Welcome to the first APRIL News for 2021. This note provides a brief overview of activities relevant to APRIL. We will send you a message every month, so watch out for it in your inboxes.
Thank you to all who submitted a 2021 Innovation Project proposal, and to all who were involved in reviewing the submissions. I think this process provides optimism and confidence in future research in our industry. I look forward to working with the successful researchers.
APRIL is continuing to assist with human capacity building in the Australasian pork industry through the Industry Placement Program Award scheme. A successful business applicant will receive $75,000 over the first two years of a three-year agreement to help cover salary and other costs associated with training the awardee for the three years. The 2021 round is about to open (see below). Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the award or process.
In addition, various university education awards are available for students. I very much encourage everyone involved in education to ensure students are aware of the various funding schemes. We were pleased to receive five applications in the January 2021 round and plan to hold a 2021 mid-year call in June. Congratulations to the three students who were successful in the first round.
The APRIL Commercialisation Advisory Panel, a new initiative for APRIL, has met for the first time to consider a proposal. Further details can be found below.
This month’s Research Snapshot focuses on pork processing waste and black soldier fly larvae. Despite being confronted with significant challenges associated with Covid-19, the research team should be congratulated for completing this project in such a timely manner.
Our Member Focus is on Rivalea (Australia) Pty Ltd. As part of the APRIL Industry Placement Program, Rivalea have employed Dr. Maria Jorquera-Chavez as a Research Scientist. Please read on for further information.
I believe that APRIL has a valuable role to play in innovation, education and training, and commercialisation activities in Australasian pork production. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to achieve our current goals as well as setting new goals into the future.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any queries,
Dr. John Pluske
CEO/Chief Scientist
M: 0410 436 871
E: j.pluske@april.org.au|
www.april.org.au
Innovation
The APRIL Research and Development Advisory Committee met in early February 2021 to discuss 19 Innovation Project proposals submitted for funding.
Proposals covered a wide range of fields related to pork production and processing.
Recommendations for funding were sent to the APRIL Board meeting in late February, and we will announce details of the successful projects in the next Newsletter.
Education and Training
Applications for the APRIL Industry Placement Program (IPP) Award scheme open on 12 April 2021 and close 21 May 2021, with the final date for decisions being late June to early July 2021.
Applications must be lodged electronically by the applying business organisation, and include the name and qualifications of the proposed candidate, to Dr. John Pluske at j.pluske@april.org.au. See http://apri.com.au/education/ for more information and the application form.
Three Education awards were granted in the first 2021 round
1. Elisabet Garcia Puig, a PhD student from The University of Queensland
2. India Wright, an Honours student from Monash University
3. Ryan Kristen, a DVM student at The University of Sydney
Congratulations again and all the best with your studies, and we look forward to seeing the outcomes from your projects.
Commercialisation
The APRIL Commercialisation Advisory Panel comprises:
Dr. Gerard Davis (BioInfo Consulting and Investment; Chair)
Dr. Rob van Barneveld (SunPork Farms)
Mr. Kenton Shaw (SunPork Farms)
Dr. Cherie Collins (Rivalea Australia)
Mr. David Henman (Rivalea Australia)
Mr. Neil Ferguson (Westpork)
So that potential innovative industry-applicable ideas are not lost, the purpose of this Panel is to provide feedback and commentary to researchers/industry personnel regarding a potential commercialisation project with APRIL. Dr. Charles Rikard-Bell provides support to the Panel
The AusScan Early Harvest Report: February Energy Values for Cereal Grains 2021 is now also available from Dr. Charles Rikard-Bell.
For any questions regarding potential commercialisation ideas for widespread industry application please contact Dr. Charles Rikard-Bell, APRIL’s Manager, Commercialisation and Research Impact, at c.rikardbell@april.org.au, or on 0439 513 723.
Research Snapshot
Dr. Kristy DiGiacomo together with Professor Brian Leury (both of The University of Melbourne), Dr. Darryl D’Souza (SunPork Solutions) and Claire Leach (HATCH Biosystems), have submitted their Final Report detailing a study focussing on insect meal from pork-processing-derived material. This project found that with additional development and optimisation of rearing substrates, pork processing waste can be utilised as a contributing nutrient source for rearing black soldier fly larvae (BSFL).
There is an opportunity to combine pork processing waste with other agricultural waste streams and develop an efficient closed loop system whereby waste produced is bioconverted into a high value insect protein, rather than ending up in landfill. The researchers noted that this is the first study in Australia examining the use of pork processing waste as a rearing substrate for BSFL, and recommended subsequent research to explore larvae growth and survival when using this nutrient source.
Check the APRIL website https://apri.com.au/research/final-reports/ for more details on this project, as well as other Final Reports.
Member Focus
Rivalea (Australia) Pty Ltd. was successful with an APRIL Industry Placement Program award with Dr. Maria Jorquera-Chavez recently joining them as a Research Scientist.
Dr. Jorquera-Chavez has a degree in Veterinary Science, a Master of Animal Sciences, and recently completed her PhD at The University of Melbourne, in the use of computer vision techniques for monitoring health and early detection of illness in grower-finisher pigs. Dr. Jorquera-Chavez will assist Rivalea in developing and implementing research programs, and is participating in an APRIL-funded project addressing the implementation of thermal imagery to predict lactation performance and monitor the health status of sows.
Important Dates
Applications for the APRIL Industry Placement Program close on 21 May 2021 https://apri.com.au/education/
The Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA) Biennial Conference will be held from 15-18 November 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. More info https://www.apsa.asn.au/
The British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) will be making history with the launch of its first ever virtual conference, “The Challenge of Change – The New Normal?”, 12-15 April, 2021.
The webinar schedule is as follows:
Climate and Biodiversity – April 13.
New Developments in the Dairy Sector – April 14.
The Hyperprolific Sow- April 14.
Future Beef Farms – April 14
For more information, please visit: https://bsas.org.uk/conference