Conference

APSA 2011 Conference

Venue: Hilton Hotel, Adelaide

Date: 27-30 November 2011

Scientific Program

AC Dunkin Memorial Lecture: is “Investing in Cooperative Research Centres – Was the CRC for an Internationally Competitive Australian Pork Industry worth the investment?” Dr Keniry, Chairman of the current Pork CRC and the new CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork, which commences from 1 July 2011, will provide key insights into the cooperative research centre model for R&D, its impacts on the Australian pork industry. Dr Keniry will also discuss the outcomes from the Pork CRC and its short and long term impact on the research capability and capacity of the pork industry.

Immune function review: Further understanding of the immunobiology and practical implications of pig immunity is required to maximize many facets of pig production, ranging from disease control and management to housing and ventilation systems. This review will feature Professor David Emery, from the University of Sydney, and Professor Kees de Lange, from the University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada), and focus on first, an overview of the key functional biology related to the immune system in pigs, and second, the metabolic and commercial ‘costs’ incurred by pigs when an immune response is initiated.”

Modern health management of pigs: There is increasing concern on the development of antimicrobial resistance in both human and animal medicine. During this symposium, Dr Darren Trott (University of Adelaide) will highlight some of the risks of using antimicrobials in pigs. Following on from this, Dr Trish Holyoake, will describe the best practice use of antimicrobials to aid in maintaining herd health. Finally, Mr Tony Edwards will discuss studies undertaken to evaluate nutritional alternatives to antimicrobials.

Eating quality variability: remains a significant issue for the Australian pork industry and is recognised as an important area for improvement to drive consumer demand and appreciation for pork. This review, titled 'Delivering consistent quality Australian pork to consumers – a comparative industry analysis’, will compare the development, implementation and impact of eating quality systems for beef, lamb and pork and will be presented by Dr. Robyn Warner from CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences and Ms. Heather Channon, Australian Pork Limited.

Feed intake of the modern pig: What’s changed and how is it regulated?: Intensive genetic selection to maximise growth, improve feed efficiency and reduce subcutaneous fat has substantially changed the pig. There is recent evidence that the regulation of the modern animals feed intake is less influenced by the energy density of the diet, and governed by other dietary factors. Dr Eugeni will open the symposium with a description of what is known about chemosensing (taste and smell) and its importance for determining preference for feed ingredients and its influence on metabolic processes affecting overall animal metabolism and intake. Dr John Black will then review Physiological and metabolic regulation of feed intake, showing that animals attempt to eat to fulfil their metabolic demand for energy and how this is monitored and regulated at a metabolic level by the animal . The final speaker, the experienced European nutritionist, Mr Mick Hazzledine, will present some conflicting evidence on whether energy density does, or does not, affect fed consumption of modern genotypes, and will also review recent research on how other dietary components regulate the amount the pig eats.

Confinement-free sow housing is on the horizon! The Australian pork industry has made a commitment to phase out the use of gestation stalls by 2017, and will adopt group housing for gestating sows. This review titled “Sow housing in Australia – current research and future directions” will be presented by Dr Rebecca Morrison (Rivalea Australia). The review will highlight Australian research that has recently been conducted on sow housing and management in group systems. Furthermore, Rebecca will discuss the future for non-crated farrowing systems and the research that needs to be conducted to ensure the development of commercially-viable systems.

Symposium Venue

The 2011 Symposium will be held in the Hilton Adelaide Hotel, located on Victoria Square, in the centre of Adelaide, South Australia
Adelaide is a small elegant city fringed with a border of beautiful parklands. Known as the city of food and wine, Adelaide offers the buzz, culture and convenience of a big city without the frustrations. Seriously good coffee and food are never far away. The Mediterranean climate encourages a relaxed and indulgent lifestyle. This is a city of pubs, cafes, restaurants, fine food and wine that boasts unrivalled hospitality.

Tourist Information

Adelaide Hills
Twenty minutes drive from the Adelaide GPO are the Adelaide Hills where you can sample fresh, organic produce, experience the changing seasons and enjoy the panoramic views of the hillsides draped with steep vineyards and orchards. And only an hour’s drive brings you to the Barossa Valley, home of some of Australia’s finest wines. Discover this region’s heritage in local restaurants, over 60 cellar doors, galleries and other attractions.

Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is one of the world’s last unspoilt wildernesses, with 450 kilometres of spectacular coastline. The 3rd largest island in Australia, it offers rugged and spectacular coastal scenery, secluded beaches, and an abundance of wildlife. The highlight will be Seal Bay, the only place in the world where you can take a guided walk amongst a colony of wild Australian sea lions.
Kangaroo Island SeaLink offer a choice of coach tours, by ferry or air, over one or two day holidays with accommodation. Self-drive options with hire-car can be arranged. Contact them by phone on 13 13 01 (within Australia only) or visit their website http://www.sealink.com.au to find the option that will best suit your time and interests.

Fleurieu Peninsula
The Fleurieu Peninsula, incorporating the wine region of McLaren Vale, sweeps south from Adelaide. This is seriously good wine country with over 60 cellar doors, restaurants and produce outlets. There are well signed conservation parks, and the coastline offers vast beaches for walking, surfing and swimming. From Cape Jervis you can catch the ferry to Kangaroo Island, one of the world’s last unspoilt wildernesses. One third of the island is conserved in National and Conservation Parks. With 450 kilometres of spectacular coastlines, the island offers rugged and spectacular coastal scenery, secluded beaches, and an abundance of wildlife.