Increase house temperature by 1-2°C for chicks from young source flocks (24-29 weeks).

• Ensure nipple line height is correct for chick size.

3. Ensure correct brooding conditions at placement: • Stabilize temperature and humidity at least 24 hrs prior to placement.

• Ensure an initial stocking density of 40 chicks per square meter.

• Environmental conditions at placement are: Air temperature (at chick height where feed and water are positioned): 30°C. Floor temperature: 28-30°C. Relative humidity: 60-70%, reduced to 50-60% after 3 days of age.

• Provide supplementary drinkers (12 per 1,000 chicks).

• Place good-quality, bio-secure litter to a depth of 2-5 cm.

• Place feed in supplementary feeder trays (1 per 80 chicks) and on paper to give a feeding area occupying at least 90% of the brooding area.

4. Chick placement: • Place chicks quickly and gently onto the paper in the brooding area.

• Do not leave empty chick boxes laying around.

• Leave chicks to settle for 1-2 hours; then check that environmental conditions are correct (chick behavior) and that chicks have found feed and water; be sure to measure crop fill.

5. Routinely monitor and record: • Relative humidity • Air speed • Temperature • Chick behavior • Crop fill Placing chicks

Aviagen and the Aviagen logo are registered trademarks of Aviagen in the US and other countries.

All other trademarks or brands are registered by their respective owners. © 2019 Aviagen

35

NEWS

Breaking down barriers to a more innovative poultry industry Taking a more proactive approach to “My research found that in many regulation, research and education is instances, regulations and industry the only way to ensure the Australian guidelines set a minimum standard, poultry industry is at the forefront of which can actually act as both a driver innovation, particularly while issues and barrier to innovation. such as animal welfare and biosecurity “Well written and insightful are seen as the catalyst for practice regulation can promote innovation change. and practice change, but regulation or That’s according to a report standards that are based on consumer released recently by Jessica Pitkin, a trends or outdated methods can do the small-scale poultry breeder based in the opposite.�

Hunter Valley of New South Wales.

The report finds the often static With support from AgriFutures nature of regulation and industry Australia, Mrs Pitkin used her 2017 standards can inhibit future innovation.

Nuffield Scholarship to research the Travelling in Ontario, Canada, Mrs Pitkin connections between regulation and observed an instance of the limiting industry standards, and more innovapotential of government policy. tive on-farm practices in the poultry “In many counties, there are industry. standards which mandate bedding Wanting to identify which circumdepth in sheds, to allow soft bedding stances impacted a producer’s appetite for birds that absorbs moisture and and ability to innovate, Mrs Pitkin creates a microbially beneficial environtravelled across Brazil, Chile, America, ment for birds to dust bath and display Canada, the Netherlands, Italy and New other natural habits,� Mrs Pitkin said.

Zealand interviewing industry organisa“I visited a poultry farm in Ontario, tions, producers and researchers. which had two separate shedding facili“Despite there being vast amounts ties – one old and one new. of new technology and modern “The new shed was equipped with practices available to the poultry a modern underfloor heating system, industry to improve productivity, which the producer found ran most shedding efficiency and animal welfare efficiently with no litter on top. outcomes, the adoption rate of these “While the method of keeping birds technologies across Australia and warm with underfloor heating is worldwide is generally low,� Mrs Pitkin innovative and highly effective, adoption said.

Project1:PoltexAd2 21/03/14 3:47 PM Page 1rates are low because many countries

REDUCE YOUR ENERGY COSTS$ % ""#$% & '! "( # $ WITH... $ )% '

• Fan Covers

Control Curtains • Brooder/Air • Door Covers

• Cool Cell Covers

• Shelters/Shelter Covers

BLOCKOUT BLINDS

36

mandate a minimum litter depth on shed floors which makes the heating inefficient.� Another key factor influencing innovation adoption in the poultry industry is the diversity of farm ownership. “Historically, most poultry farms were family owned and operated businesses. In some cases, they were debt-laden and unable to invest in more innovative practices, or they were involved in intergenerational transition which can lead to difficulties in making changes on farm,� Mrs Pitkin said. “Today, we are seeing a shift toward more corporate investment with large companies able to fund the construction and operation of more innovative operations.�

However, in some instances, standardised equipment and practice guidelines in larger, corporate poultry businesses can also stifle innovation. “Several larger businesses in the United States use standardised production methods and equipment, as it lets them easily compare and benchmark different farm and employee performance,� Mrs Pitkin said. “This can inhibit innovation or practice change on the individual level, as farmers are locked into the company approach and less agile in adopting new methods.�

Ultimately, the adoption of more innovative practices will help drive the industry towards a more prosperous future. “Being proactive will deliver a more profitable and sustainable Australian poultry industry well into the future,�

Mrs Pitkin said. “Communication, education and the exchange of ideas within the industry will be key to opening up understanding of current practices and raising awareness of the new, improved practices that will ultimately drive the industry forward.â€?Â

NEWS

Nuffield Conference: the epicentre of agricultural innovation An iconic Queensland venue will become a focal point of agribusiness activity from September 17 to 19, as more than 300 of our nation’s best and brightest in farming come together for the 2019 Nuffield Australia National Conference.

