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RIRDC Completed Projects in 2006-2007 & Research in Progress as at June 2007

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To New Animal Products Completed Projects
 

1.2 New Animal Products - Research in Progress
Project No.	Project Title	Researcher	Phone	Organisation
ABA-22A	Emerging animal and plant industries: Their value to Australia	Max Foster	(02) 6272 2095	Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics
DAQ-344A	A review and feasibility study of brain phospholipids extraction	Craig Davis	(07) 3406 8555	Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland
DNT-33A	Genetic and reproduction improvements in Australian Water Buffalo	Barry Lemcke	(08) 8999 2263	Department of Business, industry and Resources development - NT
PRL-1A	Catostylus mosaicus anutoimmune stimulant	Dr Bruce Rich	0417 700 146	PRINDEL
UMO-35A	Genetic improvement of dairy sheep	Dr Alexander Cameron	(03) 5286 1211	Monash University
US-139A	Linkage mapping and QTL analysis in saltwater crocodiles	Dr Sally Isberg	(08) 8988 5554	University of Sydney
US-140A	Runtism and survival in captive saltwater crocodiles	Dr Sally Isberg	(08) 8988 5554	University of Sydney
UWA-84A	Exploring the commercial potential of sheep milk	Dr Roberta Bencini	(08) 9380 2521	University of Western Australia
UWA-91A	Improving reproduction and genetics for game birds and ratites	Dr Irek Malecki	(08) 6488 2528	University of Western Australia
WMI-4A	Crocodile pen design	Prof Grahame Webb	(08) 8922 4500	Wildlife Management International Pty Ltd
WMI-5A	Nutritional requirements, feed ingredients and feeding systems for farmed crocodile production	Prof Grahame Webb	(08) 8922 4500	Wildlife Management International Pty Ltd
WMI-6A	Captive breeding of Hawksbill turtles	Prof Grahame Webb	(08) 8922 4500	Wildlife Management International Pty Ltd

 
 
 

Project Title	Emerging animal and plant industries: Their value to Australia
RIRDC Project No.:	ABA-22A
Start Date:	01-Mar-07
Finish Date:	22-Dec-07
Researcher:	Max Foster
Organisation:	Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Phone:	(02) 6272 2095
Fax:	(02) 6272 2348
Email:	Max.Foster@abare.gov.au
Objectives	·1 To update RIRDC publication 05/154, a publication prepared by ABARE that provides statistical information on a wide range of new and emerging industries in Australia. ·2 To add up to two emerging animal industries and up to five emerging plant industries
Current Progress	A draft of revised ‘calendar year’ chapters (updated to 2006), plus two new chapters on ‘Tea’ (black tea and Japanese green tea) and ‘Truffles’ was provided to RIRDC on 1 June 2007 (the first milestone). Progress has also been made toward the second milestone (due 31 August 2007) which is a draft of the revised ‘financial year’ chapters, plus the remaining new industries to be added. The new chapters/sections are: ·1 tree nuts, made up of sections on almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts. ·2 culinary herbs ·3 dairy sheep (drawing on a recent RIRDC publication) ·4 wallabies in the ‘Kangaroos’ chapter ·5 peppermint and boronia in the ‘Essential oils’ chapter ·6 pitaya and jackfruit in the ‘Tropical fruit’ chapter.

 
 
 

