-
Nicols Poultry, Tasmanias biggest producer of broiler chicken
meat
poultrydigestAugust/September 2015www.primarymedia.com.auBroiler
rearing a logical choice for Tasmanian farmer Nathan Richardson
Print Post Approved PP243096/00007 ISSN 1444-8041
Volume 31, Number 1
Prestigious award for Professor Choct
-
Vaxsafe PM is a new product funded by the Australian Poultry
CRCfor the Australian poultry farmer to help control Fowl
Cholera.
This live vaccine oers signicant improvements in controlof
Pasteurella multocida (PM) over previous vaccines.Its broad
protection means it is the rst stop forPM control irrespective of
what PM you have.
Brought to you by Bioproperties to help prevent blood from
staining the wattle**Apologies to Henry Lawson
Phone (03) 9876 0567Fax (03) 9876 0556bioproperties.com.au
Vaxsafe PM
The new vaccine
for Fowl
Cholera
PDJuneJuly2012:PDFEBMAR09 24/07/12 6:55 PM Page 2
-
poultrydigestwww.primarymedia.com.auAugust/September 2015
EDITORIAL & DESIGN
Features
News
ADVERTISING
SUBSCRIPTIONS
ENQUIRIES
EDITOR:JOURNALIST/PHOTOGRAPHERPRODUCTION EDITOR
Peter BedwellMob: 0419 235 288Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
OFFICE ADDRESS:250 Hawthorne Pde, Haberfield NSW, 2045Ph: (02)
9797 2406Mob: 0419 235 288Production: 0409 944 472Email:
[email protected] [email protected]
Poultry Digest consists of a bi-monthly management magazine and
an annual industry review, Poultry Industry YearbookPublished 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.
AUSTRALIAOne Year - $55.00*NEW ZEALAND One Year - NZ$80OTHER
COUNTRIESOne Year: Airmail - $A90Please send payment in Australian
dollars.Send payment and full details to:250 Hawthorne Parade,
Haberfield NSW, 2045*Australian subscription rate includes GST
Peter BedwellAlex Bedwell
Rosemary Embery
3
for the .This
of
*
VaThe new v
Page 10: Broiler rearing a logical choice for Tasmanian farmer
Nathan Richardsonby Peter Bedwell
Page 4: Successful WVPA Congress in South Africa
Page 4: Prestigious award for Professor Choct
Page 6: Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2015
Page 26: Nicols Poultry, Tasmanias biggest producer of broiler
chicken meat
Page 28: Product display day for local growers in Sydneyby Alex
Bedwell
Page 38: Avian Influenza Risk Mitigation project
Volume 31, Number 1
Nathan and Janine Richardson.
New ProductsPage 34: Nucleotides in poultry nutritionPage 42:
Elanco Launches Hemicell HT at Sydney seminarPage 44: Auspac
introduces Aviator, a newly formulated feed ingredient from
Vi-Cor
-
NEWS
4
Successful WVPA Congress in South Africa
Prestigious award for Professor Choct
The XIXth World Veterinary Poultry Congress has been a great
success for both WVPA and its local South African branch, which
organised the event in Cape Town, South Africa according to the
organisers.
The event attracted some 1300 delegates from 70 or so countries
who attended presentations on all aspects of poultry disease and
its diagnosis, management and control.
The Congress was dedicated to the memory of the Associations
last President, Trevor Bagust, who died in office a year or so ago
and was officially opened by his widow, Joanne, by the symbolic
beating of an African drum.
The opening ceremony also featured the induction of a further 10
distinguished poultry veterinarians and poultry health scientists
into its Hall of Honour and the presentation of three awards.
These were the Bart Rispens Award
(supported by MSD Animal Health) which is awarded for the best
paper in the Associations journal, Avian Pathology, which went to
Australian Kylie A Hewson; the WVPA-Zoetis Young Poultry
Veterinarian Award that went to Malaysian Maximillian Sim Kwang
Hui, and the new award, the WVPA-Merial Innovation in Vaccination
Award, which went to the first recipient Siba K Samal from the
USA.
During the meeting a new president and two new vice presidents
were elected into office. The new president is British poultry
veterinarian, Nigel Horrox, and his vice presidents will be Nicolas
Eterradossi from France and Prof Aini Ideris from Malaysia.
WVPA is going from strength to strength with new branches from
India, Iraq, Kenya and Nigeria coming on board at this Congress and
three great meetings to look forward to in the near future, the
outlook looks good for our
Association, said Mr Horrox.Forthcoming events include
the Asian WVPA Meeting in Manila, Philippines in October 2016,
WVPAC2017 in Edinburgh, Scotland and WVPA2019 in Bangkok,
Thailand.
President of WVPA, Nigel Horrox.
One of the oldest prizes acknowledging outstanding achievements
in animal nutrition, the American Feed Industry Associations
Poultry Nutrition Award, was presented this year to Professor
Mingan Choct from the UNE and CEO of the Poultry CRC.
Mingan received the award at the 104th Poultry Science
Association meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, in July.
The Poultry Nutrition Research Award is sponsored by AFIA, in
partnership with the Poultry Science Association (PSA), and its
purpose is to recognise distinctive work demonstrating sound
research in poultry nutrition in the last 10 years.
It is an absolute honour and I am truly grateful that my peers
voted for me, said Mingan.
Richard Sellers of AFIA presented the award, saying
Congratulations! American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is
pleased to sponsor this award in our 68th year of recognising
outstanding nutrition research.
Your name is added to the list of prestigious researchers
selected by their peers for recognition.
Professor Mingan Choct has been
the CEO of the Poultry CRC since its inception in 2003.
Whilst running this highly successful national body, he has also
managed to publish, on average, eight journal articles per year and
supervised many students.
I love research and really enjoy interacting with my students
and colleagues to discuss new ideas. This award is for them as much
as it is for me, said Mingan.
The AFIA Poultry Nutrition Award adds to Mingans other
significant recognitions, including the Australian Poultry Award
(2004) and the British Society of Animal Productions Gordon Fraser
Memorial Medal (2008).
Choct earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Inner Mongolia
University in China, Master of Science degree at the University of
New South Wales in Australia and Doctor of Philosophy at the
University of Sydney in Australia.
Mingans main areas of interest include carbohydrate chemistry
and nutrition, feed enzymes, energy evaluation and nutrition x
disease interaction in poultry. CEO of Poultry CRC Mingan
Choct.
-
advert_AA_poultrydigest_A4_23.09.11.pdf 1 23/09/11 10:04 AM
Ph: (03) 5979 [email protected]
VictoriaAgriculturalAutomationPh: (03) 5979 1666
-
6NEWS
The prize package has been sweetened for winners of the annual
Alltech Young Scientist program.
Beginning in 2016, the worlds largest university-level
competition in agri-science will not only publicly honour the
overall champions for their scientific discoveries with trophies
and cash awards, but will offer fully-funded PhD and post-doctorate
positions to the global undergraduate and graduate winners.
The Alltech Young Scientist program has uncovered some of the
best and brightest emerging research talent in agri-science and
Alltech wants these leaders to join our team, said Dr Pearse Lyons,
President of Alltech.
The Alltech Young Scientist program, now in its 11th year,
received more than 8,800 student registrations for the 2015 term.
Registration is currently open for the 2016 competition and will
close on October 31, 2015.
Students must be nominated by a professor in order to
participate and may submit scientific papers on topics such as
animal health and nutrition, crop science, agriculture analytical
methods, food chain safety and traceability, human health and
nutrition and other agri-science related sectors. Paper submission
may be completed online until December 31, 2015.
Each students paper will first compete within their home region
of
Alltech Young Scientist program to include fully funded PhD and
post-doc positions
North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Europe or
Africa.
The finalists from all of the four regions will then be invited
to attend an all-expense-paid Alltech Young Scientist Discovery
Week in Lexington, Kentucky, USA where they will compete in the
global competition.
Each finalist will present his or her paper to a panel of
international judges and a live audience during ONE: The Alltech
Ideas Conference in May 2016.
For more information and to register for the Alltech Young
Scientist program, please visit: AlltechYoungScientist.com and stay
connected through Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/AlltechEducation).
Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition 2015Recent Advances in
Animal Nutrition 2015 will be held from October 26 to 28 at the
University of New England in Armidale and this years focus will be
Early Life Nutrition for Long Term Animal Productivity.
This biennial conference has run for more than 30 years and
highlights recent advances in animal nutrition with a special
emphasis on research conducted at UNE.
The Key Speaker for 2015 is Alan Bell who was Chief of CSIRO
Livestock Industries, Australia from 2007 until
his retirement in 2012. His topic will be Prenatal origins of
variation in postnatal growth, development and productivity of
ruminants.
Other speakers include Alex Chang (Aviagen) whos topic is Hen
nutrition drives chick quality and long term profit-ability. Also
Rob van Barneveld (Barn-eveld Nutrition), Joe McGrath (DSM), Kate
Jacques (Alltech) Frank Dunshea (University of Melbourne), Hugh
Dove (CSIRO), Paul Greenwood (NSW DPI), Mamduh Sifri (ADM Alliance
Nutrition), John Nolan (UNE), Phil Hynd (University
of Adelaide), Patricia Harris (Waltham), Sabine Schmoelzl
(CSIRO) and Hub Regtop (Agricure Pty Ltd).
