Project title: Influence of nutrient asynchrony on whole body nitrogen retention rate in grower pigs.

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1 Pork Innovation Livestock Industries Innovation Department of Agriculture and Food WA Project title: Influence of nutrient asynchrony on whole body nitrogen retention rate in grower pigs. Outline of project Synchrony of nutrient supply is the concept by which nutrients are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract at the same time (e.g. starch and amino acids). If there is a lack of synchrony in nutrient supply (e.g. relatively more amino acids absorbed than starch), then there may not be sufficient energy available for deposition of lean tissue and a proportion of amino acids may be catabolised for use as a source of energy. This would reduce the efficiency by which amino acids are incorporated into lean tissue. As part of this project funded by the Pork CRC, the rate of in vitro starch digestion for a range of ingredients (barley, sorghum, wheat and rice) and processing methods (ground through different screen size and either pelleted or not) that are commonly used in pig diets in Australia has been determined at the University of Queensland. The results indicated that sorghum starch is most slowly digested when ground through 3.2 mm screen and nonpelleted (240 min with a digestibility of 70%) while barley starch ground through 2.0 mm screen and pelleted was fast digestible (240 min with a digestibility of 98%). Wheat starch digestibility was intermediate (240 min with a digestibility of 80%). Based on the results from this initial study, an in vivo nitrogen balance study will be conducted using a range of diets having combinations of three starch sources (slow, moderate and fast digestibility) and two sources of amino acids (high and moderate digestibility). A source of amino acid that has a moderate digestibility are from plant sources such as soybean meal and canola meal (small intestinal digestibility of 70-80%), while a fast digestible amino acid source will be animal proteins such as enzyme-hydrolysed casein and fish meal (small intestine digestibility >90%). The experiment will be a split-plot design, in which different amino acid sources (high vs moderate digestibility) are the factors in the whole plot, and the three starch types (fast digestible, moderately digestible and slowly digestible starch) are used as subplots. Six nutrient synchronised and asynchronous diets will be repeatedly tested for nitrogen retention efficiency using 12 individually-housed pigs over 3 collection periods (10 days each: 5-day adaptation + 5-day total collection) to collect 6 samples per treatment (i.e., each pig will be provided with 3 different treatments). All pigs will be individually housed in metal metabolism crates between approximately kg. Supervisors and contact details Dr Jae Kim Department of Agriculture and Food Ph: jae.kim@agric.wa.gov.au Dr Bruce Mullan Department of Agriculture and Food Ph: bruce.mullan@agric.wa.gov.au

2 Food Industry Development Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification Directorate Project Title: Investigation of the use of lupin protein isolates in the manufacture of textured vegetable protein Project Description: Lupin is a green legume with unique nutritional properties consisting of high dietary fibre, protein content and has practically no starch. Western Australia accounts for more than 80% of the world lupin production. However, lupin growers are not getting fair value for lupin since it is mainly used as an animal feed. Demand for Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) is increasing as a food and food ingredient around the world. At present soy bean is the main raw material commercially used for TVP manufacture. Lupin could be used as an alternative to soy based TVP due to the allergenicity effects of soy. Twin screw extruders are designed to extrude feed material with high moisture content similar to those required in the manufacture of TVP like products. The project aims to determine the dry feed formulation and extrusion processing parameters required in the development of vegetarian based food ingredients. The project will develop an innovative textured vegetable protein from commercially available lupin protein isolate that could then be flavoured and used as an ingredient in food applications. The DAFWA twin screw extruder located at Curtin University will be used in the development of the novel ingredient. The raw material / feed material characteristics required for the extrusion together with the extrusion parameters will be developed in the proposed project. The ingredient obtained based on the established extrusion parameters will be used in the development of a model food system. Supervisor: Keith Pitts Senior Food Technologist Food Technology Unit Room 361a, Building 400, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, Kent Street, Bentley, Western Australia 6102 Phone: (08) Mobile: E Mail: keith.pitts@agric.wa.gov.au Web:

