Research, Development and Extension (RD&E)
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, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
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.
Overall, the RD&E strategy has three main focuses:
1: AECL’s long-term RD&E strategy
Long term, the strategy of the Australian Egg Corporation Limited (AECL) 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
1. Hen welfare and elite production systems: efficient and economical egg production in all systems without compromising hen welfare
2 Product quality: high egg quality whilst maintaining maximum production efficiency
3. Sustainability, QA and technology transfer: certainty in production, extension and communication of R&D outcomes.
3: AECL’s immediate RD&E priorities
The immediate priorities for 2011 include:
• optimising ventilation and egg production in environmentally controlled sheds
• increasing the appetite of ‘pre-lay’ pullets (19-25 weeks) for alternative systems
• identifying techniques that can maintain shell quality towards the end of lay (post 65 weeks)
• review of options to minimise ullage and associated costs to egg producers.
Apply for funding
Any organisation, company or individual is eligible for support to undertake R&D activity that addresses AECL's key long term and immediate research priorities.
if you believe you or your organisation have an idea that could maximise benefits and revenue for the industry and minimise costs, please apply for funding.