Early bird registrations have opened for Nuffield Australia’s flagship event, which will be held at the Royal International Convention Centre, the home of Brisbane’s EKKA precinct. This year’s theme is based on the three key pillars of ‘Collaborate, Innovate and Cultivate’.

The conference opens with the Awards Dinner, followed by two days of informative seminars, networking events, trade exhibitions, and a tour of Scholar’s farms and agribusinesses across the Darling Downs region on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 September.

Nuffield Australia Interim CEO and 2013 Queensland Scholar Jodie Redcliffe said she was excited to be hosting the prestigious conference on home soil, a state she believes is rich in diversity, innovation and resilience, especially when it comes to agriculture.

“With generous support from our platinum partner Rabobank, the conference provides a meeting point to connect and exchange knowledge within Australian agriculture, and as a state so focussed on farming’s growth and prosperity, we cannot wait to welcome attendees for three days of exciting sessions and speakers,” Ms Redcliffe said.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from returning Nuffield Scholars, who will present the findings of their cutting edge global research.

“This year, speakers will cover highly topical research areas, such as business risk management in variable climates, effective branding to attract premiums, facilitating the uptake of new farm technologies, soil health and regeneration principles, among many others.

“Other inspiring keynote speakers include former President of the Australian Rugby Union and National Farmers Federation, David Crombie AM, and Chairman of the Grains Research & Development Corporation, John Woods.

“Our conference is led by scholars and enjoyed by the entire sector. Whether you’re a primary producer, an agribusiness consultant or a policy maker, access to fresh insights across a range of topics and the connections you make along the way, means the Nuffield Conference is an unmissable event.”

Ms Redcliffe encourages potential attendees to secure the competitive early bird rate, so as not to miss important highlights like the announcement of the 2020 Nuffield Scholarship recipients at the distinguished Awards Dinner.

“The announcement of new scholars provides a first insight into the study topics that will sow the seeds of change for their respective industries. The conference is an unrivalled opportunity to make sure your finger is on the pulse in Australian farming.’

Early bird registration is now open! Visit https://nuffield.com. au/2019-nuffield-australia-national-conference/

37

PRODUCT NEWS

Technical Systems Australia is now under new ownership After more than 30 years of working in the poultry industry with Outback Environmental Controls (OEC) then TSA, Martin and Rita Simmons are retiring.

Martin stated to Poultry Digest that he and Rita wanted to thank their many customers and suppliers for thirty years of friendship and support as they look forward to an active retirement.

OEC was a pioneer in the industry transition to tunnel ventilation in the Australian poultry industry and later in suppling the advanced prefabricated Agrotop Sheds.

The Rotem controllers the company distributed and installed, became an industry standard and Poultry Digest always enjoyed reporting on the many broiler farms where OEC and Agrotop innovation made a real difference to assist in more efficient broiler farming.

Scotty Miller, an industry veteran of more than 15 years, is one of the new owners of TSA, acting as its Managing Director.

He will be combining it with the existing investments in Australian agriculture including within the poultry sector.

“We hope to be able to match and build on the high level of service, innovation, and industry expertise that has been a hallmark of OEC and TSA in recent times,” Scotty said.

“We will continue to supply the brands growers know and love such as Plasson, Rotem, LB White, and Roxell.

“Further, we will expand our range

2

38

with major brands including Big Dutchman, Lubing, Cumberland, Chore Time and others to be announced.

“TSA will continue to be a leader in agricultural sales and technical support in the industry for many years into the future.

“So give our team at TSA a call or just pop in for a visit to talk to us about how we can help to grow and support you farming enterprise,” Scotty said.

Poultry Digest wishes Martin and Rita a happy and healthy retirement (stay on top of that bike Martin!) and Scotty Miller success in his new business venture.

