Presentation by Andrew Johnson 2004 Nuffield Scholar Study topic Animal Welfare specific with the pork industry. Alternative Sow Housing and Disease Management

Sponsored By Nufarm and HiFert – South Australian Producer Award and I would also like to thank Australian Nuffield Farming Scholars My family

STUDY Challenge of Rural Leadership Seale Hayne Campus Plymouth sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Farmers, 2 weeks Global Focus Tour, 6 weeks Private Study, 11 weeks

Mt. Boothby Past. Co. At Tintinara South Australia 200kms SE of Adelaide Family farming operation Mixed operation, primarily value adding grain through a 600 sow farrow to finish unit, with an extensive sheep and beef enterprise

Mt. Boothby Grower Facility

Marketing Strategy Board Member of Producer Alliance Top Pork representing 23 producers Premium Supplier to Coles Supermarkets Marketing under the Colestock initiative Future Strategy, High Welfare branding

Study topic Started as a broad subject and remained so What is Animal Welfare, regulation and policy Alternative Housing systems focusing on high welfare management systems Disease Management particularly PMWS and partial depopulation Business alternatives and structures Alliances Producer integration

Countries Visited United Kingdom Holland Denmark Sweden Germany Canada United States

Discussion Appreciate comments from the floor on views of “Animal Welfare” Public perception, and from producer base who understand the commercial implications of high investment Cost and tradition Versus Science and elevation of public perception

Regulations I feel Australia is closer to Europe than Nth. America on welfare regulation Europe has the highest welfare regulations, it is in your face regularly Gov’t regulates for a variety of reasons including food safety, animal welfare, interests of wider economy such as environment and society, also for international trade Votes Policy is initiated through the EU

Animal Welfare The welfare of pigs is considered within a framework that was developed by the Farm Animal Welfare Council and known as the “Five Freedoms” Animal Welfare will be contradictory Studies have shown moving towards higher welfare will decrease production increase level of management & COP It is important of those investing understand their marketing options and management capabilities.

Five Freedoms Freedom from hunger and thirst – by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor. Freedom from discomfort – by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area. Freedom from pain injury or disease – by prevention or by rapid diagnosis and treatment. Freedom to express most normal behaviour – by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animals’ own kind. Freedom from fear and distress – by ensuring conditions and treatment to avoid mental suffering

The American/Traditional Way

CAFETERIA

OUTDOOR

HOUSING STALLS OUTDOOR INDOOR GROUP GROUPS SMALL LARGE DYNAMIC STABLE TIMING PRE- IMPLANT POST IMPLANT FEEDING CAFETERIA GROUP/FLOOR FEEDING INDIVIDUAL ELECTRONIC TRICKLE = 72 Numbers of Alternative Housing Systems

Evaluating Options Based on Five Freedoms HOUSING HUNGER & THIRST DISCOMFORT PAIN INJURY OR DISEASE TO EXPRESS MOST NORMAL BEHAVIOUR FEAR & DISTRESS INDIVIDUAL STALL _  OUTDOOR   _ INDOOR ESF COMBINATION INDOOR GROUP FEEDING  

RECOMENDATIONS CAPTURING ALL 5 FREEDOMS Any indoor intensive high welfare production systems will have compromises. This system is high capital cost and very high level of management both husbandry and technical

GROUP HOUSED ESF Indoor housed sows Large groups either dynamic or stable with a minimum of group Mating stall post weaning until 2 days after mating. Approximately 7-8 days Introduced into group pre implantation and will remain until 1 week prior farrowing Individually fed by transponder feed stations

Dynamic Group Design Separation- and training area

Large Dynamic ESF

Disease Management Health and Welfare Biosecurity, Disease Control and COP Housing type and design Group Size Location Modification of existing units Eradication and management of specific diseases Genetics Management of the production unit

PMWS

Diagnosed in most producing countries UK post weaning losses averaged around 20% up to 70% generally not as severely effected in other countries PCV2 virus but other factors are involved in the development of the disease. Important for Australia as we are free, trade implications Madec 20 point plan

Business Partners Producer Alliances Producer Processing Retail Alliances Producer Integration Sharing capital cost Defining and sharing strategic roles within the production chain

Trial With Pigs and Dominance Hierarchies J. Alcohol Abuse :  Pigs in social groups of 10 dominance orders established  All pigs given Ad Libitum Alcohol (Beer / Cider / Wine)  Observations on intakes Results  Days 1 and 2 - All pigs drank heavily, got drunk and slept soundly  Day 2 onwards  Pigs 1 & 2 - never touched alcohol again – needed a clear head to preserve their position in the hierarchy  Pigs 3 – 8 were moderate drinkers – occasionally drank at times of stress!  Pigs 9 & 10 – remained heavy consumers and were mostly permanently drunk throughout the trial