Page 2 - National Poultry Newspaper

Environmental guidelines for egg industry
Poultry Industry Calendar of Events
2018
JUL 22 - 24 – Chicken Marketing Summit, Florida, US www.wattglob almedia.com/chickenmarketingsummit
JUL 23 - 26 – Annual Poultry Science Association Meeting, Texas, US www.poultryscience.org/psa18
AUG 1 - 5 – Asian Australasian Animal Production Congress, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Sarawak www.aaap2018.com
AUG 31 - SEP 2 – International Exhibition on Poultry, Livestock & Technologies, Bangalore India www.iplexpo.com
SEP 17 - 21 – European Poultry Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia www. epc2018.com
OCT 28 - 30 – International Poultry Symposium, Chitwan, Nepal www. afu.edu.np/vet/ips2018
NOV 11 - 13 – Australian Veterinary Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference, Sunshine Coast QLD www.avams2018.w.yrd.currinda.com
2019
FEB 12 - 14 – International Poultry Expo, Atlanta, US www.ippexpo.com
JUN 10 - 13 – European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition (ESPN), AmberExpo in Gdansk, Poland www.espn2019.com
How to supply event details: Send all details to National Poultry Newspaper, PO Box 387, Cleveland, Qld 4163, call 07 3286 1833 fax: 07 3821 2637, email: design@poultrynews.com.au
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THE updated Environ- mental Guidelines for the Egg Industry were recently completed by Integrity Ag Services.
The Guidelines outline the important considera- tions for the establishment of layer farms and ongo- ing environmental man- agement of existing egg industry facilities, par- ticularly those that affect environmental perform- ance and sustainability.
The latest edition con- tains:
• An industry-specific ‘S-factor’ formula for de- termining odour separa- tion distances for layer farms;
• Up-to-date science surrounding nutrient dis- tribution on free range farms and practical man- agement strategies to re- duce the risk of nutrient loss;
• A new risk tool for evaluating the risk of nu- trient loss to surface and groundwater;
• Guidance on designing and implementing vegeta- tion buffers;
• Environmental and planning recommenda- tions based on the current state of the industry. This includes requirements for
accreditation and regula- tions (such as welfare and biosecurity); and
• Updated recommen- dations regarding the management options of by-products and bird mor- talities.
The new egg industry- specific S-factor formula will improve the percep- tion of layer farm envi- ronmental performance as the industry previously relied on formulae devel- oped for meat chickens.
Research conducted to develop this new fac- tor concluded the odour emission rate for layers is about 40 percent of meat chickens.
This provides a scien- tific basis for smaller
separation distances and reduced regulation with respect to the potential odour impact of layer farms.
New research was com-
missioned by Australian Eggs that investigated nu- trient loads and distribution on free range farms to bet- ter understand the environ- mental risk associated with these operations.
This research has been incorporated into a new risk tool that allows pro- ducers to determine the risk of nutrient loss from free range areas.
Practical management strategies detailed in this research have been pro- vided in the guidelines, so producers can reduce risk where necessary.
Specific guidance is al- so given in the guidelines regarding the design and
implementation of vegeta- tion buffer strips in line with established scientific research.
Other changes to envi- ronmental management recommendations include the decision hierarchy for disposal of dead birds and daily mortalities.
This approach outlines the preferred management pathways, as well as high- lighting the risks, benefits and concerns associated with each option.
The new guidelines have been released by Austral- ian Eggs.
To request a hard copy, please email contacts@ australianeggs.org.au
Budget doesn’t stack up for Queensland agriculture
THE Queensland Farm- ers’ Federation and in- dustry members were underwhelmed by the recent lacklustre 2018- 19 State Budget that lacked vision and over- looked the important role agriculture plays in Queensland’s economy.
While the Queensland Government has delivered on its election commit- ments, this year’s Budget was again a missed op- portunity to address some critical competitiveness and productivity issues, and exciting growth op- portunities for the sector, which would benefit all Queenslanders.
The Government should be commended for fully delivering on its election commitments, maintain- ing funding for existing
drought relief arrange- ments, extending fund- ing for the Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance, the Queensland Agricultural Workforce Network, the Energy Savers Plus Program; and uphold- ing funding for wild dog cluster fencing.
However, some of the critical and important bigger picture issues fac- ing the sector have been ignored.
Queensland agriculture must start to see higher priority and more strate- gic intent in the Govern- ment’s most significant annual document.
While biosecurity was a feature of the State Budget, with funding for the Red Imported Fire Ant and Panama TR-4 eradication programs, of particular interest to the poultry in- dustry is the disappointing lack of additional funding to progress the five-year Queensland Biosecurity Strategy.
The strategy was co- developed by the Queens- land Government with more than 30 peak in- dustry organisations and members of the commu- nity, including QFF.
The plan is designed to strengthen biosecurity in the state while empower- ing all Queenslanders to act in an inclusive and collaborative way to pro- tect the state’s ecosys-
tems, industries and way of life.
As Australia’s frontline biosecurity state, which has experienced five ma- jor biosecurity incursions in the past five years, the Queensland Biosecurity Strategy is well overdue.
But plans are only as good as their implemen- tation, with the level of resourcing key to this.
There remains a discon- nect between what is said and written about the fu- ture of Queensland agri- culture and demonstrable government action and support.
Our future depends on getting it right in agri- culture.
Yet, feeding, clothing and growing amenity for the world is a shared re- sponsibility.
By 2030, it’s expected that two-thirds of the world’s middle class will be living in the Asia-Pa- cific region.
To make the most of this demographic shift and subsequent demand for food and clothing, Queensland agriculture will need to intensify, so we must address current competitiveness chal- lenges and increase in- vestment in the longer- term enablers and drivers of sustainable and profit- able intensified produc- tion systems.
The Queensland Gov- ernment must genuinely address electricity and water affordability and the productivity nexus between them, targeted connection infrastructure funding, and strategic spending on risk manage- ment to help deal with climate variability.
The Government also needs to reverse the con- tinued divestment in the sector.
While there is a slight increase in total portfolio funding this year, in real
terms state government spending on agriculture has decreased at an av- erage annual rate of 1.7 percent over the past 15 years.
With the Government’s effort to make sure elec- tion commitments were funded now out of the way, it is time to refocus the agenda on targeted and strategic investment that will help drive the sector forward to capital- ise on the opportunities that exist.
It is hoped the recent es- tablishment of the Agricul- tural Ministerial Advisory Council will provide a fo- rum to genuinely address critical competitiveness and productivity issues, in- cluding electricity afford- ability and its impact on effective water use.
QFF looks forward to working with government through AgMAC but the forum must be effective – the worst outcome would be if it is yet another talk- fest that does not deliver solutions for Queensland farmers and regional businesses.
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Busy month preparing for second half of 2018
☛ from P1
about their research.
Amy La from Aus- tralian Eggs said, “The posters at the Shack provided a wonderful visualisation of current and complete projects.”
“The exhibitors inside were friendly and patient in explaining the current projects occurring.”
Dr Priscilla Gerber
from the University of New England said, “This was my first time at PIX and it was inspirational to con- nect with industry sup- pliers and the greater poultry scientific com- munity.”
“It was very helpful to learn the latest trends in the industry, discussing ideas and getting input about my work.”
The Chook Chat Shack was a fantastic initiative and I would like to take this oppor- tunity to thank all those who were involved to ensure it was a success.
My sentiments on the space are summed up with the words of Sa- mantha Munro from AgriFutures: “Really enjoyed the ‘Shack’ – a great initiative!”
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Page 2 – National Poultry Newspaper, July 2018
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