Chairing the sessions will be Paul Iji, Nerida Richards, Mingan
Choct and Wayne Bryden. The meet and greet BBQ on the Monday night
and the Con-ference Dinner on the Tuesday night will be held at the
Mary White College.
For more information visit the web-site at www.ran.com.au or
contact Prof Bob Swick on (02) 6773 5126 or contact event manager
Florian Ruhnke on 0423 871 991 or email [email protected]
NZ vets set antibiotic goal for animalsBy 2030 New Zealand Inc
will not need antibiotics for the maintenance of animal health and
wellness, New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) President Dr
Steve Merchant said today.
Around 70% of human infectious diseases, including meningitis,
anthrax and salmonellosis (food poisoning) have come from
animals.
With sharply increasing levels of resistance to antibiotics
worldwide, we want animals and, by extension, humans to enter the
post-antibiotic era as safely as possible.
Dr Merchant said this is a significant undertaking, requiring
considerable teamwork and commitment from the veterinary
profession, working with the medical, scientific, government and
relevant primary industry sectors.
He described the prize as enormous for New Zealand Inc and the
world.
Given the wide acceptance that the future for antibiotics is
limited, and the close links between animals, humans and the
environment we share, achieving this goal is essential, Dr
Merchant said. New Zealand is well suited to this
challenge; given our size, proximity of the various specialities
and relevant industry sectors, and already low use of
antibiotics.
Achieving this goal will require a concerted international
collaborative effort involving attitudinal and behavioural change
across government, research, human health professionals,
pharmaceutical companies, and a range of associated industries as
well as the public.
-
Zoetis is a world leader in discovering, developing,
manufacturing and marketingveterinary medicines and vaccines as
well as complementary diagnostics, genetic tests,and services. We
work to help meet a global need: the growing demand for both
animalprotein and animal companionship. With our singular focus on
animal health, we strive tomake our products, services and people
the most valued by our veterinarian and livestockproducer customers
around the world. To see how we do it, visit us at
Zoetis.com.au
FORANIMALSFORHEALTHFORYOU
TPAH0176
ZOETIS LEADING INNOVATION IN ANIMAL HEALTH FOR OVER 75 YEARS
TPAH0176_PD_297x210_Chick_v02_FC.indd 1 11/06/2015 4:55 pm
-
10
Broiler rearing a logical choice for Tasmanian farmer Nathan
Richardson
By PETER BEDWELL
To complement the harvest season and the demands when mucking
out sheds, another Irish product, an 18 tonne, 22 cubic metre
Dooley Trailers tractor drawn tipper joined the fleet this June
which is hauled by one of their Fendt tractors.
It makes cleaning out a lot quicker and with auto tailgate and
braked axles it makes better economic sense than keeping another
truck in service, explained Nathan.
After four years of being involved with the local poultry
processor, it was a logical step to become a contract broiler
grower.
The first two sheds were the French Le Triangle product
originally intended for free range operation but subsequently
modified to conventional full indoor production. The novelty of the
Le Triangle sheds sourced through VDLs distributor was that they
combine tunnel ventilation with a conventional curtain
configuration.
This is a relatively novel concept in Australia for broiler
sheds, but suits our climate with cool winters and moderate
Interior of the Agrotop shed showing thermally efficient
curtain, infra-red tube heater and ceiling structure that helps
roof heat storage.
T hree generations of the Richardson family live on the
125-hectare farm at Thirlstane, near Latrobe in Tasmanias North
West region.
Nathan, his wife Janine and parents Rex and Janet, who grow
under contract for the local poultry processor, built their first
two broiler sheds in 2009 and in January 2014 completed two more
Agrotop sheds supplied by Technical Services Australia.
The family property known as Brookfield was acquired by Rex
back
in 1966 when it was a dairy farm and Rex expanded when a 20
hectare block next door became available and settled into a
cropping, dairy and livestock operation.
Sheep and beef cows were reared, poppies, potatoes and other
vegetables were supplied to the local processor along with barley
and wheat production.
The farm became involved with the local poultry industry through
first carting feed to the contract broiler farms and hatchery and
later on transporting live birds to the plant.
Today that feed, grain and livestock transporting business
thrives with the addition of a recently purchased Muldoon bulk
blower trailer that they imported from Northern Ireland.
It is a highly specked trailer for Australia and it really does
a fantastic job, especially with four sealed compartments and the
on-board weigh scales, Nathan said. This is towed by their Scania
prime mover that the business bought new in 2010.
New gear is the cheapest in the long run and more reliable, Rex
added. w
-
Ross 308 is Simply the Better Bird
The Ross 308 facts:
Leading FCR
Excellent Meat Yield
Low Cost Production
Choose the better bird.
www.Aviagen.com/Ross
Ross 308 Better Bird_Poultry Digest.indd 1 8/11/14 11:55
AMPoultry Digest Magazine 210mm X 297mm
w
-
v1. One of the new Agrotop sheds. 2. One of the Le Triangle
sheds. 3. Cleaning out the Agrotop shed concrete floors essential.
Hot air from the roof space saves on heating costs (5). 4. Pop
doors in the Le Triangle sheds are no longer used. 5. Roof mounted
gas heaters still needed for brooding and really cold days.
summers, Nathan explained.The original two sheds,
prefabricated 90m x 12m Le Triangle buildings housing 18,000
birds each, were the accepted broiler house in the area at the
time.
The combination of climatic conditions and predators were key
elements in deciding that free range wasnt really a sensible
option, Nathan said.
The Le Triangle sheds are fitted with VDL feeders and Lubing
drinkers and the climate control system is also VDL sourced. A hoop
shaped roof is lined with thick PVC blankets with insulation batts
behind which delivers excellent thermal efficiency in both winter
and summer, according to Nathan.
Concrete floors are essential in Tasmania and apart from keeping
warmth in the shed are much easier to clean out between
batches.
In 2013 we decided to build two more sheds and opted for the OEC
(now Technical Systems Australia) supplied, Israeli Agrotop sheds
which again feature a combination of curtain sides with full tunnel
ventilation capability.
The 100m x 12m sheds house 20,000 birds each and were completed
by January 2014.
When Poultry Digest viewed the new Agrotop sheds, one was at the
final stage of clean out at the end of a batch and the other was a
day before final pick up.
It was mid-morning on a day where the mercury had just staggered
above 10 degrees C. It might have been 11 or 12 outdoors but in the
shed with curtains down and doors open it was still warm, maybe
early 20s.
The roof space heats up to as much as 42 degrees C in winter,
when we often still get a good five hours or more of thermal heat
in the roof attic. That hot air combines with a well sealed shed
with curtains up and a solid concrete floor to provide most of the
heat we need to suit the birds, Nathan explained.
Insulation material sits on top of the ceilings in the shed
allowing the considerable attic space above to store heat.
Attic vents are linked to the Rotem climate control system so
that heat can be released in summer or stored in winter. Obviously,
roof mounted gas tube heaters are needed for brooding and for
really cold days but the sun seems to do most of the job.
Similarly, despite the size and bird capacity of the Agrotop
sheds, only three main 50 inch TSA supplied Euro fans combined with
stirrer fans and PTN mini vents are needed to provide adequate
ventilation and cooling during
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 w
12
1
2
3
4 5
-
LEADING SUPPLIERS OF CAGE FREE POULTRY EQUIPMENT
www.potterspoultry.com
Long life, strong and stable Flexible design - maximises
stocking density
For further information please contact:Richard Beevis,Regional
Business Development Manager+44 7717
[email protected]
MULTI-TIER AVIARYFOR FREE RANGE AND BARN SYSTEMS
NESTING SYSTEMSFOR BREEDERS AND LAYERS
SLATS SINGLE AND TWO TIER NESTSFOR LAYERS
Rack & Pinion lifting floor with original AstroturfProbably
the strongest and most stable available
Potters PoultryLeigh Road, Swift ValleyRugby, Warwickshire CV21
1DSUnited Kingdomwww.potterspoultry.com
-
NEWSsummer.
The ability to drop the curtain walls delivers a simple and
effective climate control function.
Just as the curtains can be lowered in warmer conditions,
obviously they are flexible but they are manufactured to deliver
high levels of insulation for the cooler periods as well.
The design delivers excellent levels of thermal efficiency and
absolutely suit the Tasmanian climate, Nathan pointed out.
Just like any modern tunnel ventilated design, the Agrotop sheds
are computer controlled in this case Rotem Junior units augmented
with a back to base reporting system.
Other TSA supplied items are the EZE Feed pans, Plasson drinkers
and multiple use TSA winches and gearboxes.
Martin Simmons, who heads up TSA, emphasises that the Agrotop
shed design was never meant to be one size fits all.
We can tailor the shed design to suit specific conditions, he
said.
In Nathans situation, that is a cool climate with potentially
damp winters with specific ventilation solutions, possible with the
Agrotop design, can greatly assist in keeping litter quality to
optimal levels as well as maintaining suitable growing temperatures
for the birds, Martin said.
As with other broiler chicken growers in Tasmania, Nathans sheds
all comply with RSPCA broiler protocols.
Nathans thoughts on the adoption of RSPCA protocols are,
probably like many other broiler growers around Australia, mixed
and questionable.
We hope to see the benefits of adopting the RSPCA protocols.
