APRIL

AusScan calibrations for pig faecal digestible energy and ileal DE for cereal grains have been upgraded on completion of Pork CRC Project 4B-117, ‘Strengthening the AusScan pig DE, DE intake index NIR calibrations’.

The project determined pig ileal and faecal DE and faecal DE intake index of 67 new grains: 22 wheat, 13 barley, 8 triticale, 4 sorghum and 20 maize samples. Improved accuracy and robustness were also achieved by adding this data, according to Charles Rikard-Bell, Manager Commercialisation and Research Impact, with Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited (APRIL).

“The NIR calibrations show significant improvement due to the larger number of new samples and range of cereals added,” Dr Rikard-Bell said.

Since the last update in 2013, significant new cereal data has been added to the calibration dataset. The revised calibrations have improved the faecal DE prediction by 22 per cent and can now also predict the faecal DE of maize.

John Pluske has been appointed inaugural Chief Scientist and CEO of Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited (APRIL). Professor Pluske from Murdoch University, Western Australia, will commit more than half his time to APRIL, while maintaining academic roles and duties at Murdoch University.

APRIL is an independent research entity continuing the collaborative approach to research and development of the very successful Cooperative Research Centre for High Integrity Australian Pork (Pork CRC), which is winding down to its June 30, 2019 conclusion.

APRIL actively partners with industry and educational institutionsto deliver research outcomes to the Australasian pork industry and commercial outcomes that generate financial returns for APRIL to support ongoing research, development and training. APRIL invested $900,000 in 13 projects across programs covering resilience, cost and return on assets, in 2018/19, its inaugural funding year.

Dennis Mutton, APRIL Board Chairman, was delighted Professor Pluske agreed to take up the APRIL positions, with Murdoch University’s backing.

“There are exciting research prospects ahead for the pork industry and John’s sound research background and international reputation augers well for meeting the high goals and KPI’s we’ve set for APRIL,” Mr Mutton said.

David Morrison, Murdoch University Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, said the University was committed to agriculture and research.

“This opportunity is a win for the pork industry and enables Murdoch University to retain one of our prominent researchers, which is fantastic for our research capability and for our students,” Professor Morrison said.

Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited Chairman Dennis Mutton has announced the appointment of Dr Tony Peacock as an Independent Director.

CEO of the Canberra-based Cooperative Research Centres Association since 2010, Dr Peacock is a former Managing Director of the Pig Research and Development Corporation and was CEO of a successful CRC for a decade. A reproductive scientist, he holds a Bachelor degree in agriculture and a PhD in veterinary science from the University of Sydney.

Welcoming Dr Peacock to APRIL’s June Board meeting in Adelaide, Mr Mutton said he would add a significant skill set to the Board.

“Tony’s leadership of the CRC Association, plus his board experience with start-ups, passionate advocacy for applied research and his track record in collaboration, science communication, research partnerships and effective innovation systems, make him a great fit,” Mr Mutton said.

Fellow APRIL Board members are Prof Robert van Barneveld, Ms Edwina Beveridge, Prof John Pluske, Mr Kenton Shaw and Mr Andrew Spencer.

APRIL, which replaces the Cooperative Research Centre for High Integrity Australian Pork (Pork CRC), is fully member based with a budget in 2018-19 approaching $3 million.

APRIL actively seeks new science and creative new ideas for its three programs, which cover resilience, cost and return on assets. A recent first call by APRIL for research to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the Australasian pork industry resulted in 14 proposals being approved by the Board and funded to a value of almost one million dollars.

The successful proposals included 20% to 25% applicant cash contributions, giving a total cash budget for the first round of approximately $1.2 million. APRIL Board has also approved $100,000 for education in 2018/19, to support an Industry Placement Program similar to that successfully initiated in Pork CRC, plus top up postgraduate scholarships and honours projects.