Government’s new emissions reduction method priorities

The National Farmers’ Federation has welcomed the announcement of new emissions reduction fund method priorities for 2022. NFF chief executive officer Tony Mahar said the new priorities were strongly aligned with the NFF’s submission on the process. “In particular, the NFF supports the development of an ‘integrated farm method’ that would allow separate ERF land-based…

White striping a black mark on bulky broiler breeding

A New report from animal welfare non-profit the Humane League, which examined supermarkets in 29 states in the US, found chicken breasts demonstrating ‘white striping’ in nearly every one. White striping is a muscle disease reportedly impacting 50-96 percent of fast growing chickens. In the US more than nine billion broiler chickens are processed every…

November 2021

November 2021 poultry industry headlines: AI risk after high rainfall Blown away by PHA Ideas Exchange 2021 EFA announce awards at AGM PHA Ideas Exchange 2021 White striping a black mark on bulky broiler breeding Ag minister support for sector at UN The effects of severe heat stress in meat chickens Seven myths and truths…

Higher activity in broilers with a good gait

Activity of broilers is related to their gait, but activity recordings alone cannot fully distinguish between birds with a good or a suboptimal gait. That is the main conclusion of a study by Wageningen Livestock Research. Activity tracking and gait scoring Gait or walking ability is often recorded for broilers as an indicator for leg…

Possible solution for spotty liver disease

Spotty liver disease is an infectious disease caused by the relatively recently identified bacterium campylobacter hepaticus. It has been increasing in prevalence in Australian egg-laying flocks due to an increase in birds farmed extensively, including free range and barn systems, where the chances of faecal-oral transmission of C hepaticus are increased. The only way to…

October 2021

October 2021 poultry industry headlines: Research shows Australians’ trust and support for egg industry continues Federal funding secured for local jobs program Thanks to those who provide chickens and eggs to Aussies Aussies trust and support egg industry Roosters rule the roost when it comes to flavour Sustainability and transparency key to new free range…

Enhanced poultry farm biosecurity

On July 31 last year, birds tested positive for avian influenza on a Golden Plains free range egg farm. Over the following four weeks, a further five farms in Golden Plains, East Gippsland and Gannawarra Shire tested positive. In total, three strains of avian influenza were found on six Victorian poultry farms, infecting three bird…

RSPCA Approved means better chicken welfare

In Australia, meat chickens are not kept in cages and both male and female chicks are raised to produce meat. Most meat chickens are housed in large sheds – ‘barn raised’ – with some also having daytime access to the outdoors – ‘free range’ – once they are fully feathered. Traditionally, chickens have been raised…

Seeking a revolution in chicken gut health

Can a waste product deliver important improvements to chicken production? What if antibiotic use in poultry production could be significantly lowered by using waste products from milling? Dr Natalie Morgan is investigating these possibilities after winning the Australian Eggs Award in the 2021 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.…