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Rural Industries
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RIRDC Completed Projects in 2000-2001 & Research in Progress as at June 2001
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* Indicates a joint chicken meat and egg program project. These projects will appear in both sections of this report.
Implications of the Changing Economic
Environment for the Australian Egg Industry
| ANU-41A | The economic impact of changing Australian egg production systems |
| AEI-11A (EIDF) | Options for enhancing industry competitiveness and R&D and marketing efficiency |
| DAQ-275A | An evaluation of the higher value-added opportunities from the chicken egg |
Public Health
| CIF-1A | Rapid detection of virulent Salmonella in egg and poultry products |
| UNE-71A | Egg and egg shell quality control in the Australian egg industry |
Flock Health and Disease Management
Feed Availability and Nutrition
Husbandry and Welfare
| SAR-34A | Should claw abrasives be used in cages in Australia? |
| SAR-35A | Beak trimming accreditation |
Environmentally Sustainable Management
Implications of the Changing
Economic Environment for the Australian Egg Industry
| Project Title | The economic impact of changing Australian egg production systems |
| RIRDC Project No: | ANU-41A |
| Start Date: | 18/05/00 |
| Finish Date: | 31/05/01 |
| Researcher: | Dr Ray Trewin |
| Organisation: | Australian
National University
Australia-Japan Research Centre (AJRC) Building 13 CANBERRA ACT 0200 |
| Phone: | (02) 6125 0134 |
| Fax: | (02) 6125 0767 |
| Email: | ray.trewin@anu.edu.au |
Objective |
· The key deliverables will be the production of RIRDC and other publications, and their wide presentation including to industry, governments and researchers. The publications will cover key issues concerning the socio-economic impact of changing Australian egg production systems such as the costs and benefits of possible future scenarios to industry, consumers, and society. The publications, which will be widely distributed, will assist Australian policy agencies and businesses to make decisions based on the full socio-economic consequences of possible changes in Australian egg production systems. The outcome of the proposed research will be more informed decisions by Australian policy agencies and businesses in relation to Australian egg production systems. |
Current Progress |
The project started early in mid May 2000 to enable preparation of an Issues paper for a July Hen Housing conference that was called at short notice. The paper was discussed with industry, government officials and other Australian researchers prior to the closed conference. The Issues paper was also discussed with international researchers at the International Association of Agricultural Economics Conference in Berlin in August 2000. Further discussions took place with other researchers, industry and government officials in the UK and Switzerland during a study tour following the Conference when relevant material such as the National Farmers Union survey of producers and estimates of welfare benefits were obtained. A Management Committee was formed and met in early November 2000 to discuss a redraft of the Issues paper and to provide advice on the industry data collection stage. An extended paper was presented to the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Conference in Adelaide in January 2001. A foresighting exercise of the industry was undertaken in May before preparation of the final report with estimates of economic costs and benefits of changing Australian egg production systems for early June 2001. |
| Project Title | Options for enhancing industry competitiveness and R&D and marketing efficiency (EIDF) |
| RIRDC Project No: | AEI-11A |
| Start Date: | 06/04/01 |
| Finish Date: | 30/11/01 |
| Researcher: | Mr Alan Newton |
| Organisation: | Australian
Egg Industry Association (AEIA)
PO Box 569 HURSTVILLE NSW 1481 |
| Phone: | (02) 9570 9222 |
| Fax: | (02) 9570 9763 |
| Email: | enquiries@aeia.org |
Objectives |
·
Enhancement of the Australian egg industry international competitiveness
and capacity to relate effectively with government.
· Appropriate innovation, marketing, and policy capabilities to equip the industry to meet the above. Specific deliverables are: · Reports to industry on analysis of options for enhancing industry competitiveness and for delivering more efficient egg innovation, marketing, communication and policy outcomes. · Subject to industry decisions on the above, the preparation of appropriate proposal(s) for submission to government. · A comprehensive process of industry consultation and reporting to progress the above. ·
Assistance in the full development and implementation of any formulation
agreed by industry and government.
|
Current Progress |
Project supported out-of-session. Insufficient progress to warrant a progress report at the time of preparing this publication. |
| Project Title | An evaluation of the higher value-added opportunities from the chicken egg |
| RIRDC Project No: | DAQ-275A |
| Start Date: | 01/11/00 |
| Finish Date: | 30/11/01 |
| Researcher: | Dr Craig Davis |
| Organisation: | Department
of Primary Industries (Qld)
Centre for Food Technology 19 Hercules Street HAMILTON QLD 4007 |
| Phone: | (07) 3406 8611 |
| Fax: | (07) 3406 8677 |
| Email: | davisck@dpi.qld.gov.au |
Objective |
· To conduct a comprehensive desktop investigation to determine the current and potential uses of extracts and by-products produced during egg processing. |
Current Progress |
Report not received. |
| Project Title | Rapid detection of virulent Salmonella in egg and poultry products |
| RIRDC Project No: | CIF-1A |
| Start Date: | 01/07/00 |
| Finish Date: | 30/11/03 |
| Researcher: | Dr Jason Wan |
| Organisation: | CRC
for International Food Manufacture and Packaging Science
Private Bag 16 WERRIBEE VIC 3030 |
| Phone: | (03) 9742 0320 |
| Fax: | (03) 9742 0201 |
| Email: | jason.wan@foodscience.afisc.csiro.au |
Objectives |
·
To develop multiple PCR systems to target a spectrum of multiple (at least
6) gene sequences for rapid characterisation and differentiation of Salmonella
spp. of economic and public health significance in egg and poultry products
and environmental samples, and correlation of the genetic information with
sero-typing and phage-typing data.