That it makes the chicken we produce more marketable to consumers
and retailers is very important.
Certainly on our farm we have worked hard to satisfy standards
but sometimes in the process, the actual grass roots growers who
have invested their own or borrowed a lot of money to be in the
industry have been left out of the loop in the rush to satisfy
consumer demand and to appease the animal welfare movement.
At the end of the day its a relief to have the tick of approval
at audit time but it does add to stress levels. We are professional
operators, with or without the scheme, why wouldnt we want to look
after our animals? Nathan stated.
After six years progressively expanding its broiler operations,
the
Richardson family is content with its level of investment and is
looking forward to utilising the varied revenue streams to reduce
debt, according to Nathan.
After a spell accompanying Rex as he moved 12 tonnes of freshly
shifted shed litter onto paddocks soon to be used for potato
cultivation, we talked about the huge potential for agriculture in
Tasmania.
The state has a strong agricultural economy reasonably well
supported by its political class and a farmer friendly population.
Transport presents some difficulties, but basically the future for
farmers here is bright, Nathan believes.
We have a reliable climate, a trained workforce and plentiful
water, thanks to many irrigation schemes being developed in key
areas of the state and fertile available land.
Tasmania plans to double its agricultural output by 2050 and
achieve
Top: Fendt tractor and Dooley 18 tonne trailer moves valuable
shed waste to fertilise potoato crops. Above: It all started by
carting feed and the business still thrives with the new Muldoon
bulk blower trailer.
w
this in a sensible and sustainable manner. The natural beauty of
the place, combined with its quality food and wine output is a real
draw card for 21st Century tourists and the numbers of visitors
from both overseas and other states in Tasmania grows year on
year.
In 1996, Right to Farm legislation gave farmers and would-be
investors in Tasmanian agriculture certainty that they will be
allowed to conduct their activities to existing approval
protocols.
The residential creep that threatens farming activity on all
levels in some mainland areas is thus less of a problem for
Tasmanian farmers.
The state has more potential as a quality food source for both
Australia and overseas, Nathan said.
The potential offered by the growing wealth of Chinas middle
class and other Asian countries to the north of Australia is not
lost on Tasmanias innovative farmers.
v CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
16
-
Highly effective againstAvian Influenza including H7
-
18
Top: Nathans wife Janine with father-in-law Rex. Janine left her
job in Hobart to work full time on the farm. Above: Nathan reports
to the local Rotary club about his visit to China and its farming
methods.
NEWSThe Richardson familys experience
in not only intensive livestock rearing but cropping and
transport activity, has been a key element in encouraging Nathan to
get involved with farmer based organisations.
He is a member of the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers
Association, and is Chairman of the TFGA Vegetable Council.
In the latter capacity he recently attended the 9th World Potato
Congress in Beijing.
Potatoes in Tasmania are a key contributor to a $250 million
vegetable industry that employs thousands of farmers and
workers.
On the evening of our visit Nathan had been invited to speak at
a Rotary Club function in Latrobe on his experiences in China when
attending the congress event.
Apart from some interesting experiences in coping with street
life in Shanghai, Nathan reported on some fairly confronting (from
an environmental point of view) methods used in China to maximise
potato crop production.
He met the current Chinese Minister for Agriculture who, he
stated, has a thorough awareness of the value of maintaining
environmental integrity in food production.
Everything you hear about China is interesting in some way, the
country is so diverse, he concluded.
The key to successful farming around the world, including
Australia is that of the family farm.
Rex, the key-founding member of the Richardson farming
enterprise, mentions Nathans hard working wife Janine and mother to
the next generation, Bianca and Hayden.
Janine, a former employee of the Department of Justice in
Hobart, has now joined them working on the farm at Thirlstane full
time.
Just before we depart from the farm Poultry Digest notices an
old Allis Chalmers tractor at the back of the machinery shed.
Ive had it since 1952, its a WD 45 petrol/kerosene model and it
still goes, said Rex.
Tractor technology has come a long way since this old girl.
The Fendt tractor now working on the farm shifting trailer loads
of used broiler bedding onto paddocks certainly bears that out.
The Richardson family farming enterprise, with its multiple
income streams and activities, is an interesting contrast to the
majority of mainland Australian broiler farms which as
contract growers, rely purely on rearing chickens.
Similarly, the Agrotop sheds that were designed in this manner
to suit the cooler climate are still technologically advanced and
in the case of the Richardsons sheds, energy sparing.
As the nature and indeed localities of broiler rearing in
Australia evolves, these sheds, with their combination of both
traditional and advanced technologies, would be suitable for use in
other cool climate regions as well as other warmer and drier
regions.
Poultry Digest thanks the Richardson family for their time and
willingness to discuss their proven, ever changing business model.
Our thanks also go to the Latrobe Rotarians for
their hospitality and fellowship. A final mention relating to
the tourist potential of Tasmania, and in particular the North West
region.
Poultry Digest stayed at the Lucinda Bed & Breakfast, a
magnificently restored 1890 mansion with four acres of fabulous
English style gardens, located within walking distance of
Latrobe.
In early September the gardens were in full bloom with
snowdrops, daffodils and many other flowers and blossoms.
If you like the BBC/ABC Antiques Road Show you will be in
seventh heaven at Lucinda. Go to www.lucindabedandbreakfast.com
talk to Fiona, the owner.
v
-
20
In the February/March 2014 issue of Poultry Digest we ran a
story on Jeff and Yvonne Whytes property at Fiddletown on Sydneys
northern outskirts Cordina grower uses new products for litter
re-use and odour management was the title and in case you missed it
follow this link for the digital version. Go to
http://issuu.com/primarymedia/docs/pdfebmarchlores2
After many years of developing and working on the farm, Yvonne
and Jeff have decided to sell and spend more time at their
weekender on the nearby Central Coast.
When Poultry Digest first visited the farm in early 2014 we left
with a feeling of severe farm envy.
The location, just an hours drive from either the CBD of Sydney
(why would you go there?) or the fabulous beaches of the NSW
Central Coast, make the five shed 88,000 bird capacity property
(RSPCA Broiler code) not only a great business proposition but an
even better lifestyle choice.
We were not the only ones who thought the eye candy aspect of
the farm was irresistible. The farm was used as a location for the
Coles RSPCA Chicken Tastes Better advertisement.
Since Poultry Digest first visited there have been a number of
small but critical improvements made to both the sheds and farm
property overall.
Gutters on the shed roofs feed the dam at the front of the
property and then a micro water filter unit feeds that water, which
requires no further treatment, to the poultry sheds. The area has
no access to mains water so the property has two big water tanks
for the house and there are three dams and a bore, all with water
treatment.
The conventional curtain sided sheds are all in good condition
with the front shed only recently re-built.
The new security fence and gate is very impressive but on the
topic of security, though the area gets a fair bit of tourist
traffic, the Whyte farm is located in a dead end road and so is in
a very quiet spot.
When Poultry Digest first visited in 2014 the major purpose was
to see the Priefert Litter Saver in action. Jeff re-uses litter and
by carefully managing the sheds, keeps the bedding dry while
adhering to the RSPCA Broiler Code litter requirements.
NEWSLong time Cordina contract growers Jeff and Yvonne Whyte
call it a day
The fact that he has, through experience (and no doubt hard
work), been able to reduce the clean out periods, it is now
feasible to grow six batches in a year a capability that
contributes significantly to the income stream of the
operation.
The sheds are ideal for RSPCA broiler code management for which
they are currently accredited, and now that the RSPCA Broiler Code
has settled into the retail landscape, this adds to the appeal of
the property as a long term business enterprise.
While the older style curtain sided sheds take a little more
management than more modern fully tunnel ventilated housing, they
are much less energy hungry.
In a period where energy costs are in an ever increasing upward
spiral, sheds like the RSPCA broiler code units on the Whyte farm
could be viewed as an asset in future battles to manage on farm
costs. In fact with use of the latest solar PV technology, the farm
could easily be energy independent.
In an industry dominated by two major players, Cordina is a
stand out smaller integrator, which issues the supply contract to
the Whyte farm. Cordina is a thriving family owned and operated
enterprise, with a long and successful history.
The company recently completed a $10 million food processing
facility at Wyong that markets pre-cooked meat products, including
RSPCA code
1. The farm is in an idylic location and comes complete with a
spacious farm house. 2. The poultry sheds are ideal for the RSPCA
broiler code mangement. 3. Jeff Whyte has enjoyed the
lifestyle.
2
1
3
w
-
22
NEWSchicken, through a long term contract with Coles. Alex
Bedwell recently reported on the growing Cordina family enterprise.
Go to
www.cordina.com.au/tiny_mce/plugins/filemanager/files/Cordina_NewsRelease.pdf
Jeff explained that a contract of up to 10 years is available
with Cordina who he states are great people to work with.
One of the key aspects of the Whyte farm is that it offers not
only a secure income and investment but also a fabulous
lifestyle.
We have loved living here and developing the property but its
time to move on, Yvonne said.
If there was a list of top spots entitled Secret Sydney the
region around Fiddletown could contribute plenty to that list.
The Whyte farm is a few minutes drive to Berowra where an arm of
the Hawkesbury River System leads into the fabulous Pittwater area.
From the marina at Berowra to the beaches of Pittwater and Palm
beach is a short but spectacular boat ride.
