Page 12 - APN July 2017

Time spent fighting
Figure 2: Mean time (seconds) individual sows spent engaged in a fight 60 minutes after feeding; mea- sured over four days from the day of mixing (Pork CRC funded Project 1C-115).
ON a pig farm, nobody works harder than the sows.
Taking good care of them isn’t just best prac- tice – it’s good business, and it’s not simple.
Beyond health, sanita- tion and nutrition, there are a range of behavioural concerns that farmers need to address, particu-
larly since the transition away from gestation stalls. Environmental enrich- ment is becoming the new global standard for managing these problem behaviours and increasing productivity, and it’s fast
gaining traction.
So, what is environmen-
tal enrichment and why is it on the rise?
Simply put, environmen- tal enrichment is a specif- ic set of measures that add complexity and interest to the farming environment for the wellbeing of the pigs.
Substrates for nesting, certain types of housing (such as free range) and objects for play are all forms of environmental enrichment.
Studies show that when a group housing environ- ment is enriched, sows ad- just to new social groups
faster and with less ag- gression.
They show more diverse, more natural behaviours and spend more time at rest.
Enrichment isn’t just about productivity, either.
Ethical and welfare is- sues are also driving consumer behaviour, and supermarkets are taking notice.
Some of the biggest supermarkets in the UK (such as Waitrose) and across Europe are already stocking their fridges ex- clusively with pig prod- ucts from farms with en- richment programs.
But it’s not easy keep- ing an intelligent animal interested in an old tyre.
The difficulty of find- ing a lasting, cost-effec- tive enrichment solution makes it impractical for a lot of Australian farmers.
That’s why Ridley is looking ahead with the Ridley Enrich Sow Block.
Sow Block is a consum- able 20kg block specially designed for pigs, in line with the best global en- richment standards.
As a long-term, econom- ical way to reduce harm- ful behaviours in the mix, it’s simple and effective.
Like other forms of en- richment, it encourages natural behaviours and reduces stress.
It’s also made from a molasses base, so it has a pleasant taste that never loses its appeal – initial results show that pigs engage with Sow Block
continuously, consuming consistent quantities over time.
Most importantly, Sow Block works.
By supporting the natu- ral foraging tendencies of pregnant sows, it has prov- en to reduce stress-related harmful behaviours.
As trial results show, you can expect to see few- er scratches, more time spent resting and less time spent chasing with a Sow Block in the mix.
To find out more about Sow Block and other en- richment options for your pigs, contact your local Ridley representative on 1300666657.
Take care of your sows and they’ll take care of you
Sow activity
Treatment
Control group
Ridley Enrich Sow Block group
High feed group (4kg/day)
Chase
0.29
0.08
0.11
Foraging
28.5
25.7
25.2
Standing
50.6
45.9
45.3
Agonistic behaviour
1.01
0.81
0.73
Lying
9.1
13.3
13.7
Table 1: Mean time (minutes) sows spent engaged in behaviour and posture one hour after feeding over the four days of observation, for sows in the control group and receiving 2.3kg/day, sows receiving a high-feeding level (4kg/day) or sows receiving a Ridley Enrich Sow Block in addition to 2.3kg feed/day (Pork CRC funded Commercialisation project).
IMPROVE SOW BEHAVIOUR.
ADD A BLOCK TO THE MIX.
For more information or to add a BLOCK to your mix please contact your local Ridley representative on 1300 666 657.
Minimise harmful behaviour
Adding a SOWBLOCK to the pen gives sows an opportunity to forage and explore. This results in less biting and scratching, particularly while sows are establishing their social hierarchy.
“With SOWBLOCK, injuries have been reduced by up to 44%”. 1
1. Mean number of fresh scratch injuries scored on Day 3 after mixing control sows and sows treated with SOWBLOCK (Pork CRC funded Commercialisation Project).
“In test pens, sows spent 46% more time laying down and
72% less time chasing”. 2
2. Effect of higher feed levels or addition of SOWBLOCK to group housed gestational sows behaviour in the first four days post mixing
(Pork CRC Project 1C-115).
PorkStar’s Mitch Edwards addressed the chefs.
Brisbane’s OTTO
treats top chefs to
Italian pork feast
BRISBANE’S top chefs were treated to a pork feast inspired by Italy’s south when OTTO host- ed PorkStar.
Australian Pork Lim- ited’s PorkStar program is in its second decade of encouraging and celebrat- ing chefs’ pork usage.
PorkStar’s Mitch Ed- wards said chef Will Cowper had delivered a menu that heroed pork while also being true to the restaurant’s delicious Italian style.
“OTTO Brisbane cel- ebrated its first-year anni- versary in June and we’re so pleased we’ve been able to bring together the city’s best chefs for this special dinner,” Mr Edwards said.
“Chef Will has done a wonderful job of showcas- ing great Australian pork in a creative and innova- tive way, but also sticking to the restaurant’s iconic Italian style.”
Will Cowper joined OTTO Brisbane after be-
ing sous chef at OTTO Sydney.
“The menu included pork, smoked tuna may- onnaise, caperberries and black pudding, a char- cuterie platter, pig’s head ravioli, pork fillet carpac- cio and suckling pig,” Mr Edwards said.
“Pork fillet carpaccio is pretty special and this featured truffle dressing, parmesan, capers, rocket and WA truffles.
“This is the kind of dish we love to see, one that features quality ingredi- ents in new and interest- ing ways.
“Will even included a bacon and apple pie with spiced gelato, which was a great way for guests to celebrate Australian Ba- con Week, which got un- der way in late June.”
Wines for the evening were from Holly’s Gar- den, sourced by Domaine Wine Shippers, with water from AquaBotanical.
www.pork.com.au
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Naturally ahead
Page 12 – Australian Pork Newspaper, July 2017
www.porknews.com.au
Roasted pumpkin, parmesan, sage, muscatels, pine nuts, burnt butter and black pudding.
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• Increased weight gain
• Improved feed conversion
• Maximised economical