For more information contact Technical Systems Australia Pty Ltd on Tel 07 5329 2028, Fax 07 5429 2028 or mobile. +61 424 413 484. Email is scotty@tsa.tech and website is www.tsa.tech

1 1. Martin and Rita Simmons are retiring after more than 30 years serving the poultry industry. 2. Martin with Scotty Miller, the new Managing Director of TSA. 3. TSA will coninue to supply well-known products.

3

NEWS

RMEAA meeting in Dublin adds value to Ross brand Delegates traveled from across Turkey, the Middle East and Africa for the 19th annual Ross Middle East and Africa Association (RMEAA) meeting in Dublin, Ireland, recently.

Nearly half of the 26 attendees were Ross Turkey, Middle East and Africa (TMEA) distributors.

“Our Ross TMEA distributors are an extension of Aviagen and are the key to the current success of the breed in the region,” explained Bulent Tanyildizi, International Commercial Manager, Ross MEA. “The RMEAA meeting is a very important forum for us, where we gather with our distributors and plan the future of our business with an open mind.

“Our goal is to inform them of the latest advancements in the Aviagen Research and Development program and in the global poultry industry, as well as develop common commercial strategies to maintain and reinforce the Ross breed’s leadership in the region.

Our 19th meeting was another success story, with great contributions from each distributor. The synergy and spirit throughout the meeting were extraordinary.”

Joining the group were Aviagen executives including Tom Exley, President of TMEA; Michael Garden, Business Manager, TMEA; Aviagen veterinary, genetics and management experts; and specialists from the wider poultry industry.

Each year the association meets to discuss poultry meat markets both in the MEA and on a global scale, and more importantly, to explore ideas, experiences and challenges and look to express the value of the Ross brand.

Organized by the Ross TMEA team, the meeting was joined by colleagues from Aviagen UK Ltd., who covered business operations in the UK. The UK team also shared the latest update on Ross genetics, and conversed with the group on the topic of antibiotic reduction in poultry.

Discussions important to the region centered on getting maximum value from the Ross brand for TMEA producers, as well as a topic that is critical to the poultry export business – global security of supply.

Aviagen Veterinarian Pavel Shkarlat presented the Great Britain (GB Enhanced Standard) compartmentalization program as an effective strategy to safeguard poultry trade during a notifiable avian disease outbreak in the supplying country.

This conversation held particular importance, as RMEAA distributors play a crucial role in convincing their local governments to accept and implement compartmentalisation from approved “compartments.” (A compartment is one or more establishments under a common biosecurity management system containing an animal subpopulation with a distinct health status with respect to a specific disease or specific diseases for which required surveillance, control and biosecurity measures have been applied for the purpose of international trade.)

So far, Aviagen has achieved compartment status for operations in the UK, US and India, and has successfully shipped day-old chicks during an outbreak of Avian Influenza in the UK. For more information on compartmentalisation, please visit http://tmea.aviagen.com/about-us/global-security-of-supply/

re a s t n e m “pig ” y t l a i c e p our s

Premium Agri Products Pty. Ltd.

www.premag.com.au Christine Clark: M.0455 666 989 cclark@premag.com.au

39

NEWS

Alltech appoints new Regional Technical Manager for South East Asia Alltech has announced the appointment of Gustavo Sa Ribeiro to the role of Regional Technical Manager, Monogastric, South East Asia.

Ribeiro, who will be based in Bangkok, Thailand, brings with him nearly a decade of experience in various capacities, including R&D, marketing and technical support. “He brings a truly international knowledge having worked in numerous global markets, such as the Netherlands, Spain, Mexico, Eastern Europe, Africa and most recently in AsiaPacific,� said Matt Einarson, Alltech Regional Director for South East Asia. “Extending value-added support solutions, paired with our best-in-class nutrition innovations has always been central to our strategy within the region,� Mr Einarson said. “We are delighted to welcome Gustavo to our team.

For all your livestock needs Vegetable Protein Meals, Animal Protein Meals, Vitamins and Mineral Premixes, Feed additives and Supplements, Custom and Standard Millpacks, Animal Health and Husbandry.

Ph: (02) 9609 7922 Fax: (02) 9609 7923 Kym: 0439066054 Luke: 0439066006 kym@nationalfeedsolutions.com.au luke@nationalfeedsolutions.com.au

Suppliers of Elite nutrition and solutions

40

“He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience making him an exceptional candidate to successfully lead our technical activities and continue to support the growth of our commercial efforts within South East Asia.�

Born in Portugal, Mr Ribeiro graduated with degrees in zootechnical engineering from University of TrĂĄs-os-Montes and Alto Douro in Portugal and in international livestock production from CAH Vilentum University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. “I admire Alltech’s innovative approach and business model,â€? said Mr Ribeiro. “I am looking forward to working closely with the team in South East Asia, helping to grow our customer business across the region and delivering on Alltech’s vision of a Planet of Plenty.â€?