Also at Berowra there is a railway station on the main Newcastle
Sydney line, but if you really want to travel in style, Bewowra
Waters is served by two companies operating six seat Otter
seaplanes whose main business is taking lucky diners to the world
famous Berowra Waters Inn a long established gourmet paradise.
Apart from broiler, layer and even quail farms in the Fiddletown
area, there are plant nurseries and a variety of high value
cropping and fruit growing activities.
All the joys of big city living like supermarkets are a short
drive away in Dural and other key North Western outer Sydney
suburbs.
Jeff points out that their local council Hornsby is very farmer
friendly and actively encourages farmers which they recognise bring
valuable economic and social benefits to the population mix in an
area experiencing rapid residential development in some
locations.
Specific details of the farm are that it is located in the local
government area of Hornsby and the Parish of Berowra.
The address is 7 Peebles Road, Fiddletown, NSW 2159 (deposited
plan 614276). Land size is 3.237 hectares and the modern house has
three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen/butlers pantry, lounge (with
fireplace) a spacious veranda and nearby carport.The house size is
321 square metres.
The property boundary line is fenced on two sides and with a
substantial and new front boundary fence and gate. To the rear of
the property is virgin bush and features views to the Blue
Mountains.
The five broiler sheds are (1) 82.8m x 15m, (2) 90m x12m, (3)
75.6 x 13m, (4) 90m x15m and (5) 86.4m x 13.5m. There is a 25.2m x
12m workshop and staff amenities shed.
The property offers a great opportunity for an owner operator
who wants a good income along with a great lifestyle for themselves
and their family.
There are at least four good schools in the area including the
well regarded Northholme Grammar which is within walking distance
of the Whyte farm.
For a potential investor the size and capacity of the farm
offers the opportunity to finance a manager as well as producing a
good return on capital, plus a safe prospect of capital gain in an
area of desirability and expansion within commuter distance to
Sydney.
Yvonne mentions various aspects of the areas rich history access
to the region via the extensive Hawkesbury/Nepean river system
meant that settlers from the earliest days in the late 18th Century
started farming the area.
Top: The farm is equipped with three dams and a bore. Above: The
Whyte farm is only a few minutes from Berowra Waters.
v
Fiddletowns Fiddlers were Fred Henstock, Horace Henstock and
William Small each of whom took up a land selection in the area in
the late 19th Century.
A selection was an area of Crown Land obtained from the Lands
Department at low cost, to be developed into a viable farm, Yvonne
explained.
One of the conditions of holding a selection was that it be
lived on for a minimum period of 24 hours each week.
Thus at weekends these three young men abided by this
requirement and to while away the evenings they each purchased a
violin.
Chris Wellings, an accomplished violin teacher, who lived at
nearby Galston, taught them the art of playing their violins and
that is why the area became known as Fiddletown, Yvonne
revealed.
The farm owned by Jeff and Yvonne Whyte and now for sale offers
a unique opportunity, not only for a secure and happy lifestyle ,
but also to continue in a farming tradition that has been part of
Australias earliest history since European settlement.
Once again Poultry Digest departed the Whytes Fiddletown
enterprise with a severe case of farm envy.
-
DOL 539 Free-Range Climate and Production Computer
Large graphic touch screen - navigation via icons on the screen
Special free-range functions
Automatic change between free-range ventilation and normal
ventilation CO2 control, also in free-range mode Basic and broiler
production facilities
Pop-holes to be opened automatically or manually (sensor on
doors if manually) Automatic ventilation turned off in free-range
mode Automatic change of alarm for high/low temperature
CO2 ventilation active in free-range mode (will start
ventilation if CO2 is too high) Pressure alarm
Fans only operate if needed (too high temperature or too high
CO2) When pop-hole door closes, the program changes back to Normal
ventilation
All the required functions for ensuring optimum production under
any climatic conditions.
Features
SKOV Free-Range Ventilation
FarmMark Pty Ltd Livestock Solutions 2/67 Colebard St West,
ACACIA RIDGE QLD 4110Freecall: 1800 500 223 Phone: 07 3274 6372
Fax: 07 3274 2372
Email: [email protected] Website: www.farmmark.com.au
-
26
NEWS
Nicols Poultry, Tasmanias biggest producer of broiler chicken
meatNathan Richardson suggested that Poultry Digest should talk to
Nichols Poultry, their integrator which produces about 75% of
Tasmanias broiler chicken meat.
Were glad we did as its an interesting operation with great
potential and significant brand awareness in its home state.
The family owned company, located at Sassafras near Davenport,
is run by Rob Nichols and his brother Andrew.
The Nichols family emigrated to Tasmania from Leicester in the
UK in 1982. They were egg producers there but the impending
construction of a coal mine in their locality resulted in the move
to Australia.
Originally the family resumed layer farming with a small 1000
hen free range operation.
It wasnt really a big enough farm to be economically sustainable
and we dabbled with turkeys for a while before settling on broiler
production which we concentrate on today, Rob said.
We picked environmental integrity as a critical factor in brand
awareness and though chicken meat is a commodity in most of
Australia, in Tasmania, out of 20 popular brands we are number
three in brand awareness amongst consumers.
Rob, a Nuffield Scholar in 2011 whose subject for study was
renewable energy, has developed the company to fit in with the
Tasmanian enthusiasm for sustainable and environmentally sound
agriculture.
Renewable energy considerations are particularly important to
the poultry industry which can be energy hungry, Rob stated.
The Nichols processing plant at Sassafras is not hard to find as
there is a large wind generator mounted in front of the
facility.
We installed the Vestas V27 wind turbine in 2008 to augment our
power needs and reduce carbon footprint through the use of our
plentiful wind energy.
We predicted that this initiative would result in the reduction
of energy costs by around 50% with the project becoming self
sufficient within five years.
However with the ever increasing
costs of power from the grid we have exceeded our expectations,
Rob said.
We are investigating the use of waste products to produce
bio-fuels and even alternative fuels for poultry housing
heating.
At the processing plant we use the European air chilled
processing technology rather than the typical US water chill method
utilised in the majority of Australian chicken meat processing
today.
As you have seen with the Richardson broiler farm, shed waste is
returned after composting to farm paddocks thus reducing the need
for costly fertilisers.
A proportion of our revenue is returned to our contract growers
as a sustainability payment to enable them to undertake and
maintain further sustainable farming practices such as planting
trees for windbreaks, fencing off waterways and setting aside land
for conservation, Rob said.
Our operations are fully integrated: we own and operate new
hatcheries and a breeding farm.
All our feed raw materials are sourced locally and we have a
feed mill. All this gives us the ability to set our own pace for
expansion, Rob explained.
Our sustainability drive has been noticed by consumers and we
believe that along with the quality of our birds, this helps to set
us apart in an industry that has become used to just supplying a
commodity
We are an approved Coles supplier and believe that our efforts
toward sustainable production add value not only to our product,
but also to our retailers ability to sell it to
environmentally conscious consumers, which most Tasmanians
certainly are, Rob said.
We began broiler production in 1988, now 17 years on we have
grown to an enterprise that produces more than 50,000 units a
week.
Our history has been to double our market every few years.
Almost all our production is sold in Tasmania and our goal is to
continue increasing that local market share as more than 20% of
broiler chicken meat arrives here from interstate.
Nichols is an interesting enterprise and has created for itself
a genuinely valuable point of difference in seeking to consider
sustainability, environmental integrity and the use of modern
renewable energy technology in its production processes.
Poll after poll indicates that despite what our current
government thinks, consumers in Australia are concerned about
sustainability and like the idea of using renewable energy in their
lives and purchases.
In this they follow a European trend that has moved away from
anthropomorphic considerations over free range to concerns about
the cost to the environment in protein production.
In Tasmania, often considered by smug mainlanders as being a
little backward, the attitudes of their population is in fact in
the lead when it comes to how we produce our food and how that
production can be maintained.
Certainly when it comes to agriculture Tasmanians embrace new
technology and the benefits that it can deliver to both the pocket
and environment.
Rob Nicols (left) and his wind generator (above).
-
Call for a quote: Etienne Misfud on Mob: 0428 481 811 or 0417
481 811 Office: (02) 4774 8764
Fax: (02) 4774 8415 Email: [email protected]
R & E SHEDSBuilt to Last
Over 20 years experience in building poultry and machinery sheds
All styles of sheds conventional, free range and tunnel sheds Well
known reputation for fast and efficient erection time without
compromising good quality workmanship As the owner of R&E
Sheds, Etienne Misfud oversees the whole job fromstart to
finish
Repairs, extensions, insurance work to any existing sheds All
sheds can be customised to suit any clients needs All structural
steel work manufactured at R&E Sheds, so no delays on
completion of the project
No project too small or large We travel to all areas of
Australia and New Zealand Fully licenced to build interstate or
overseas
R & E SHEDS
Call for a quote: Etienne Mifsud on Mob: 0428 481 811or 0417 481
811 Office: (02) 4774 8764
Fax: (02) 4774 8415 Email: [email protected]
R & E SHEDSR & E SHEDSBuilt to Last
Over 20 years experience in building poultry and machinery sheds
All styles of sheds conventional, free range and tunnel sheds Well
known reputation for fast and efficient erection time
withoutcompromising good quality workmanship
As the owner of R&E Sheds, Etienne Mifsud oversees the whole
job fromstart to finish
Repairs, extensions, insurance work to any existing sheds All
sheds can be customised to suit any clients needs All structural
steel work manufactured at R&E Sheds, so no delays oncompletion
of the project
No project too small or large We travel to all areas of
Australia and New Zealand Fully licenced to build interstate and
overseas
Project5:R&E Shedsfinal 25/03/14 2:26 PM Page 1
-
Product display day for local growers in Sydney
On August 5, Poultry Digest attended the ebm-papst AgriCool
product launch BBQ held at Joe and Sue Vellas property at Werombi,
in south west Sydney. Joe and Sues company, Protective
Fabrications, is the distributor for ebm-papst fans and a major
retailer of Grifco winches in NSW.
