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Project Proposal

1. Project information

Title: Poultry feeding systems in PNG

Applicant Name and Organisation:Dr Phil Glatz

Commissioned Organisation:

SARDI – South Australian Research and Development Institute (a Division of PIRSA)

Phone: 08 8303 7786Fax: 08 8303 7689

Email: [email protected] Project Type: Medium

2. 1.1 Funding request

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total$178,293 $146,055 $75, 627 $399,975

1.2 Duration of the project

Proposed start date: 1 July 2002Proposed finish date: 30 June 2005Duration: 3 yearsProposal stage: Full

1.3 ACIAR information

ACIAR Research Program Area: Animal Science 2Project number: AS2/2001/077Geographic region and country: PNG

1.4 Key contacts

Project leader: Australian Commissioned Organisation

Title: Dr Name: Phil Glatz Position: SRSPhone: 08 8303 7786 Fax: 08 8303 7689Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0401 120 982

Postal Address: SARDI, Pig & Poultry Production Institute Davies Building, Roseworthy Campus Roseworthy, SA, 5371 Australia

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Administrative contact: Australian Commissioned Organisation/ IARC

Title: Mr Name: Dennis O’Malley Position: External Funds AdministratorPhone: 08 83039323 Fax: 08 83039309Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0417835226Postal Address: GPO Box 397, Adelaide, SA, 5001

Street Address: Plant Research Centre, 2B Hartley Grove, Urrbrae, SA, 5064

Project leader: Partner country

Title: Dr Name: Pikah J Kohun Position: Principal Scientist- National Livestock Program

Phone: (675) 475 1248 Fax: (675) 475 1034Email: [email protected] Mobile:Postal Address: National Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 1639, Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Partner country collaborating organization: Morobe Provincial Division of Agriculture and Livestock

Title: Mr Name: Geoving Bilong Position: Provincial Agricultural AdviserPhone: (675) 473 1659 Fax: (675) 472 1668Postal Address: PO Box 73, Lae, Morobe Province, PNG

Partner country collaborating organization: Madang Provincial Department of Primary Industries

Title: Mr Name: Paschal Feria Position: Provincial Agricultural AdviserPh: (675) 8523371 Ph/Fax: (675) 8522737 Fax: (675) 852 3038Postal Address: PO Box 2108, Madang, Madang Province, PNG

Partner country collaborating organization: Salvation Army Agricultural Development Program

Title: Mr Name: Markus Muntwiler Position: Agricultural AdviserPhone: (675) 675 737 1279 Fax: (675) 675 737 1279Email: [email protected] Mobile:Postal Address: Private Mail Bag 3, Kainantu, Eastern Highlands Province, PNG

Partner country collaborating organization: Lae Feed Mills (Associated Mills, Goodman Fielder International)

Title: Name: Andrew Smith Position: General Manager, PNG, Goodman Fielder International

Phone: (675) 308 2200 Fax: (675) 321 2732Email: [email protected] Mobile:Postal Address: PO Box 486, Port Moresby, PNG

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1.5 Project summary During 2001 NARI conducted a series of provincial consultations and a workshop to determine the key livestock R&D issues for PNG. The workshop was supported by ACIAR and involved smallholders, researchers, extension staff and other stakeholders, including the private sector and NGOs. Reducing the cost of livestock feeding was identified as the highest priority. In particular, the smallholder broiler chicken production that produces about 6 million birds per year with a value of A$54M was identified as a sector where feed costs could be reduced and profitability increased if there was greater use of local feed resources.

This project arose from ACIAR’s involvement in the prioritizing activity. NARI is the appropriate agency to conduct the research activity in PNG. Lae Feed Mills from the private sector are the primary source of compounded feeds for independent smallholder broiler producers. Two Provincial Government agencies and an NGO will be primarily responsible for interaction with the smallholder farmers. The SARDI Pig and Poultry Institute was chosen as the Australian partner because they operate a feed testing facility for the poultry industry and are currently researching alternative broiler production systems that are akin to smallholder systems.

Currently there is no national facility in PNG for the live bird testing of feedstuffs for poultry. Establishment of such a facility is seen as essential for the systematic evaluation of locally available feeds and for the formulation of rations using those feeds. These rations will be specific to areas where the feeds are available, will take account of seasonal changes in availability and quality, and the requirements of the birds during their different growth phases. The research approaches are to:

establish a quality assured feed testing facility to appropriate standards to enable PNG to assess feeds available for broiler and layer production;

profile, according to feeding value, including seasonal and varietal variation, availability and cost, a selected range of feeds abundant in PNG but not well documented according to modern standards;

conduct on-station feeding trials at both Labu (NARI) and SARDI with broiler chickens to determine production performance on rations derived from the tested and (as necessary) other feeds; and

field-test and demonstrate on-farm in a participatory manner the use of appropriate rations determined by the testing procedures and taking into account regional availability of feeds.

It is intended that NARI and the other participating agencies will have the capacity to sustain both the feed testing and extension activities post-project, due to the on-going need and the capacity building included in the project. The project will serve as a model for extension of activities to the provinces. Lae Feed Mills will be able to manufacture broiler rations containing local feedstuffs based on the research outputs. It is expected a greater number of smallholder farmers will purchase the cheaper feed.

In Australia, the egg and broiler sectors are diversifying into less intensive production systems. These include more fibrous diets to slow growth, and free-range systems to allow freedom of movement and so reduce physiological stress on birds resulting from rapid growth. The Australian component of the project will investigate alternative production systems that have some commonality with the smallholder systems under study in PNG, particularly in the type and quality of diets.

