Page 11 - Pork Newspaper - February 2018

Ridley Enrich Sow Block
EVERYONE needs a treat sometimes – there’s more to life than eat, sleep and work!
It’s the small things that stop us getting bored, stressed and cranky.
It’s no different for your pigs – and nobody works harder than they do.
Small things such as substrates and objects for play can make all the difference to their wellbeing and have been proven to reduce stress and problem behaviours.
That’s why Ridley is proud to introduce the Ridley Enrich Sow Block.
By supporting the nat- ural foraging tenden- cies of pregnant sows, it has proven to reduce
stress-related harmful behaviours on farm.
As trial results show, you can expect to see fewer scratches, more time spent resting and less time spent chasing each other with a Sow
Block in the mix.
To find out more
about Sow Block and other enrichment op- tions for your pigs, contact your local Rid- ley representative on 1300 666 657.
Mean time (secs) individual sows spent engaged in a fight 60 minutes after feeding; measured over four days, from the day of mixing (Pork CRC funded Project 1C-115).
Budget roadmap charts course for $100 billion in farm production by 2030
THE National Farmers’ Federation has outlined a list of the key ingredi- ents needed to take agri- culture to a $100 billion industry by 2030, in its Federal Budget roadmap.
NFF’s comprehensive Pre-Budget Submission continues the call for: trade liberalisation; sig- nificant investments in transport and telecommu- nications infrastructure; improvements to the tax system; investments to at- tract the right skills to regional areas; and mean- ingful cuts to the business compliance burden.
The peak body has also recommended funding to: unleash on-farm technolo- gy; better promote Austral- ia’s agriculture exports; and educate school students on where their food and fibre comes from.
NFF president Fiona Simson said the NFF’s ‘bold but achievable’ goal for agriculture to increase its production value by 67 percent between now and 2030 required a clear roadmap.
“Agriculture is one of Australia’s fastest-grow- ing sectors,” she said.
“In 2016-2017, produc- tion was valued at $63 billion.
“To turn this into a 12-digit figure there must be investment across the board.”
Ms Simson said Aus- tralian agriculture was a vibrant, innovative and entrepreneurial sector, a significant export earner and a cornerstone of the national economy.
“Investing in agriculture benefits all Australians, in particular regional com- munities, and this should always be taken into ac- count when assessing the value of measures to sup- port agriculture,” she said.
“Agriculture also adds value in other industries such as manufacturing by providing opportunities for food processing, trans- port, storage and logistics.
“Agriculture is key to Australia’s future pros- perity.
“Our vision of a $100 billion industry is within reach if we get the eco- nomic, social and envi- ronmental policy settings right.
“Australia’s next wave of prosperity depends on the Federal Government continuing to back Aus- tralian agriculture and our regions with sensible, evidence-based policies.”
The NFF’s Pre-Budget Submission centres on seven key themes and makes 60 detailed recom- mendations.
See a summary of these recommendations below. Accelerated productiv- ity
Seed funding of at least $250,000 to establish a voluntary Agricultural Data Code of Practice.
The establishment of a Chief Digital Agriculture Officer to assist farmers to best take advantage of new technologies.
Five million dollars over three years for a Telecom- munications Innovation Pilot Project to grow www.porknews.com.au
digital literacy and foster technology applications in rural and remote Aus- tralia.
Connectivity
$180 million ($60 mil- lion per round) to rounds four, five and six of the Mobile Black Spot Pro- gram, consistent with the funding for previous rounds.
The establishment of a Rural Regional and Re- mote Telecommunica- tions Research Fund as a long-term outcome of Telecommunications Uni- versal Service Obligation reform.
Trade liberalisation and market access
The expansion of the Agricultural Counsel- lor network as new trade agreements are negoti- ated.
The establishment of a ‘Special Trade Envoy’ to provide a farmer’s per- spective to international trade negotiations, to advocate for trade lib- eralisation domestically and to build partnerships with other farming groups across the globe. World-class infrastruc- ture
A minimum of $1 bil- lion to establish an infra- structure fund to improve regional roads and rail in a bid to make export path- ways more efficient.
Adequate resources to facilitate consultation with landowners about route selection, land ac- quisition and construction regarding the develop- ment of the Brisbane to Melbourne Inland Rail.
Five million dollars for a full feasibility study and a go-to-market investment strategy for the Food Precinct to be developed around the Western Syd- ney Airport.
Sustainable stewardship
A commitment to genu- ine EPBC Act reform and the exploration of the potential for the greater use of non-regulatory ap- proaches that recognise the contributions farmers make towards meeting biodiversity objectives.
The acceleration of a national system of inno- vation in biosecurity by committing to Intergov- ernmental Agreement on Biosecurity recommenda- tions including: a $25 mil- lion National Biosecurity Innovation Program and the increasing of funding appropriation for research and development corpora- tions by $2 million annu- ally for a new cross-sec- toral biosecurity R&I co- ordination and investment function for the RDCs. Human talent
Funding for a compre- hensive and regular analy- sis of the persistent labour shortages in the sector with a view to framing a dedicated agricultural vi- sa that will address those needs.
Investment in a number of initiatives to better edu- cate school children about where their food and fi- bre comes from, including $100,000 per year for the Primary Industries Edu- cation Foundation Aus- tralia.
Seed funding to cover the initial year of opera- tion of a Seasonal Worker Program Administration Fund, of which employees could access to fund their travel to Australia.
Employers would then deduct periodic amounts from employees’ wages to cover the cost of travel and pay these amounts back into the SWP Ad- ministration Fund. Flexible business tools
A commitment to work with the states and territo- ries to abolish stamp du- ties on crop and livestock insurance products.
#SaveTheWriteOff: End the yearly budget uncer- tainty for small business and extend the current in- stant asset write-off for small businesses in per- petuity.
Currently this arrange-
ment expires on June 30, 2018.
The retention of fuel tax credits across all sectors.
Reforms to make farm management deposits more effective: incentives to im- prove the availability of FMD interest offset facili- ties; allow FMDs to be held at the business level rather than just the individual level; and permit FMDs to be brought back into a busi- ness over time or be taxed at average rates in the event of unexpected cessation or death.
A review of tax zone rebates and remote area fringe benefit tax conces- sions: Investigate whether current arrangements to compensate individuals for the disadvantages of living in remote areas can be made more effective.
Protection and Profit
from START to FINISH
® Porcilis®
Long-term PCV2 immunity for performance and profit
A single vaccination (2 mL) to pigs from 3 weeks of age* Rapid onset of immunity with long-term protection Reduces viral load and shedding
Reduces mortality*
Reduces weight loss*
Increases average daily weight gain*
* During the fattening period. Refer to registered product label for full claim details. Refer to Technical brochure for details of trial data.
Intervet Australia Pty Limited trading as MSD Animal Health ABN 79 008 467 034 Toll free 1800 033 461 www.msd-animal-health.com.au
Amanda Vardanega 0427 011 579
PCV
AU/POK/0715/0015(2)
Australian Pork Newspaper, February 2018 – Page 11