What we do, and how we do it
The Australian Egg Corporation Limited (AECL) invests in research, development and extension (RD&E) on behalf of egg producers, the community at large and the government.
Research (R) and Development (D) is a systematic experimentation or analysis carried out to acquire or apply knowledge for any aspect of marketing, processing, storage, transport or production as it relates to the Australian egg industry. Extension (E) is how results may be adopted out on the farm.
Funds for RD&E are provided via egg producers who pay a levy, matched by the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture.
The scope of AECL’s RD&E operations covers the entire supply chain: from farm inputs, to egg products and by-products.
Although the main focus is to provide innovative on-farm solutions and improvements in efficiency, all associated production factors are relevant, including:
consumer needs and expectations
nutritional factors
market demand
supply-chain
waste management
and quality control.
Research projects produce data, information and outputs that are used to generate research outcomes. These outcomes include:
improving the profitability of egg production systems
providing health and nutritional information for consumers
and ensuring the sustainability of egg production.
Information and tools are developed and provided as resources to improve the efficiency of egg production and to inform the industry’s many stakeholders. Each research project will have outcomes directed towards a specific target market or audience depending upon their location within the supply chain.
To find out more about what the RD&E program is up to in 2013/14, please click through here to open the most recent version of the RD&E Activities Brochure.
Overall, the RD&E strategy has three main focuses:
1) AECL’s long-term RD&E strategy
Long term, AECL's strategy involves challenges such as:
animal welfare
environmental sustainability
feed availability and nutrition
flock health and disease management
food safety and human nutrition
training and technology transfer, and quality control.
2) AECL’s short-term RD&E strategy
AECL prioritises R&D into four major programs to more effectively focus our support for the benefit of the industry.
Hen welfare & best practice production systems Efficient and economical egg production that enhances hen welfare
Product quality High egg quality and production efficiency
Skills & knowledge development Capacity development, extension and delivery of R&D outcomes
Quality Assurance (QA) Facilitating improvements in quality and the ability to meet production challenges.
3) AECL’s immediate RD&E priorities
Specific focus of research projects commencing in 2014:
Reducing feed costs through the development of a net energy (NE) feed formulation system for laying hens
Minimising the risk of Salmonella outbreaks related to egg production through the development and uptake of a Salmonella extension and control program
Development of tools to effectively manage Salmonella in the supply chain