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From the Chief Scientist/CEO (October 2020)

Posted on 26 October 20202 November 2020 by APRIL admin

Innovation Projects

APRIL received a total of 20 applications for the recent funding call for Innovation Projects. Thank you to those that submitted an application (or applications). A number of the applications do look truly innovative, whilst I think it is probably fair to say that other applications missed the mark in addressing the “out of the box” ideas we are looking for, that potentially will deliver smart, new approaches to tackle current and emerging issues and challenges for the Australasian pork industry.

We will start to work through the review and approval processes and hope to be able to make an announcement of the successful projects in due course.

Commercialisation Projects

Just a reminder that APRIL’s Commercialisation Projects scheme is open all year round. Commercialisation Projects address the issue where the path to market of a product or technology may be close and additional co-investment, that would commonly include other investors, may bring it to fruition. Such projects require a co-investment external contribution of 20% of the total cash project cost, which is negotiable. Duration is also negotiable if beyond 12-18 months. Commercialisation income is a clear imperative for the future of APRIL, hence supporting industry-applicable projects in this domain is critical.

In the new year, APRIL is planning on holding a virtual event involving a number of producer members as they present some of the challenges that they would like APRIL to address, and what makes for a successful commercialisation project proposal. The event will include opportunities for networking with the presenters and road-testing your research ideas.

Kickstart Funding

I am pleased to say we have received a number of Expressions of Interest in response to the announcement last month concerning the Kickstart program. As mentioned then, the Kickstart Program is a new initiative that can provide some funding for an individual/organisation(s) to assist with the preparation and submission of a specific, targeted and agreed major external funding application (or applications) in association with APRIL and other partners. Significant external funding pools exist both nationally and internationally for potential investment.

The Kickstart Program aims to increase the number of applications that are prepared and submitted to external funding organisations that ultimately increase the funding pool to undertake more of APRIL’s activities, in alignment with APRIL’s Transformational Project and Industry Priority Project priorities.

COVID-19 Update

The coronavirus pandemic continues, unfortunately, to impact on some of APRIL’s activities, albeit that the majority of projects have been able to continue thanks to the resilience and resourcefulness of some of our investigators and collaborators. I sincerely appreciate the efforts such people have gone to under trying and difficult circumstances.

APRIL remains in contact with all Project Leaders regarding impacts of COVID-19 that might affect the progress of their project(s). Unavoidably, delays/disruption for some of our projects have occurred and will likely do so into the future. These, in turn, will affect milestones and deliverables and the communication of outcomes to the industry.

Research Project Reporting

Project Leaders should be aware that being awarded a research project with APRIL comes with it a number of contractual responsibilities, namely a quarterly Progress Report and a quarterly Cash Expenditure Report (from the Project Leader’s organisation), amongst others. It is important for APRIL to be able to suitably monitor projects and be able to respond to any issues that might arise in a timely manner, e.g., requests for variations. I send a reminder out every quarter about this and will continue to do so as I appreciate that our researchers are busy. Funds will not be paid against a project without an approved quarterly Progress Report that details progress against milestones and deliverables, and a Cash Expenditure Report.

Finally, and as mentioned previously, we would welcome receiving APRIL-related information and upcoming events from our Members for possible inclusion in the Newsletter [subject to space (preferred length is 100-150 words) and content], as this as an important communication forum between Members also. Please note though that news of APRIL activities has priority, and items of an advertorial nature are not permitted.

John Pluske (j.pluske@april.org.au)

Education and Training Awards (October 2020)

Posted on 26 October 20202 November 2020 by APRIL admin

To build upon APRIL’s current research and education and training investments, APRIL will be seeking more applications to support its education program and assist in further building human capacity for the Australasian pork industry. A number of different opportunities exist for undergraduate and postgraduate students/potential students within APRIL, as follows:

Scholarship Awards for Honours students.
‘Top-ups’ for postgraduate research students (PhD, MS/MSc/MPhil) in an APRIL-funded research project (or related).
Support for DVM/undergraduate Veterinary Science projects.
Support for MS/MSc/MPhil students, where a research project is an incorporated component of the program of study, in an APRIL-funded research project (or related).
Part-support for PhD students.

Eligibility varies according to the different scheme being applied for. The Guidelines associated with each opportunity should be read thoroughly before starting/submitting an application.

Information concerning the different education opportunities from APRIL, including Guidelines and application forms, can be found on the Education page.