3 Food Industry Development Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification Directorate Undergraduate Student Program Project proposal Title: Change management in primary production a new approach to food safety. Outcome: Change management strategy to move farmer/producers from a commodity production way of thinking to a food supplier for human consumption mind-set. Background: Anecdotal evidence indicates that there is still considerable room for behavioural change in the primary production/fresh produce sector. Farming activities are still very much directed toward the production of commodity products with minimal consideration of the final destination of these products. Quality assurance systems have been implemented by a vast number of producers, but certification has in many instances been undertaken to gain customer access rather than as a business improvement and safe food tool. A number of the food safety incidents reported in Australia in the past few years have been traced back to businesses with a QA system in place, indicating that the systems don t always deliver the intended outcomes. Industry sources have repeatedly indicated poor attitude to food safety by farmers, plus unevenness in their approach to compliance and the management of risks. There is a wide spread lack of appreciation by farmers that safe food, fit for human consumption commences at soil level and food safety risks exist throughout the supply chain; and this must commence with management for food safety by growers in the production process. Project Outline: Develop a change management strategy that can be used as a template by industry associations to foster change in attitudes and behaviour in growers in primary industry. The desired outcome is a greater value placed on the food safety aspects of production, as well as appreciating that commodities will become the food on tomorrow s table. Supervisor: Patricia Elphinstone Food Integrity Manager patricia.elphinstone@agric.wa.gov.au

4 Food Industry Development Irrigated Agriculture and Diversification Directorate Project Title: Enhancing the Buy West Eat Best Program Background Buy West Eat Best (BWEB) is a Western Australian government initiative to help consumers identify Western Australian grown, farmed, fished or produced food products. The food specific brand and the accompanying logo indicate that consumers are buying food within certain standards local content and quality. The Department of Agriculture and Food controls the rights to use the logo and ensures that members meet all requirements before registration. Furthermore, the Department monitors the food industry for compliance and correct use of the logo through random checks at both the retail and the manufacturing levels.: - Brand Equity DAFWA consumer research (Synovate 2009) has indicated that only 29% of the grocery buying public recognise the Buy West Eat Best campaign The advertising campaign showed low awareness and brand recognition at 3% of grocery buying public but 51% recognised the logo Issues have emerged in the translation of brand awareness into purchases with only ¼ of those aware of the logo, actively looking for it in-store 51% of grocery buying public prefer buying WA product but price is a key barrier How can the Department increase brand equity especially in respect to processed foods? - Demographics DAFWA consumer research (Synovate 2009) has indicated that Buy West Eat Best consumers tend to be female; yrs with families and a household income $ to $ How can the concept of buying local and brand loyalty be extended to other demographics (lower income families etc)

5 - Membership The membership base is considered small by some stakeholders (Synovate 2009) especially in the processed/ manufactured category How can the department broaden the membership base to make the program more inclusive and provide the brand with more store-presence especially in respect to processed and manufactured goods? How can the Department encourage more producers to employ Buy West Eat Best branding on the product when they are not concerned with the final stage of retail and/or the consumer demand but merely the demand of the market buyers? Is there potential to introduce a tired cost structure to membership based on organisational size and turnover Assessment How can the Department quantify the impacts of the branding program on the WA producers and processors in respect to increased sales, branding building and product differentiation given that no baseline data was collected at the beginning of the program or when the members joined How has the branding program influenced consumer purchasing behaviour Supervisor and therefore demand quantities and elasticities within product groups Rebecca M. Douthwaite Economist Food Industry Development Branch Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia rebecca.douthwaite@agric.wa.gov.au

