Civil Affairs agricultural team DPR/TV/1360

Australian soldiers are working to improve chicken and pig farming methods in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam. They are soldiers of the agricultural team of the 1st Australian Civil Affairs Unit, based at Nui Dat. Led by Lieutenant Bob Hannan of Mt Torrens, SA, the men - all civilian-trained agronomists - work with and advise the Province Animal Husbandry Service. Gifts of day-old chicks are made to selected farmers throughout the Province, and deep-litter, quality-feed methods of raising are taught. This is in sharp contrast to traditional chicken raising in Vietnam, where the fowls run free fending for themselves. Regularly the Australians - with the Animal Husbandry Team - visit the farmers, inoculating the birds against common diseases and advising on problems. The farmers sell the chickens at 10 weeks, making up to 100 percent profit; with this money they buy the next batch of chicks and expand the business. To improve the strain of pig in Phuoc Tuy, ten pregnant sows were recently given to farmers at Binh Gia, north of task force base. Piglets from the hardy cross-bred strain will be distributed to other farmers throughout the province. As with the chickens, the Australians regularly join the Animal Husbandy team on its rounds, advising and inoculating. The Civil Affairs Unit paid about $6500 for the pigs. For their part the farmers are responsible for housing and feeding the beasts to a pre-selected programme and style. In South Vietnam, soldiers of the Australian Task Force bring science to traditional farming methods. Also identified: Mr Day; Miss Nga; 217998 Corporal Michael Cyril (Mike) Appleby of Glenore, NSW; Sergeant Chung, interpreter; Mr Yang; Mr Nguyen Van Can.