Page 9 - Pork Newspaper - February 2018

Pork CRC ponders pig feed efficiency flaws
IN his latest report to stakeholders, CRC for High Integrity Austral- ian Pork CEO Roger Campbell said Aus- tralian pork produc- ers were making good progress in reproduc- tion and matched their overseas competitors for herd feed efficiency, but came a long way last in volume, or kilogram carcass weight sold per sow, per year.
“The latter is reflected in Australia’s much high- er costs, other than feed, than our global competi-
tors and this must be ad- dressed through better sow productivity and po- tentially heavier carcass weights,” he said.
Dr Campbell acknow- ledged the issue of heav- ier weights was market driven and largely up to individual businesses working with their cus- tomers.
While Pork CRC re- search had positively impacted born alive and number weaned, he ex- pected further enhance- ments through Australa- sian Pork Research Insti-
tute Limited, which had now called for research proposals to markedly enhance the competive- ness and sustainability of the Australasian pork industry.
That APRIL call closes February 16, with suc- cessful projects expected to begin July 1.
Dr Campbell said Aus- tralian pork producers were competitive for feed efficiency, but it was a key performance indica- tor that unfortunately had remained static for some time and was well below the capability of available genetics.
For example, the aver- age feed: gain between weaning and sale for producers in Pork CRC’s benchmarking project was 2.4.
The desired target was two from wean to sale.
In a commercial study
on grind size (Pork CRC Project 4B-121), nutri- tionist Tony Edwards re- ported an average feed: gain of 2.38 across three studies, using female pigs between 38kg and 97kg.
In earlier work on lysine requirements of mod- ern genotypes at WA’s Medina Research Station, Dr Bruce Mullan and his DAFWA colleagues reported feed: gain val- ues for 50-100kg group housed female and male pigs of 2.55 and 2.25, respectively.
“Recognising we are missing out on a lot of the pig’s potential, we need to determine the major factors robbing us of feed efficiency in commercial herds,” Dr Campbell said.
“That could be what’s fed and how it’s fed, or pigs per unit of air space.”
www.porkcrc.com.au
Pork CRC CEO Dr Roger Campbell.
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Revived TPP
agreement spells
important progress
for farmers
THE National Farm- ers’ Federation has welcomed news that a deal has been reached between Trans-Pacific Partnership nations, with the exception of the US.
NFF chief executive Tony Mahar said this new agreement – now known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partner- ship – contains several important gains for Aus- tralia’s farm sector.
“While the exact details are still being examined, it’s envisaged the CPTPP will see significant reduc- tion and elimination of tariffs on a range of agri- cultural products including red meat, cereals, dairy and wine,” Mr Mahar said.
“Ultimately, this will make Australian food and fibre products more competitive in the global market.
“The NFF has been a staunch advocate for the TPP since its inception, and this agreement is an important show of support for free trade by partici- pating nations.
“The CPTPP is a region- al free trade agreement of unprecedented scope and ambition.
“It has great potential to drive job-creating growth across the Australian economy.
“The CPTPP promises far greater access to some of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets – including three G20 na- tions.”
The agreement opens up new opportunities in these markets, over and above Australia’s existing bilat- eral trade arrangements.
Mr Mahar reinforced the economic importance of this kind of trade liber- alisation.
“As an exporting nation, access to new markets for our agricultural commod- www.porknews.com.au
ities and other products and services is central to Australia’s economic suc- cess,” he said.
“New opportunities for our farmers, manufactur- ers and exporters under- pin job creation and eco- nomic growth right across our economy.
“On the whole, there is no doubt the CPTPP will improve trading condi- tions for Australia’s farm sector.
“Advancements like this are critical if we are to reach our vision of a $100 billion farm sector by 2030.”
The NFF also paid trib- ute to the work of the Australian Government in advocating for the CPTPP.
“Reaching consensus with 10 other nations on such a game-changing deal for regional trade is no small achievement,” Mr Mahar said.
“We must acknowledge Minister for Trade and Investment Steven Ciobo and our trade officials for their work in securing this outcome.”
Once signed, the CPTPP will be subject to a par- liamentary review process before being voted on.
“It is critical that all par- ties and politicians stand behind Australia’s efforts to open new markets,” Mr Mahar said.
“We ask all sides of poli- tics to review the CPTPP on its merits and resist the temptation to politicise the review and ratification process.”
The TPP is a multi- country trade agreement between Australia, Bru- nei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, Mexico and Canada.
The US chose to with- draw from negotiations following the election of President Donald Trump.
Australian Pork Newspaper, February 2018 – Page 9