Project Title	A review and feasibility study of brain phospholipids extraction
RIRDC Project No.:	DAQ-344A
Start Date:	1 September 2006
Finish Date:	1 September 2007
Researcher:	Craig Davis
Organisation:	Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland Centre for Food Technology 19 Hercules Street HAMILTON QLD 4007
Phone:	(07) 3406 8555
Fax:	(07) 3406 8665
Email:	craig.davis@dpi.qld.gov.au
Objectives	·3 To undertake a comprehensive review of the literature relating to value-adding opportunities from brain tissue (the major focus will be on the lipid composition of brain tissue). ·4 To perform laboratory extractions on representative samples of brain tissue from various species. ·5 To assess to economic feasibility of commercial extraction from brain tissue.
Current Progress	Large quantities of brain material are currently not utilised in the Australian animal processing industry or are a low value by-product. Brain tissue from representative species (crocodile, rabbit, camel and buffalo) has been extracted to allow an initial assessment of the economic feasibility of commercial extraction of phospholipids from brain tissue.      About 10% of the wet weight of the brain (50% of the dry weight) is lipid. More than half of this brain-derived lipid comprises a particular group of lipids (phospholipids). They are the functional ingredients of lecithins, emulsifiers, and have well documented therapeutic benefits. This research offers a potential benefit to the farmer and to the slaughter facility, as well as presenting an opportunity to a processor to manufacture a high value product from a current waste. Currently, most phospholipids are plant derived (e.g. soy lecithin) and imported from overseas.      Traditional methods of phospholipid extraction have been compared with Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) which uses liquid Carbon Dioxide to extract lipid from biological material. Previous investigations into the extraction of phospholipids from other sources (e.g. milk and egg) using SFE have shown significant promise

 
 

Project Title	Genetic and reproduction improvements in Australian Water Buffalo
RIRDC Project No.:	DNT-33A
Start Date:	18-Jun-04
Finish Date:	01-Nov-07
Researcher:	Barry Lemcke
Organisation:	Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines (NT) Pastoral Division PO Box 3000 DARWIN NT 0801
Phone:	(08) 8999 2263
Fax:	(08) 8999 2043
Email:	barry.lemcke@nt.gov.au
Objectives	·1 To analyse the existing swamp buffalo data collected at Beatrice Hill since 1983 and derive heritability estimates for the Australian swamp buffalo. Breedplan EBVs to be allocated. ·2 Review and recommend suitable database system to take the Buffalo Industry (meat, milk and stud) satisfactorily into the next 10 years. ·3 Review Australian and world literature and implement AI protocol that suits Australian conditions over multiple locations - trial in as many States as possible.
Current Progress	Results from the Yambuck Vic. AI round 0f 20 heifers performed in Mar 2006 were 6 live calves from the total of 10 that were confirmed pregnant by ultrasound in May 06. One heifer died prior to calving, 3 did not calve. 2 other rounds were carried out during April and July 2006 at BHF. 5 live calves were achieved from the April round although early ultrasounds indicated 9 were pregnant. The July round of 25 head has yet to commence calving and a follow-up bull was assigned immediately after the AI round. DNA testing will be needed to positively assign calves to AI or Bull, but early ultrasounds indicated 12 to AI and 9 to follow-up bull over 2 months. In Feb 2007 a group of 5 purebreds (4 cows [2 lactating] and 1 heifer) were artificially inseminated at university of New England Agricultural Business Research Institute but with nil success at first ultrasound test. Another group of 20-30 will be artificially inseminated at Millaa Millaa NQld during May 2007. Performance recording data are still being analysed. Both current and historic and the buffalo register work is also progressing with the same group.

 
 
 
 

