A terrific turn out of over 50 pig producers and professionals including Abbey Animal Health’s WA Business Manager Josh Sweeny, all attended the WAPPA Industry Day in Perth. A diverse, strong line up of speakers filled the day, which included WA’s Chief and Deputy Veterinary Officers Dr Michelle Rodan and Dr Marion Seymour, who tackled the pressing issues linked with emergency animal disease preparation and WA’s current response to Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV).
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Director for Regional Compliance Noel Chambers elaborated on DPIRD’s approach to the new amendments to the Animal Welfare Act.
Some intriguing insights into the global and national grain and meat markets, together with economic trends in agriculture were discussed by Matt Dalgeish from Episode 3.
The day concluded with a spectacular presentation from a key WA pig producer in that of Dawson Bradford who opened his farms doors to the diverse mixed farm operation of Hillcroft Farms which he runs in Popanyinning. Dawson provided strong visual insights to his pig production, feed grain and sheep setups, touching upon such topics like ‘being different from the rest’ and utilising tried, proven feed strategies to control P2 backfat and lift feed conversion.
It was an excellent event which allowed both strong networking and learning opportunities for the WA pig producers professionals across the state, reiterating the importance pig production has for the WA agricultural industry.
Dawson Bradford (above) speaking from Hillcroft Farms