PRODUCT NEWS

Ralco launches organic ProsperoEO Liquid, an economical essential oil solution Strong Animals, a brand of Ralco, announced recntlythat it has launched a new organic, OMRI certified, an essential oil product called ProsperEO Liquid.

This latest product is an extension of the existing line of essential oil products that includes ProsperEO and Regano EX, the industry’s most widely recognised essential oil product.

ProsperEO is a natural water additive that strengthens the immunity of animals resulting in stronger, healthier animals that are better able to face health challenges and stress.

This multi-species product is used for swine, poultry and ruminant animals.

Feedworks, the Australian distributor for Ralco and its ‘Strong Animals’ product range, including Prosper EO Liquid, has through its Senior Nutritionist Dr Dave Cadogan, often presented many papers on the benefits of oregano oil in livestock production at conferences in Australia.

“Dietary oregano essential oil alleviates experimentally induced coccidiosis in broilers,’ was a paper delivered in 2015, by Mohiti Asil that demonstrated the effectiveness of oregano oil on alleviating cossidiossis in broilers.

The OMRI certification was sought as a result of increasing consumer demand for organic products.

According to Coherent Market Insights, the global organic farming market is expected to exhibit a growth rate of 8.4% by 2026.

The global organic food market is valued at $81.6 billion and growing according to the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture.

“Ralco’s focus on essential oil research and technologies over the last two decades allows for this product to not only be a cost-effective solution, but also more predictable and effective in promoting the overall health of animals,” said Richard Lamb, Senior Technology Director at Ralco.

According to Lamb, “Standard essential oils can be somewhat unstable, but through the use of our patented Microfused process we are able to make a highly stable product, which not only makes them more effective, but also easier to use.”

As the industry leader in essential

oil-based animal feed additives, Ralco continues to explore and innovate the use of essential oils and is pleased to expand their line of ProsperEO products into the organic market.

Ralco is a third-generation familyowned multinational company with distribution in more than 20 countries.

Ralco is a leading global supplier of livestock nutrition, animal health products and crop enhancement technologies that support large segments of the livestock, poultry, aquaculture and crop production industries.

For more information on ProsperoEO go to the website at https://ralcoagriculture.com/

Offer your customers peace of mind with Ovotherm® R-PET eggpacks.

Manufactured from 100% recycled PET drink bottles and other PET packaging.

100% fully recyclable, creating a closed-loop recycling system to reduce environmental impact.

R-PET

OVOTHERM EGG PACKS

FLAKES

ROLLS 47 Matheson Street, Virginia QLD Australia 4014 T +617 3265 2888 • F +617 3265 2777 E sales@kuhncorp.com.au • www.kuhncorp.com.au

Creating more than an impress ion 41

NEWS v

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22

After a sightseeing trip to Niagara Falls the group enjoyed a day relaxing in Toronto, a seriously cool city with plenty of tourist distractions.

On May 27, the group headed to Stratford Ontario to the corporate offices of Masterfeeds, now an Alltech owned company that was established in 1929.

Alltech Canada’s team including Arin Douglas, had organised a discussion session with Masterfeeds management team and poultry industry specialists and our group.

The somewhat complex Canadian Supply Management System commenced in 1972, which includes the Canadian Dairy Commission, Turkey Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers and Egg Farmers of Canada.

These industry bodies work with provincial and national governing agencies, organisations and committees to administer the supply management system.

To Australian farmers it may seem over regulated and complex, but it does manage supply and demand and helps to avoid gluts, shortages and the inevitable price fluctuations.

Our party responded by explaining the key parameters of Australia’s poultry sector as Damien Kelly from Alltech Lienert delivered the facts and features of our industry.

Franco Pirovic explained the workings of his state of the art layer facilities, which are highly automated and reliant on the best available technology and infrastructure.

It was an interesting exchange and both parties benefitted from shared knowledge.

In many aspects, apart from climate, Canada with a larger but not dissimilar population to Australia spread over a similar vast land mass, is more familiar to us than the huge US livestock sectors.

There followed a visit to one of the Masterfeeds feed mills at London Ontario, where our group was shown a state of the art facility that supplies many livestock enterprises, including poultry farming in the region.

The final visit before returning to Toronto airport for the flight home was a visit to the Burnbrae egg packing facility at Mississauga.