The objective of the day was to provide local growers with the
opportunity to see and hear about new market leading products.
There were presentations by Kunal Pental, Sales Manager for NSW
from ebm-papst, Adrian Nix of Chamberlain (Grifco) and John Strong
from Future Energy Solutions.
There was a welcome presentation from Joe and Sue Vella whose
company has been trading in the agricultural industry for more than
25 years with a range of services and products that are expanding
rapidly.
Joe then introduced Kunal Pental from ebm-papst to talk about
the AgriCool product range and how this new type of ventilation
system can help reduce power usage in broiler sheds and at the same
time improve bird comfort.
Demonstration of the AgriCool shed ventilation system
The AgriCool shed ventilation system has been specifically
developed for the Australian poultry market, Kunal said.
It can achieve power savings of up to 80% and therefore
significantly reduce the total running costs of the broiler
sheds.
AgriCool fans provide effective growing conditions for the birds
through a stable temperature profile and even airflow through the
shed.
Kunal then spoke about the advantages of ebms direct drive
motors and the advantages they have over belt-
driven fans. Because it is direct-drive you dont
have the energy loss you see through belt driven fans that over
time can slip, he explained.
This means that we are able to achieve average energy savings of
70% and more per shed, just by using our 1250mm EC tunnel fans.
Also because the airflow is adjusted constantly and steplessly,
the controls system is able to react immediately and accurately to
the ever-changing conditions in the shed.
Kunal then demonstrated the AgriCool Stirring Fan (ASF) and its
in-built variable speed control.
The fan has a throw speed setting manually available to match
fan performance to ensure good mixing of air throughout the shed,
he said.
Kunal also showed the fans soft start feature that all AgriCool
fans have,
to not startle birds. The performance data on the fan shows its
efficiency and performance with up to 37 CFM/W and a max air volume
of 5,500 CFM.
Kunal also spoke about the fans reliability. Aside from being
maintenance-free (no belts) the ASF also has remote access and
monitoring, backup-function (if connection is lost), alarm outputs
and is protected against harsh poultry environments.
Grifcos winches and gearboxesAdrian Nix from Grifco
(Chamberlain
Group) then displayed his companys winches and gearboxes.
Adrian started off by speaking about the history of Grifco and
how it is part of the worlds largest manufacturer of automatic
garage door openers, the Chamberlain Group.
It is also Australias largest manufacturer of specialist
winch
NEWS
28
Top: Introduction by Joe Vella from Protective Fabrications.
Above: Kunal Pental, Sales Manager NSW from ebm-papst talked about
the AgriCool products.
By ALEX BEDWELL
w
-
AU
/NA
EV
/101
4/00
02 MSD Animal Health91-105 Harpin Street, Bendigo East VIC 3550
Free Call: 1800 033 461www.msd-animal-health.com.au
For product enquiries contact Robin Anderson Mobile: 0424 197
640 Email: [email protected]
For orders contact Customer Service Free Call: 1800 033 461 Free
Fax: 1800 817 414 Email: [email protected]
THE SCIENCE OF HEALTHIER ANIMALS
Nobilis AEVVaccine
Live vaccine for protection against Avian Encephalomyelitis
Virus in chickens.
RR
A/M
SD
1614
6
-
30
NEWS
systems and commercial door openers. All Grifco winches are
manufactured
and designed in Australia with the local market in mind.
On display were two of Grifcos newest winches and gearboxes
certified to the Australian Standard.
Grifco offers the market choice for reliable, high quality
winches that meet the specific needs of Australian farmers, Adrian
said.
The robust worm reduction gearboxes are designed to reduce
rotation speed, making them more reliable and the winches offer a
manual over-ride function in order to manually manage operations
during power outages.
Grifcos drum winches can be applied to tunnel inlet curtain
openings, single drinker lines, ventilation openings, side curtains
and other general applications.
John Strong from Future Energy Solutions (FES) then spoke about
the companys new turnkey efficient lighting scheme.
Future Energy Solutions (FES) is a European Energy Fund focused
on delivering scaled re-lamping solutions, working with major asset
owners and occupiers.
John said FES offers tailored funding/ energy solutions for a
growing farm consisting of eight sheds.
This initiative aims to improve lighting standards to meet
current RSPCA regulations, plus it is adjustable to meet all
standards, address wiring and containment issues, make the
environment more energy efficient, reduce CO2 emissions and
dramatically cut lighting maintenance while bringing significant
financial savings to the farm management, said John.
FES can now offer a turnkey efficient lighting scheme for the
whole site which will generate energy savings
Top left: AgriCool Tunnel Fan on display. Top: Adrian Nix from
Chamberlain (Grifco). Above: John Strong from Future Energy
Solutions with Roy Edwards, Operations Director for Fututre Energy
Solutions
of more than 70% based on tier 1 manufacturer sourced best of
breed LED products.
FES recently installed its lighting scheme in Joe Vellas farm to
demonstrate the companys ability to offer a turnkey lighting system
for Australia.
FES offers a zero Capex Supply of Services over seven years
which is fully inclusive of parts/labour maintenance and an
optional maintenance agreement for the remaining three years of the
10
To advertise in Poultry Digest contact Pete Bedwell on 02 9797
2406 or
0419 235 288. Please note our address is now
250 Hawthorne Parade, Haberfield NSW 2045Email:
[email protected]
year business case, allowing the farm managers to have the
entire 10 year savings case underwritten by FES.
The day finished with off with a BBQ and provided the
opportunity for the local growers of NSW to discuss the products
and services in greater detail with the company representatives.
The growers greatly appreciated the fact that Joe and Sue Vella had
hosted the ebm-papst product launch which gave them first-hand
experience of the new product.
v
-
Munters Pty Ltd. Unit 2, 148 James Ruse Drive, Parramatta, NSW
2150, Australia.Phone: (02) 8843 1594/ Fax: (02) 8843 1570 e-mail:
[email protected] / munters.com.au
Do you remember how your house used to perform in the first
months after commissioning?Is your energy bill getting higher and
you dont know why?
Old cooling pads or cooling pads with a high pressure-drop hurt
your profits because of higher amounts of consumed electrical
energy.
As a cooling pad gets old, it becomes scaled with calcium salt
deposits and algae. This deposit blocks the air-flow and makes the
exhaust fans work extra hard.
When new, the typical pressure drop across the pad is 20Pa, when
old it is normally over 45Pa.
This extra increase in pressure drop means:
25% less air exhausted, so fan need to work longer to compensate
for this less air exhaust.
42% decrease in m/Wh efficiency, which translates to an extra
72% electrical running cost per annum.
In most cases this would mean that an installation of new
cooling pads would pay for itself in energy savings alone in 3.5
years.
Contact your distributor for special spring campaign
discounts
Campaign ends 31, October 2015.
OLD cooling pad NEW CELdek
-
32
NEWSScientists keeping an eye on avian influenza in wild
Australian birdsScientists are keeping a close watch on avian
influenza viruses, which are naturally present in wild Australian
birds but rarely cause disease, given the potential for some
strains to mutate and spread into domestic poultry.
Avian influenza virus surveillance was increased in 2005 by the
Australian Government and Australias States and Territories in
response to the global emergence of the highly pathogenic H5N1
strain of virus.
Since then, over 80,000 samples have been collected from
migratory shorebirds and nomadic waterfowl species from across the
country, yielding important information on these potentially
troublesome viruses.
Dr Tiggy Grillo from Wildlife Health Australia gave an update on
the wild bird avian influenza surveillance program at the
International Conference of the Wildlife Disease Association, held
on the Sunshine Coast from July 26-30.
She said the surveillance program ensures strains circulating in
Australia can be detected rapidly and helps pinpoint periods of
higher risk of transmission to poultry.
It is important to keep testing so we can keep track of subtle
changes in the viruses as they happen and ensure that our
diagnostic tests work well. We want to be sure that the tests used
in Australia can detect overseas virus strains as well as
Australian strains. There have been few outbreaks of avian
influenza in Australian poultry and diagnostic tests utilised in
Australian laboratories rely on wild bird samples to monitor the
changes in these strains over time, she said.
Dr Grillo said though avian influenza viruses circulate in
Australian wild bird populations, the program has never detected
highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in wild birds.
Wild waterfowl such as ducks, geese and swans are natural
carriers of these viruses. Testing has found that a small
proportion of these birds carry the low pathogenic viruses,
including some of the H5 and H7 subtypes, which can change to
become more lethal to poultry.
Australias geographic isolation and unique climate, means that
the patterns of circulation and genetics of avian influenza viruses
amongst birds
are different to other countries. For example, avian influenza
virus tends to be detected more often in wild ducks after periods
of high rainfall followed by drought.
