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Chicken meat RD&E off to a flying start for 2019
THE AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program is off to a flying start for 2019, with a change in leadership and a host of new projects in the wings to boost the pro- ductivity and efficiency of chicken meat pro- duction and deliver safe food and good animal welfare outcomes.
Key to determining new program investment for 2019 is the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Advisory Panel, which recently welcomed panel member and former Dep- uty Chair Guy Hebble- white into the position of Advisory Panel Chair.
As an experienced chicken meat producer and Nuffield Scholar, Guy was elevated to the posi- tion of Chair for his in- dustry leadership, unique scientific and hands-on field expertise, and com- mitment to the growth of the industry.
“I’m excited to contin- ue my involvement with the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program as Chair,” Mr Hebblewhite.
“Since joining the Ad- visory Panel in 2017, I have had the privilege of working with AgriFutures Australia and my peers to guide the program’s RD&E investment.
“We’re focused on in- vestment in high-impact RD&E that will signifi- cantly benefit the industry and is designed to main- tain the chicken meat in- dustry’s position as the number-one consumed
meat in the country.”
The AgriFutures Chick- en Meat Program Advi- sory Panel is a key link between industry and the RD&E program, provid- ing the structure to de- termine research priori- ties and make investment
decisions.
The Panel consists of a
team of experts appointed for their knowledge and experience in RD&E and the chicken meat industry.
“The Advisory Panel of- fers a unique insight into the chicken meat indus- try,” Mr Hebblewhite said.
“We have a diverse range of skills and expertise.
“This diversity has been the driving force behind RD&E investment and has played a pivotal role in securing new research projects for 2019.”
A series of open calls, or requests for research pro- posals have run over the past six months to gather ideas to support the pro- gram’s Five-Year RD&E Plan 2014-2019 and its objectives.
Manager, Research Georgina Townsend said the open call process has attracted projects and subsequent investment covering a wide range of national issues.
“The AgriFutures Chick- en Meat Program has made a significant investment in projects that protect the in-
dustry’s value such as food safety, the impact on the en- vironmentandprojectsthat enhance the industry’s per- formance, such as nutrition, welfare and biosecurity.
“For example, a pro- ject to develop national environment planning guidelines will ensure the industry reduces compli- ance burdens, such as low- er costs, faster develop- ment approval processes and reduced incidences of legal action, and provide better planning and en- vironmental outcomes for the industry and commu- nity,” Ms Townsend said.
Another recent program investment has been the creation of the Chicken Meat RD&E extension- AUS website.
The website supports the program extension efforts, offering a repository for resources linked to re- search projects including final reports, summaries, podcasts, event informa- tion and other news.
In addition to research activity, the program has a firm focus on and commit- ment to capacity building.
The announcement of Joshua Angove as the 2019 Gary Sansom Scholar is testament to the Program’s dedication to growing the future chick- en meat workforce.
The scholarship will al- low Joshua to investigate
how the nutrition and en- vironment of the hen in- fluences how efficiently her progeny grow.
The outcomes of Josh- ua’s project are likely to have a positive impact in- ternationally because the breed of chicken reared in Australia is also reared around the world.
Production gains identi- fied in this project can be replicated elsewhere, which is an exciting pros- pect for the budding sci- entist.
“It’s a credit to the vi- sion of the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program that they see the value in supporting young re- searchers to become lead- ers in the chicken industry and it provides motiva- tion for young research-
ers to keep going and get through their PhD,” Mr Angove said.
“For me, the opportuni- ties this award presents are worth more than the value of the scholarship itself.”
With a number of pro- gram initiatives under way,itissettobean- other big year for the Ag- riFutures Chicken Meat Program and Georgina Townsend is looking for- ward to delivering impact for the industry.
“Our RD&E program is going from strength to strength and with the backing of our research community and industry supporters we’re excited about what the future holds for this growing and dynamic industry.”
AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Advisory Panel chair Guy Hebblewhite.
The AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Advisory Panel.
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National Poultry Newspaper, April 2019 – Page 3