Completed applications should reach APRIL by the closing date, and the outcomes will be announced after the closing date. The APRIL Education Advisory Committee will assess all applications against APRIL-related criteria including the academic record and curriculum vitae of the applicant, the applicant’s research potential including the research proposal, alignment with APRIL research priorities, evidence of industry endorsement/relevance, a personal statement from the applicant, the supervisor(s) track record, and a communication and delivery plan (if appropriate). APRIL will determine the number of, and the amount of, any grant awarded.

Applications should be lodged electronically to Dr Charles Rikard-Bell at (email), c.rikardbell@april.org.au. Questions on any of the Awards should be directed to Professor John Pluske at (email), j.pluske@april.org.au, or 0410 436871.

Important dates

Applications open: 19 October 2020
Applications close: 15 January 2021

Research Snapshot: ‘healthy pork’ resources

Posted on 26 October 20202 November 2020 by APRIL admin

The Final Report for project 3B-114, Development of a ‘healthy pork’ resource for use by consumers, health professionals and regulatory bodies: summary and dissemination of Pork CRC human nutrition research, has been received.

The Cooperative Research Centre for High Integrity Australian Pork (Pork CRC), which operated from 2005 to 2019, funded 16 projects under the ‘Healthy Pork Consumption’ program (Inherent Properties of Australian Pork to Enhance Consumer Health), with the aims to explore potential health benefits of pork and drivers and barriers to pork consumption. A compilation of this work, titled Development of a ‘healthy pork’ resource for use by consumers, health professionals and regulatory bodies: summary and dissemination of Pork CRC human nutrition research, was completed recently through APRIL by Dr Karen Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Food Sciences and Accredited Practicing Dietitian, at the University of South Australia.

The main purposes of the project were to first, assimilate the scientifically substantiated information on the nutritional properties and health benefits of including fresh lean pork in a diet for consideration in regard to dietary guidelines and diet and health-related messages; and second, apply this research to educate dietitians and health professionals on the benefits and lack of adverse effects of consuming fresh lean pork as part of a healthy dietary pattern.

The report is wide-ranging, covering the breadth and depth of projects that were conducted during the Pork CRC, and summarised studies that, for example, examined commonly consumed pork cuts to determine if there had been any changes in their key nutritional composition compared to 2006; research examining the role of pork in improving muscle mass, body strength and cognitive function in elderly people; a study exploring the health benefits of pork consumption in diets of Australian children; and research studying the effect of a Mediterranean diet with fresh lean Australian pork on a number of health-related parameters in high risk individuals.

In summarising the research conducted, Dr Murphy commented that there are a number of positive attributes for fresh pork that could be used to the benefit of the industry to contribute further to the increase in fresh pork consumption seen recently. “This research showed that there were no adverse effects of fresh pork consumption, but it may help with cardiometabolic health and blood pressure management of type 2 diabetes, weight loss, and preservation of cognition as part of a healthy dietary pattern. Including fresh lean pork in a healthy dietary pattern, in moderation, fits with latest dietary guidelines for good health”.

A Summary of the Final Report is available from the Final Reports page.

Call for applications: Education

Posted on 22 October 202022 October 2020 by APRIL admin

To build upon APRIL’s current research and education and training investments, APRIL is currently seeking applications to support its education program and assist in further building human capacity for the Industry. A number of different opportunities exist for undergraduate and postgraduate students/potential students within APRIL, as follows:

Scholarship Awards for Honours students.
‘Top-ups’ for postgraduate research students (PhD, MS/MSc/MPhil) in an APRIL-funded research project (or related).
Support for DVM/undergraduate Veterinary Science projects.
Support for MS/MSc/MPhil students, where a research project is an incorporated component of the program of study, in an APRIL-funded research project (or related).
Part-support for PhD students.

For full details and to download the application forms and guidelines, please refer to the Funding Opportunities page.

Applications open: 19 October 2020
Applications close: 15 January 2021

Expressions of Interest Open for APRIL Kickstart Program

Posted on 10 September 20202 November 2020 by APRIL admin

The Kickstart Program is a new initiative that can provide up to $7,500 for an individual/organisation(s) to assist with the preparation and submission of a specific, targeted and agreed major external funding application (or applications) in partnership with APRIL and other partners.

Significant external funding pools exist both nationally and internationally for potential investment. The Kickstart Program aims to increase the number of applications that are prepared and submitted to external funding organisations that ultimately increase the funding pool to undertake more of APRIL’s activities, in alignment with Transformational Project and Industry Priority Project priorities in the Strategic Plan.