A better understanding of these patterns can help determine when
there are periods of high risk for poultry farms, said Dr
Grillo.
She said Australia has experienced only seven highly pathogenic
avian influenza incidents in poultry in the past 39 years, all
caused by the H7 subtype.
However, the increasing move towards free-range and open
enclosures in Australias poultry industries means that the
likelihood of contact between wild bird viruses and poultry will
increase. Having good biosecurity practises in place and a
knowledge of circulating viruses becomes even more important
for
1. A chestnut teal, one of the species sampled in the national
avian influenza surveillance program. 2. A pacific black duck, one
of the species sampled in the national avian influenza surveillance
program.
1
2
managing risks to the industry.Dr Grillo said avian influenza in
birds
very rarely causes disease in humans.We are always on the
lookout for
strains of avian influenza that have caused human infections
overseas, and so far we havent found any, she said.
Avian influenza has been in the news lately, as outbreaks of the
disease in the United States earlier this year have affected 150
poultry farms and led to the deaths of over 48 million birds.
The Australian surveillance program is coordinated by Wildlife
Health Australia with national funding provided by the Australian
Department of Agriculture and in-kind contributions from a large
number of collaborators including Commonwealth, State and Territory
government agencies, non-government organisations, industry, and
university researchers.
-
* Shed Wash Service* Spray Sanitise & Fumigation
* Beetle Spray Service* Water Sanitisation
(Chlorine Dioxide/Chlorine)* Brood Paper Supplies
* Feed Caddy * Litter Management* Litter Amendment * Odor
Control
* pH Correction * Chemical Supplies* Ammonia Meters &
Testing Equipment
* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) * Drum Pumps
Office: 4942 3334 | Lisa: 0427 886 866 |
www.prowashpoultry.com.au
BATCH TO BATCH POULTRY SPECIALISTS
012
221
012221 Prowash Full Page Ad 02.indd 1 15/12/2014 12:05:42 PM
The most affordable litter management device on the market!
THE LITTER SAVER
PULVERIZES
AERATES
DRIES
LEVELSPerfect for Eliminating any caked & wet litter
Multi-Batch Litter use Wet Shavings and Bedding Materials RSPCA
Approved Farming Scheme
5 Pulverizes hard caked litter and allows moisture to evaporate
5 Will ride under litter without digging into the pad 5 Leaves a
smooth, soft, well aerated surface 5 Low Maintenance, compact and
easy to use 5 Available in two sizes with PTO driver or Bobcat
options
GOOD LITTER MANAGEMENT IS TO KEY TO PERFORMANCE AND
PROFITABILITY.
We stock the full range of Priefert Poultry Equipment including
the Priefert Litter Blade for windrowing.
Two Wheel TractorPoultry Litter Management
Pulverize caked litter Safe to use with birds in shed
Self-Propelled - Easy to use Forward and Reverse Multiple Speed
Gearing Versatile, compact & manoeuvrable 180o Adjustable
Handlebars Petrol and Diesel models available Far more effective
than motorised Rotary Hoes
(02) 4942 3334 or 0427 886 866Commercial Poultry Farm
Specialists
Ideal for use on RSPCA approved farms
CALL
-
34
NEW PROCUCTS
Nucleotides are nutritional building blocks involved in all the
activities of cells and metabolic processes.
They are the raw material of DNA and RNA, and essential for cell
multiplication and reproduction and for transmission of genetic
information.
Nucleotides are synthesized endogenously, by two biosynthesis
pathways:
Via de novo: CO2, NH3, ribose, aspartate, glycine, glutamine,
and formyl are combined, with a high energy cost, to create
nucleotides.
Salvage pathway: the body can synthesize nucleotides with less
energy cost as a result of the recycling of bases and free
nucleotides, produced in the metabolic degradation of nucleic acid
from dead cells and/or that are derived from the diet.
Some body cells have limited capability for nucleotide
biosynthesis via de novo such as enterocytes, hepatocytes, blood
cells and bone marrow cells. The requirement for nucleotides
increases during periods of early growth, reproduction, stress and
disease challenges. As such, when the endogenous supply is
insufficient, exogenous nucleotides sources become semi-essential
or conditionally essential nutrients (Carver and Walker, 1995).
In poultry nutrition, nucleotides are of importance in young
chicks as well as breeders. In early chick nutrition, nucleotides
support the need for intense cell multiplication and support the
growth of multiple organs and tissues.
Poultry breeders also experience intense demand for cell
multiplication during reproduction, resulting in enormous energy
cost for de novo nucleotide synthesis. Feeding free nucleotides in
this period facilitates cell multiplication, saving energy for
basal metabolism and improved reproductive performance.
Studies have shown that supplementing nucleotides to breeders
can positively influence their progeny, resulting in heavier,
better prepared animals (physically and immunologically), and
carries forward benefits throughout their productive lives.
Yeast extract has been shown
Nucleotides in poultry nutrition
to contain amino acids, peptides, polypeptides, MOS, -glucans as
well as nucleotides, nucleoprotein and nucleosides. Yeast extracts
used in animal nutrition have good digestibility in poultry and
have been used as a dietary source for nucleotides.
There are different sources of nucleotides of yeast origin
available in the market but they are not the same. A number of
these contain nucleotides in the form of nucleic acid or
nucleoprotein, which needs to undergo enzymatic processes prior to
absorption.
Dietary nucleoproteins, nucleic acids, and nucleotides need to
be enzymatically hydrolyzed prior to absorption because only
nucleosides, bases, and small amounts of nucleotides are absorbed.
This process takes place in the small intestine.
Danisco Animal Nutrition, a subsidiary of DuPont Industrial
Biosciences, has won an award in the innovative technology category
for its advanced, highly bio-efficacious phytase, Axtra PHY, at VIV
Russia 2015.
The award, which was judged by key members of local scientific
committees, was presented during a ceremony to mark 50 years of the
Russian Poultry Union.
The winning product, Axtra PHY, was introduced to the market in
February 2013 in USA. It is currently available in 16 countries and
will be launched in another ten, other than Russia, this year.
Further roll out in other EMEA and Asia Pacific countries is
expected during 2016.
Standout features for the judges included:
Exceptionally (and unprecedented) high and rapid activity in the
birds upper digestive tract ensuring maximum phytate degradation
with fast release of extra-phosphoric nutrients (e.g. amino acids
and energy), which saves money on feed costs and improves
performance.
The activity of Axtra PHY, a Buttiauxella phytase, at pH 4.0
is
By Dr MELINA BONATO* and Dr DAVID ISAAC** Endonucleases,
phosphodiesterases, and nucleoside phosphorylase are the major
enzymes involved in this process. This enzymatic reaction utilises
energy and leads to low absorption rate.
New generation yeast extracts are now available with higher
amounts of free nucleotides and nucleosides. These have an energy
sparing effect as well as better absorption in the intestines. This
allows for lower inclusion rates and better performance- both in
young chicks as well as in breeders.
In summary, dietary source of nucleotides can be used in poultry
nutrition to support the growth of young chicks as well as
reproductive performance of breeders. New generation yeast products
allows for better absorption of this important building block. *Dr
Melina Bonato is the Coordinator of P&D, ICC Brazil.**Dr David
Isaac is the Animal Health, Innovation and Research Manager, BEC
Feed Solutions.
Danisco wins innovation awardalmost double that at pH 5.5, the
level at which all commercial phytases have their activity
standardized, and much higher than other phytases. Axtra PHY also
improves sodium - and therefore also protein, glucose and nutrient
- absorption from the gut, with positive effects on growth
performance.
Unique Thermo Protection Technology (TPT) that ensures the
phytase remains active and retains optimum bio-efficacy at
temperatures up to 95C (203F) during steam conditioning and
subsequent pelleting of feed. This maximises
performance/bio-efficacy, not only saving money but also production
headaches.
Support through extensive and flexible evidence-based matrix
values that enable customers to optimise dosing according to diet,
species and animal age.
Johan Jansen-Storbacka, Regional Industry Leader, Danisco Animal
Nutrition, EMEA, commented, This award is the icing on the cake of
an already successful launch for Axtra PHY in Russia. For further
information see the Danisco Animal Nutrition website or send an
email to [email protected].
-
35
ESSENTIALWATER
SUPPLEMENTS
In Agrisolutions
Since 1953
For inquiries, please contact:Tel: +65 6759 1811Fax: +65 6759
[email protected]
Scan to find out moreusing the QR-Reader
Zagrosol AD3E - Reproductive performance enhancer
Zagrosol Minpro - Mineral supplement
Zagrosol Aminogen - Growth enhancer
Amilyte - Health and productivity enhancer
Nilstress - Anti heat-stress
Danisco Animal Nutrition
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.
Lower your feed costs, improve uniformity and increase raw
material
flexibility, while reducing environmental impact with these
innovative
feed solutions.
MORE PROFIT FROM IMPROVED NUTRITION
Contact our distributor Feedworks, Australia. Tel: 03 5429
2411
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
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.
-
36
NEWS
Sunny Queen Farms aims to raise $200,000 for Walking
WoundedAustralian egg producer Sunny Queen Farms is hoping to raise
over $200,000 in funds for Australian charity organisation Walking
Wounded, to assist in the psychological rehabilitation and recovery
of returned Aussie soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder.
