Mick Hazzledine, director of the Premier Nutrition business team, will meet with producers, the feed industry and Department of Agriculture and Food researchers during his visit to Western Australia this month.

Department of Agriculture and Food senior research officer Bruce Mullan said scientists were looking forward to receiving input from Mr Hazzledine on current and proposed research projects.

“He will also be holding meetings with the feed industry to implement a new approach to feed formulation,” Dr Mullan said.

“Such an approach could result in a reduction in feed costs, which is by far the biggest input cost of pig production, while increasing the opportunity for greater use of by-products in pig diets.”

Mr Hazzledine will be involved in an industry seminar at Technology Park, Bentley, on 7 May, where he will address the topics of trends of pork production in Europe and how to best put pig industry science into practice.

“His visit will allow the local industry to be updated on trends in housing, welfare and nutrition in Europe, many of which are subsequently being introduced in the Australian industry,” Dr Mullan said.

Mr Hazzledine started his career in research before moving across to the commercial world where he has worked in many parts of the world, particularly Europe and North America. He has a particular interest in the application of new research, and is actively involved in on-farm research in Canada and parts of Eastern Europe.

Mr Hazzledine is the recipient of the DAFWA Visiting Specialist Award for 2009-2010.