Situated close to Canada’s major city Toronto, the population immediately served by Burnbrae exceeds six million.

Most of the eggs that go through the plant are from Burnbrae’s own farms

42

but the company does pack for some smaller growers in the region.

Our group was welcomed by Sue Hudson, the Managing Director and Andy Woods, the Plant Manager at the Mississauga facility.

The Moba Diamond grader/washer/ crack tester/ packer is a considerable piece of equipment augmented by robotised handling of inbound egg trays – very impressive.

Andy took us through all stages of their process from egg delivery to storage for transport to their many retail

outlets.

Apart from their state of the art packing centre, Sue told us that they were progressing with the plan to make their farms more efficient by utilising renewable energy.

Our group has a great time, informative as well as entertaining.

Poultry Digest thanks out tireless shepherds and drivers Rohan Wundke and Damian Kelly from Alltech Lienerts also all the folks at the farms, facilities and feedmills that gave so generously of their time.

Top: Just one of the Burnbrae Eggs extensive product range. Above left: Crack detection machine on Diamond System grader/packer system.

Above right: Andy Woods, Burnbrae Plant Manager gave the guided tour.

PRODUCT NEWS

Folium Science ‘Guided Biotics’ in the Pearse Lyons Accelerator Program At the Alltech One19 Ideas Conference held in Kentucky, May19/21, 2019 Poultry Digest met with Hadden Graham and Alice Cadman, who both presented Folium Sciences’ Guided Biotics.

This is a disruptive new technology developing next generation probiotics and this new technology is a participant in the Pearce Lyons Accelerator Program, an initiative to highly innovative science research into the market place.

Chief Technology Officer Hadden Graham will be well known to many industry people in Australia as a result of his many years with AB Vista where he has presented at Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition at UNE and at other industry seminars.

Bristol UK based Folium Science has patented a technology that selectively removes unwanted bacteria.

In the first instance the company demonstrated the worth of its research methodology on commercial plant crops, for which it went on to earn major UK scientific awards, before taking the logical step into livestock production.

With the rise of anti microbial resistance well recognised, the ‘Guided Biotics’ approach to specifically remove unwanted bacteria from the animal gut presents a solution to one of the most challenging aspects of commercial livestock rearing.

“Guided Biotics’ contains a targeting system that cuts the bacterial DNA, which then triggers the release of the bacteria’s natural defence systems.

These enzymes cause bacteria to self digest,” Haddon explains.

“Live poultry trials show that ‘Guided Biotics’ significantly reduces salmonella in the broiler gut plus trial birds gained more weight.

“Guided Biotics’ reduced zoonosis and food safety risks while improving bird performance,” Hadden added.

Apart from working with the Pearce Lyons Accelerator initiative, Folium Science has also established a partnership and collaboration with Innovate UK, Quadram Institute, Bristol University and the John Innes Centre.

The technology is available for licence and co-development.

Hadden Graham and Alice Cadman from Folium Sciences.

®

Mycofix 5.E

MYCOFI

X

Proven protection throughout the entire production cycle Mycotoxins decrease performance and interfere with the health status of your birds.

Mycofix® 5.E is the solution for mycotoxin risk management. *EU Authorised Regulation No. 1060/2013, No. 2017/930, No. 2017/913 and No. 2018/1568

Northern Australia - Nathan Lister 0499 171 010 Southern Australia - Kate Henne 0499 287 710 Tel: +61 2 9872 6324 office.australia@biomin.net mycofix.biomin.net

Naturally ahead

43

HEALTH FEATURE v

v CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 Influenza or infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT).

The repeat outbreaks of ILT among flocks in NSW and Victoria is perhaps a testimony to the challenges that biosecurity impose even when a pathogen of a far lesser ability to survive in the environment is encountered.

My observations suggest that currently, biosecurity to target SE is a tall order despite rigorous attempts to improve and optimise biosecurity on poultry farms. Volumes have been written about biosecurity on poultry farms.

I do not wish to expand on this except to emphasise that while no aspect can be left unattended, rigorous attention should be given to egg and egg tray movements from other farms, to the biosecurity of the egg room and the ability of the biosecurity protocols to prevent/minimise the risk of SE spread from the egg room to flocks on the farm.

The egg room has become one of the most elementary barriers as it is emerging from the current outbreaks that it is likely that eggs and egg trays played a significant role in the spread between farms via the egg room.

This barrier is often not properly considered, however, in the case of SE, effective biosecurity measures (trays, trolleys, other equipment, personnel) should be deployed between the egg room and the flocks.

