AgriFutures Australia is investing in three new research projects that will support the Australian chicken meat industry to meet current and future challenges – strengthening sustainability, animal welfare, biosecurity and consumer confidence.
The projects focus on some of the industry's most important priorities, including reducing environmental impacts, monitoring antimicrobial resistance and developing practical, science-based welfare standards.
Together, these projects will deliver practical tools, trusted data and clear guidance to help the chicken meat industry continue to produce affordable, high-quality protein while responding to changing community, market and regulatory expectations.
PRO‑020463 - Scoping a shared feed ingredient database (Integrity Ag)
Feed production accounts for most of the environmental footprint of chicken meat production, yet key data gaps remain – particularly for imported and specialty feed ingredients such as soy and amino acids.
This project will identify missing data in existing feed databases and develop a shared database focused on greenhouse gas emissions from feed ingredients. Case studies will show how emissions and water use can vary across supply chains and the project will also assess the cost of expanding the database over time.
More accurate and consistent feed data will support better sustainability and environmental impact reporting, improve transparency and help companies identify opportunities to reduce emissions and environmental impacts.
PRO‑020457 - Surveillance for antimicrobial resistance in enteric commensals and pathogens in Australian meat (AquilaScientific)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern, and ongoing surveillance is essential to ensure antibiotics remain effective for both humans and animals. This project is the next national survey of AMR in Australian meat chickens, updating and extending the findings from the 2021 survey.
The study will examine common bacteria found in poultry, including E. coli, Salmonella, Enterococcus and Campylobacter, using advanced technologies such as robotics and whole‑genome sequencing.
The results will confirm whether resistance levels remain low, identify emerging risks early, guide better practices in antibiotic use, support Australia's strong reputation for safe, responsibly produced chicken meat and contribute to local and global efforts to reduce AMR.
PRO‑021232 - Development of an alternate welfare standard for the Australian chicken meat industry (Ruadh Consulting)
This project is delivering a new, industry‑led animal welfare standard designed for third‑party accreditation. The standard will be science‑based, outcomes‑focused and practical for commercial production systems.
Developed through a review of national and international research and extensive industry consultation, the project will also establish guidance, auditable requirements, governance arrangements and an auditing framework.
The new standard will provide producers with a credible, practical pathway to demonstrate high animal welfare outcomes while meeting market and community expectations.
These three projects reflect AgriFutures Australia's ongoing commitment to supporting a strong, resilient and trusted chicken meat industry – delivering research outcomes that make a real difference on farm, across the supply chain and for Australian consumers.
