Business Manager Fred Kao and his Indian River® team hosted more than 65 customers from 19 countries at the 4th Indian River Training Academy in Penang, Malaysia in September.
The full three-day agenda featured a varied program covering genetics, breeder nutrition, lighting, management and chick output, embryo viability, water quality, a gut health analysis, managing coccidiosis, serving customers, broiler brooding and trouble shooting and management without antibiotics. Each day included a dedicated interactive workshop designed to engage attendees and test their knowledge. The individual workshops focused on egg breakouts, breast scoring for pullets and least cost feed formulation.
Of particular note was the presentation by Dominic Elfick, Aviagen International product manager, who showed data and financial benefit of Indian River’s genetic potential in bodyweights ranging from 1.3 to 2.7kg in the region. Guest speaker Dr. Susan Watkins from the University of Arkansas spoke of the importance of water quality, raising a lot of interest in the audience. Mark Wright, Aviagen regional service manager - Asia, discussed the Aviagen® commitment to make Indian River the brand of choice for customers in the region and highlighted the global service and support team. Key speaker, Esmi San Pedro, commercial and service manager - Indian River, addressed the importance of what small improvements in brooding management can turn into when harvesting the final flock.
The program was followed on day four with team-building activities for all attendees prior to a conference dinner in the evening.
“Support for the Indian River Training Academy has been growing each year that it has been held. We are pleased with the attendance and the whole Indian River team puts in a lot of time and resource into making the program attractive and valuable for production and support people within the Indian River customer family. The event is dedicated to improving understanding, sharing experiences and the advancing the performance of Indian River,” said Kao.
Showing posts with label Poultry Training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poultry Training. Show all posts
Friday, October 23, 2015
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Aviagen breeder module ‘empowering’
Students from 23 countries who attended the recent Aviagen Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) School Breeder Module have pronounced the course 'empowering' following a week-long workshop-style business focused exercise.
In response to feedback from the previous module, the main focus of the school, held in Edinburgh, Scotland, was on the different factors that might affect the production of fertile hatching eggs and included workshops and hands-on sessions rather than straight forward lectures or textbook learning.
Students were placed into teams and given details of a fictitious business 'Gallus Alba' to investigate. Using the techniques they had learnt on the course, students were asked to look at the profitability of the business and suggest ways to increase quality and cut costs.
Aviagen and external specialists were on hand as tutors and covered areas including; data handling and analysis, ventilation, veterinary health, nutrition, critical age management and financial benchmarking, all vital skills in running a successful poultry business.
One student, Vincent Klutse of Atria, Finland, commented:
"The take home messages were clear on many fronts and will empower me in my work. My profound gratitude to all tutors and the School Team for a well-organized program."
Interviewed about the success and thinking behind the concept, School Director Nick Spenceley said:
"This was a new project for us in Europe, something that had never been done before and overall everyone has been delighted with excellent feedback from students and tutors. One thing that I have especially enjoyed is walking into a room of 30 people who don't know each other, all sitting in geographic groups and after 24 hours they are all working together and chatting like they have been friends for years.
"Practical examples have worked best as they cross the language barrier. Hence the formation of Gallus Alba, looking at data handling through pivot tables, how that information can help us focus our management time on areas to improve productivity. We hope the bonds and friendships built during these team exercises will last beyond the week's course because sharing knowledge by picking up the phone is one of the best things in this industry. The school forum will help our students to do this as well.
"The fact we are oversubscribed for every course shows there is a need for this type of training within the industry and Aviagen appreciates this vote of confidence from our customers."
The segment of the course most appreciated by students this time round was 'pivot tables'; understanding data sheets and how using them could improve their business really hit home, demonstrating that a successful poultry business isn't all about getting dirty!
Winners of the business development event were unveiled at a graduation ceremony following the week long school. Team Orange consisting of Matthew Godfrey, Faccenda, UK, Luis Vera Kellet, Aviagen Asia Team, Claire Hook, P D Hook Hatcheries, UK, David Jimenez Zarza, SADA, Spain and Ivan Mitkov Kechedzhiev, Milenium-2000 Ltd, Bulgaria took home the honors.
Claire Hook commented: "The one thing I have really learnt about this week has been the pivot tables. An incredibly useful tool and something I will certainly take back to my work."
