The Turkey Science and Production Conference – the fourth in the series organised by Dr James Bentley – opens today, with several papers on a range of topics covering health and disease as well as pathogen control in turkey meat, the turkey genome, tunnel ventilation and marketing turkey products. The speakers today are from Liverpool, Scotland and the US.

The number of delegates has reached another record at this conference, with almost 200 participants registered from 23 countries.

In his introduction, Dr Bentley stated the aims of the Conference as a forum to exchange information on the latest science and production topics as well as an opportunity for the industry to discuss and do business.

"Let's have enthusiasm for turkeys, and passion for the industry and ofr turkey meat," he told the audience.

Among the broad topics covered by the meeting are disease – new challenges and new approaches – gut function, optimising nutrition and practical management.

The Conference continues tomorrow.