Vehicles are viewed as a potential source of introduction of diseases and many farms instigate special disinfection station at the gate. However, this will come to naught if drivers and their cabin/interior are not viewed as a significant potential risk of spread between farms.

Vaccination Biosecurity in the case of SE must be complemented by vaccination and the latter must be complemented by good biosecurity.

An ideal, safe, and efficient vaccine should prevent colonisation, the development of carriers, reduce shedding by infected hens (hence reducing spread to other hens and the environment), increase the threshold for infection of susceptible hens, and induce a response that is distinguishable from that produced by natural infection.

This is a tall order, especially when Australia has limited availability of Salmonella vaccines. Nevertheless, the combination of available Salmonella

44

vaccines in conjunction with inactivated SE vaccines that can be tailored to each farm would provide an important defence element.

In the long term, overseas efficacious inactivated SE vaccines are available. Australia allows the importation of several inactivated vaccines. This process is subject to a case by case assessment of the need and data to demonstrate safety and efficacy.

In Europe despite an obligatory vaccination program, Salmonella Enteritidis is still being recovered from laying hens and their faeces. Expectations in Australia should be realistic - vaccination does not render the hen resistant to infection but it does increase the threshold for infection (requiring a higher number of SE organisms to infect the hen), reduces the presence of SE in various organs, including the oviduct and also reduces the shedding of SE into the farm environment thus, overall mitigating the risk spread and the risk of human SE infection.

Egg refrigeration Further mitigation of the risk of human acquisition of SE can be achieved through appropriate refrigeration of eggs along the entire food chain; from farm to consumers (farm storage and transport, supermarkets, shops, wholesalers and other food outlets).

FSANZ in response to an article in Sydney Morning Herald about storage temperature of eggs stated that “While we acknowledge that refrigeration during retail storage may enhance the quality of eggs, this option was excluded early in the standard development process due to the nature of egg shell contamination in Australia and the substantial cost of implementing such an option”14.

Since egg producers are required to cold store and cold transport eggs and consumers are advised to refrigerate the eggs, the FSANZ approach seems to be rather perplexing.

Furthermore, according to the Productivity Commission15 supermarkets require eggs to be at 14ºC on delivery but the eggs are then stored at ambient temperature in the supermarket storeroom and then on the shelf with some refrigerated and others not.

FSANZ’s own risk assessment16 predicted that for eggs produced and processed under median industry practices, growth of Salmonella could occur in contaminated eggs after approximately 10 days retail storage at 22°C. The NSW Food Authority advised that “Eggs age more

in a day at room temperature than in a week in the fridge”17 The ageing process eventually leads to breakdown of the egg’s own defence mechanisms and multiplication of Salmonella in eggs.

A report commissioned by AECL 18 estimated that based on average industry practices and storage temperatures throughout the production, distribution and retail chain, in 25% of eggs that are consumed in Australia storage time and temperature could allow a significant multiplication of Salmonella inside the egg. This can be prevented through appropriate refrigeration. FSANZ14 recommended temperature for arresting the growth of Salmonella inside the egg is at least 7°C. Refrigeration is not the ultimate panacea, nevertheless, it is an important mitigation tool, more so now than before since SE has better capability to infect the internal egg than other Salmonella.

At lay most contaminated eggs have low number of SE organisms19. Keeping the egg refrigerated is likely to prevent SE multiplication inside the eggs to numbers capable of overwhelming human defence systems (especially eggs kept in storage for more than 21 days).

Unless egg refrigeration along the entire food chain is introduced, the risk to the public is greater than it should be and a rethink of several aspects of egg refrigeration is required.

Conclusion Previously SE of Australian origin, although sporadically encountered on poultry farms, was not reported to spread.

The current SE appears to defy this pattern and it appears that the egg collection /delivery environment may be responsible for the secondary spread on some farms. Salmonella is not easily eradicated from egg farms, especially multi-age or free-range farms.

On free-range egg farms, the task is of Herculean proportion. Several aspects of risks that could contribute to a failure to eradicate SE from a farm and beyond have been discussed, including the identification of the source, detection issues and survival in the environment.

A long time lag can be expected before the SE status of the Australian egg industry could be established. Now more than ever a national monitoring program for SE with a wide producers’ participation is required but it may be hindered by the lack of a compensation arrangement.

Until the status is confidently estab-

HEALTH FEATURE lished, biosecurity and vaccination remain the only effective tools to mitigate the risk at the farm front.

Biosecurity of the egg room has now become crucial. A change in policy requiring a minimum storage temperature of eggs along the entire food chain is needed to safeguard the public and the industry.