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2. Project justification

2.1 Issues addressed for partner country and Australia, and their priority

The production of cheaper or more appropriate feeds for livestock was one of the main research opportunities identified by NARI during the nation-wide prioritizing activity conducted during 2001 (see Healy, 2001). This ACIAR supported activity involved smallholders, researchers, extension staff and other stakeholders, including the private sector and NGOs. Reducing the cost of feeds was identified as the primary means of improving or maintaining profitability of smallholder broiler chicken production, particularly through greater use of locally available feed resources.

This investment opportunity arose from ACIAR’s involvement in the prioritizing activity. NARI is the appropriate agency to conduct the research activity in PNG. Two Provincial Government agencies and an NGO will be primarily responsible for interaction with the smallholder farmers, while Lae Feed Mills is the major supplier of broiler feed to these farmers. The SARDI Pig and Poultry Institute was chosen as the Australian partner because they operate a feed testing facility for the poultry industry and are currently researching alternative broiler production systems that are more akin to smallholder systems.

PNG smallholders who operate independently from the vertically-integrated commercial frozen carcass broiler industry currently produce about 6 million birds per year for sale in informal local markets. The sale of chickens is the major source of income from the livestock sector of traditional smallholder farming systems, with an estimated 50,000 families currently producing broilers. Smallholders purchase day-old chicks with high genetic merit from the commercial sector, usually in lots of 50, grow them out for 6-8 weeks using commercial feeds and some locally available feedstuffs, and sell them as live birds in local markets. The large-scale commercial producers do not consider this sector as competitors for their fresh or frozen market in the urban areas (personal communication - Mark Low, General Manager, Tablebirds, Lae, PNG). Chicks are moved to remote communities by road, plane or boat, sometimes supported by government and/or NGOs.

Profitability of raising broilers is primarily constrained by input costs. Commercial feed costs continue to rise as most dietary ingredients are imported. For birds grown to 2.5 kg in 49 days, commercial feed costs are 7-9 Kina from a selling price of 12-14 Kina. This margin continues to tighten, hence stimulating more interest in alternative cheaper feed sources that may lengthen the grow-out period by 7-10 days, but increase the profit margin. Lae Feed Mills representatives also consider development of cheaper broiler diets as critical to viability of smallholder farmers and to maintain turnover of broiler feed from the mill. Agro-industrial by-products such as copra meal and palm kernel meal are available at some locations and could be used more widely. The high cost of transport prohibits their use in small lots away from the source. However, the feed mills have demonstrated that they can purchase and transport these products at reasonable costs in bulk, as demonstrated by current use of byproducts in pelleted rabbit feed. Other feeds that are or could be available within the villages, such as root crops and forages, can be used as poultry feeds but farmers have limited or no information on how to formulate balanced rations from these feeds. This project proposes to redress this problem.

In Australia, the egg and broiler sectors are developing alternative less intensive systems of production. These include more fibrous diets to slow growth, and free-range systems to allow freedom of movement and reduce physiological stress on birds caused by rapid growth. Intensive selection programs in broiler chickens to improve live weight


gain and meat yield has been very successful. Modern broilers grow 4 times faster and have an 8-fold increase in breast muscle growth (Havenstein et al., 1994) compared to “layer” and control lines. However, the rapid growth of broilers is accompanied by a number of undesirable consequences that 00have raised ethical concerns (Savory, 1995).

One such problem in broiler production is the high incidence of skeletal disorders, particularly leg problems, and research is being supported by RIRDC and key producers from industry to address this problem. Options include feeding protocols for free-range broilers and information for the intensive commercial industry on suitable higher fibre and lower energy diets that ameliorate the effects of conventional diets. The Australian component of the project will concentrate on aspects of these alternative production systems that have some commonality with the smallholder systems under study in PNG.

2.2 Project strategy: relationship to previous ACIAR research and other researchers.

Currently there is no national facility in PNG for the testing of locally available feedstuffs to determine their value as components of poultry rations. Establishment of such a facility is considered essential for the long-term viability of the smallholder production sector through the development of lower cost rations utilizing local products to replace high-cost imported components. NARI recognizes that this will be an ongoing activity as only a limited number of feedstuffs and complete rations will be tested in the course of this project and because the price and availability of individual feeds will change over time, so requiring reformulation of rations. These formulations will be designed specifically for use by smallholder farmers and by local feed mills and will be specific to areas where the feeds are available, will take account of seasonal changes in availability, quality and price, and the requirements of the birds during the different growth phases. The research approaches are to:

establish a quality assured live bird feed testing facility to appropriate standards to enable PNG to assess locally available feeds for both broiler and layer chickens;

profile, according to feeding value, including seasonal and varietal variation, availability and cost, a selected range of feeds abundant in PNG but not well documented according to modern standards;

conduct on-station feeding trials at both Labu (NARI) and SARDI with broiler chickens to determine production performance on rations derived from the tested and (as necessary) other feeds; and

field-test diets manufactured by Lae Feed Mills and demonstrate on-farm in a participatory manner the use of appropriate rations determined by the testing procedures and taking into account regional availability of feeds.

The project is designed to achieve a balance of research and development with the establishment of a feed testing service, on-station and on-farm testing and feeding trials and the development of feeding strategies for village farmers. Preparation of extension materials and extension officer training will assist in uptake of the research. The training of scientific and technical staff from NARI at SARDI in Australia will strengthen the linkages, communication and collaboration amongst the stakeholders.

