Aviagen Holds Second Annual Poultry Management School in China

Aviagen recently completed a week-long poultry management course in Beijing. The school brought participants from all across China together to learn the latest information in all areas of poultry science and its practical application to managing successful breeder and broiler operations.

During the course, held February 25-29 at the Jiuhua Resort & Convention Centre in Beijing, 48 attendees from nine different poultry companies across China came together to learn from Aviagen professionals and industry experts through a series of presentations and open discussions. On the first day, the participants heard the latest information on Aviagen genetics and product development from Dominic Elfick, Aviagen's director of research and development. Also speaking on Monday were Dr. Rafael Monleon, Aviagen veterinarian in Asia, Dr. Kim Huang, Aviagen nutrition specialist in Asia, and Dr. Maxcy Nolan, a poultry pest management consultant, who spoke about biosecurity, nutrition, and rodent control, respectively. On day two, topics included proper male and female breeder management and advice on hatching egg management. Speakers on this day were Gu Minqing, Fred Kao and Guo Jun, all Aviagen technical services managers for the Asia region. In addition, Dr. Steve Tullet, a poultry consultant, spoke on several issues regarding hatchery management.

On the third day of the school, Dr. Steve Tullet, a poultry consultant, discussed various topics relating specifically to China and Ken Laughlin, Aviagen Global Head of Welfare discussed stockmanship. Day four included presentations by Marc Baribault, Aviagen's technical services manager in Asia, on getting the proper start out of grandparent chicks and by Bernard Green, a poultry consultant, on proper poultry house ventilation. On the final day of the school, Mark Wright, New Zealand, discussed issues relating to floor egg management and Dr. Nick Dorko, Aviagen global head of veterinary services, outlined the quality and health standards for Aviagen parent stock distributors. All lectures, presentations and discussions were translated into Chinese by Aviagen's China team led by Han Feng, Aviagen VP for China, who also coordinated the local site preparation and set-up of the entire event along with the team.

"After the success of last year's Aviagen School in China, we immediately began planning a second event," said Bruce Evans, Aviagen regional technical manager in Asia. "It was clear to us, and to our customers, that as our presence in this market grew, there would be a need for us to provide educational opportunities in proper poultry management practices."

The Aviagen China School was patterned after the hugely successful Aviagen Production Management Course held annually for the past 45 years in the USA. While this Aviagen course is a month-long event bringing people for all over the world together for intensive training, the Aviagen China School was designed to meet the more regional needs of those working in the poultry industry in China.