6 Agricultural Resource Risk Management Department of Agriculture and Food WA Livestock Transport Spelling Facility Map The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock (the Standards) have been endorsed and must now be implemented by each State and will be enforceable by law. Part of the new Standards require livestock to be spelled (rested, fed and watered) if they have reached the maximum allowable period without water. The requirement to spell animals will be a national requirement in all states. The Australian Livestock Transport Association (ALTA) has asked that a national map be created showing facilities on each major road transport route. In this case, a spatial representation of spelling facility locations along national livestock transport routes and extensive information relating to these facilities needs to be made easily accessible to the industry so that these standards may be adhered to more effectively. The interactive map should include contact details for the facility, address of location, types of animals that can be kept at that facility, any links to make bookings, related basic Biosecurity information at each point. The Livestock Transport Map will enable the individual user to: See where spelling facilities are along major transport routes across Australia to be displayed via a map interface (Google maps). See details of the facilities allowing transporters to make bookings and plan their journey (e.g. which species the facility can cater for, opening times, contacts etc). Learn about biosecurity information at facilities to assist with State biosecurity compliance. Plan a journey with appropriate rest stops for livestock to assist with compliance of National Animal Welfare Standards. The Livestock Transport Map will enable State and Territory jurisdictions to: Monitor livestock journeys more accurately through advance bookings of livestock spelling facilities. This will assist with monitoring compliance for animal welfare standards, as well as compliance for biosecurity. Use the State and national knowledge of spelling facility locations and services to plan for emergency responses such as stock standstills. Currently, transporters rely solely on their own intelligence to source spelling facilities, and there is little planning for spelling at present as there is no national Standard to comply with. Once the Transport Standards are mandatory from 2012 onwards, the requirement to spell animals will increase. The Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS), a national strategy of the federal government, supports a more consistent and co-ordinated approach to animal welfare across Australia. Benefits / Outcomes: Livestock health/welfare:

7 The project will have the benefit of ensuring improvements of quality of livestock to market, through delivery of healthier animals, reducing stock losses at receiving point (by being able to comply with Standards). The project also provides assistance to industry to ensure that it can be compliant with the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock. Through this project there will be consistent national data available to users in relation to the facilities which are available for industry use. Reputation of the transport industry and in relation to transport of animals is improved. Biosecurity: Integrations with biosecurity operations: Providing more information to transport industry concerning biosecurity checkpoints, inspection areas and at spelling locations. This will help industry to comply with national/state biosecurity requirements. During an emergency disease incident, identifying where animals in transit may be located and spelled in a stock standstill where no movement is desirable. Provision of tools: DAFWA has the capabilities to produce the interactive mapping product. It has already been done in a very similar way with the Weedwatcher application. ALTA has agreed to provide information required to populate the map details. The Animal Welfare officer is currently receiving information through various industry contacts. ALTA has the ability to host the map Key groups being consulted currently are: Australian Livestock Transport Association, Chair: Philip Halton. Executive Director Interstate Animal welfare agencies NSW DPI, Queensland DPI, SA animal health department, NT government, DPI Victoria. Supervisor: Charlotte McIntyre Technical Officer Animal Welfare Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) 444 Albany Highway Albany WA 6330 Tel: (08) Fax: (08)

8 Corporate Communications Branch Project name: Events Management/Communications Package Brief outline of project: The undergraduate student would work closely with the Communication Officer responsible for delivering the Department s 32x5metre display at the Perth Royal Agriculture Show. This is the Department s biggest sponsorship commitment communicating to a mass, metro audience. This project would be a fantastic opportunity for a strategic thinker who enjoys a creative challenge. The successful applicant will be involved in developing a communications plan including identifying key messages, promotional/leverage opportunities and a creative brief for our display. The student will be involved from initial conception, design and construction to evaluation and future recommendations. In addition to the Royal Show project a package can be created based on the applicants background and interests (or to meet the needs of university curriculum) which may include exposure to a variety of projects such as internal communication, public relations, social/online media, website redevelopment, design, publication coordination and other marketing activities as they arise. We would request the student be available for at least 7.5 hours a week. Over the placement the applicant will receive experience in: writing, executing and evaluating a communications plan events management reputation/brand management project management including exposure to budgeting design and creative brief working with external contractors stakeholder engagement public relations marketing of the Department; and understanding how the communication unit works in a large government department. With the possibility of further experience in the above mentioned projects. Supervisor and their contact details. Alana van Meurs alana.vanmeurs@agric.wa.gov.au