The timing of the project is appropriate because NARI as an institution has the capacity to use up-to-date facilities and methods to develop rations meeting farmer expectations, making optimal use of local resources, and communicating this technology


to farmers either directly or through the range of extension providers. NARI is committed to maintaining the bioassay facility and feed testing service. This commitment recognises that there is an ongoing need for testing seasonal variation in quality in existing crops and other feed sources and evaluating new crops and by-products as they become available and as costs of ingredients change. A dual approach is being used to maintain an ongoing capacity in PNG to service the important poultry smallholder production sector. During the project, staff will be recruited and trained to operate and maintain the feed testing facility. In addition the extension service capability and support activities with Provincial partners will be further developed to ensure smallholder farmers are continually encouraged to adopt the new feeding strategies.

Smallholder farmers are clearly expressing their needs, aspirations and willingness to be more innovative in their approach to broiler feeding than in the past. Early poultry research in PNG (1975-85) on smallholder commercial broiler production was aimed at developing and demonstrating modern production systems using conventional feeds (see Moat & Bilong, 2000). This work underpinned the current frozen and live-bird broiler industries. However, the lack of an on-going systematic evaluation of the nutritional value of local feedstuffs and reliance on imported feed ingredients has resulted in the rapid escalation of feed costs. The AusAID funded project, Australian Contribution to the National Agricultural Research System (ACNARS), working with NARI, has identified local feed ingredients that could substantially lower the cost of broiler feed in PNG.

The probability of success of the project is high because the demand for appropriate technology has received strong support from the farmers and Lae Feed Mills. The development of a quality assured standard facility to test feeds and rations and the development of teamwork in the dissemination of technology to farmers through collaboration of scientists, extension providers, development agencies, feed millers, and farmers will underpin the success of the project. It is anticipated that the availability of cheaper feed will lead to rapid uptake of the technology, as many smallholders will not have to change their current practices. The ACNARS project is currently strengthening the NARI outreach and liaison capacity and this will support the dissemination of the results from this project, particularly through the development of procedures for field-testing of extension aids.

3. Project operations

3.1 Objectives

The aim of this project is to increase or maintain the profitability of smallholder poultry production in PNG through the provision of information that will enable farmers or commercial millers to formulate or use lower-cost poultry rations utilizing locally available feeds, and in Australia to evaluate free-range production systems.

In PNG:Objective 1: To establish a quality-assured research facility in PNG to determine the quality of poultry feeds.Objective 2: To formulate and evaluate low-cost milled and home mix rations based on locally available feeds.Hypotheses High quality, low cost poultry rations can be formulated from locally available feeds in PNG. Evaluation of rations in growth studies can demonstrate an improvement in profitability of

growing broilers to market age in PNG.


Objective 3: To establish a system for the exchange of information with smallholder farmers about low-cost rations for poultry production.Hypotheses: An efficient and effective extension program can be established in PNG to train farmers to

prepare and/or use low cost rations. Targeted extension activities can result in a 50% increase in PNG village farms adopting new

feeding strategies. The profitability of smallholder broiler production in PNG can be improved by 50% using

rations formulated from local feed sources.

In Australia:Objective 4: To establish a free-range broiler production facility, evaluate local feeds and communicate information to industry.Hypotheses: Low cost, high quality forage based rations to improve bird welfare can be formulated for

broilers from Southern Australian forage sources. Evaluation of low cost rations can demonstrate an improvement in profitability of free-range

broiler production in Australia. The sustainability of broiler free-range systems in Australia can be improved by integrating

broilers with pasture/cropping rotation systems.


3.2 Outputs

Objectives Outputs Assumptions Applications1. Establish the research facility.

Research facility producing quality assured results (P).

Trial protocols understood by local staff (P).

Equipment and facility built on time and can operate under local conditions (P).

Local problems can be overcome simply, e.g. environmental constraints (P).

Facility functional and useable for evaluating feeds (P).

2. Formulation and evaluation of rations.

The nutritive value of industrial by-products and village feedstuffs assessed (P)

Complete rations formulated and tested (P).

Locally available feedstuffs and forage sources are suitable for broiler production (P).

Broiler rations appropriate for smallholder farmers (P).

Commercial feed mills use more locally available feeds (P).

3. Communicating with farmers.

A baseline study of current feeding practices in villages (P).

Provincial extension agents and NGO staff trained in communication with smallholder farmers (P).

Establish demonstration activities with farmers (P).

Produce information leaflets suitable for extension and NGO staff and farmers (P).

Farmers prepared to change from current rations and practices (P).

Trainees willing and able to develop new skills. (P)

Farmers willing to participate in demonstration trials (P).

Evaluation study shows uptake of new rations (P).

High use of local feed resources (P).

Extension materials widely used (P).

4. Free-range facility, feed evaluation & communication

Ecoshelter functional (A).

Rations formulated and tested (A).

Website established and factsheets developed (A).

Local problems can be overcome simply, e.g. environmental constraints (A).Locally available feedstuffs and forage sources are suitable for broiler production (A).Farmers willing to use crop and pasture sources (A).

Facility functional and useable for evaluating feeds (A).

Broiler rations appropriate for free-range farmers (A).

Extension materials widely used (A).

P= Partner developing country A= Australia

3.3 Research methodologies and project travel

3.3.1 Methods 1. PNG Bioassay Facility Rationale: The first phase of the project is to establish a poultry bioassay facility for accurate evaluation of nutritional values of locally available feed resources. Specific tasks: A user brief (identifying the required infrastructure and new equipment required in an

existing building at Labu, NARI) for the poultry bioassay facility will be developed,


taking account of local conditions and long-term management and operation. A test run using improvised equipment from Labu will provide the guidelines for the operation and development of the new facilities at Labu.

NARI technical and professional staff will receive training at SARDI during the development of NARI’s bioassay facility.