Matthew Godfrey added: "It's been fantastic: the classroom environment, the tutors, everything really. I've learnt a lot I can take back to my day job. I've never used pivot tables before and it was a real eye opener. I find Microsoft Excel a bit daunting but it was explained in such a clear way we could use and analyze the raw data. I can't understand how I didn't do this before!"
In response to feedback from the previous module, the main focus of the school, held in Edinburgh, Scotland, was on the different factors that might affect the production of fertile hatching eggs and included workshops and hands-on sessions rather than straight forward lectures or textbook learning.
Students were placed into teams and given details of a fictitious business 'Gallus Alba' to investigate. Using the techniques they had learnt on the course, students were asked to look at the profitability of the business and suggest ways to increase quality and cut costs.
Aviagen and external specialists were on hand as tutors and covered areas including; data handling and analysis, ventilation, veterinary health, nutrition, critical age management and financial benchmarking, all vital skills in running a successful poultry business.
One student, Vincent Klutse of Atria, Finland, commented:
"The take home messages were clear on many fronts and will empower me in my work. My profound gratitude to all tutors and the School Team for a well-organized program."
Interviewed about the success and thinking behind the concept, School Director Nick Spenceley said:
"This was a new project for us in Europe, something that had never been done before and overall everyone has been delighted with excellent feedback from students and tutors. One thing that I have especially enjoyed is walking into a room of 30 people who don't know each other, all sitting in geographic groups and after 24 hours they are all working together and chatting like they have been friends for years.
"Practical examples have worked best as they cross the language barrier. Hence the formation of Gallus Alba, looking at data handling through pivot tables, how that information can help us focus our management time on areas to improve productivity. We hope the bonds and friendships built during these team exercises will last beyond the week's course because sharing knowledge by picking up the phone is one of the best things in this industry. The school forum will help our students to do this as well.
"The fact we are oversubscribed for every course shows there is a need for this type of training within the industry and Aviagen appreciates this vote of confidence from our customers."
The segment of the course most appreciated by students this time round was 'pivot tables'; understanding data sheets and how using them could improve their business really hit home, demonstrating that a successful poultry business isn't all about getting dirty!
Winners of the business development event were unveiled at a graduation ceremony following the week long school. Team Orange consisting of Matthew Godfrey, Faccenda, UK, Luis Vera Kellet, Aviagen Asia Team, Claire Hook, P D Hook Hatcheries, UK, David Jimenez Zarza, SADA, Spain and Ivan Mitkov Kechedzhiev, Milenium-2000 Ltd, Bulgaria took home the honors.
Claire Hook commented: "The one thing I have really learnt about this week has been the pivot tables. An incredibly useful tool and something I will certainly take back to my work."
Matthew Godfrey added: "It's been fantastic: the classroom environment, the tutors, everything really. I've learnt a lot I can take back to my day job. I've never used pivot tables before and it was a real eye opener. I find Microsoft Excel a bit daunting but it was explained in such a clear way we could use and analyze the raw data. I can't understand how I didn't do this before!"
Friday, April 19, 2013
Global Food Safety Initiative training offered for US egg producers
Food Safety and Quality Systems will present Global Food Safety Initiative training courses, which are specifically designed to cover processes and procedures of the fresh shell egg industry.
Four courses will be taught June 3-7, 2013, in the Chicago area. The courses are titled Certified HACCP Course, FSMA Prescriptive Controls, Implementing SQF Systems Practitioner Course and Internal Auditor Course. For more information or to register, visit the Food Safety and Quality Systems website.
Four courses will be taught June 3-7, 2013, in the Chicago area. The courses are titled Certified HACCP Course, FSMA Prescriptive Controls, Implementing SQF Systems Practitioner Course and Internal Auditor Course. For more information or to register, visit the Food Safety and Quality Systems website.
Friday, April 1, 2011
2012 International Poultry Expo dates changing
 |
| IPE 2011, courtesy U.S. Poultry & Egg Association |
- Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012: 12 – 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.The entire week in which the International Poultry Expo will be held, Jan. 23 through 27, has been officially designated as "IPE Week," with an emphasis on educational programs rounding out the event. With the Expo starting at noon on Tuesday, the shift will help allow an increase in the amount of education programs available at the front and back end of the Expo. “Our long-standing International Poultry Scientific Forum, Pet Food Conference, Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit and [U.S. Poultry & Egg Association] Education Programs are an important part of IPE and provide people with an additional purpose for attending the Expo,” said John Starkey, president of USPOULTRY. “We are working on a tentative schedule of conferences for 2012 to include several new programs designed to provide our attendees and exhibitors with the most up-to-date, relevant information concerning the poultry and feed industry. IPE Week gives us an opportunity to provide additional education programs, something we have not been able to do in the past.”
