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Page 12 %u2013 Australian Pork Newspaper, March 2025 www.porknews.com.auNUFFIELD Australia has opened applica- tions for its 2026 schol- arships, calling on the next crop of Australian agriculturalists to be curious, drive change and help their industry thrive.Farmers and those working in the agriculture industry are encouraged to seize the oncein-a-lifetime opportunity by applying for a scholarship for 15 weeks of overseas study. Nuffield Australia chief executive officer and 2013 Nuffield scholar Jodie Redcliffe said Nuffield scholarships were recognised as the pinnacle of industry-based, experiential learning for primary producers. %u201cScholars have a unique opportunity to visit, learn from and collaborate with not only other scholars but with agribusiness leaders around the world,%u201d Ms Redcliffe said.%u201cBy fostering a culture of curiosity and excellence, we challenge scholars to step beyond their comfort zones, exploring groundbreaking ideas and solutions that can reshape Australian agriculture. %u201cThe journey is transformative %u2013 offering lifechanging experiences that empower individuals to lead with focus.%u201cFrom paddocks to boardrooms, Nuffield scholars ensure Australian agriculture will thrive in a changing world,%u201d she said.The organisation awards around 20 scholarships each year, enabling the sharing of knowledge that creates a sustainable and profitable food and fibre industry. Some of these scholarships target specific agricultural industries, while others are open to a wider range. Nuffield Australia, which this year celebrates its seventy-fifth year of scholarships, will again offer up to five drought resilience-specific scholarships, supported by the Australian Government%u2019s Future Drought Fund.Soon-to-be-released research commissioned by Nuffield Australia shows its alumni overwhelmingly say their scholarship was an incredibly rich and diverse experience, which had a profound impact on their life. Claire Catford from Hoyleton in South Australia was awarded a scholarship last year. %u201cThe most wonderful and surprising thing has been the welcoming and supportive network that opens up when you%u2019re awarded the scholarship,%u201d Ms Catford said. She said initially it was a daunting prospect, %u201cGoing outside your comfort zone is where amazing things happen and I%u2019m seeing that clearly already.%u201cIn planning my travels, I%u2019ve been astounded at the opportunities that%u2019ve opened because of the Nuffield network.%u201cI can only imagine where this is all going to lead over the next 12 to 18 months, and no doubt beyond that time as well. %u201cI urge anyone who%u2019s on the fence about applying to just go for it %u2013 there%u2019s never a perfect time for these things but taking the leap could help you discover something you might never have imagined.%u201dNuffield Australia encourages applications for research topics relevant to any or all industries in the Australian agricultural sector.Applications close on Friday May 16, 2025.Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed during June, with a final round of interviews in July. Successful recipients will be announced at the Nuffield Australia National Conference in Adelaide from September 8-10, 2025.Find out more at nuffield.com.au/how-toapply AS an essential nutrient, zinc is required by all living organisms. Yet, excess zinc is toxic to pigs, plants and other organisms in the environment. Finding a balance requires a systems approach.Hosted by Aarhus University in Denmark in mid-February, University of Minnesota Assistant Professor and research lead for the Real Pork Trust Consortium Pedro E Urriola %u2013 alongside Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada%u2019s Danyel Bueno Dalto and Aarhus University%u2019s Mihai-Victor Curtasu %u2013 presented a series of talks about zinc supplementation to pigs and sows.Effects of zinc supplementation on lifetime events of pigsDr Pedro Urriola commenced the seminar with a thoughtprovoking presentation on the effects of zinc supplementation throughout the lifetime of pigs. He explored various facets, including the impact of zinc supplementation to gestating sows on pre-weaning mortality of light birthweight pigs, the influence of different sources of zinc on post-weaning pig growth and the association between tissue zinc concentration and clinical outcomes in pigs infected with mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, a common swine respiratory disease.Insights into zinc absorption and trace minerals metabolismDr Danyel Bueno Dalto described results on the net intestinal absorption of zinc and copper using the %u2018portal vein net appearance approach%u2019. Additionally, he shared findings on the effects of levels of dietary zinc on trace minerals metabolism in the post-weaning period, shedding light on crucial aspects of mineral nutrition in pigs and the need to study these trace minerals in conjunction.Metabolomics response to dietary interventionsDr Mihai-Victor Curtasu concluded the seminar series with an intriguing discussion on the analysis of biochemical markers of pigs%u2019 response to vitamin D supplementation while infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome.He also shared insights into the metabolomics profile and microbiome response in pigs fed different levels of zinc, in collaboration with Elham Assadi Soumeh from Queensland University, providing valuable insights into the complex interactions between diet, metabolism and health in pigs.Open discussion and knowledge exchangeThe seminar culminated in an engaging open discussion, where participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions and deepen their understanding of the topics presented. This collaborative forum fostered knowledge sharing and laid the groundwork for future research endeavours in pig production.In conclusion, the seminar provided a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in zinc supplementation and metabolomics research in pig production. By leveraging interdisciplinary expertise and cutting-edge methodologies, researchers are unravelling the complexities of pig nutrition and health, paving the way for improved management practices and enhanced productivity in the swine industry. *To reduce lung lesions Fostera Gold PCV MH contains inactivated recombinant chimeric porcine circovirus type 1 containing the porcine circovirus type 2a open reading frame 2 (ORF2) protein, inactivated recombinant chimeric porcine circovirus type 1 containing the porcine circovirus type 2b (ORF2) protein and inactivated Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strain.Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd. ABN 94 156 476 425. Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes NSW 2138. %u00a9 2024 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. ZL1958B...SO SHOULDY O U R PROTECTIONTHE ONLYvaccines withTWO PCV2GENOTYPESprotecting againstPCV2a, PCV2b& PCV2d*UNIQUE FORMULATION SINGLE OR SPLIT DOSET H R E A T S ADAPT...T H R E A T S ADAPT...Dr Pedro Urriola presented on the effects of zinc supplementation throughout the lifetime of pigs.Zinc essential yet finite resourceDrive change with a 2026 Nuffield scholarship