· To develop simple sample preparation techniques for the isolation and concentration of Salmonella spp. from egg products for use in combination with the multiple PCR systems. · To apply the developed detection and identification systems for differentiation of non-pathogenic S. sofia and pathogenic non-S. sofia isolates and S. Enteriditis (SE) PT4 (a major poultry pathogen in Europe & USA) and other Salmonella spp. of industry importance. ·
To develop user-friendly systems such as "BioChips" (DNA micro-array systems)
and colorimetric detection systems for the detection of multiple PCR products.
|
Current Progress |
A comprehensive literature and genomic database review on virulence determinants has been completed and a reference culture collection of 54 relevant Salmonella strains has been compiled. Multiple gene sequences in the Salmonella genome have been identified as potential targets for differentiation and characterisation of Salmonella isolates. Multiple pairs of oligonucleotide primers targeting specific regions of a virulent determinant have been synthesised for PCR differentiation of Salmonella species into the major sero-groups (B, C1, C2-3 and D) and for correlation with sero-typing results. In addition, PCR systems are also being developed for amplification of common gene targets in all Salmonella species, and the PCR products are being sequenced using a DNA sequencer for analysis of S. Sofia-specific regions. The sequence information generated will fill the knowledge gaps in genetic information for local isolates of S. Sofia and will be used as additional targets for differentiation of S. Sofia from other Salmonella species. |
| Project Title | Egg and egg shell quality control in the Australian egg industry |
| RIRDC Project No: | UNE-71A |
| Start Date: | 01/07/99 |
| Finish Date: | 31/07/02 |
| Researcher: | A/Prof Juliet Roberts |
| Organisation: | University
of New England
Dept of Animal Physiology School of Rural Science and Natural Resources ARMIDALE NSW 2351 |
| Phone: | (02) 6773 2506 |
| Fax: | (02) 6773 3234 |
| Email: | jrobert2@metz.une.edu.au |
Objective |
· To provide a data base and bench marks for egg and egg shell quality in the Australian egg industry. The relationship between laboratory measurements and the commercial situation (proportion of eggs lost or downgraded before and during grading) will be established by compiling data obtained from grading floors and egg marketing organisations along with data obtained from the field and the laboratory. The results will be summarised in a "user-friendly" booklet which will provide graphs of egg and egg shell quality values for different strains of birds at different ages, under different conditions. The booklet will be marketed through RIRDC. |
Current Progress |
Some flocks of birds are still being analysed for the longitudinal studies, where individual flocks of birds are followed throughout their laying life. However, the emphasis of the project has now shifted to the cross-sectional studies, where flocks are sampled from eggs delivered to egg grading and washing facilities. For the longitudinal studies, eggs have been received from six locations, twenty-nine flocks representing four strains, three types of caged housing systems as well as free range, across all seasons of the year and at a total of sixteen different ages of hen. For the cross-sectional studies, eggs have been received from eleven locations, fifty-five flocks, representing four strains, across all seasons and at thirty different ages of hen. Preliminary analysis of some of the data indicates that there is a degree of variation for egg and egg shell quality measures from flocks of the same age. In order to explain this variation, data will be analysed in relation to location, strain, climatic conditions, production system (cage, free range), housing system (sawtooth shed, hi-rise, controlled environment shed), diet (mash/pellet; home mix/commercial; enzymes/no enzymes; cereal on which diet based, for both the longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. |
Flock Health and Disease
Management
| Project Title | Trialing emergency animal disease arrangements in the Australian egg industry (EIDF) |
| RIRDC Project No: | AEI-10A |
| Start Date: | 01/11/00 |
| Finish Date: | 30/09/01 |
| Researcher: | Mr Malcolm Peacock |
| Organisation: | Australian
Egg Industry Association (AEIA)
PO Box 569 HURSTVILLE NSW 1481 |
| Phone: | (02) 9570 9222 |
| Fax: | (02) 9570 9763 |
| Email: | enquiries @aeia.org |
Objectives |
·
To complete a trial of new emergency animal disease arrangements
· To evaluate the role and effectiveness of AEIA in the management and operation of an emergency animal disease response ·
To facilitate an earlier return of Australia's poultry health status to
one which is recognised internationally as being free of virulent Newcastle
disease virus
|
Current Progress |
Background
Virulent Newcastle disease virus has been found on five commercial layer farms in NSW since the eradication programs undertaken on Mangrove Mountain and in Sydney in 1999. One farm is located in Tamworth (Tamworth Designated Risk Area) and four in Western Sydney (Cumberland Designated Risk Area). Within the Cumberland Designated Risk Area (DRA) there is also a "Dangerous Contact" farm and a "Suspect" farm. Government cost sharing arrangements used to fund eradication in 1999 were not activated in 2000 and consequently these farms remained infected. New cost sharing arrangements involving industry and the Commonwealth, State and Territories Governments are currently under negotiation. This project was designed to use the current situation to trial the proposed new cost sharing arrangements and to evaluate the roles of industry and government under these arrangements. Management of the Project It was decided by the National Newcastle Disease Management Committee (chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Australia) to set up a Newcastle Disease Implementation Committee to manage these new arrangements, to be chaired by the Project Controller, Malcolm Peacock (Industry) and to include representatives of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management, NSW Agriculture, the chicken meat and egg industries and the Industry Site Controllers for each DRA. All technical matters are referred to the Newcastle Disease Technical Committee, which is made up of the Chief Veterinary Officers for the Commonwealth and the States and the technical advisers