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
US Poultry Handling and Transportation Quality Assurance Program to launch in spring
The Poultry Handling and Transportation Quality Assurance Program, a new program at The Pennsylvania State University, will be the first in the U.S. to provide third-party training, proficiency testing and certification on the correct techniques for handling and transporting poultry, according to The Poultry Science Association.
Scheduled to launch in late spring, the PHTQA will offer multiple one-day training sessions to transportation and catch crews on biosecurity, disease recognition, emergency planning and the safe and humane handling of birds. With the exception of ducks, the PHTQA will cover every segment of the poultry industry, including day-old poultry, pullets, spent fowl, broilers, leghorn and broiler breeders and turkeys.
PHTQA training will initially focus on companies in the Northeast, though depending on interest it may eventually serve as the foundation for a national program, said Dr. Eva Wallner-Pendleton, PHTQA’s senior editor and project coordinator and an avian pathologist and field investigator at Penn State’s Animal Diagnostic Laboratory. “While we have yet to conduct our first training session, we have already received a tremendous response – including international inquiries – from the program website," said Wallner-Pendleton. "There’s increasing pressure from the general public and others, both here and abroad, to ensure that animals are being handled humanely. While many companies have excellent in-house training on animal welfare and poultry quality assurance, this pressure has generated the need – and the desire among many poultry companies – for third-party certification. This program is designed to meet that demand."
Training sessions will be conducted by members of the PHTQA development team and will take place at the individual companies where bird handlers and transporters are located. At a later point, plans are to hold “train the trainer” sessions so that more individuals are qualified to conduct training.
Scheduled to launch in late spring, the PHTQA will offer multiple one-day training sessions to transportation and catch crews on biosecurity, disease recognition, emergency planning and the safe and humane handling of birds. With the exception of ducks, the PHTQA will cover every segment of the poultry industry, including day-old poultry, pullets, spent fowl, broilers, leghorn and broiler breeders and turkeys.
PHTQA training will initially focus on companies in the Northeast, though depending on interest it may eventually serve as the foundation for a national program, said Dr. Eva Wallner-Pendleton, PHTQA’s senior editor and project coordinator and an avian pathologist and field investigator at Penn State’s Animal Diagnostic Laboratory. “While we have yet to conduct our first training session, we have already received a tremendous response – including international inquiries – from the program website," said Wallner-Pendleton. "There’s increasing pressure from the general public and others, both here and abroad, to ensure that animals are being handled humanely. While many companies have excellent in-house training on animal welfare and poultry quality assurance, this pressure has generated the need – and the desire among many poultry companies – for third-party certification. This program is designed to meet that demand."
Training sessions will be conducted by members of the PHTQA development team and will take place at the individual companies where bird handlers and transporters are located. At a later point, plans are to hold “train the trainer” sessions so that more individuals are qualified to conduct training.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
New poultry handling, transportation QA program announces 2011 dates
The new Poultry Handling and Transportation Quality Assurance certification program, the first third-party certification of its type to cover several poultry species, is rolling out dates for its 2011 training sessions.
PHTQA, developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives, scientists from Penn State University and industry specialists, has the goal of providing "accurate, science-based, practical training and education for poultry handlers and transportation personnel that enhances biosecurity, poultry well-being, product quality and safety of all involved." Topics covered include biosecurity, disease recognition, emergency planning and the safe and humane handling of birds before, during and after transport. The certification involves the transportation and handling of several different bird species, including day-old poultry, breeders, pullets, spent fowl, broilers and turkeys.
PHTQA, developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives, scientists from Penn State University and industry specialists, has the goal of providing "accurate, science-based, practical training and education for poultry handlers and transportation personnel that enhances biosecurity, poultry well-being, product quality and safety of all involved." Topics covered include biosecurity, disease recognition, emergency planning and the safe and humane handling of birds before, during and after transport. The certification involves the transportation and handling of several different bird species, including day-old poultry, breeders, pullets, spent fowl, broilers and turkeys.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Aviagen hosts poultry best practices training
Aviagen held an international training course at its laboratory in Scotland, focusing on the importance of effective laboratory techniques and improving the care and performance of poultry flocks.