The facility will be constructed and commissioned on the basis of best tender price received either in PNG or Australia. QA protocols for operation of bioassay facility will be prepared. Standardisation of bioassay facility will be achieved by comparison of bird AME [Apparent Metabolisable Energy] (to 2.5% accuracy) at SARDI and PNG site using a sorghum ration (internal standard) used at SARDI. The feasibility of modifying AME procedures (eg. collection periods, sub-sampling), making it more cost effective for servicing local needs will be examined. Technical and professional staff from SARDI will assist in the onsite development and operation of QA protocols at NARI during the standardisation phase.

2. Formulation and evaluation of rations Rationale: The feed evaluation at Labu (NARI) will cover feeds that are firstly suitable for inclusion in milled, pelleted feeds and secondly those most suitable for small-scale farmer mixing and feeding on site. Specific tasks: Design least cost poultry diets suitable for peri-urban and village chicken meat

production units. In PNG, palm kernel expeller meal, wheat mill run, copra meal, fish meal and leaf

meal have been identified as potential feed sources of suitable quality and availability for use by local feed mills to produce low cost feeds.

In addition, farmers who cannot source milled feeds have access to rice bran, root crops, banana, sago and green vegetable for developing home mixed poultry feeds (Quartermain, 2000).

The above ingredients will be sampled over two periods (6 monthly interval) from the various provinces in PNG for evaluation of quality.

Metabolism trials will be conducted on these feeds to assess their AME quality, with other quality factors, including specific amino acids, lipids, minerals and anti-nutrient factors determined under contract, by the NARI chemistry laboratory or elsewhere as appropriate.

A spreadsheet of nutritional values to enable least cost feed formulation of broiler diets will be developed. Low and medium quality diets for chicken meat birds for both milled and home mixed diets will be formulated.

The diets proposed will be compared to a standard milled commercial broiler diet in 2 major broiler grow out experiments conducted at Labu (NARI).

3. Communicating with farmers

3.a PNG Extension Officer Training and production of training materialsRationale: Development of extension materials and training of extension staff to conduct demonstration trials on village farms will involve researchers, policy makers, extension agencies, millers, farmers and other stakeholders. Specific tasks; Posters and leaflets written in plain English, PNG Tok Pisin and Motu will be prepared

by NARI staff providing information to villagers on how to mix home feeds and manage village chicken meat units.

Extension staff will be trained on best methods including radio talks to disseminate information and conduct demonstration trials on village farms.


15 extension staff from each of the 5 sites (3 sites in Morobe Province and one each in Madang and the Eastern Highlands) will attend 3-day workshops to demonstrate feed mixing, and the feeding and management of broilers.

3.b Village MonitoringRationale: Monitoring the economic impact of introducing least cost diets on village meat production units will involve farmer surveys to collect initial and subsequent data on broiler production. The survey will include current broiler producers, farmers with facilities but not currently producing broilers, and farmers with similar resources who have never produced broilers. The survey will be designed to determine the reasons for the observed behaviour patterns and assess the resources available for broiler production. The initial survey will be conducted before the on-farm and extension work. Specific Tasks Baseline economic, management and social data will be obtained before and after

introduction of new feeding strategies in the 5 regions of PNG. The initial survey will establish farmers' current knowledge of poultry feeding, what feeding practices they are currently using and the level of gross margins they are achieving. These data will be compared with similar data to be collected in a follow up survey after new feeding strategies are introduced.

Information will be used to select the farmers and villagers to be involved in the village trials.

Results and implications drawn from this work (including short term progress and long term prospects) will be disseminated to provincial extension personnel via workshops and seminars. This information will include the economic benefits of adopting new feeding regimes.

3.c PNG Village Trials Rationale: Demonstration of the most effective least cost diets (milled and home mix) on village production units. Demonstration trials will be conducted on 5-10 village farms at each site at no cost to the villagers.Specific Tasks The most suitable diets for the peri-urban and home mix village farms will be selected

on the basis of the production performance of broilers in grow out trials conducted at Labu.

Milled diets will be prepared by Lae Feed Mills and evaluated on village farms. Each evaluation trial will comprise 3 treatments (peri-urban milled, home mix, control

milled) with 5-10 village farms matched closely on the basis of housing and management. Body weight, feed intake and mortality will be measured.

4. Free-range broiler production systems – SARDI4.a Free-range feed evaluationRationale: Construct a free-range chicken meat facility for demonstration to the free-range chicken meat farmers; determine nutritional value of crop stubble, medic pastures and vetch hay; and develop least costs diets suitable for feeding free-range poultry in Australia. Specific tasks: Establish a free-range chicken meat facility at Roseworthy Campus

comprising a 100m2 field divided into 6 smaller paddocks. An ecoshelter enclosing 6 broiler pens each for 50 birds on litter will be built. (Ecoshelters comprise solid hardwood walls 60 cm high, wire mesh to ceiling, aluminium/steel support frames, canvas blinds with the roof area covered by high uv waterproof protective shade cloth)


Crop stubble (wheat), 2 medic pastures and vetch hay will be sampled during the early and latter part of the season and evaluated for AME value. In vitro AME estimates of crop contents (pasture, stubble, insects, seeds, etc) or forage samples may be required.

Forage intake of broilers given access to the free-range will be determined at 14 and 28 days for 10 individual birds at each age.

Nutritional profiles of the forage sources (protein, fibre, amino acids and minerals) will be obtained.

A spreadsheet of nutritional values of crop and stubble forage sources will be developed.

Formulation of least costs diets suitable for feeding free-range poultry. Two least cost diets (one based on birds grazing crop stubble, the other on pasture)

taking into account the forage intake of broilers will be prepared. Conduct 2 experiments to compare the growth of broilers feeding on crop stubble,

pasture based and a standard milled commercial broiler diet using the ecoshelter facility.

