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Page 8 %u2013 Australian Pork Newspaper, February 2025 www.porknews.com.auHAVING joined Aus- tralian Pork Limited in 2024, I am incredibly proud of the strides it has made in advancing the industry through targeted research and innovation.The team%u2019s recent progress and achievements work to strengthen our industry%u2019s future, while pushing boundaries across our key focus areas. Our animal welfare initiatives have yielded particularly promising results. Our research into nonstraw enrichment for pre-farrowing sows has provided Coles%u2019 APIQaccredited producers with valuable alternatives that maintain excellent farrowing outcomes. We%u2019ve also gained crucial insights into commercial floor space utilisation, demonstrating how pigs naturally %u2018grow into their space%u2019 throughout their development cycle, understanding tail biting in pigs and humane stunning methods for pigs. The update of our ProHand Pig Abattoir program represents another significant step forward, building on its successful adoption to enhance the relationship between people and pigs across our processing facilities.Environmental sustainability achievements continue to make waves. We have made significant progress in manure management through our work on short hydraulic retention time systems, providing producers with practical guidance for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In a first for our industry, we%u2019ve quantified veterinary plastic usage at 58 tonnes annually, establishing a crucial baseline for future waste reduction initiatives. The imminent release of both updated %u2018National Environmental Guidelines for Indoor Piggeries%u2019 and %u2018Rotational Outdoor Piggeries%u2019 will further support our industry%u2019s proactive environmental stewardship.On the biosecurity front, we are continuously taking proactive steps to protect our industry and contribute to national biosecurity preparedness through continued engagement and relationship building at a Federal Government level %u2013 pushing back the borders. We have been instrumental in developing site-specific African swine fever incident action plans for Australia%u2019s export-registered pig abattoirs, representing a significant advancement in our preparedness. We are also making steady progress on Japanese encephalitis virus monitoring and vaccine development, working closely with industry and human health departments. The ongoing collaboration with the University of Queensland on JEV vaccine development, though progressing gradually, demonstrates our commitment to longterm solutions for industry challenges.Our commitment to product quality has led to valuable findings in intramuscular fat content and its relationship to eating quality. This research has provided us with important benchmarks for Australian pork and deeper insights into the factors influencing consumer satisfaction. The development of new shelf-life prediction tools for vacuum-packed fresh pork promises to further reduce waste and improve supply chain efficiency, with initial results suggesting longer shelf-life than previously predicted.I am particularly excited about our progress in digital innovation, including the development of PigPass 2.0. Progressing into 2025, this new app %u2013 supported by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry funding %u2013 will overhaul our realtime animal movement tracking capabilities. The extensive stakeholder consultation process %u2013 involving over 60 industry participants %u2013 has ensured that this tool will meet the practical needs of our industry and prove invaluable in the event of an emergency animal disease outbreak. Cost of production remains a key focus area, with ongoing projects aimed at improving gilt productivity, piglet viability and weaner performance during the critical transition period. These initiatives, combined with other APL research programs, demonstrate our broader approach to industry advancement.Looking ahead into 2025, our newly restructured team is well-positioned to support the industry%u2019s 2025-2030 strategic objectives. As part of our ongoing efforts, in 2024, APL %u2013 in collaboration with the Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited %u2013 developed an inaugural green paper through the Pork Industry Insight Panel to guide the industry%u2019s future direction. Led by chief scientist for the pork industry Dr John Pluske, the paper identifies key challenges and opportunities, with a focus on disease control, biosecurity, social license and workforce shortages. The document will also inform the research, innovation and extension direction of APL%u2019s 2025-2030 strategic plan, balancing practices with economic viability to ensure a sustainable and innovative future for Australian pork production. The integration of APL%u2019s extension team with research and innovation will enhance our ability to disseminate research outcomes more effectively. While we are currently recruiting for two new positions %u2013 extension manager and officer %u2013 our collaboration with APRIL on an industry extension strategy demonstrates our ongoing commitment to maximising the impact of our industry research investments.Our dedicated research and innovation program managers %u2013 Dr Rebecca Athorn (farming and welfare), Tim MorleySattler (environment and sustainability), Dr Vaibhav Gole (integrity and quality) and Dr Raymond Chia (health and biosecurity) %u2013 continue to drive progression and innovation in their respective areas. Their expertise and commitment ensure that APL maintains a comprehensive approach to industry challenges and opportunities.Moving forward into 2025, I am confident that our collaborative approach to research, innovation and extension will continue to deliver valuable outcomes for our producers and supply chain. %u25a0 Farrowing and weaner crates, growers and baconer pens. %u25a0 Feed hopper with stainless steel trough.%u25a0 Farrowing flooring with a 10mm gap; weaners flooring with a 12mm gap; and growers flooring with a 15mm gap.Excellent quality Concrete Slats for PiggeriesDiagonal Farrowing Crate. Straight Farrowing Crate.Ph (02) 6644 6065Mobile 0437 431 901 | Email sales@vereyken.com.au 2 Clark Rd, Junction Hill %u2022 PO Box 421, Grafton NSW 2460Head Office: Vereyken Bros. Pty Ltd Anytime or (02) 6644 6065ABN 11 003 543 548 Mobile: 0437 431 901 Victoria: Ben Slots Phone: (03) 9462 4266 Freecall: 1800 999 245 Mobile: 0418 388 842ALL FLOORING IS MADE TO SIZE AT NO EXTRA COSTPh: 08 8359 1588 E: sales@titanfan.com.auMADE IN AUSTRALIA FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS SINCE 1990LOCALLY manufactured at Titan%u2019s factory 12-14 Kenworth Rd, Gepps Cross, South Australia 5094ORIGINAL Stir Fan available ON/OFF 1ph/3phNEWStir Fan FH800/0.37kw/4 blade/1ph/3ph EC (variable speed 200 rpm %u2013 1000 rpm)APL research into non-straw enrichment for pre-farrowing sows has provided Coles%u2019 APIQaccredited producers with valuable alternatives that maintain excellent farrowing outcomes.Research, innovation and extension review shows resultsThe new PigPass 2.0 will overhaul real-time animal movement tracking capabilities.Industry Advancesby REBECCA MORRISON