Expressions of Interest (EoI) for project applications not seeking Kickstart funds may also be submitted but must adhere to the same principle of being a specific, targeted major external funding application in partnership with APRIL (and other partners), in alignment with the APRIL Strategic Plan.

To apply for a Kickstart award, complete an EoI form (available from the Funding Opportunities page) and email it to Professor John Pluske, APRIL CEO/Chief Scientist, at j.pluske@april.org.au, by 16 October 2020. Questions concerning the program can also be directed to Professor Pluske on 0410-436871.

Important dates:

September 14 2020: applications open
October 16 2020: applications close.
October 19-30 2020: assessment of applications and Zoom interviews (if required).
November 2020: decision outcomes.

[NOW CLOSED] Applications for APRIL Innovation Projects

Posted on 25 August 20207 October 2020 by APRIL admin

APRIL was pleased to announce an open, competitive call for applications for its Innovation Projects scheme.

Please refer to the Funding Opportunities page for further details. Applications for Innovation Projects closed 2 October 2020.

[NOW CLOSED] Applications for APRIL Industry Placement Program Award

Posted on 25 August 20207 October 2020 by APRIL admin

APRIL was pleased to announce a call for applications for its Industry Placement Program (IPP).

The APRIL Board has approved funding for education and training in 2020/21 to support another IPP award, to join IPP awards APRIL already has in place with Dr Jessica Craig [Rivalea (Australia) Pty Ltd., New South Wales] and Lauren Staveley (SunPork Farms South, South Australia). The aims of the IPP are to (1) retain graduates trained by APRIL, the Pork CRC, APL, and (or) other applicable organisations, at the Honours and (or) postgraduate level, and attract others to the Australasian pork industry, by sponsoring their placement in a commercial pork production organisation or an affiliated business within the Australasian pork industry in a structured and enhanced development program; (2) attract and stimulate graduates with an interest in pork production into the business side of the industry as a career, while continuing their development and understanding of how research and technology will enhance industry competitiveness and success; and (3) expose graduates wanting a long-term research or technical support role in the industry to commercial aspects of pork production and enhance their contributions and value to pork businesses in their future roles.

APRIL will provide the successful business applicant with $70,000 over the first 2 years of a 3-year agreement to help cover costs associated with mentoring and training the Awardee in all aspects of pork production.

Applications must be lodged electronically by the applying organisation and include the name and qualifications of the proposed candidate, to the APRIL Chief Scientist/CEO Professor John Pluske (j.pluske@april.org.au). Any questions on the IPP Award/process can be directed to Professor John Pluske (j.pluske@april.org.au, 0410-436871).

Important dates:

August 25 2020: applications open.
October 2 2020: applications close.
October 12-30 2020: assessment of applications and Zoom interviews (if required).
November 4 2020: final date for decision, recommendation to the APRIL Board.

APRIL IPP Requirements

New APRIL Industry Placement Program awardee starts at the SunPork Group

Posted on 19 August 20202 November 2020 by APRIL admin

APRIL is pleased to announce that Lauren Staveley has commenced her Industry Placement Program with the SunPork Group in South Australia.

a young woman dressed in a dark blue coverall holding a piglet on a farm — IPP awardee Lauren Staveley

Lauren began her interactions with the pork industry in her second year of undergraduate Animal Science studies at The University of Adelaide through the Pork CRC student placement program, where she was placed at the McMahons McPiggery in Lameroo. After a brief detour into sheep parasitology (Honours project), Lauren worked as a Technical Officer at The University of Adelaide for Dr Will van Wettere, spending most of her time on sow reproduction and welfare projects. This eventually led to Lauren commencing a PhD focussed on the potential use of a suite of early (pre-weaning) indicators to aid in the selection of replacement gilts, titled Conception to culling – effective management of the gilt to optimise reproduction and longevity. The main aim of her postgraduate studies is to reduce the high replacement rate of sows in Australian breeder herds. Lauren plans to submit her PhD thesis within the next 6 months.

Lauren currently works for the SunPork Group as a production Management Trainee based at a 5,000 sow breeder farm. Lauren has already been exposed to many aspects and production stages of the business; however, Lauren said that the APRIL Industry Placement Program awardwill allow her to gain more in-depth knowledge of pork production whilst facilitating her involvement in reproduction and welfare experiments. The Industry Placement Program will provide Lauren with the opportunity to question and evaluate current production practices, and she looks forward to developing a greater understanding of pork production and research.