4.b Communication of free-range broiler production information. Rationale: Recommendations to the Australian free-range chicken meat producers will be provided on the SARDI website to assist in industry uptake of the R&D. Fact sheets will be made available for distribution by the PIRSA Farm Information Centre at Roseworthy.Specific tasks: Provide information to smallholder free-range chicken meat producers on housing

and management of broiler chickens. Recommendations to smallholder chicken meat producers on supplementary diets

and feeding protocols for successful free-range chicken meat production. Recommendations to intensive broiler industry on economic feeding strategies to

reduce growth and improve broiler welfare.


3.3.2 Flow Chart Objective Activity Time (m/ yr) Milestone 1. Establish the facility

1. Train PNG staff in the management of the testing facility (A)2. Infrastructure – test runs, design, construction, acquire equipment (P) 3. Testing the equipment and protocols (P)4. Develop written protocols and procedures (P)

2/13/15/1-8/1

5/1-8/1

1. Staff training completed.2. Infrastructure completed

(P)2. Quality control

established (P)3. QA documentation

prepared (P)

2. Formulation and evaluation of rations

1. The nutritive value of industrial by products and village feedstuffs assessed (P).

2.Complete rations formulated and tested (P)

10/1-3/2

4/2

1. Spreadsheet of PNG feed nutritive values documented (P).

2. Rations validated (P).

3.Extension and on farm evaluation

1. Baseline studies of current feeding practices in study villages (P) 2. Develop training materials and conduct training activities. (P)3. Establish demonstration activities with smallholder farmers (P)4. Produce information leaflets suitable for extension and NGO staff and farmers (P)

3/1-9/3

3/3-9/3

1/3-9/3

1. Training courses conducted.

2. Feeding practices in villages determined (P)

3. On-farm demonstration trials completed (P&A)

4. Extension materials distributed (P)

4. Free-range feed evaluation & communication

1.Ecoshelter constructed (A)2. Crop stubble and pasture nutritive value assessed (A)3.Complete rations formulated and tested (A)4. Prepare website and fact sheets (A)

4/15/1 – 3/2

4/2

1/3-9/3

1. Ecoshelter functional (A)2. Spreadsheet of

crop/pasture nutritive values documented (A)

3. Rations validated (A).4. Website established and

fact sheets available (A)P = partner developing country A = Australia

3.3.3. Travel table Person traveling Approx.

m/yrFrom where to

wherePurpose Duration

(days TA)Kohun 2/1 Lae - Adel Inspect facilities, project coordination,

design Lae facilities5

Quartermain 2/1 Lae - Adel Inspect facilities, project coordination, design Lae facilities

5

Schultz 2/1 Adel – Lae Design of Lae facility. Participate in trial runs

7

Hughes 2/1 Adel – Lae Trial runs to assess protocols for Labu 7Schultz 5/1 Adel - Lae Establishment of Lae facility 7Hughes 5/1 Adel - Lae Start research and QA procedures 7PNG TO 5/1 Lae - Adel Staff training at SARDI 21Kohun 9/1 Lae – regional sites Discussions with extension staff and

farmers re demonstration activities12

Quartermain 9/1 Lae – regional sites Discussions with extension staff and farmers re demonstration activities

12

Gwabu 10/1 Lae – regional sites Collect baseline data on farmers and feeds

12

Glatz 10/1 Adel – Lae Annual meeting 7Feria 10/1 Madang – Lae Annual meeting 3Muntwiler 10/1 Kainantu – Lae Annual meeting 3Hughes 2/2 Adel - Lae Review research activities 7Smith 2/2 POM - Lae Review AME results 2Kohun 9/2 Lae – regional sites Conduct extension staff training 12


Quartermain 9/2 Lae – regional sites Conduct extension staff training 12Bilong 9/2 Lae – regional sites Conduct extension staff training 6Glatz 10/2 Adel – Lae Annual meeting 7Hughes 10/2 Adel – Lae Annual meeting 7Ru 10/2 Adel –Lae Annual meeting 7Feria 10/2 Madang – Lae Annual meeting 3Muntwiler 10/2 Kainantu – Lae Annual meeting 3Smith 10/2 POM - Lae Annual meeting 2Glatz 4/3 Adel – Lae Assessment of demonstration and

extension activities7

Kohun 4/3 Lae – regional sites Assessment of demonstration and extension activities

14

Quartermain 4/3 Lae – regional sites Assessment of demonstration and extension activities

14

Bilong 4/3 Lae – Morobe sites Assessment of demonstration and extension activities

7

Kohun 8/3 Lae – Syd/Adel Attend conference, prepare for final project meeting

10

Kohun 10/3 Lae – regional sites Final assessment & farmer survey 7Quartermain 10/3 Lae – regional sites Final assessment & farmer survey 7Gwabu 10/3 Lae – regional sites Final assessment & farmer survey 7Glatz 12/3 Adel – Lae Final project meeting 7Hughes 12/3 Adel – Lae Final project meeting 7Ru 12/3 Adel – Lae Final project meeting 7Feria 12/3 Madang – Lae Final project meeting 3Muntwiler 12/3 Kainantu – Lae Final project meeting 3Smith 12/3 POM - Lae Final project meeting 2

3.4 Intellectual Property and other legal matters

This project will generate information on how well various feed ingredients and feeds are utilised by chickens. This information will be widely publicised in the public domain. This information will also be used to formulate complete rations by project investigators. These formulations will be tested and information on ration composition will also be widely publicised in the public domain. For example it is anticipated that newsletters with information about rations will be sent to key extension providers in other provinces in PNG. Details on diets will be placed on the NARI and SARDI website to assist in the communication of information. Commercial feed manufacturers or farmers may wish to use results from the project to formulate proprietary rations. The project participants have no claim over such rations. Methodologies transferred from SARDI to PNG are in the public domain. Lae Feed Mills will have primary, but not exclusive, access to information on diets formulated during the course of the project.