Project Title	Catostylus mosaicus anutoimmune stimulant
RIRDC Project No.:	PRL-1A
Start Date:	16-Apr-2007
Finish Date:	30-Nov-2007
Researcher:	Dr Bruce Rich
Organisation:	PRINDEL 20 Tierney Terrece RUSSELL ISLAND QLD 4184
Phone:	0417 700 146
Email:	brucerich@dodo.com.au
Objectives	Finalise project QUT-8A ·1 Investigate the potential commercial development of therapeutic products from Catostylus mosaicus ·2 Establish handling and processing procedures ·3 Identify the class(es) of active components ·4 Determine degree of activity (or range of activity through bioassay) ·5 Gather sufficient data to make Go/No Go decisions for commercial development
Current Progress	Ten kilograms of jellyfish tentacle samples have been obtained and extraction and analysis will commence.  Dr David Leach (Southern Cross University) will replace Dr. Leslie Stevenson. Dr. Leach has organized for the extraction to be carried out at The University of Queensland through a colleague he knows who is an expert in the area. Dr. Leach was delivering the samples personally on 29 November 2006 and will discuss further the extraction process.  The original extraction plan used five solvents, namely: 1. Acetone 2. Ethanol 3. Chloroform 4. Ethyl acetate and 5. DMSO. Extracts will be profiled using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Once extraction is complete bioassays will be conducted using cell lines. These assays include: 1. Toxicity 2. Immune modulation 3, Anti-inflammatory. It is expect to have the extraction and assays completed in the early part of 2007/08. At that point results will be reviewed as to further assays or progress to the animal model stage.

 
 
 
 

Project Title	Genetic improvement of dairy sheep
RIRDC Project No.:	UMO-35A
Start Date:	01-Sep-2004
Finish Date:	30-Aug-2007
Researcher:	Dr Alexander Cameron
Organisation:	Monash University RMB Cameron Rd MEREDITH VIC 3333
Phone:	(03) 5286 1211
Fax:	(03) 5286 1552
Email:	meredith.dairy@bigpond.com.au
Objectives	To increase the rate of genetic improvement of dairy sheep by defining the optimum protocol for recording milk yield, and to develop management strategies that maximise the milk yield of dairy sheep.
Current Progress	Two successive lactations have been studied, during which ewes suckled lambs for 3 to 4 weeks, then milked for 120 days. The co-efficient of determination (r2) for 120-day milk yield between consecutive lactations was 0.39, and was similar for ewes that began this study as primiparous ewes (r2 = 0.40, n = 77) and for multiparous ewes (r2 = 0.34, n =36). The growth rate of the lamb and measurements of milk production during the suckling period explained none of the variability in 120-day milk yield (r2 £ 0.08, in all cases). We conclude that the most efficient criteria for selecting ewes for milk yield are their yield in their first lactation. When a year round supply of milk is required, ewes may be mated while they are lactating but it is not known if pregnancy reduces either milk yield or the persistency of lactation. To determine this, ewes at the same stage of lactation (day 90 of milking) were allocated into two groups, one of which was mated while the other group was not. Milk volumes were recorded at fortnightly intervals until daily production fell below 500 ml/day or until the experiment was discontinued after 184 days of machine milking. Average daily milk yield was lower in pregnant than non pregnant ewes from 157 to 184 days of milking and more pregnant ewes dried off late in lactation (at day 173 and day 184 of milking). Nevertheless, pregnant ewes produced similar quantities of milk to non-pregnant ewes (246 vs 259 L). We conclude the effects of pregnancy are not pronounced when ewes are mated after 3 months of milking. Finally we examined the effects of artificial lighting on milk production in winter, and found about a 10% increase in milk production when ewes received 16 h light

 

Project Title	Linkage mapping and QTL analysis in saltwater crocodiles
RIRDC Project No.:	US-139A
Start Date:	01-Jul-2005
Finish Date:	30-Sep-2009
Researcher:	Dr Sally Isberg
Organisation:	The University of Sydney PO Box 86 PALMERSTON NT 0831
Phone:	(08) 8988 5554
Fax:	(02) 9351 2114
Email:	sally@crocfarmsnt.com
Objectives	The major objective is to enable producers to select future breeding crocodiles based on the animal’s genotype in addition to phenotypic observations made on the individual and its relatives.
Current Progress	Of the 600 microsatellite primers developed at Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) and the University of Sydney in 2005/2006, all have been optimised and scored for polymorphic content upon genotyping (SREL) and analysis (The University of Sydney). Approximately 450 of the 600 primer sets positively amplified, and of these, approximately 270 markers were identified as informative (polymorphic). New primers will be designed for those that failed to amplify at a later date where possible.  All informative microsatellites are currently being amplified across the Darwin Crocodile Farm linkage pedigree. At this time we have genotype data for 75 microsatellites. These data are currently undergoing linkage analysis, with the preliminary results being presented at the International Workshop on Crocodylian Genetics and Genomics held in Panama, in April 2007. A short report of the conference outcomes and highlights was presented to RIRDC following this meeting. We still anticipate that the first genetic linkage map for C. porosus, consisting of approximately 300 microsatellites, will be constructed by mid-late 2007.

