Dr Roger Campbell, CEO, Pork CRC

The current Pork CRC officially terminates 30 June 2011, although about $2.5 million will be carried over to the CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork (HIAP) to complete projects. Being involved with the current Pork CRC has been an exciting and rewarding experience and it has been made so by the enthusiasm and tremendous contributions to the R&D and utilisation programmes by researchers and industry participants.

According to Dr Campbell, Australia has seen a transformation in the research arena and in the confidence of producers and the other industry stakeholders during the six years the Pork CRC has operated.

Global Positioning

Dr Campbell writes, "I know from my travels that Australia’s pork industry is now much better positioned globally than it was six years ago. There is no doubt that we will continue to face pressure from exporting countries to allow the entry of more pork and different forms of pork into Australia."

However, he believes the country is making significant progress with retailers and consumers regarding the uniqueness and value of Australian grown pork. The CRC for HIAP is all about further differentiating Australian pork on health, environmental and welfare grounds, Dr Campbell writes.

Definite Challenge

While this is a definite challenge, given the high stakes and enthusiastic support from researchers and industry, there’s little doubt the objectives will be achieved and Australia will see the industry evolve further. Hopefully, this evolution will be to the point that the gap between us and other pork producing countries will be too big to jump, or there’ll simply be no reason to think of sourcing pork from overseas. That is the vision and the CRC for HIAP and APL will concentrate their efforts to ensure it is achieved.

Maximum Impact

Meanwhile, Australia needs to ensure the projects yet to be completed are done so with maximum efficiency and impact and that this year’s Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA) meeting in Adelaide is as successful as APSA Cairns in 2009. The country is looking for as many publications from Pork CRC researchers and students as possible.

Sincere Thanks

Dr Campbell writes: "Given this will be the last newsletter of the current Pork CRC, I extend my sincere thanks to our Chairman, Dr John Keniry and his Board for their assistance and guidance in the last six years.

"Likewise, thanks to all my staff for their support and hard work and, last, but by no means least, thanks to our participants, researchers, students and producers for their input and assistance.

"Without your efforts, the Pork CRC would not have been as successful as it has. I also record my appreciation to the Federal Government for its past and future support and funding of the Pork CRC."

Roger Campbell and the Pork CRC Board enjoyed a tour of Rivalea’s Corowa, NSW outdoor facility, hosted by Kenton Shaw (right), as part of the Board’s April quarterly meeting. The experience was enjoyed by the directors, all of whom seemed to be welcomed by the piglets which freely roam the countryside. A visit to Rivalea’s boning room and abattoir was equally impressive, with a lot of value adding taking place under four Rivalea Brands. Rivalea R&D staff updated the Board on Pork CRC supported R&D projects.

The four programmes and main objectives of the CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork will be:

1. CONFINEMENT-FREE SOW AND PIGLET MANAGEMENT will reduce and ultimately eliminate the need for sow confinement during farrowing, lactation and gestation by developing innovative housing, mating and suckling systems.
   Programme leader: Dr Ray King.
   
   
2. NEXT GENERATION HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND ANTIBIOTIC REDUCTION will involve new and novel diagnostic tools to monitor enteric and respiratory pathogen loads in production units and better defining and understanding of the virulence genes which cause disease. The target is to reduce antibiotic use by 50 per cent.
   Programme leader: Dr Brian Luxford.
   
   
3. HEALTHY PORK CONSUMPTION involves innovative research to develop quality assessment and assurance tools for pork for domestic and overseas markets and an understanding of key Asian markets and how the High Integrity Australian Pork concept fits within these markets.
   Programme leader: Dr Darryl D’Souza.
   
   
4. CARBON-CONSCIOUS NUTRIENT INPUTS AND OUTPUTS will develop commercially viable feeding and effluent management systems for pig production that significantly reduce the net carbon footprint while maintaining production efficiency. The target is to reduce Carbon output to 1.0 kg/kg carcass produced.
   Programme leader: Dr Rob Wilson.

Please note that education activities will be embedded within each programme, with specific education targets and milestones for each programme.