3.5 Project personnel

SARDI Pig and Poultry Production Institute operates a facility for evaluating the quality of feeds and ration formulation for the poultry industry in South Australia, elsewhere in Australia and internationally. They are also conducting research on novel feeds and alternative production systems that have some similarity with those proposed for broiler raising in PNG, particularly the use of more fibrous diets that have trade-offs in cost of feeds and time to finishing the bird to market weight.

NARI is the designated national agency for conduct of strategic livestock research in PNG and is the agency that has a mandate for the provision of information to Provincial Government agencies on matters such as feed quality. They have the skills (livestock science, economics, social sciences) and infrastructure (poultry sheds, drying


oven, chemical analyses service) that, with some development, will enable them to continue to provide services to other agencies beyond the life of this project.

The Morobe and Madang Provincial Governments are two accessible and progressive agencies with extension staff capable to assist with the on-farm research and demonstration work and continue with the development and extension work post-project. Similarly the Salvation Army Agricultural Development Program is strategically placed in the Eastern Highlands Province and has the required extension staff and established training programs. Lae Feed Mills in Morobe Province is the main supplier of feeds to smallholder broiler producers and have a demonstrated willingness to produce feeds for low intensity livestock feeding if the demand exists, e.g. rabbit feed.

Australian commissioned organisation

Name Gender Agency Position Time in project (%)

Funded by

Glatz M SARDI Senior Research Scientist.Project Leader

20 SARDI

Hughes M SARDI Senior Research Scientist 15 7.5% ACIAR7.5% SARDI

Ru M SARDI Research scientist 15 ACIARTba ? SARDI Technical officer 100 ACIARSchultz M SARDI Technical officer 5 (Y1 only) ACIAR

Phil Glatz (BAgSc (Hons), PhD) has a lifetime involvement in the poultry industry in South Australia, having managed his family commercial poultry farm for 15 years during the early stages of his research career. More recently he has been involved in extending the information from his RIRDC funded poultry housing systems, husbandry and welfare research to the poultry industry through production of CD ROMs, videos, fact sheets and training manuals for farmers. He has led numerous research projects and has been Chairman of 4 industry research project management committees responsible for implementing research outputs into the poultry industry.

Bob Hughes (BSc, MAgSc, Grad Dip Applied Statistics) has over 30 years experience in poultry nutrition research, including collaboration with plant breeders to improve the quality of cereal grains. He has successfully commercialised an AME bioassay in broilers which has been used extensively by Australian and international companies.

Derek Schultz (BAgSc) has over eight years experience in development and modification of equipment and procedures to support poultry research and in the conduct of nutrition experiments designed by Bob Hughes. Currently, Derek manages staff engaged in research, production and teaching activities on the PPPI poultry research unit and associated analytical support in the PPPI Nutrition Research Laboratory.

Yingjun Ru (BAgSc, MAgSc, PhD) is an experienced researcher in feed evaluation for pigs, poultry and ruminants. He is involved in the development of an innovative free-range pig and poultry production system at Roseworthy Campus and is managing the PPPI Nutrition Research Laboratory, which offers a commercial feed evaluation service for national and international clients.


Partner country institutions

Name Gender Agency Position Time in project (%)

Funded by

Kohun M NARI Principal Scientist Livestock programPNG Project Leader

30 NARI

Quartermain M NARI Livestock adviser. Project coordinator.

20 ACIAR

Mazi F NARI Technical officer 15 ACIARGwabu M NARI Economist 10-40 over

time5-20% NARI5-20% ACIAR

Tba ? NARI Technical officer 100 ACIARTba ? NARI Livestock scientist 40 20% ACIAR

20% NARISmithLino MoroPaul Mondo

MMM

GF Int. PNGLae Feed MillsLae Feed Mills

General ManagerSite ManagerFeed Mill Supervisor

5 Goodman Fielder

Feria M Madang Provincial Govt

Provincial agricultural adviser

5 Madang Prov Govt.

Bilong M Morobe Provincial Govt

Provincial agricultural adviser

5 Morobe Prov. Govt

Muntwiler M Salvation Army Agricultural adviser 5 Salvation Army Ag. Devel Program.

Alan Quartermain (MAgrSc, PhD) has been involved with livestock research, tertiary education and international development for over 40 years. He has had two 8-year terms in PNG and is currently Livestock Research Adviser to NARI on an AusAID funded project. His experience has included poultry research and development in 14 Pacific Island countries as well as SE Asia and Africa.Note that Quartermain is included in the project as a contractor. He will be retained by NARI on a contractual basis after completing his current contract in September 2002. He will play an important role in the project through intellectual input, mentoring of young research and technical staff, and his contacts within the Provincial Government agencies, with the NGOs and with commercial companies involved in the broiler industry.

Pikah Kohun (MAgric, PhD) has over 15 years of teaching and research experience at tertiary level. During the last two years he has been the Principal Livestock Scientist with NARI, concentrating on research with poultry, small ruminants, rabbits and pigs. He has excellent computer skills and uses the SAS software in data analysis.

Monica Mazi (DipAgric) has seven years of experience as a livestock research technician. Much of her work has involved the care of poultry, particularly broiler chickens. She has excellent skills in running chicken feeding trials and entering data into Excel databases for analyses.

Clifton Gwabu (BEcon) is a Junior Scientist with NARI attached to the Outreach and Liaison Programme. He has some experience in survey questionnaire development and use for collecting and interpreting livestock and crop information. Part of his work and training to date has involved economic analysis of smallholder farm enterprises and assessment of change impact on the livelihoods of rural households.