for the chicken meat and egg industries. NSW Agriculture and the Egg Industry are responsible for financial management of the project with all expenditure requiring approval of both parties. Operational Tasks Finalise depopulation and clean-up arrangements for the infected farms in accordance with AUSVETPLAN and the established Standard Operating Procedures. Develop replacement programs and egg supply arrangements for the infected farms. Appoint Industry Site Controllers for the Tamworth and Cumberland DRAs to monitor and complete effective audits of depopulation and clean-up procedures in conjunction with NSW Agriculture. Appoint an independent valuer for compensation claims. Provide ongoing reports to the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD), RIRDC and Industry. Progress All of the infected farms have voluntarily been depopulated and cleaned-up. Owners of infected farms have received compensation. Final confirmation of satisfactory clean up through monitoring of sentinel birds is expected in early June 2001. Sentinel birds have been placed on the Dangerous Contact Farm and the Suspect Farm and test results should also be completed in early June 2001. A program of surveillance will continue for 6 months in the DRAs to substantiate freedom from virulent Newcastle Disease. Arrangements are being made to appoint a consultant to evaluate the management and operation of this emergency disease response and to prepare a full report on the exercise for RIRDC and CCEAD. |
| Project Title | Detection of virulent strains of Newcastle disease virus in chickens previously infected with Australian strains of the virus |
| RIRDC Project No: | CSA-1J |
| Start Date: | 01/07/97 |
| Finish Date: | 30/06/01 |
| Researcher: | Dr Harvey Westbury |
| Organisation: | CSIRO
Livestock Industries
Private Bag 24 GEELONG VIC 3220 |
| Phone: | (03) 5227 5115 |
| Fax: | (03) 5227 5555 |
| Email: | harvey.westbury@dah.csiro.au |
Objective |
· To increase the speed, efficiency and confidence of detection of virulent strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in flocks previously infected with endemic, lentogenic strains of the virus. |
Current Progress |
A conventional virus capture ELISA (vELISA) for Newcastle disease virus was developed using a specific polyclonal antiserum as the capture antibody and a mixture of three monoclonal antibodies as the detection system. Positive/negative levels in the test were assessed and the best target tissues in chickens infected with virulent strains of NDV determined. These were found to be bone marrow, spleen and kidney, though regular detection was also obtained from blood and lung samples. The vELISA was also able to detect virulent ND virus in the tissues of chickens immune to the disease following earlier immunisation with ND vaccine. Immune chickens were challenged with either the virulent Herts, Texas or Australian virulent ND virus strains. These virus strains could be detected in the tissues of immune chickens for up to 21 days after challenge, with most detection occurring between 4 and 10 days after challenge. The test was used on tissues of chickens naturally infected with virulent ND virus that were collected during the Australian epidemic. Results obtained from testing these samples were not as clear-cut as those obtained with tissues from experimentally infected chickens. The reasons for this difference are being examined. |
| Project Title | Postgraduate scholarship – Ms Louise Hilton: Therapeutic applications of cytokines in poultry |
| RIRDC Project No.: | CSA-10J |
| Start Date: | 06/06/99 |
| Finish Date: | 05/06/02 |
| Researcher: | Ms Louise Hilton and Dr John Lowenthal |
| Organisation: | CSIRO
Livestock Industries
Australian Animal Health Laboratory Private Bag 24 GEELONG VIC 3220 |
| Phone: | (03) 5227 5759 |
| Fax: | (03) 5227 5531 |
| Email: | john.lowenthal@li.csiro.au |
Objective |
· To enhance disease resistance and vaccine efficacy in poultry by administration of cytokine therapy. |
Current Progress |
Cytokines
are proteins that are naturally produced by the body’s immune system immediately
following an infection. Cytokines protect against disease by controlling
the immune response to infection or vaccination and therefore represent
excellent, naturally occurring therapeutics.
Previous poultry trials conducted by this research team have shown that treatment with a cytokine, interferon gamma, led to improvements in health and resulted in improved weight gains of the order of five to ten per cent. This cytokine also helped protect birds against coccidiosis infection. It is hoped that a range of therapeutics, using various types of cytokines, can be developed to provide producers with an alternative to in-feed antibiotics. This project has focused on the cytokine, chicken interleukin-2 (ChIL-2). Biologically active recombinant ChIL-2 was produced and its effects on the chicken immune system assessed. Tools were developed to investigate the activities of ChIL-2, including monoclonal antibodies which are used in an ELISA for measuring the level of this cytokine. ChIL-2 treatment of birds resulted in proliferation of both CD4+ and CD8+ populations of T cells. This effect indicated that ChIL-2 may be able to enhance cell mediated immunity, resulting in greater protection against a variety of viral and parasitic diseases. Currently, commercial trials are underway to study the ability of ChIL-2 to enhance vaccine efficacy in protection against infectious bronchitis virus and coccidiosis. |
| Project Title | Molecular epidemiology of Newcastle disease virus in Australia |
| RIRDC Project No: | CSA-11J |
| Start Date: | 01/06/99 |
| Finish Date: | 30/06/02 |
| Researcher: | Dr Allan Gould |
| Organisation: | CSIRO
Livestock Industries
Australian Animal Health Laboratory Private Bag 24 GEELONG VIC 3220 |
| Phone: | (03) 5227 5119 |
| Fax: | (03) 5227 5555 |
| Email: | allan.gould@dah.csiro.au |
Objectives |
·
To develop a better understanding of the epidemiology of Newcastle disease
virus (NDV) within Australia.
· To develop
a better understanding of the mutation rates as well as disease potential
of Australian NDV isolates at the molecular level.
|
Current Progress |
Investigation
of isolates associated with the outbreaks of Newcastle disease in NSW between
1998 and 2000 have shown that the progenitor virus for the outbreak arose,
not from and exotic incursion of virulent virus, but from mutation of an
avirulent, Australian precursor virus.
Gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis of Australian NDVs isolated from 1932 to 2001 has identified one locus as a predictor of viral lineage and the likely ancestor virus for the progenitor virus has been identified. Viruses involved in the summer respiratory disease syndrome have been identified as belonging to two separate clades and virulent virus has been isolated from both clades. The entire genomes of eight viruses from these outbreaks have been sequenced and the genetic stability of these isolates determined. Selection pressure has been shown to be greatest for the haemagglutinin-neuraminidase, matrix and phosphoprotein genes. Analysis of the quasi-species or individual gene sequences present (at a low frequency) in field isolates has shown that virulent viruses were present in a background of avirulent progenitor virus. Variants in the fusion protein cleavage site (which determines virus virulence) have been isolated and characterised. Quasi-species analysis of virulent and avirulent plaque purified viruses have shown that two to three passages in vivo or in vitro were needed to attain the same genetic diversity as that identified in field isolates. Studies of mechanisms for the natural selection of virulent viruses from field isolates have commenced. |
| Project Title | Postgraduate Scholarship - Jacqueline Kattenbelt: Mapping of structure-function relationships of Newcastle Disease (ND) using reverse genetics |
| RIRDC Project No: | CSA-13J |
| Start Date: | 01/07/00 |
| Finish Date: | 30/06/03 |
| Researcher: | Ms Jacqueline Kattenbelt and Dr Allan Gould |
| Organisation: | CSIRO
Livestock Industries
Private Bag 24 GEELONG VIC 3213 |
| Phone: | (03) 5227 5119 |
| Fax: | (03) 5227 5555 |
| Email: | allan.gould@li.csiro.au |
Objectives |
·
To develop a viable DNA construct containing Newcastle disease virus (NDV)
genome and separate clones of NDV nucleocapsid, protein (N), phosphoprotein
(P) and polymerase (L).
· To establish a reverse genetics system to allow recovery of recombinant NDV. · To recover NDV mutants with substitutions in precise sites within the matrix protein to give strictly defined molecular mutants. ·
To map structure-function relationships of viral proteins within infected
cells and to study viral morphogenesis, virulence factor and tissue trophism
determinants essential for NDV replication and infection using electron
microscopy.
|
urrent Progress |
Long
overlapping fragments from the Peats Ridge NDV (precursor of the virulent
virus which was responsible for outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) in
Australia) have been generated and clones confirmed by polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) screening and sequencing. These fragments are currently
being joined at shared restriction sites to form a contiguous DNA fragment.
Separate clones of nucleocapsid protein (NP), phosphoprotein (P) and RNA directed RNA polymerase (L) have been generated and cloned into expression plasmids containing an internal ribosomal entry site allowing cap independent translation. The matrix (M) gene is currently in the process of being manipulated to insert unique restriction sites to enable the gene to be cut out and a modified M re-inserted. |
| Project Title | Diagnostic tools for differentiation of vvIBDV and characterisation of Australian strains |
| RIRDC Project No: | CSA-15J |
| Start Date: | 01/07/00 |
| Finish Date: | 30/06/03 |
| Researcher: | Dr Jagoda Ignjatovic |
| Organisation: | CSIRO
Livestock Industries
Private Bag No 24 GEELONG VIC 3220 |
| Phone: | (03) 5227 5769 |
| Fax: | (03) 5227 5555 |
| Email: | Jagoda.Ignjatovic@csiro.au |
Objectives |
·
To introduce and compare RFLP methods developed by other research groups.
· To test the specificity of Crab-88 and Crab-cos recombinant antibodies for very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) ·
To compare soluble, purified & phage expressed antibody for their suitability
as ELISA reagents.
|
Current Progress |
The
RFLP method was introduced and evaluated using the following overseas strains
available at AAHL: classical 52/70, 1/68 and APHIS, variants E and GLS,
and vvIBDV strains CS88 and Tasik. Restriction profiles generated
for each virus using restriction enzymes BstN1, MboI and SspI were identical
to those produced by the Jackwood and Sommer researchers who developed
this method. Australian strains used in the study of Jackwood were
obtained from the same source. The RFLP profile for these as well
as for all other Australian strains was obtained. None of Australian
strain contained an SspI site characteristic of vvIBDV strains.
The specificity of the antibody Crab88 for vvIBDV strains was tested in two overseas laboratories, France and the USA. Crab88 reacted only with vvIBDV strains and did not react with any of the other classical or variant strains, including ten vaccine strains. This indicates that Crab88 is specific for all vvIBDV strains. Two other recombinant antibodies reacted with all IBDV strains, including the USA variants. Crab88 expressed as phage and soluble antibody was evaluated for use in ELISA. Higher absorbances were obtained with phage than soluble antibodies. Reagents to produce phage antibodies were cheaper and ELISA based on phage antibodies was faster and simpler. |
| Project Title | Attenuation and characterisation of chicken Eimeria for live vaccines |
| RIRDC Project No: | DAQ-259J |
| Start Date: | 01/11/99 |
| Finish Date: | 31/12/02 |
| Researcher: | Dr Wayne Jorgensen |
| Organisation: | Department
of Primary Industries (Qld)
Animal Research Institute Locked Mail Bag No 4 MOOROOKA QLD 4105 |
| Phone: | (07) 3362 9455 |
| Fax: | (07) 3362 9429 |
| Email: | jorgenw@dpi.qld.gov.au |
Objectives |
·
To develop attenuated lines of E. mitis, E. brunetti and E. praecox
for incorporation in an efficacious, live vaccine, protective against all
seven species of Eimeria in Australian chickens.
· To develop
a trial technique to evaluate coccidiostat resistance.
|
Current Progress |
The
sensitivity of two strains of Eimeria mitis (Jorgensen and Kelly)
to the coccidiostats Toltrazuril, Amprolium or Sulphaquinoxaline has been
evaluated in trials. Both strains were sensitive to Toltrazuril and
Amprolium. Each has since undergone selection for precocious development
by passage (Jorgensen strain: 9 passages with a 20 hour drop in prepatent
period; Kelly strain: 13 passages with a 14 hour drop in prepatent period).
The Jorgensen strain was chosen for further characterisation studies and
has been successfully tested for virulence, reproductive potential and
protection against homologous challenge. A trial to assess the strain’s
protection against heterologous challenge was aborted early and has now
been repeated. The results of the new trial are now awaiting statistical
analysis. Both strains of
E. mitis have passed quality control and
DNA testing for purity.
