Leading Research: in Environmental Sustainability
There is a need for egg businesses to demonstrate good environmental performance and stewardship as changes to environmental regulation adds uncertainty to industry investment decisions.
Investing in R&D that provides a single source of information to assist industry and regulators in the development process will reduce the time and cost of developing new facilities and/or expanding existing facilities. Furthermore, it will enable industry to maintain high levels of environmental management.
Key Resources
Current Research
Sustainable feed to optimize layers’ productive life
This is a highly beneficial project which will reduce the carbon footprint, reduce feed cost, and promote layer life. This will be done by replacing soybean meal (SBM) with combination of canola meal (CM) and insect meal (BSFL: black soldier fly larvae).
Carbon calculator tool for the egg industry
Australian Eggs will be producing a spreadsheet-based calculator which will enable farmers to input data to determine their carbon footprint and total on-farm emissions.
Optimising waste and by-product utilisation and conversion to value streams
This project is an extension of the “Carbon and environmental footprint of the poultry industry” project which will this time quantify, by housing system, the volume of waste and by products produced by the industry.
Cost effective and practical ways to regenerate layer hen ranges
Researchers will produce a range regeneration guide for industry, which will provide regeneration suggestions based on the unique requirements and means of the farm.
Assessing the carbon footprint of the egg industry
By studying the inputs to the whole egg industry supply chain, the carbon footprint of the egg industry will be measured.
Completed Research
Carbon and environmental impacts of poultry production: 2020 and beyond
Climate change action is a global priority for governments, business and industries. The egg industry produces highly efficient, high-quality food products with a relatively low environmental footprint but along with every sector, there is an imperative to reduce impacts over time.
Nutrient mass balance on-farm
By carefully measuring the inputs and outputs of free-range flocks, researchers will quantify how much nutrient is deposited on the range versus how much is deposited in the shed.
Determining manure deposition in free range sheds and free range areas
This project was conducted to assist free range egg producers with the management of manure nutrients to minimise the risk of environmental impact.
Resilient plants to entice hens outdoors on free range farms
The aim of this project was to consolidate available agronomic information and provide an up-to-date resource for free range egg farmers on what and how to plant on the range. To complete this project the researcher integrated existing research on the topic, as well as learnings from 5 'case study farms' that the researcher worked with throughout the project.
Determining resource requirements for removal of waste from egg farms
These resources will assist egg farms in planning their approach to waste disposal, particularly in preparing for infectious disease in the flock. Using a risk-based approach these resources will enable egg farmers to identify the resources that would be needed on their farm to support the disposal of all types of poultry farm waste.
Reducing ammonia losses during composting of chicken manure without altering economic outcomes
This research trialled mixing poultry manure with organic materials such as sawdust and wood chips, in an effort to produce a nitrogen rich compost product.
Addition of sawdust or wood chips to manure was shown to maximise nitrogen retention but at an increased compost production cost.Egg Industry Environmental Guidelines
This project aimed to deliver improved environmental sustainability and planning outcomes for the egg industry by updating the existing guidelines to reflect changes in the industry since its first publication in 2008.
Evaluation of energy usage and ventilation performance of tunnel ventilated layer sheds
Due to increasing pressures on operating margins within the Australian egg industry, this study investigated the energy usage and ventilation systems in cage egg sheds.Optimising electricity usage is an important factor in improving the bottom line of egg production systems.
Environmental Assessment of an Egg Production Supply Chain using Life Cycle Assessment
A Life Cycle Assessment model was used to provide a review of the efficiency of Australian egg production with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, water use and energy use.
Layer Hen Manure Analysis Report
Poultry layer manure and litter composition data are essential for accurately determining sustainable application rates of manure to crops and pastures.This study collected some 20 samples of manure and litter from five different layer production systems from all major production regions in Australia.
Composting Every Day Mortalities and Other Wastes from Layer Farms
Composting is a viable alternative method for disposing of daily mortalities, spent hens, egg and other waste produced on Australian egg farms.
Reducing disease spread and neighbour complaints by integrated fly control on egg farms
Due to the number of issues caused by fly populations in relation to the Australian agricultural industry, this project seeks to provide further information about the dynamics of flies breeding on Australian egg farms.
Urban fringe land use conflict: Two poultry case studies
Land use is a common source of conflict for many sectors of Australian agriculture including the poultry industry, particularly in areas on the urban fringe or where there is significant rural residential development.
Projects you might find interesting
Egg Industry Environmental Guidelines
This project aimed to deliver improved environmental sustainability and planning outcomes for the egg industry by updating the existing guidelines to reflect changes in the industry since its first publication in 2008.