Geoving Bilong (BAgricHons, GradDipPoultryTech, MAgricStudies) has had 20 years of work experience in the public service. Seven years of his earlier work was in poultry research at the Labu Poultry Research Centre. Later experience has included six years managing the Village Livestock Development Project, based in the Eastern Highlands, and six years in charge of agricultural extension in Morobe Province.

Paschal Feria (DipTropAgric) has had 36 years of experience in the public service, initially as smallholder cattle extension specialist, then veterinary laboratory technician, Provincial Livestock Officer and Senior Rural Development Officer. Since 1996 he has been Adviser in the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Branch of the Madang Provincial Government. He thus holds the most senior post in agriculture in the provincial administration and is responsible for all aspects of agricultural development, including smallholder poultry.

Andrew Smith (BComm, MBA, FCPA) has 22 years of experience in middle and senior management roles within the stockfeed and poultry industries, including terms as General Manager with Ridley Agriproducts 1994-1998 and Steggles Feeds 1992-1994. While GM of Ridley Agriproducts he was involved in a number of collaborative research projects with organizations including CSIRO, SARDI and livestock industry groups. He has been General Manager for PNG with Goodman Fielder International Ltd for the past 3.5 years.

Markus Muntwiler (BSc, BA) has been responsible for the coordination and administration of agricultural and development projects in the northern region of PNG for the Salvation Army since 1997. Over the past 20 years he has worked in various development roles, including 2 years as agricultural coordinator in Sri Lanka for the Salvation Army, technical assistant in Haiti orphanage, training officer in Pratteln, and agricultural adviser in Basel.

4. Project outcomes and adoption pathways

4.1 Communication and dissemination

Details of the communication and dissemination strategies have been outlined in the methodology associated with Objective 3. In general, the approach adopted in this project is to access farmers by working with community-based groups in areas where the density of broiler production is greatest. Collaboration in this project with the Morobe and Madang government extension agencies and the Salvation Army builds upon the current good interaction they each have with NARI.

The proposed communication and dissemination strategies have been carefully chosen to suit local needs. Information gathered in PNG by the extension agencies indicates that farmers are influenced most by other farmers, on-farm demonstrations, and advisers such as extension and NGO staff. Consequently, the strategy adopted in this project has two main thrusts that reflect this model. First, the extension agencies are involved as full partners from the outset to ensure ownership of outputs and relevance of the rations to be tested. Up to 75 on-the-ground advice providers will receive training in poultry management, including the use of lower-cost rations. Second, about 35 farmer demonstration trials will be conducted in villages that compare currently utilized commercial feeds with lower-cost rations. These trials will be managed by the advice providers who attended the training courses, and will be located throughout the 3


provinces. They will utilize feeds that are relevant to each area, including any new formulations from the Lae Feed Mills.

Information leaflets on feeds and ration formulation will be produced by NARI for use by advice providers and leading farmers. NARI has recently acquired the capacity to produce such material through the ACNARS project funded by AusAID. These leaflets will initially be used during the training activities and thereafter will be produced on a regular basis as new rations are developed and the quality and quantity of feedstuffs change.

A baseline study will be conducted in several villages early in the life of the project. Results of this study will be used initially to identify potential collaborating villages and farmers, and at the end of the project to assess the extent of change and attitude of the villagers toward the proposed new practices. Undoubtedly the social and economic data obtained from the baseline study will have most value 2-3 years after the end of this project when there has been sufficient time for adoption of project outputs, but it is considered worthwhile to complete the cycle of evaluation during the life of the project for the information per se and as a component of local capacity development.

In Australia SARDI staff receive numerous enquiries from smallholder farmers on housing, management and feeding of birds in free-range production units. Information in this area is scant and not well documented, particularly for the modern strains of birds. Inclusion of free-range information on the website will provide a new source of information for smallholder farmers operating in the emerging niche market in Australia. Fact sheets will be prepared and made available for distribution in Australia and worldwide from the PIRSA Farm Information Centre at Roseworthy Campus. Rapid communication of information to industry is anticipated given the participation by key producers on the current free-range Project Management Group at Roseworthy. In addition diets devised in this research will be made available to the intensive broiler industry if they choose to utilise feeding strategies to improve bird welfare. 4.2 Enhancing research and development capacity

The development of personnel capacity in this project is intended to improve the sustainability of activities beyond the life of financial support from ACIAR. Activities include:

The training of a senior NARI technician at Roseworthy in the operation of a quality assured feed evaluation facility;

Involvement of Dr Quartermain to mentor new research and technical staff in the conduct of quality research;

Training of Mr Gwabu in the conduct of village baseline and assessment studies. Training of up to 75 advisory staff attached to the Morobe and Madang Provincial

Government agencies and the Salvation Army NGO.

The improved infrastructure and staff skills will provide a sound platform for NARI to sustain activities beyond the life of this project. The evaluation of feeds and formulation of rations, along with the associated production of extension materials and outreach activities, are ongoing activities for NARI. Further, if impact is achieved in the three Provinces involved in this project, NARI will have the skills to enable transfer and adaptation of the technology to other Provinces.

4.3 Expected economic benefit

Currently the targeted smallholder broiler production system, involving an estimated 50,000 families, produces about 6 million birds each year. This production level has


remained static for the last 2-3 years against a general decline in total meat consumed as the PNG economy has slowed. If the economy improves it is anticipated that demand and production will increase. If the economy continues to decline, the cost of imported inputs to the broiler sector will become prohibitive. The value of current smallholder broiler production is about A$54 million.