The sensitivity of two strains of Eimeria brunetti (Monarto and Bowden) to the coccidiostats Toltrazuril, Amprolium or Sulphaquinoxaline has been evaluated in trials. Both strains were sensitive to Toltrazuril and Amprolium and are currently underging selection for precocious development by passage. The sensitivity of one strain of Eimeria praecox (Kelly) to the coccidiostats Toltrazuril, Amprolium or Sulphaquinoxaline has been evaluated in a trial. One potentially coccidiostat resistant isolate has been collected at Pitsworth, South East Queensland and cryopreserved for future study. |
| Project Title | Studies of cloacal haemorrhage, egg peritonitis, vent trauma and beak trimming in the laying hen |
| RIRDC Project No: | DAV-170A |
| Start Date: | 01/07/99 |
| Finish Date: | 31/07/01 |
| Researcher: | Dr Greg Parkinson |
| Organisation: | 'Department
of Natural Resources & Environment (Vic)
Victorian Institute of Animal Science 475-485 Mickleham Road ATTWOOD VIC 3049 |
| Phone: | (03) 9217 4200 |
| Fax: | (03) 9217 4299 |
| Email: | Greg.Parkinson@nre.vic.gov.au |
Objectives |
·
To develop management strategies that ameliorates the incidence of egg
peritonitis, prolapse and picking behaviours (vent trauma and cannibalism)
in the laying hen.
· To reduce flock mortalities from approximately 10% to 7% by strategic control of prolapse, egg peritonitis and vent trauma (picking). ·
To stimulate the adoption of improved beak trimming practice.
|
Current Progress |
Laboratory
models have indicated that oviduct haemorrhage and/or picking behaviours
in commercial layers are not uniformly distributed across the life of the
laying flock. These problems are accentuated at stages that correspond
to periods of high metabolic pressure (peak production and peak egg mass).
Comparative studies with single-bird cage flocks indicates that approximately
50% of the cloacal haemorrhage can occur independently of picking behaviours.
Furthermore, the incidence of cloacal haemorrhage appears correlated with
low body weights in early lay and production of disproportionately large
eggs. Birds that experience cloacal haemorrhage in early lay can
continue to manifest the problem, whilst some birds repair the damaged
oviduct very rapidly. Superior management of the transition from pullet
to layer and more attention to body weight management will reduce the extent
of cloacal haemorrhage.
Two large Victorian Egg Farms with controlled environment shedding have been experimenting with non-beak trimmed flocks. In both instances annual mortality patterns have been at acceptable standards ( 5-7% ), but it is clear that a more uniform distribution of shed light intensity at 10-20 lux will lower mortality by an additional 1-2%. In the future, a combination of improved body weight management together with control over onset of sexual maturity, and uniform shed light intensities of 10-20 lux will significantly lower flock mortalities. Successful application of these approaches will facilitate the elimination of beak trimming as a routine husbandry practice. |
| Project Title | National NDV Survey |
| RIRDC Project No: | MS990-40 |
| Start Date: | 10/04/00 |
| Finish Date: | 31/07/01 |
| Researcher: | Dr Vivien Kite |
| Organisation: | Chicken
Meat Program of RIRDC
PO Box 579 NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059 |
| Phone: | (02) 9929 4077 |
| Fax: | (02) 9925 0627 |
| Email: | vivien.kite@chicken.org.au |
Objectives |
·
To collect information on the type and distribution of Newcastle disease
viruses in Australian poultry flocks.
· To collect information on the sero-prevalaence of NDV positive flocks across the Australian commercial poultry indsutries and to identify risk factors for exposure to NDVs on Australian poultry farms. ·
To identify possible risk factors for exposure to NDVs on Australian poultry
farms.
|
Current Progress |
The
survey was designed to collect information on the sero-revalence of NDV
positive flocks across the Australian commercial poultry industries, to
identify possible risk factors for exposure to NDVs, and to collect information
on the type and distribution of NDVs in Australian poultry flocks.
The survey sampling strategy was designed to ensure comprehensive coverage of all sectors of the Australian commercial poultry industry. A total of 754 farms, across eleven regions of Australia, were sampled as part of the survey. Four types of commercial poultry enterprise were included in the survey viz. layer farms, meat chicken farms, breeder (meat and layer) farms, and dedicated pullet rearing farms. In each region, a minimum of 25% of layer farms (50% in NSW) and 30% of meat chicken farms represented in the region were included in the survey. All currently active breeder and pullet rearing farms in each region were included in the survey, except where the birds were too young. The survey was conducted in three phases. Initially, blood samples were collected and tested to establish the serological status of farms. Tracheal and cloacal swabs were then collected from seropositive farms for attempted virus isolation. Viruses isolated were genetically characterised (‘typed’), with typing based on nucleotide sequencing of the cleavage site of the gene that codes the fusion protein of NDV. A total of 259 confirmed NDV isolates were characterised, representing farms in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. The majority of these isolates have come from Victorian farms. No virulent NDV isolates were detected. No precursor-like viruses (such as Peat’s Ridge or Somersby-type variants) were detected. All viruses detected have been V4-like viruses. Some minor genetic diversity was seen in these V4-like viruses, but all are genetically distinct from the virulent virus. A full analysis of the results of the survey is currently underway. |
| Project Title | Molecular diagnostic tools for wild type and vaccine strains of Marek's disease virus |
| RIRDC Project No: | UJC-7A |
| Start Date: | 01/09/99 |
| Finish Date: | 30/09/02 |
| Researcher: | Dr Graham Burgess |
| Organisation: | James
Cook University
Dept of Microbiology and Immunology TOWNSVILLE QLD 4811 |
| Phone: | (07) 4781 5472 |
| Fax: | (07) 4781 6833 |
| Email: | graham.burgess@jcu.edu.au |
Objectives |
·
To develop improved procedures, which can detect genome of Type 1 Marek's
diseases virus (MDV) in the blood of infected or vaccinated birds.