A fantastic initiative from Sunny Queen will see the company
donate 30 cents from every carton sold of Eggs for Soldiers free
range eggs.
The funds donated will be used to assist in the rehabilitation
of former Australian servicemen and women into the civilian
workforce, and to assist the returned veteran community with
reducing the increasing number of suicides in young veterans.
Sunny Queens Managing Director John OHara explains why the
company has spurred into action to help this worthy cause.
More Australian soldiers have taken their own lives since coming
home from Afghanistan, than died in combat, explains Mr OHara, Some
say three times as many.
But Walking Wounded is changing that with programs that help
returned veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to
restore their confidence and rebuild their lives.
We believe we should all be supporting our inspirational
veterans. Walking Wounded helps servicemen and women face their
future with the same courage and determination that they
demonstrated serving our Country.
We see this as an opportunity to support the people who have
given so much of themselves to serve our nation.
Thirty-year-old Dwayne Anderson has worked with Walking Wounded
for a number of years, since returning home from Afghanistan.
He knows all too well the struggles that the ex servicemen and
women face, after being discharged from the army.
There are 65,000 men and women who have served their country in
the last 25 years and every one of those men and women will be
affected in one way or another, said Mr Anderson.
Walking Woundeds mission is to help find training and employment
for
ex-servicemen after their discharge and also to raise awareness
of and prevent the risk of suicide.
Anderson witnessed two of his best friends die from a Taliban
bomb and explains that getting the right help is quite literally a
life saver.
It wasnt until I joined a Kokoda Trail expedition with Walking
Wounded that I was able to tackle my mental demons head on, he
said.
Walking Wounded has been able to help many ex-soldiers rebuild
their lives as their programs enable effective post war recovery to
help them deal with the stress and trauma and provides a familiar
environment, which builds confidence and enables a return to the
civilian workforce.
Eggs for Soldiers egg cartons are now available for sale
exclusively in Coles supermarkets across Australia and will raise
funds for Walking Wounded to help ex-soldiers rebuild their lives,
regain their confidence, and re-integrate back into society.
For more information, head to www.eggsforsoldiers.com.au or
www.walkingwounded.org.au
Walking Wounded is a registered charity organisation that was
founded in 2014 by Brian Freeman, a veteran of the Australian Army
with more than 20
Ex-serviceman Dwayne Anderson.
years of service. It is committed to supporting
the psychological recovery and rehabilitation of returned
Australian soldiers from recent conflicts.
Re-training, re-education and re-integration is a different road
for each individual. Anything the charity can do to assist this
journey is a small cost compared to the enormous sacrifice they
have already made.
Potters Export Sales Manager Richard Beevis has been appointed
the new Export Sales Manager for Potters Poultry.
On a recent visit to Australia, Richard visited major layer
producers with Peter Mathews from Australian Agricultural Services,
which is the Australian/NZ distributors for the Potters product
range.
Richard has long term experience in poultry production and
worked for Hy-Line in the UK before joining Potters.
Through family connections he also has long experience of how
the major retailers operate in the UK. Given the management
structures of Australias major supermarkets, this should be useful
in future plans for the Australian poultry sector.
Richard spent the last day of his recent trip Down Under talking
to Poultry Digest about industry matters and in particular, what he
sees as great potential for Potters Poultry systems in the changing
Australian market.
-
37
NEW TOOL
STRENGTH FULL
BeetleBETA Insecticide: the NEW tool in the fight
against litter beetle.
GAME ON!
WEAPONOFCHOICE
SeajayINDUSTRIESPTYLTD
Distributed by:
WWW.BEETLEBETA.COM.AU
PH. 1300 308 399
Introducing our NEW Direct Drive Poultry Winches!ROBUST,
POWERFUL, RELIABLE
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING
1800 [email protected] www.grifco.com.au
1hp three or single phase motor
Robust direct drive gear box
Built in easy-to-set limit switches
Single or double-pull Belt Winch
Durable, corrosion-resistent zincplated finish
6mm rigid steel frame for exceptional
overall strength Cable Winch rated to 800kg direct lift.
Belt Winch rated to 400kg direct lift.
Grifcos solid one-piece directional
cable shaft
Australian Made
W800C3W400B3
Supplied with a
2 Year Manufacturers Warranty
Certified to Australian Standard AS/NZS1418Crane, Hoist &
Winches
-
38
CRC NEWSAvian Influenza Risk Mitigation Project
There are two pathotypes of the avian influenza virus; low
pathogenicity (LPAI) and high pathogenicity (HPAI). LPAI can mutate
into HPAI given the opportunity, and it is the HPAI that can cause
devastating effects on the poultry industry, where up to 90%
mortality can occur in a very short time. Sometimes clinical signs
are not even seen.
Avian influenza is also a potential zoonotic disease i.e. can be
transmitted from bird to human. The USA is currently experiencing
its worst outbreak in history, with more than 47 million birds
either killed or destroyed and more than 10% of the egg laying
chickens of the country wiped out.
The 1918 Spanish flu which killed more people across the globe
than the Great War was a virus of avian influenza origin which
mutated to become a pandemic.
Australia has the advantage of being isolated and this protects
us from a number of exotic diseases, but Australia has had seven
HPAI outbreaks in the last 40 years.
Avian influenza is not exotic to Australia; the virus naturally
circulates among Australian wild birds with 2% prevalence. The last
three outbreaks have occurred in New South Wales, with the latest
affecting both a free range and cage layer flock in Young in
2013.
Such outbreaks did have great impacts however; approximately
half a million birds were killed or destroyed during the Young
outbreak and the cost of eradication was $3.57 million. Four of the
last seven outbreaks have occurred in the last 10 years, suggesting
such outbreaks are occurring more frequently.
To protect the Australian poultry industry from further
outbreaks, a research project run by the University of Sydney and
funded by the Poultry CRC has been developed. This research project
titled Avian Influenza Risk Mitigation for the Australian Poultry
Industry is also in collaboration with members of other
universities and government bodies.
The research project requires farmer collaboration and farm
visits. The researchers include myself, Angela Scott, PhD candidate
at the University of Sydney, and Dr Mini Singh, Research Associate
also at the University of Sydney.
Researchers visit farms and conduct on-farm interviews with
farmers, asking questions including movements on and off the farm
and wild bird prevalence in the area.
Such visits are also important for the researchers to take note
of farm design, vegetation and surface water on the property. Up to
80 farms across the Sydney basin region (from Stroud to Batemans
bay) will be surveyed as this is where the poultry industry is most
concentrated in NSW.
It is likely we will visit farms other regions in NSW that have
experienced outbreaks, such as in the South Western Slopes and
Nandewar (Tamworth) region.
Only chicken farms will be surveyed but of all types which
includes cage, barn, free range layer and conventional and free
range broiler farms are invited to participate.
With the consumer driven expansion of free range produce in the
last decade, one can hypothesise that avian influenza outbreaks in
Australia will occur more frequently.
This is a main reason this research project was
Aviagen Management Essentials Nortje De Wet
Service Manager, Aviagen Australia, New Zealand and Asia
De Wet has 23 years experience in the poultry industry with a
large integrated company in South Africa, before joining Aviagen
ANZ in 2012.
Measuring the Water and Feed ratio is a great way to keep a
regular check on the flock performance, health and house
environment.
Measuring Water-to-Feed RatioObjective
To show how the water-to-feed ratio can help to monitor house
conditions, bird health and overall flock performance on a daily
basis.
Key Points
Where everyday feeding is used, measure and record total house
feed and water consumption daily.
Record water consumption over a 24 hour period at the same time
each day (e.g. 7:00 am).
Ensure feed fed in the house has been measured accurately with a
calibrated feed weighing system.
Ensure that the water meter is measuring water flow accurately
(i.e. there are no partial blockages in the supply line).
Calculate and record the water-to-feed ratio by dividing the
total water intake by the total feed consumed.
Where feed programs are used only measure water-to-feed ratio on
feed days.
When the drinker system in a house is flushed (when vaccinating
or cleaning) do not record the water-to-feed ratio on this day or
note the flushing day on the graph.
A water-to-feed ratio range of 1.8 to 2.1 is considered a normal
range for broiler breeders.
Investigate a significant change outside this range immediately.
Possible causes for figures outside the normal range could be
bird
health, ventilation, feed quality, water quality, water leaks or
water supply issues.
Record and graph water-to-feed ratio in the house (see figure
below). Farm staff should be trained to measure and record this
daily and report significant changes to the Farm Manager
immediately.
Figure 1: Example of a Water-to-Feed Ratio Graph
Managing feed intake and nutrient density is important for
performance.
By ANGELA SCOTT
-
39
Discovering new ways to improve quality of life...We strive to
improve the qualityof life by touching half the people of the world
everyday with our products and services... .
Learn more at www.kemin.com
Certain statements may not be applicable in all geographic
regions. Product labelling and associated claims may differ based
upon regulatory requirements.4
LEADING THE WAY IN FEED PRESERVATION, SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE
Poultry Industry Yearbook 2016
If you would like to be in the next years Yearbook and you have
changed your email address you will not receive a
reminder which we are sending out
soon. Please let us know if you want to
be included.
CRC NEWSdeveloped.
