Nicols Poultry, Tasmanias biggest producer of broiler chicken meat

poultrydigestAugust/September 2015www.primarymedia.com.auBroiler rearing a logical choice for Tasmanian farmer Nathan Richardson

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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.

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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 info@raan.com.au

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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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).

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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.

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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

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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: sudhee.satyan@munters.com.au / munters.com.au

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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.

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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.

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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 info.animalnutrition@dupont.com.

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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.

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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

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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 angela.scott@sydney.edu.au

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.

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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

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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

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NEWS

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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.