Aviagen® recently welcomed 36 students from 18 countries to Edinburgh from Nov. 24-30. Together, they explored the latest in broiler management at the 2024 Broiler Module of the Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia (EMEAA) Production Management School.Coming from various backgrounds within the EMEAA region, the students shared a common dedication to improving broiler production. Throughout the week, they engaged with leading management innovations designed to enhance broiler welfare and efficiency.The School is one way Aviagen works with customers to “Breed Success Together,” sharing tools and knowledge to help them improve their management, achieve better results, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Practical insight for better broiler management
Aviagen experts joined guest speakers from the poultry sector to share valuable knowledge on key topics, including:
- Broiler management and physiology, helping care for broilers based on their biology to improve performance, meat quality, health, and welfare.
- Environmental management, covering housing, lighting, and ventilation.
- Health, including gut health and nutrition.
Students participated in a hands-on biosecurity exercise, gaining practical experience in protecting both food safety and security.Interactive workshops on brooding and feed analysis encouraged participants to exchange experiences and ideas. These engaging sessions fostered meaningful discussions and a deeper understanding of diverse practices from around the world.
Tailored learning and collaboration in action
This year’s program was shaped by feedback from past modules and questions sent in ahead of time, making it practical and relevant for everyone attending. Daily question and answer sessions gave participants the chance to get their specific questions answered, with short presentations diving deeper into key topics. Students also sharpened their data analysis skills, an important tool for understanding and then improving flock welfare and productivity. The week was all about connecting with others, working as a team, and sharing ideas – creating a collaborative environment where everyone could learn from each other and tackle challenges together.
Celebrating excellence in broiler management
Aviagen takes pride in celebrating the achievements of its students. The graduation ceremony highlighted the dedication, leadership, and collaboration demonstrated throughout the course, with the following recognitions:
- David Butler award: This award goes to one outstanding student from each EMEAA School Broiler module who shows great leadership, teamwork, and innovative thinking. Jack Watson, Farm Manager from Aviagen Ltd., UK, was recognized for his exceptional ability to lead and work well with others.
- Winning group: The ‘Orange team’ earned recognition for their great teamwork, smart management, and creative solutions in exercises like brooding, feed analysis and data interpretation.
Reflecting on the experience, Katerini Christoforou from Paradisiotis Ltd in Cyprus, Greece, shared: “I’m grateful to Aviagen and my company for giving me the chance to attend the School. It was truly a unique experience! I gained valuable knowledge and insights that will not only help improve outcomes for my company and the welfare of our birds but also support my growth in the industry. The program balanced educational content with opportunities to connect with my fellow classmates, and the hospitality and organization were exceptional. I would gladly take part in similar training again!”
Niamh Halley, EMEAA School Director and Global Technical Transfer Manager, said, “We celebrate our 2024 class and congratulate them for the success of the module and completion of an interactive week. Their willingness to get involved and share their experience and knowledge with their cohorts emphasizes the benefit of attending the EMEAA module in person. Meeting with these passionate and knowledgeable students is exciting and reassuring of the talent we have in our industry. The open and transparent communication during the week means we are all able to contribute to the ongoing improvement in bird health, welfare and efficiencies of the global poultry sector by learning from each other.”
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