Pig science

The 16th Australasian Pig Science Association Conference will present cutting-edge science, with speakers at the forefront of the global race to back pig production with meaningful science that not only raises questions but also answers them.

Suited to all stakeholders invested in the business of producing pigs and pork, including scientists, producers, suppliers, regulators and associates, APSA 2017 will take place from 19–22 November, in Melbourne.

For those unable to attend there will be the opportunity to access the delivered science by purchasing the proceedings, ‘Manipulating Pig Production XVI’.

Some of the APSA 2017 highlights include:

• Dr Ray King will deliver the AC Dunkin Memorial Lecture on seasonal infertility, providing collated information from international and Australian projects, including those commissioned by the Pig Research and Development Corporation, Australian Pork Limited and Co-operative Research Centre for High Integrity Australian Pork.
• Professor Alan Tilbrook, University of Queensland, will review animal welfare underlining APSA’s commitment to providing a platform to promoting the science impacting contemporary challenges.
• Prof John O’Doherty, Professor of Monogastric Nutrition, University College, Dublin and 2016 British Society of Animal Science Hammond award winner: ‘Current and novel feed additives – how they influence pig production’.
• Prof Darren Trott, Professor of Veterinary Microbiology at University of Adelaide: ‘The use of antimicrobials in agriculture — is agriculture really to blame for antimicrobial resistance?’
• Heather Channon, Acting Research and Innovation General Manager, Australian Pork Limited: ‘Eating quality assurance for the pork industry. What has been achieved in 16 years?
• A symposium on consumer wants will feature Dr Heather Bray, Senior Research Associate, University of Adelaide, Dr Darryl D’Souza, CEO of SunPork Solutions and Evan Bittner, Pork CRC PhD candidate at University of Melbourne.
• Another symposium, on genetic improvement in a closed herd, will be addressed by Dr Kim Bunter of University of New England, New South Wales, Prof Dorian Garrick, Chief Scientific Officer, Institute of Veterinary, Animal & Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand and Dr Matt Culbertson, Global Director for Product Development and Technical Services, PIC, USA.

Early bird registrations for APSA 2017 are open until 1 September.