The lab training covered the areas of virology, serology, bacteriology and the molecular departments. “It is our mission to provide as much support as possible to our customers, but also to help grow the poultry industry worldwide," said Dr. Kara Pierce, Aviagen laboratory manager. "All our trainees will take back new techniques and advice to their own labs and pass on tips to their colleagues.”
Aviagen holds two tailor-made courses each year as a way to provide support to its customers. Since the class initiative began in 1997, Aviagen gas completed training for more than 300 people from 30 countries
The lab training covered the areas of virology, serology, bacteriology and the molecular departments. “It is our mission to provide as much support as possible to our customers, but also to help grow the poultry industry worldwide," said Dr. Kara Pierce, Aviagen laboratory manager. "All our trainees will take back new techniques and advice to their own labs and pass on tips to their colleagues.”
Aviagen holds two tailor-made courses each year as a way to provide support to its customers. Since the class initiative began in 1997, Aviagen gas completed training for more than 300 people from 30 countries
Monday, November 8, 2010
Pfizer chooses poultry, pig Trainee of the Year recipients
Pfizer announced its Poultry and Pig Trainee of the Year awards at a House of Commons ceremony on Nov. 1.
Benjamin Pollard, who works for Aviagen in East Lothian, became the first to win the Poultry award representing Scotland. Kate Munro-Ashman, who manages a 900-sow outdoor unit in Berkshire, is the second female winner in a row of the Pig award.
Each winner was awarded a £2500 training grant. "If it hadn't been for the training to improve my understanding of pigs and the people who look after them, I know that we would not still have been in pigs today," said Munro-Ashman.
The awards are currently in their fourth year.
 |
| Benjamin Pollard (third from left) receiving the Pfizer Poultry Trainee of the Year award. |
 |
| Kate Munro-Ashman (third from left) receiving the Pfizer Pig Trainee of the Year award. |
The awards are currently in their fourth year.
Monday, April 12, 2010
USPOULTRY sponsors poultry wastewater operator training
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association will sponsor a Poultry Wastewater Operator Training Program, May 25-26, at the association’s office in Tucker, Ga.
The course provides an introduction to the regulatory structure governing poultry plant effluents, along with a primer in math, chemistry and microbiology. It will include a unit-by-unit discussion of the predominant equipment and systems used to properly treat poultry effluent prior to discharge.
While the course is applicable to anyone involved in poultry wastewater treatment, it is particularly useful for operators and supervisors who have been involved in poultry wastewater treatment for four years or less. The program includes 14 hours of classroom instruction and a 200-page operator manual.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion, and continuing education units may be awarded upon approval of the course curriculum by state certification boards. Credit may vary from state to state, but typically 12 hours of continuing education units will be awarded to certified operators who attend.
The course will be led by professional engineer Paul Bredwell, vice president of environmental programs at USPOULTRY, and Dr. Brian Kiepper, assistant professor at the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Class size will be limited to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
The enrollment fee is $195 per person for USPOULTRY member companies and $390 per person for nonmember companies. The fee includes lunch both days.
For more information and to register for the Poultry Wastewater Operators Training Program, contact USPOULTRY at 1.770.493.9401, or go to the association’s Web site.
The course provides an introduction to the regulatory structure governing poultry plant effluents, along with a primer in math, chemistry and microbiology. It will include a unit-by-unit discussion of the predominant equipment and systems used to properly treat poultry effluent prior to discharge.
While the course is applicable to anyone involved in poultry wastewater treatment, it is particularly useful for operators and supervisors who have been involved in poultry wastewater treatment for four years or less. The program includes 14 hours of classroom instruction and a 200-page operator manual.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion, and continuing education units may be awarded upon approval of the course curriculum by state certification boards. Credit may vary from state to state, but typically 12 hours of continuing education units will be awarded to certified operators who attend.
The course will be led by professional engineer Paul Bredwell, vice president of environmental programs at USPOULTRY, and Dr. Brian Kiepper, assistant professor at the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Class size will be limited to 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis.
The enrollment fee is $195 per person for USPOULTRY member companies and $390 per person for nonmember companies. The fee includes lunch both days.
For more information and to register for the Poultry Wastewater Operators Training Program, contact USPOULTRY at 1.770.493.9401, or go to the association’s Web site.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
National Chicken Council releases revised program on animal welfare
The National Chicken Council released a revision of its Animal Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist, the industry-standard program for assessment of animal welfare programs and practices in broiler and broiler-breeder operations.