Develop sensitive specific PCR procedures for detecting types 2 and 3 Marek's
disease viruses.
· To identify sequences that can be used to differentiate wild type and vaccine strains of Type 1 Marek's disease virus. ·
To develop and evaluate simplified sample collection techniques and indicator
systems that match the requirements and capabilities of the Australian
poultry industry and transfer these to relevant Australian laboratories.
|
Current Progress |
A
number of blood sample collection methods have been trialed and untreated
filter paper has been eliminated as a viable media. We have successfully
developed a treated paper product and used capillary tubes to separate
lymphocytes for transfer to filter paper.
We currently have a semi-nested PCR for type 1, single and nested sets for HVT and working primers for type 2. The type 1 primers have detected CVI 988 (Rispens) following vaccination in layer birds. HVT primers are capable of detecting down to one quarter dose in broilers as a nested PCR and full dose as a single set, both using treated filter paper media. Half dose HVT vaccination can also be detected with a single primer set and the capillary tube collection system. We can now differentiate between CVI 988 and Australian strains using the meq gene of extracted and purified DNA. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis is underway to separate viral genome in pure form for restriction digestion and cloning. This will be used for sequencing and as a plasmid DNA library for Australian strains of MDV. An ELISA format for product detection has been chosen and we are currently designing probes for all three serotypes and several optimising blocking reagents. |
| Project Title | Determination of the genomic sequence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum |
| RIRDC Project No: | UM-45J |
| Start Date: | 01/06/99 |
| Finish Date: | 15/06/01 |
| Researcher: | Dr Glenn Browning |
| Organisation: | The
University of Melbourne
Veterinary Preclinical Centre PARKVILLE VIC 3052 |
| Phone: | (03) 8344 7342 |
| Fax: | (03) 8344 7374 |
| Email: | glenfb@unimelb.edu.au |
Objectives |
·
To determine the complete genomic sequence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum.
· To facilitate identification of genes which are likely to play a role in virulence. ·
To lay a foundation for subsequent studies to improve the performance of
mycoplasma vaccines and to improve diagnosis of mycoplasmosis.
|
urrent Progress |
A
library of clones has been constructed for sequencing. Draft coverage
of the genome, with an estimated three fold redundancy, has been obtained
to date. Although this data has been useful it is not in a form that can
be dispersed yet, as it comprises numerous small contigs.
A few gaps will remain to be closed after the completion of the random cloning phase and that is expected to take another several months to complete. The annotation will begin after that time. |
| Project Title | Investigating sanitation of surface water for poultry using chlorine - IBDV models |
| RIRDC Project No: | UM-51A |
| Start Date: | 01/07/00 |
| Finish Date: | 31/07/01 |
| Researcher: | Dr Trevor Bagust |
| Organisation: | The
University of Melbourne
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Pre-Clinical Centre Cnr Park Drive & Flemington Road PARKVILLE VIC 3052 |
| Phone: | (03) 9344 9676 |
| Fax: | (03) 9344 9675 |
| Email: | trevorjb@unimelb.edu.au |
Objectives |
·
To increase biosecurity for poultry production sites, which use surface
water.
· To gather objective pilot-scale scientific data about procedures required for the most economical yet effective inactivation of important poultry viruses in surface water of varying qualities. · To scale-up
the above pilot system as a step towards enabling cost-effective on farm
use.
|
Current Progress |
Ensuring
that the water supplies used in poultry production are adequately sanitised
is central to site biosecurity. Surface waters, which may include dams,
lakes, rivers or creeks are widely used in rural Australia as water sources.
However, as these are also open to access by waterfowl, there is significant
risk for potential contamination with poultry pathogens (disease-causing
micro-organisms). Of continuing concern at present are the viruses of Newcastle
Disease, avian influenza and egg-drop syndrome adenovirus, all of which
may spread with migratory ducks. A further threat, which has emerged over
the last decade, are very virulent pathotypes of infectious bursal disease
virus (IBDV). Now spread throughout Asia, these are of much greater pathogenicity
for chickens than our endemic IBDV strains .The scientific literature has
no data on the effectiveness of commonly-used water treatments e.g chlorine
or its derivatives, for these poultry viruses.
Research studies being progressed here during the last year have determined that: (1) Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) diluted to 100-1000 infectious units per ml in potable drinking water, pH 7.0, can be effectively inactivated by treatment levels of 1ppm free chlorine within 1 hr, providing that this level of sanitation is maintained e.g. using a chlorine injector- batch treatment system. (2) Near-instantaneous drops in free chlorine concentrations, to sub-effective sanitation levels, have been detected to have occurred within 1 minute when attempting to sanitise water supplies containing even low levels (to be quantified) of protein. (3) Chlorine dioxide at a starting treatment concentration of 1ppm is also completely effective in inactivating NDV in drinking water, but continues to be effective at lower residual levels than chlorine. (4) Laboratory Australian strains of IBDV have been examined for sensitivity to chlorine, using the standardised treatment and chlorine-monitoring systems developed during these studies. Preliminary results obtained with IBDV strain GT101 indicate that IBDV virus in drinking water would appear to be much more resistant to the inactivating effects of chlorine than is NDV. We are now undertaking the preparation of concentrated purified IBDV stocks, in order to enable closer quantifying of dose-inactivation of Cl for IBDV in drinking water. We will compare these with ClO2, then move to extend sanitation treatments to testing in samples of surface water. |
| Project Title | Control of intestinal spirochaete infections in chickens |
| RIRDC Project No: | UMU-23J |
| Start Date: | 01/06/99 |
| Finish Date: | 30/08/01 |
| Researcher: | Prof David Hampson |
| Organisation: | Murdoch
University
Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences MURDOCH WA 6150 |
| Phone: | (08) 9360 2287 |
| Fax: | (08) 9310 4144 |
| Email: | hampson@numbat.murdoch.edu.au |
Objective |
· To identify new and appropriate means to control infection by the intestinal spirochaetes, Brachyspira intermedia and Brachyspira pilosicoli, recently recognised and common pathogens causing significant economic loss in Australia layer and broiler breeder flocks. |
Current Progress |
Studies
have been conducted to determine in vitro antimicrobial drug sensitivities
of spirochaete isolates from Australian chickens, and to test in vivo
antimicrobial activity in experimentally infected layer and broiler breeder
birds.