 
 

Project Title	Runtism and survival in captive saltwater crocodiles
RIRDC Project No.:	US-140A
Start Date:	01-Sep-2005
Finish Date:	01-Sep-2008
Researcher:	Dr Sally Isberg
Organisation:	The University of Sydney PO Box 86 PALMERSTON NT 0831
Phone:	(08) 8988 5554
Fax:	(02) 9351 2114
Email:	sally@crocfarmsnt.com
Objectives	· The major objective is to evaluate the specific risk factors associated with juvenile mortality, in particular runtism and disease susceptibility, within a genetic framework. This will help producers identify the main causes of juvenile mortality on their farms and determine whether mortalities are clutch-related, year-related or, more unlikely, randomly occurring events. · The major objective of the histopathology study is to examine the issue of runtism and attempt to observe any differences between 'normal' and 'runt' crocodiles. This will provide clues of why runtism occurs. Similar studies have been conducted in other crocodilians but not for saltwater crocodiles. Since this is an area of major profit loss within the Australian crocodile industry, this pilot histopathology study is of great importance.
Current Progress	Mortality details have been recorded for the 2005 and 2006 cohorts, and are continuing for the 2007 cohort. The data have been collected in a categorical fashion (congenital, runt, disease, stress, management/miscellaneous) to provide descriptive statistics for the main causes of crocodile mortality. In addition, genetic parameters have been estimated using data from offspring of known parentage. Descriptive statistics to the end of January 2007 indicate that deaths from runtism are the predominant cause of mortality in both hatchling and yearling crocodiles. Mortalities displaying "no visible symptoms" was the second most likely cause in the hatchlings with disease-related mortalities third. This situation was reversed in the yearlings.  Initial genetic parameters are inflated since clutch effects have not yet been included due to confounding of the data. The current estimate of overall survival heritability is 70%, which is significantly higher than previously reported. Heritability estimates for disease, runtism, "no visible symptoms" and stress were 0.75, 0.71, 0.62 and 0.40, respectively. Heritability of congenital defects was lower than expected at 1%.

 
 

Project Title	Exploring the commercial potential of sheep milk
RIRDC Project No.:	UWA-84A
Start Date:	1/9/2004
Finish Date:	1/7/2008
Researcher:	Dr Roberta Bencini
Organisation:	The University of Western Australia (UWA) Animal Science Faculty of Agriculture NEDLANDS WA 6009
Phone:	(08) 64882521
Fax:	(08) 64881040
Email:	rbencini@animals.uwa.edu.au
Objectives	·1 Developing feeding strategies to increase the health benefits of sheep milk products, so that these products can be commercialised for their health benefits as well as for their superior qualities. ·2 Researching on the commercial potential of sheep dairy products for the domestic and export markets. ·3 Investigating the suitability of behavioural tests to select dairy ewes based on their temperament.
Current Progress	In 2006 we studied a flock of sheep that have been selected for nervous or calm temperaments at the UWA Allandale Research farm. 48 of these sheep were transported to UWA and placed in a dairy situation to test the hypothesis that calm sheep would learn the milking routine faster and have more favourable behaviours during milking, as well as a better milk let down and therefore more fat in their milk. In terms of behaviour there was little difference between calm and nervous sheep, possibly because the nervous ewes became habituated to the frequent handling. Data on milk production and composition have been collected and will be analysed statistically at a later stage. At the end of 2006 we measured the temperament of 30 new Awassi sheep provided by our industry partner, YYY Holdings. In 2007 these sheep were transferred to UWA and milked in our dairy to test the relationship between temperament and milk production and composition. Their milk flow rates were recorded with purposely purchased De-Laval electronic milk meter that will allow us to study the milk flow patterns on these sheep. The data on their milk production and composition will be analysed to evaluate the applicability of temperament tests for the selection of sheep suitable for milking.