References 1. Graham et al https://journals.plos. org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal. pone.0191042.

2. OzFoodNet Annual Report https:// pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e485/e4b9df5fe72c51f55dbe9ef8ef746d69790a. pdf2004 3. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ Infectious/alerts/Pages/enteritidiseggs-2018.aspx 4. Cox J (1993), Ninth Australian poultry and Feed convention: Gold coast page 216-222.

5. http://esvc000111.wic055u.serverweb.com/images/PDF/2015%20Microbiological%20survey%20of%20Queensland%20egg%20farms.pdf.

6. Thomas et al (2006) Appendices https://www.australianeggs.org.au/

Don’t

what-we-do/leading-research/an-eggsalmonella-quantitative-risk-assessment-model/pdfexport 7. NSW Food Authority Microbiological Survey of Egg Farms in NSW (2013) http://www.foodauthority.nsw.gov. au/_Documents/scienceandtechnical/ egg_bas eline_micro_survey.pdf 8. https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Animalhealth-in-Australia-2013.pdf.

9. https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ wp-content/uploads/AHIA-Document_ digital_FA.pdf. https://animalhealthaustralia.com.au/download/14631/.

10. Dewaele et al (2012) https:// academic.oup.com/ps/article/91/11/2727/1547742) 11. Holt et al (2007) https://aem.asm. org/content/73/19/6030 12. Wang et al (2011) Journal of Food Protection, Vol. 74, No. 6, 2011, Pages 1012–1016 doi:10.4315/0362-028X. JFP-10-394 13. Sergeant et al (2003) Salmonella enteritidis surveillance and response options for the Australian egg industry.

RIRDC Publication No 03/006 RIRDC Project No AUV-1A. 14. FSANZ (May 2011) http://www.

foodstandards.gov.au/code/primaryproduction/egg/pages/inmay2011anewspapera5170.aspx 15. The Productivity Commission (2009) https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/regulation-benchmarking-foodsafety/report/food-safety-report.pdf 16. FSANZ (2009) http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/publications/documents/Eggs_healthandsafety.pdf 17. Egg Safety Is Important NSW Food Authority updated last 2012 18. Thomas et al (2006) An Egg: Salmonella Quantitative Risk Assessment Model for the Australian Egg Industry.

AECL Project SAR-42A. 19. Humphrey et al (1991) https:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC2271858/

If you would like to advertise i in Poultry Digest Magazine please call Peter Bedwell on 0419 235 266 or landline 02 9797 2406.

Email: primarymedia@bigpond.com Website: www.primarymedia.com.au

poultrydigest Serving the poultry industry in Australia and New Zealand

Send this completed form to: Poultry Digest, 250 Hawthorne Pde, Haberfield NSW 2045, Australia Please send me the next six issues of POULTRY DIGEST A$55.00 (inc GST) Australia or A$80.00 for overseas.

Two years is $99 for Australia and $160 for overseas.

Cheques are to be made payable to Primary Media in Australian $

to my: (please tick appropriate box) Please charge A$ Bankcard MasterCard VisaCard

Expiry date

Signature................................

(Please print all your details in BLOCK LETTERS)

NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ADDRESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P/CODE . . . . . . . . . . .

Don’t miss out on a single issue of Poultry Digest!

Fill out the coupon and send it in.

To view copies of the magazine on-line go to our website www.primarymedia. com.au and click on latest issues.

45

NEWS v CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 ventilation rates should be based on controlling moisture levers,” he advised “To remove 3.8 litres of water from a house under typical wintertime outside/ inside conditions requires an exchange of 555 cu m of air.

“A 48 inch fan will need to operate for approximately one minute to remove a gallon of water,” he said.

The Poultry Science department at Georgia State University has developed an app CHKMINVENT that can greatly assist growers in accurate calculations to use their ventilation systems to manage moisture in sheds.

Created by another poultry scientist well known to Australian growers, Mike Czarick, the app is free – requires iOS 7.0 or later, compatible with iPhone, IPad, and iPod touch.

Dr Fairchild’s recommendations on ventilating pousltry housing to minimise adverse bird health issue were firstly that minimum ventilation rates should be based on moisture control and to estimate minimal vent rates from water consumption levels.

“Then monitor house relative humidity and especially at night, “ he said.

“Maximise house tightness, make use of an effective circulation fan system and pay attention to drinker management.