Testing of 66 spirochaete strains revealed a similar spectrum of sensitivity to antimicrobial drugs as porcine spirochaetes. Resistance was seen against a number of drugs, with the least resistance recorded for tiamulin. In vivo, tiamulin at 25mg/kg body weight cleared experimental infection with Brachyspira intermedia in layer hens. Birds in an infected room, however, became re-infected after treatment ceased. This suggests that it may be better to use continual low level therapy to control these infections, or to use therapeutic levels of drugs combined with a thorough environmental cleaning program. Continued in-feed supplementation with zinc bacitracin at 100 ppm inhibited proliferation of B. intermedia in experimentally infected birds, whilst at 50 ppm zinc bacitracin encouraged proliferation of Brachyspira pilosicoli. It is uncertain whether these differences are due to the different spirochaete species investigated, or to the dose rates of zinc bacitracin used. Overall, these conflicting results suggest that there are complex interactions between the intestinal microflora and pathogenic intestinal spirochaete species, and that control will require careful monitoring. |
| Project Title | Effects of diet composition, gut microbial status and feed forms on cannibalism in layers |
| RIRDC Project No: | UNE-72A |
| Start Date: | 01/07/99 |
| Finish Date: | 01/11/02 |
| Researcher: | Dr Mingan Choct |
| Organisation: | University
of New England
School of Rural Science and Natural Resources - Animal Science ARMIDALE NSW 2351 |
| Phone: | (02) 6773 5121 |
| Fax: | (02) 6773 3275 |
| Email: | mchoct@metz.une.edu.au |
Objectives |
·
To examine the interaction between diet composition and the incidence of
cannibalism
·
To investigate the effect of the gut microbial status on cannibalism in
layers
|
Current Progress |
A total of four experiments have been conducted to examine the effects of rearing conditions (low light and natural light), beak-trimming and diet composition on the onset of cannibalism in ISA Brown layers. Rearing conditions had no effect, whereas beak-trimming had a profound effect, with cannibalism occurring predominantly in untrimmed birds. In conventionally-housed, untrimmed birds, feeding high fibre diets (e.g., millrun, rice hulls) was not only effective in preventing the onset of cannibalism but also in alleviating cannibalism mortality in flocks already having problems. The mechanism of this action is not known. We have found that digesta transit rate is faster in birds fed high fibre diets, which coincides with a lower gut viscosity, a reduced incidence of pecking, and an increased frequency of feeding. Dietary energy density does not appear to be a cause because diluting the diet with sand had no preventative effect. However, diet form is important, as mash diets are more preventative than pellets, in particular when the diet has a low fibre content. Two more experiments are currently underway to investigate (1) whether these findings are repeatable, and (2) the effect of “behavioural conditioning” during rearing on cannibalism during lay in a barn system. |
| Project Title | Optimising infectious bronchitis vaccination of laying hens for maximum egg shell quality |
| RIRDC Project No: | UNE-76A |
| Start Date: | 01/07/00 |
| Finish Date: | 31/07/03 |
| Researcher: | A/Prof Juliet Roberts |
| Organisation: | University
of New England
Dept of Animal Physiology School of Rural Science and Natural Resources ARMIDALE NSW 2351 |
| Phone: | (02) 6773 2506 |
| Fax: | (02) 6773 3234 |
| Email: | jrobert2@metz.une.edu.au |
Objective |
· To provide to the Australian Egg Industry recommendations concerning best practice in infectious bronchitis vaccination protocols |
Current Progress |
A preliminary study was conducted to assess the age at first vaccination (day-old or two weeks of age) and the route of vaccination using the VicS strain infectious bronchitis (IB) virus vaccine. The negative control group remained free from IB whereas the antibody titres were similar for all vaccinated birds. The first trial of the main project commenced in October 2000 using Isa Brown laying hens. All birds were vaccinated initially at day-old and again at 4 weeks, except for the control group, using either VicS or A3 strains of vaccine and delivering the vaccine via one of three routes: eye drop, coarse spray or in water. There is no evidence that the A3 vaccine virus is too harsh for day-old birds. All birds, including the controls, were vaccinated using VicS by eye drop at 12 weeks. Half of the birds (Poultry Shed C) will receive no further vaccination for IB whereas the other half (Poultry Shed B) are being revaccinated every eight weeks. Egg production, body weight, feed intake, blood electrolytes, IB antibody titres, manure moisture, egg and egg shell quality are being monitored at regular intervals. All mortalities are being autopsied. Birds are currently 30 weeks of age. |
| Project Title | Enhancing mucosal immunity in chickens by novel in-ovo and postnatal vaccination techniques |
| RIRDC Project No: | US-72J |
| Start Date: | 01/01/99 |
| Finish Date: | 31/12/01 |
| Researcher: | Prof Alan Husband |
| Organisation: | The
University of Sydney
Dept of Veterinary Anatomy and Pathology UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY NSW 2006 |
| Phone: | (02) 9351 3127 |
| Fax: | (02) 9351 7349 |
| Email: | a.husband@vetp.usyd.edu.au |
Objective |
·
To induce long-term immunoenhancement in chickens following early priming
of the avian immune system via in-ovo immunisation through:
- development of naked DNA or recombinant constructs of antigen and/or cytokines; - evaluation of delivery vehicles such as liposomes or biodegradable microspheres; - assessment of immunoregulators for non-specific upregulation of the immune system; and -
evaluation of immunisation protocols for enhancing immune responses to
routine vaccinations and providing protection from disease challenges such
as Salmonella Typhimurium.