Smallholder broiler production is widespread in PNG, but the main areas of concentration are in Morobe, Madang and the Highland Provinces where the project will concentrate its communication efforts. This geographic distribution of production is largely in response to the cost and accessibility of inputs, mainly day-old chicks and concentrate feeds, but distribution could expand with the successful development of home mixed feeding systems.

The aim of this project is to improve profitability through a reduction in the cost of production rather than increasing production per se. Smallholder farmers prefer to use concentrate feeds that make up the major proportion of production costs of 7-9 Kina per bird, amounting to about 400 Kina per 50-bird batch. We anticipate that the use of locally available feeds can reduce the cost per bird by up to 3 Kina, or 150 Kina (about A$100) per batch. Data from Lae Feed Mills indicate that such a reduction is possible, as feeds formulated from local products (copra meal and millrun) for rabbits are about half the cost of broiler concentrate made from imported ingredients. A commensurate halving of production costs will not be achieved by farmers because transport costs will be the same regardless of the price of the feed at the factory gate.

If the proposed reduction in feed costs can be achieved it would amount to almost a doubling of profit per batch, provided that the sale price does not decline. The whole sector benefit would be in the order of A$10 m additional profit. A decline in price to benefit consumers is possible in response to improved profitability and thence supply, but we believe that there is an unsatisfied demand at present that should moderate any price decline. Consumers would benefit even if prices are maintained at current levels. Even if the price drops, the lower cost of production would still leave higher levels of profitability for producers.

The timeframe for the adoption of lower-cost rations is difficult to estimate. One element can change quickly, i.e. rations provided by the mills. They have indicated a willingness to produce rations using locally available products, as at present for the much smaller rabbit sector, provided that there is a market. Their concern is that the sector of broiler production supplied by their products is under threat from the increasing costs of imported feeds. Getting farmers to formulate and prepare their own rations may be more problematic as this would be a substantial change from current practices of using bagged feeds as the main feed for broilers in the villages. The baseline study is intended to provide insights into this issue.

There are potential spill-overs of outputs from this project to the commercial broiler production sector. Lower cost ingredients could be used in diets for this sector to offset rising costs of imported ingredients. This might help to restrict price increases to consumers.

The evaluation of the alternative forage resources in Australia will offer alternatives for the feed manufacturers and home mixers to prepare cheaper rations. While these rations may not achieve current growth rates, the cost benefits may enable sustainability of poultry businesses operating alternative production systems. Thus the proposed studies in Australia will:i) demonstrate a cheap housing and foraging system for free-range broiler production,ii) identify supplementary diets and feeding protocols for free-range broilers, and


iii) provide the intensive commercial industry diets using Australian feed resources which could ameliorate some of the physiological problems associated with feeding conventional diets.

4.4 Social benefits

The primary beneficiaries of this project in PNG are the smallholder broiler producers through increased profitability. The production of broilers is one of the few cash generating activities for many of these farmers. Unfortunately, this production system is under threat because of the rising cost of feeds and the livelihood of these family farmers would be adversely affected if they were forced from the industry. Further, if the supply of live birds into the informal market decreases there will be a decline in the provision of one of the few sources of high quality protein for many people, particularly in inland areas.

It is worth repeating that the initiative for this work arose from consultation with the smallholder farmers and communities. They expressed concern about the threats to this important sector posed by the rising cost of feeds and the potential negative flow-on effects to the community at large if the problem is not resolved.

In Australia, ACIAR will support work at SARDI that aims to develop less intensive poultry raising systems, including the use of free-ranging on high quality forages, and the development of diets that slow the growth rate of birds and enable physiological capacity of the birds to match growth and development. These initiatives are in response to industry, food sector and public concerns about these issues and industry support for the less intensive egg and meat production systems that currently provide about 5% of the market.

4.5.1 Environmental benefits

There are no anticipated changes to the environmental status of smallholder broiler production in PNG from this project. Current smallholder broiler production systems are well integrated with other feed production activities, with manure collected and mainly used as fertilizer in the feed gardens. Feeds do not contain antibiotics and these small-scale systems are remarkably free of disease and pest problems.

The free-range system being investigated in Australia is a component of a larger initiative at SARDI to develop sustainable crop/livestock systems. This initiative is directed by a research management committee that includes free-range producers. Knowledge developed from this project is intended to contribute to the development of environmentally sustainable, lower stocking density, free-range systems that integrate dryland cropping with broiler production, including the use of inexpensive mobile housing.


4.5.2 Canvass any possible negative environmental outcomes.

There are no anticipated negative environmental outcomes if technologies developed by this project are adopted by smallholder broiler producers.


5. References cited in submissionHavenstein, G.B. Ferket, P.R., Scheideler, S.E. and B.T. Larson (1994). Growth, Livability, and feed conversion of 1957 vs. 1991 broilers fed typical 1957 and 1992 broiler diets. Poultry Science, 73: 1785-1794.

Healy, A.T.A. (2001). Developing Agricultural Research Priorities for Papua New Guinea. National Consultation Workshop, 29-31 August 2001. Workshop Report. Mimeo 14pp.

Moat, M. and Bilong, G.P. (2000). Past Labu Poultry Research and Extension Efforts. In: Quartermain, A.R. ed. Proceedings of the NARI Poultry Workshop held at the Forest Research Institute, 26 August 1999. NARI Proceedings Series, Proceedings No. 1, National Agricultural Research Institute, Papua New Guinea, pp 8-16.

Quartermain, A.R. 2000. Non-commercial Poultry Production in Papua New Guinea. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science 13 Supplement July 2000 C: 304-307.

Savory, C.J. (1995). Broiler welfare-problems and prospects. Archiv fur Geflugelkunde, 6:48-52.


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