The aim of this project is essentially to protect the Australian
poultry industry from avian influenza by identifying the main risk
factors avian influenza can be introduced onto a farm and how these
risk factors can be minimised.
This research project involves extensive literature search,
studying the behaviour of avian influenza across the globe.
Answers from the on-farm interviews provide us with an outlook
on how avian influenza will behave in Australia.
Mathematical models will be built with the help of highly
skilled mathematicians from Charles Sturt University, the Federal
Department of Agriculture and Australian National University to
quantify the most likely routes of entry and the best practices
that can eliminate such entries. Prevention is better than
cure.
If you are interested in taking part of this research project,
please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
Information will be stored securely at the University of Sydney
both during
and after the study. All aspects of the studdy will be strictly
confidential and only the researchers will have access to
information on participants.
Contact Angela Scott at the University of Sydney on 0422 307
337, email [email protected]
Angela Scott, University of Sydney
-
40
CRC NEWS
Laureldale poultry research farm revitalised
Led by Professor Steve Walkden-Brown, the project assisted UNE
to upgrade its laboratories, establish a world-class closed circuit
calorimeter facility for nutrition research, and build industry
standard educational and research facilities at Laureldale.
Much of the credit for completing the work at Laureldale,
however, goes to two young postdoctoral scientists, Dr Isa Ruhnke
and Dr Dana Campbell, who, in close collaboration with their
colleagues from the CSIRO McMaster Laboratory based in Chiswick,
near Armidale, managed to bring Laureldale into a buzzing hub of
exciting poultry research.
As Poultry CRC Commercial Manager, Lloyd Thomson, said, these
facilities complement other layer research facilities at The
University of Sydneys Camden campus, The University of Queenslands
Gatton Campus and the SARDIs Roseworthy Campus. All of which will
be needed as the free-range sector expands across Australia.
Dr Isa Ruhnke explains her research at APSS 2015.
research.biomin.net
BIOMIN Research & Development Turning science into
sustainable solutionsOur strong in-house research and development,
and global coope-ration with leading institutions and organisations
form the basis by which innovative solutions are developed for our
customers.
Naturally ahead
BIOMIN Australia Pty Ltd, PO Box 2344, Carlingford NSW 2118 Tel:
02-9872 6324, Email: [email protected]
The rapidly expanding free-range sector of Australias egg laying
industry is calling out for state-of-the-art research
facilities.
And the University of New England has delivered them at its
Laureldale poultry research farm, which also caters for research
into cage and barn systems.
Laureldale Research Station, a stones throw from the main UNE
campus in Armidale, is an almost perfect location for free-range
research in cooler South-Eastern Australian climates.
Having long ago been configured for cage layer research and,
later on, barn research, the refit sees Laureldale able to deliver
on the ever growing demand for free-range specific research, which
will tackle the problems of moving layers out of environmentally
controlled cage sheds and back onto pasture, with accompanying
parasite, disease and nutrition challenges.
One of the significant benefits is the ability to investigate
the effects of different stocking densities on both the birds and
the range simultaneously by having a set of ranges and accompanying
housing.
Laureldales refit could not have happened without the very
valuable assistance of the NSW State Government through its State
Leveraging Fund, under a project entitled Upgrading UNEs Poultry
Research Facilities.
The Laureldale poultry research farm at the University of New
England has been revitalised.
-
Santrev moves to new head office
41
NEWS
Santrev has continued its development by moving its head office
to brand new custom-built premises in Churchill in Queensland.
The sleek, modern facility is a far cry from the companys humble
beginnings and has been a long time coming for the Santrev
team.
Formed in 2000, the Santrev headquarters made the leap from
backyard premises to a rented building in 2010 and now in 2015, the
company has its own place to call home.
Its fantastic to have our own building up and running, said
Santrev Director Luke Trevanion.
It not only marks a big personal achievement for us but gives us
an opportunity to better assist growers both locally and
nationwide.
The facility is more accessible and visitor friendly, letting us
showcase the Santrev experience.
The new premises come off the back of a monumental 12 months
of projects across Australia and the continuing success of the
Blanchetown Free Range facility in South Australia.
We really are going from strength to strength at the moment,
added Luke.
This year has seen Santrev wrap up various free range and
conventional projects Australia wide, covering a diverse range of
shed and project types.
With rearer sheds in Bendigo, layer sheds in Prairie and
broilers at the Mornington peninsular in Victoria as well as
broilers, layers and rearers in Beaudesert, Gatton and Millmerran
in The broiler industry in China is in what
Christopher Langholz, President, Cargill Animal Protein China,
called a financial and consumer trust crisis.
The rapid expansion of the industry has outstripped consumer
demand, which has decreased along with consumers trust in poultry
as a result of some high profile food safety issues. Broiler
producers are experiencing financial losses while at the same time
looking for ways to regain consumer trust in poultry products.
Langholz, speaking at the International Poultry Forum China,
said, Consumers in China want global standards for food safety.
Food safety is a shared responsibility, he said. A few bad
actors can destroy value for everyone. If one company has a food
safety problem with chicken, we all suffer. The entire industry
must be brought up to the same standard.
He went on to explain that the industry must have a commitment
to public health. Business as usual wont provide the change the
industry needs.
Queensland, it was all hands on deck.Theres nothing we like
more
than helping growers get results with a Santrev shed, said Luke.
They even completed a pig finisher shed in Boonanarring, Western
Australia for good measure.
The new Santrev office address is ready for visitors at 85 Lobb
Street, Churchill, Queensland. If youre looking to get in touch
with the Santrev team for a quote, check out their website at
www.santrev.com.au or give them a call on 1300 815 888.
Poultry crisis in China
-
42
NEWSElanco launches Hemicell HT at Sydney seminarElanco hosted
an industry seminar at the Pullman Hotel, Sydney Olympic Park on
August 5, 2015.
Dr Simon Lakin, National Accounts Manager Poultry ANZ at Elanco
Animal Health welcomed guests and Dr Avril Grieve, Elanco Animal
Healths Senior National Swine Territory Manager, gave an
introduction to the product in her paper Beta-Mannans- Hemicell HT
a very different enzyme and Novel strategies to manage the impact
of unnecessary feed induced immune response.
She answered the critical question, Why are Beta Mannans
important?
Mannan polymers are found on the cell surfaces of many
pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, and yeasts.
Mannose is an important pathogen associated molecular pattern
(PAMP): the animals immune system mistakes large Beta Mannan
molecules in feed as an invading pathogen and reacts again them
generating Feed Induced Immune response (FIIR), Avril
explained.
This innate immune response has the potential to reduce animal
performance through lower feed efficiency and weight gain, typical
levels being around 3% and in fact just 2% of Beta mannan may
depress performance by up to 20%, she said.
Hemicell-HT, a unique and patented energy sparing enzyme can
provide an effective intervention to restore performance as it
breaks down Beta Mannans in feed.
The product is inherently
of intestinal inflammation, improving intestinal integrity
delivering unique growth benefits, NE and carcass quality.
The description feed enzyme has traditionally been linked as an
aid to digestion, he said.
The two best examples are Phytase and Xylanase for use with
wheat so we tend to identify feed enzymes as digestive enzymes, he
said.
There are components in commonly used feed ingredients that
function like immunogen, triggering innate immune response.
A properly selected enzyme can alter its structure rendering it
to be non- recognisable by the immune system.
The benefit of its action are not related to digestion, but to
the reduction of immune stress commonly observed as intestinal
inflammation that can be triggered by a feed ingredient on the
animal host, he explained.
One beneficial aspect of Hemicell demonstrated in trials, was
better calorific efficiency during hotter periods of the year.
The final speaker in the session was Elanco Animal Healths
Poultry expert Dr Marco Martinez.
His initial statement was that 80% of poultry diets globally now
contain Phytase, 40% contain Xylanese, and Beta Glucanase is
frequently used when ingredient choices dictate.
Approximately 5% of the worlds poultry diets now contain
Protease, he said.
Hemicel works well in combination
thermostable and resists destruction by gastrointestinal pH and
proteases.
Once Beta Mannans are removed from the diet, livestock no longer
have to deal with FIIR: inflammation leads directly to nutritional
penalties, lower intestinal integrity and carcass quality
issue.
The approximately 3% of energy spared can be put to good use in
either dietary formulation or to drive better average daily weight
gain and feed conversion ratios, Avril concluded.
Humg-Yu Hsiao from BioSolutions International, next spoke about
Hemicell (FFIR) and in particular the reduction
""#$%&'!"(# $% $)%' ""#$%&'!"(# $
REDUCE YOUR ENERGY COSTS WITH...
BLOCKOUT BLINDS
Fan Covers Brooder/Air Control Curtains Door Covers Cool Cell
Covers Shelters/Shelter Covers
Project1:PoltexAd2 21/03/14 3:47 PM Page 1
-
43
NEWS
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
Poultry Digest_11,4x9,5cm_layout_06.pdf 1 19/08/15 15:48
Left: Dr Simon Lakin, National Accounts Manager Poultry ANZ at
Elanco Animal Health made the welcome speech. Above: Humg-Yu Hsiao
from BioSolutions International with Dr Avril Grieve, Elanco Animal
Healths Senior National Swine Territory Manager.
with other enzymes (Xylanase and Phytase).
Trials clearly demonstrated that Hemicell improved weight gain,
FCR and EPEF in two low energy diets, he said.