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Rural Industries
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Project Title
Objectives
The need for this work reflects the poor quality of databases available to the Australian egg industry. This problem arose from deregulation of statutory marketing which commenced in New South Wales in 1989 and the subsequent demise of what were highly regarded and respected databases established and administered by egg marketing authorities.
It was clear from the manner in which the market operated, and was interpreted, that the absence of authoritative and reliable data was severely hampering the ability of the industry to reach its potential in terms of profitability and customer service. It follows that a necessary precondition for achieving improvements in these areas was the establishment and operation of reliable databases to provide authoritative information on which business decisions can be based.
Research
The basis of the research was the establishment of economic indicators considered to be of relevance to the industry. Further criteria for the establishment of databases were:
The outcomes of the study are more authoritative databases, especially in relation to egg production, foreign trade, retail prices, feed ingredient prices and flock replacement.
Implications
Implications of these developments are that the industry is in a better position to make commercial decisions that have potential to improve industry profitability and customer service. In the author’s opinion, the egg industry has become more accepting of the importance of information on the industry as a basis for making business decisions. While the absence of a complete business cycle has yet to put this claim to the test, the author is confident that the industry will be better placed to respond to changes in market circumstances.
It is recommended that ongoing support be provided for the development and operation of national industry databases.
RIRDC Project No: AEI-1E
Researcher: Mr Hugh McMaster
Organisation: Australian Egg Industry Association, PO Box 569, HURSTVILLE NSW 2220
Contacts: Phone: (02) 9570 9222 Fax: (02) 9570 9763 E-mail: aeia@s054.aone.net.au
Project Title
Demonstrating techniques of beak trimming and vaccination in poultry
Objectives
Background
Beak trimming and vaccination of poultry are both widely practised in Australia. As the number of people involved in the industry contracts, the number of skilled people able to perform these procedures is also declining. The industry needs to have videos available that demonstrate the techniques of beak trimming and vaccination to assist in the training of new personnel and to provide experienced operators with new information on the procedures. It has been recognised that birds that have been beak trimmed and vaccinated using inappropriate procedures can result in considerable economic losses to the industry. Improper administration of vaccines is a waste of time and money and could have drastic effects on flock health and performance. Likewise, if beak trimming is not done correctly the future performance of the flock can be thrown into jeopardy.
Research
Two videos were produced that were structured to convey concepts relating to the importance of vaccination and beak trimming. Both videos included matter-of-fact demonstrations but were mainly intended to engage viewers as active observers and interpreters of information. A multimedia approach was used to develop program structures with the ability to modularise and economically revise the content of the videos. The adult educational methodology used in these videos was not the teacher-centred rote-learning technique. Instead the video structure and the use of metaphors were aimed at engaging the viewers as active learners and thinkers.
Video I - Vaccination in poultry
This video provides information on the principles of vaccination. Since most of the vaccines used in commercial poultry are live viruses information was provided on how to store and handle them properly. The main emphasis was to demonstrate how to administer vaccines in water, with instructions on keeping water from birds before vaccination, cleaning drinkers, making sure the water used does not contain chlorine, medications or disinfectants, adding powdered skim milk to the vaccine water, following the manufacturer's recommendations for reconstitution and dilution and administering vaccine to the flock immediately. Instructions were also provided on vaccination with hand-held sprayers, use of inactivated vaccines, wing web vaccination and the use of eye-drop vaccines.
Video 2 - Beak trimming in poultry
The beak trimming video provides information on why birds need to be beak trimmed and the effects of beak trimming on bird welfare. Demonstrations are provided on beak trimming chickens at day-old, at 5 to 9 days (precision or block beak trimming), at 6 to 8 weeks and re-trimming at 12-14 weeks as well as analgesic therapy of trimmed chickens. Management hints are also provided including trimming during the coolest part of the day, having ample feed and water supplies available immediately after beak trimming and adding vitamins to the drinking water.
Outcomes
These videos have already made a positive contribution in Australia toward improving the practices of vaccination and beak trimming in poultry. The videos have been shown at producer meetings in SA, VIC and NSW and are available for sale through NSW Agriculture. The videos have encouraged producers to more closely manage and monitor beak trimming and vaccination programmes as an aid to achieving maximum economic returns from their stock. These videos have already made a significant contribution to the competency of new personnel intending to use these procedures in the egg industry.
Implications
The public perception of the egg industry has been improved with the knowledge that videos are available to demonstrate best practice for beak trimming and vaccination. The use of best practice techniques will improve bird welfare and health and improve farm profitability.
RIRDC Project No: DAS-23E
Researcher: Dr Philip C. Glatz
Organisation: South
Australian Research & Development Institute, Pig & Poultry Production
Institute, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, ROSEWORTHY SA 5371
Contacts: Phone:
(08) 8303 7786 Fax:
(08) 8303 7977 E-mail:
glatz.phil@pi.sa.gov.au
