The Year 9/10 AgHort class welcomed Dr Andrew Pegg, from The Vet Group, (TVG) into the classroom to learn about Australia’s animal production industries; systems, animal health, welfare, freedoms, handling systems and biosecurity. He outlined his career path from a dairy in Elingamite where he knew he’d be a vet when he was 5 years old, through to university and a position with TVG in Timboon. Andrew outlined the main food and fibre production industries in Australia and compared the pros and cons of Intensive Vs Extensive systems. A fox in the hen house game was used to demonstrate that issues can arise, regardless of the system. The 5 Freedoms were introduced and used to assess different enterprises including dairy, beef, sheep and poultry with industry specific problems discussed. Andrew stressed the importance of understanding animal behaviour and cited the work of animal behaviourist Temple Grandin in designing world recognized animal handling systems. Acknowledging the importance of biosecurity and the need to reduce the risk of disease transmission, we informed students that the wrapped chocolates they were rewarded with when they participated and answered questions had been sprinkled with detergent. Under a UV light the class could see how potential pathogens and diseases can spread through a population. Great session Andrew! Comments are closed.
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April 2024
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