 
 
 
 

Project Title	Improving reproduction and genetics for game birds and ratites
RIRDC Project No.:	UWA-91A
Start Date:	01-Jul-2005
Finish Date:	29-Jun-2008
Researcher:	Dr Irek Malecki
Organisation:	University of Western Australia Faculty of Agriculture Animal Science CRAWLEY WA 6009
Phone:	(08) 6488 2528
Fax:	(08) 6448 1040
Email:	imalecki@animals.uwa.edu.au
Objectives	This national project will address with commercial partners production constraints in the management, reproduction, nutrition and genetics of game birds. This will provide these industries with clear breeding and husbandry strategies leading to improved efficiency of production. Progress will continue towards development of AI technology for the ratite industry.
Current Progress	Research has covered pheasant, squab, duck, ostrich and emu. Age, colony and stage of the breeding season on egg fertility were investigated in the pheasant breeding flock on the participating farm in Victoria during the 2006-07 breeding season. On-farm studies of reproductive efficiency of squabs have continued in the UEA research station at Shenton Park and on collaborating farms in Queensland and Victoria. In addition, Shenton Park colonies were studied for the rate of lay in the absence of incubation, for the rate of embryo and hatchling growth and the number of squabs produced. The experimental flock of ducks was studied at Shenton Park and showed that high fertility lines are more fertile than low fertility lines but fertility is highly variable within the line. Effect of age on fertility in relation to hatchability was studied in a commercial flock of a participating duck farm in Victoria. The squab breeder diet formulated at Queensland’s Poultry R&D Centre (QPRDC) is being evaluated and first results indicate that high protein diet is essential to achieve high squab weaning weight. Further progress has been made on development of the artificial insemination techniques for ostriches. Female behaviour and human approach appear essential to achieve good female cooperation and stress free insemination procedure. Co-operative in ostrich research has continued in Poland and South Africa.

 
 
 
 

Project Title	Crocodile pen design
RIRDC Project No.:	WMI-4A
Start Date:	01-Sep-04
Finish Date:	01-Sep-07
Researcher:	Prof Grahame Webb
Organisation:	Wildlife Management International Pty Ltd PO Box 530 SANDERSON NT 0812
Phone:	(08) 8922 4500
Fax:	(08) 8947 0678
Email:	gwebb@wmi.com.au
Objectives	The proposal aims to investigate two areas of pen design, with captive breeding and raising of Saltwater Crocodiles.
Current Progress	The reproductive performance and social behaviour of adult Saltwater Crocodiles housed in three types of breeding pen were investigated. Territoriality and aggressive social interactions were still a problem in all communal pens, regardless of barriers to reduce visual signals. Communal breeding appears to require large areas in order to overcome territoriality, and unitised pens (1 male: 1 female) offer the solution for high egg/hatchling production per female. Hatchling raising pens were modified to provide access to outside ambient conditions, and preliminary results indicate that hatchlings are utilising both internal and external areas, even during the cool time of the year. Other pen designs are also being trialed. The use of juvenile facilities with areas of deep water (>3 m) and basking areas generating warm surface temperatures (>40C) have resulted in high growth rates, and efforts to improve management (eg grading, handling of animals) are underway.  With the current emphasis on skin quality and production of first grade crocodile skins, cost-effective ways to house crocodiles to minimise damage to the skin (eg physical damage, biting) are being examined, including unitised pens, where animals are "finished off" prior to culling. Skin quality is being tracked to determine time required for healing of different skin defects (eg scratches, bites, lesions, brown spot).