“Monitor bird distribution, attic inleta and do not use evaporative cooling until the outside temperatures exceed 27 degrees C.” The final speaker was John Kirkpatrick, the Agricultural Manager for poultry and eggs in Asia, South America, and European Tesco supermarkets PLC. His responsibilities include thousands of poultry farms rearing chicken, turkey, duck, geese and producing eggs as well as associated hatcheries, processing facilities.

John is also a board member of the UK’s Red Tractor accreditation system (Poultry Meat) representing TESCO. “Tesco operates a global retail business with 440,00 colleagues, serving 7 million customers a week both in our 6800 stores and online.

“Our collective success is getting three key areas right, and they are that the food sector must be environmentally and economically sustainable.

“Our food offer should be resilient to rising costs and affordable for consumers as well as meet he societal challenge of improving the nation’s health.

“Amongst our current challenges

46

1

2

1. John Kirkpatrick, Agricultural Manager for poultry and eggs in Asia, South America and Europe, Tesco. 2. Dr Stephen Collett, 4FC Consulting LLC. is disease risk and our approach is centred on four priorities: the continuity of supply, not misleading customers, industry leadership, and being fair to our farmers.

“Ethical and environmental issues are now a factor in consumer buying decisions and the poultry industry in general must do more to ensure compliance,” John said.

“Food safety is non- negotiable and we have taken a target setting approach with suppliers now delivering.

“We need to ensure that we maintain and enhance standards wether they be animal welfare, food safety, ethical or environmental concerns and challenge those that do not comply as we need to engage in discussion. ”We measure performance and look for ways to improve both productivity and resilience.

“Food safety in non negotiable but data is the key. We need robust science, evidence and fact to allow us to support our suppliers and farming supply base, thus ultimately protecting the health of our customers.

“Antimicrobial resistance may become a significant food safety issue affecting future trade, however it offers

opportunities for analytical techniques that can validate that resistant organisms are not present in food products,” John said.

“Since 2011 Tesco has worked closely on a number of initiatives with poultry suppliers to improve the safety of fresh chicken for customers which include the development of biosecurity standards which are widely used across the industry and essentially treating farms as an extension of food production facilities.

“We funded the first farmer incentive program which rewards farmers who keep flocks free of campylobacter.

“We are working with producers to examine the impact of stocking densities on the incidence of the microorganism as well as funding the development of best practice guidelines on the handling of chickens during processing.

“In 2011 we introduced measures to minimise the incidence of contamination on the outside of packaging.

A key statement in John’s summary was, “the science on its own will not drive change at farm level, for this we need to inform, educate, engage and support throughout the chain,” he said.

CUTTING-EDGE DRY GOODS STORAGE FOR FEED MASH & PELLETS

LEADERS IN TODAY’S POULTRY GROWING INDUSTRY NEED EVERY BENEFIT AVAILABLE TO THEM TO GAIN AND RETAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE. From design of the farm and building of the sheds, silos and feed systems to feeding and processing the stock, intensive farming practices have the need for quality engineered products that are purpose built to deliver superior serviceability and fit the requirements of modern farm’s that are planning for now and the future.

THE EXTRAORDINARY DURABILITY AND RESILIENCE OF A ENMACH INDUSTRIES POLY SILO PLACES THE PRODUCT IN A MARKET AREA THAT IS SOLIDLY IN FRONT OF ANYTHING ELSE IN THE MARKET. The team at Enmach Industries have included in their range an innovative 60 Degree Cone Poly Silo that can be transported in kit form and easily assembled and installed on site in minimal time and with minimal fuss at any location in Australia.

For more information contact our sales team on 1800 502 267 or visit

POLYSILOS.COM

PA R T O F

ENMACH INDUSTRIES

Poultry in Motion WORLD LEADING COMMERCIAL EGG SOLUTIONS – NOW IN AUSTRALIA

> European quality construction > Cage free conversions > Aviaries for free range and cage free houses > Aviary pullet rearing systems > Total turn key project solutions available > Tailored finance available

WITH OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE – TECNO POULTRY EQUIPMENT IS A WORLD LEADER IN PROVIDING COMMERCIAL EGG SOLUTIONS. Generations of knowledge and experience go into the design and manufacture of Tecno Poultry equipment. Technical innovation, European materials and quality control ensure a high value product. This provides the farmer with the best tools and support to achieve good stock management, profitability and growth.

Tecno offers cutting-edge solutions for commercial egg farmers. Supporting the customer throughout the full production cycle. Utilising automated feeding, nesting, drinking, egg collection and environment controls.

To find out more contact Gordon Hunter. email: gordon.hunter@agcocorp.com tel: 0476 760 240 www.poultryequipment.com

GRAIN & PROTEIN