|
Current Progress |
Initial
contact with and colonisation of the intestinal mucosa by pathogens is
impeded by IgA antibody located at the intestinal surface. Appropriate
vaccination procedures will stimulate intestinal IgA production, protecting
the host from these pathogens. Such IgA antibody production can be
increased through the use of immunoenhancers. Studies undertaken
have investigated the immunoenhancing potential of vitamin E (VE) or the
cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), (a communicator of the immune system, whose
mammalian counterpart increases IgA production) to increase IgA antibody
levels following vaccination in chickens.
Dietary VE supplementation, from day old, increased antigen-specific intestinal IgA antibody titres following immunisation with either tetanus toxoid or whole killed Salmonella Typhimurium. At some dose rates, in-ovo delivery of VE with killed S. Typhimurium antigen elicited an increase (not statistically significant) in anti-S. Typhimurium IgA antibody levels post-hatch. Repeated oral delivery of IL-6 to chickens immunised with either tetanus toxoid or whole killed S. Typhimurium increased anti-antigen IgA at the intestinal surface. A live S. Typhimurium challenge model is being established to examine the ability of IL-6 induced increases in IgA antibody following immunisation, to protect chickens from a challenge of S. Typhimurium. |
Feed Availability and
Nutrition
| Project Title | Characterisation of canola meal and cottonseed meal at practical inclusion levels for use in broiler and layer diets |
| RIRDC Project No: | DAQ-264J |
| Start Date: | 01/07/99 |
| Finish Date: | 31/12/01 |
| Researcher: | Dr Rider A Perez-Maldonado |
| Organisation: | Department
of Primary Industries (Qld)
Queensland Poultry Research and Development Centre PO Box 327 CLEVELAND QLD 4163 |
| Phone: | (07) 3824 3081 |
| Fax: | (07) 3824 4316 |
| Email: | Perezr@dpi.qld.gov.au |
Objectives |
·
To measure the variability of glucosinolates, sinapines, condensed tannins
(CT), total phenolics (TP), sulphur and phytic acid levels in canola meal
(CM) and CT, TP and free and bound gossypol levels in cottonseed meal (CSM).
Pesticide residue levels in CSM; AME, amino acid and proximate composition
of CM and CSM will be determined in samples from major processing sites,
three times a year.
· To evaluate the ratio of iron to free gossypol in CSM to optimise production in both broilers and layers. · To determine the upper limits of inclusion of both CM and CSM separately and in combination in broiler and layer diets. ·
To make recommendations to the poultry industries on the nutritional value
of both CM and CSM when included in least-cost poultry diets at levels
close to their upper limit.
|
Current Progress |
During
2000/01 several experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of
CSM or CM fed at levels of 10, 20, 30 or 40% of the diet to broilers and
laying hens. At 21 d chicks fed CSM showed a reduced feed intake (FI) from
the 20% level. Liveweight gain (LWG) was also reduced at 20 and 30% CSM
in the diet but not at the 10 and 40% levels. The feed conversion ratio
(FCR) was only affected at the 20% level, where it was poorer. After 37
d LWG and FCR were not affected by any level of CSM, indicating that older
birds were capable of overcoming any negative effect of CSM observed in
younger birds.
The results for CM indicated that after 21 d chicks fed Pinjarra CM had improved FCR at all levels, with a reduced FI but a good LWG at all but the 40% level. After 37 d a similar pattern of bird performance was observed. After 21d chicks fed Numurkah CM had a reduced FI from the 20% level but there was no effect on FCR and LWG even at the 30% level. After 37 days birds showed a similar FI and LWG response but with significantly improved FCR at all levels. After 21 d Newcastle CM resulted in a poorer FCR from the 30% level but a good LWG and FI was observed at all levels except the 40% level. However, after 37d the birds overall FI and LWG was reduced from the 20 and 30% level, respectively, without affecting the overall FCR. After 21 d Melbourne CM resulted in a reduction in LWG and FI from the 20 and 30 % levels, respectively. However, after 37d an improved FCR was observed at all levels, even though FI and LWG were reduced from 20% level. Oil processing conditions and the presence of anti-nutritional factors may have influenced the overall performance in these meals. Although these results demonstrate that substantial amounts of CSM and CM can be used in broiler diets, more detailed studies are being undertaken to confirm the above findings. In the layer experiments, good performance was obtained when feeding CSM or different sources of CM at levels of 10, 15, or 20% of the diet. However, preliminary observations made to evaluate fresh and stored eggs derived from the above experiments indicated that an abnormal odour (fishy taint) was detected in raw eggs derived from brown layers on all CM diets. Due to the importance of this observation, further work is being undertaken using an expert sensory panel to evaluate eggs derived from hens fed CM and CSM diets. |
| Project Title | Inclusion of data for additional livestock species in the Australasian Livestock Feed Ingredient (ALFI) database |
| RIRDC Project No: | GRD-2J |
| Start Date: | 01/04/99 |
| Finish Date: | 30/06/01 |
| Researcher: | Dr Robert van Barneveld |
| Organisation: | Grains
Research and Development Corporation
C/- Barneveld Nutrition Pty Ltd PO Box 42 LYNDOCH SA 5351 |
| Phone: | (08) 8524 6477 |
| Fax: | (08) 8524 6577 |
| Email: | robvanb@dove.net.au |
Objective |
· To improve knowledge of the nutritional value of feed grains and the efficiency of use of these grains by the egg and chicken meat industries through developme |