 
 

Project Title	Nutritional requirements, feed ingredients and feeding systems for farmed crocodile production
RIRDC Project No.:	WMI-5A
Start Date:	1/7/2006
Finish Date:	30/5/2009
Researcher:	Prof Grahame Webb
Organisation:	Wildlife Management International Pty. Limited PO Box 530 SANDERSON NT 0812
Phone:	(08) 89224500
Fax:	(08) 89470678
Email:	gwebb@wmi.com.au
Objectives	·1 To determine an array of feeding requirements, feed ingredients and feeding systems for farmed crocodiles at different stages of growth relying on a minimum amount of fresh and stored meat. ·2 To determine the need for supplements and additives to improve optimal growth and feed conversion in these feeding systems. ·3 To determine costs of the feeding requirements and systems including collection transport, storage and handling and compare with existing costs that rely heavily on fresh meat or by-products. ·4 To identify ways and propose experiments and techniques to minimise variability in the performance of crocodiles within and between clutches.
Current Progress	The initial part of this study aimed at quantifying known (standard) production characteristics from farming operations, to establish baselines with which to compare experimental results. Generally, little information was available on conversion rate of food, and growth rates vary greatly. Commercial-in-confidence considerations may apply in some cases. Although relationships between body weight, various measures and indices of body length and commercial skin sizes are established for wild crocodiles this is not so for farm-raised crocodiles. Yet they are important for assessing condition within and between farms, for readily interpreting results in terms of multiple dimensions (eg length, weight, meat production, skin size, by-product value, transport costs), and for streamlining inventory procedures. These relationships are being derived for saltwater crocodiles of different sizes. The refinement of semi-moist pellets as complete diets and supplements is being investigated, and will be expanded during the warmer times of the year when animals are not constrained by cool body temperatures. The use of unitised pens will allow individual performance to be monitored. Of particular significance, preliminary investigation on the digestive physiology of crocodiles and alligators has revealed differences between the two groups, possibly explaining the success of formulated diets with alligatorids and problems applying the results to crocodiles.

 
 
 
 

Project Title	Captive breeding of Hawksbill turtles
RIRDC Project No.:	WMI-6A
Start Date:	1/1/2007
Finish Date:	1/1/2010
Researcher:	Prof Grahame Webb
Organisation:	Wildlife Management International Pty. Limited PO Box 530 SANDERSON NT 0812
Phone:	(08) 89224500
Fax:	(08) 89470678
Email:	gwebb@wmi.com.au
Objectives	·1 The overall objective is to investigate strategies for the successful production of Hawksbill Turtles and their captive breeding as a source of stock for commercial raising. Successful captive breeding will allow characteristics of the dorsal shell plates to be controlled, thus increasing the value of the shell. It will offer an alternative pathway through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) that does not depend on the wild harvest of eggs (ranching).  ·2 Based on previous results with a prototype breeding pen for Hawksbill turtles, it is considered that temperature is an important factor affecting rearing of turtles. Key objectives are to examine cost-effective methods to maintain water temperature within optimum levels, to investigate factors that may affect ovulation, and to look at ways in which ovulation may be triggered by hormonal treatments. ·3 Reproductive success will be monitored.
Current Progress	Different options for heating/cooling systems for a prototype captive breeding pen for Hawksbill sea turtles are being investigated. As maintaining the temperature of total water volume within certain limits may be costly, options to control smaller water volumes are being considered in the first instance. These will require modifications to the existing facility. Solar heating may ultimately provide a cost-effective means of heating water during the cool time of the year, and evaporative cooling to prevent water reaching high temperatures during the warmer times of the year in northern Australia. Turtles are regularly inventoried to assess growth, and adults continue to show nest-digging behaviour. Ultrasound technology will be utilised to monitor follicular development over time.

 

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