“Our revised program demonstrates the chicken industry’s strong commitment to animal welfare and ensures that companies that use the program will continue to meet the expectations of their customers for the proper treatment of animals,” said Thomas M. Hensley Jr., chairman of the National Chicken Council and president of Fieldale Farms in Baldwin, Ga.
The revisions were recommended by a task force of industry veterinarians and other experts and approved by the National Chicken Council executive committee and board of directors.
The revision is the first overhaul of the program in about five years. Bill Lovette, chairman of the task force and president and chief operating officer of Case Foods in Troutman, N.C., outlined key differences of the new program:
*The new program has a greater emphasis on corporate commitment to animal welfare, including a requirement that senior management must sign off on company’s animal welfare program.
*Each department of the company handling live animals (hatchery, growout, catching and transportation, and processing) must have a person in charge of promoting adherence to the guidelines.
*Each department must have a disaster response and recovery plan.
*Employees who handle live animals must be trained in advance and must receive retraining every year, in languages other than English if necessary.
*The new guidelines include a preface stating the principles of animal welfare.
*The guidelines include a commitment to review the program every two years, beginning with review by scientific advisors in 2011 followed by an industry committee review in 2012.
“Numerous specific changes were made and metrics revised, resulting in a program that will be more challenging for our companies to comply with,” Lovette said. “But we believe this is what our customers expect.”
Among the principles stated in the document are:
*Poultry raised for food should be cared for in ways that prevent or minimize fear, pain, stress, and suffering.
*Guidelines for welfare should balance scientific knowledge and professional judgment with consideration of ethical and societal values.
*It is the welfare of the chickens themselves that is foremost, not how humans might perceive a practice or an environment.
*Poultry should be treated with respect throughout their lives and provided a humane death when processed for food or when they are euthanized for any other reason.
“Our revised program demonstrates the chicken industry’s strong commitment to animal welfare and ensures that companies that use the program will continue to meet the expectations of their customers for the proper treatment of animals,” said Thomas M. Hensley Jr., chairman of the National Chicken Council and president of Fieldale Farms in Baldwin, Ga.
The revisions were recommended by a task force of industry veterinarians and other experts and approved by the National Chicken Council executive committee and board of directors.
The revision is the first overhaul of the program in about five years. Bill Lovette, chairman of the task force and president and chief operating officer of Case Foods in Troutman, N.C., outlined key differences of the new program:
*The new program has a greater emphasis on corporate commitment to animal welfare, including a requirement that senior management must sign off on company’s animal welfare program.
*Each department of the company handling live animals (hatchery, growout, catching and transportation, and processing) must have a person in charge of promoting adherence to the guidelines.
*Each department must have a disaster response and recovery plan.
*Employees who handle live animals must be trained in advance and must receive retraining every year, in languages other than English if necessary.
*The new guidelines include a preface stating the principles of animal welfare.
*The guidelines include a commitment to review the program every two years, beginning with review by scientific advisors in 2011 followed by an industry committee review in 2012.
“Numerous specific changes were made and metrics revised, resulting in a program that will be more challenging for our companies to comply with,” Lovette said. “But we believe this is what our customers expect.”
Among the principles stated in the document are:
*Poultry raised for food should be cared for in ways that prevent or minimize fear, pain, stress, and suffering.
*Guidelines for welfare should balance scientific knowledge and professional judgment with consideration of ethical and societal values.
*It is the welfare of the chickens themselves that is foremost, not how humans might perceive a practice or an environment.
*Poultry should be treated with respect throughout their lives and provided a humane death when processed for food or when they are euthanized for any other reason.
Friday, July 24, 2009
USDA funds education program
A recent grant to Pennsylvania State University will allow faculty to evaluate and develop emergency disease procedures for service operations.
It is recognized that crews involved in transport, vaccination, insemination, beak trimming and other activities may play a pivotal role in dissemination of infection. The resulting procedures which will emphasize biosecurity will also incorporate aspects of welfare and complement training programs developed for farm personnel.
It is recognized that crews involved in transport, vaccination, insemination, beak trimming and other activities may play a pivotal role in dissemination of infection. The resulting procedures which will emphasize biosecurity will also incorporate aspects of welfare and complement training programs developed for farm personnel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
