The theme of the event, 'Aviagen - Adding Value', was aimed at demonstrating to the customer how to add value to the product both genetically and technically.

The meeting was attended by 120 Aviagen customers from all parts of Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine. Day One focused on innovative research and development in the breeding programme. It included presentations from Jim McAdam, UK Breeding Programme Director, who talked of the various profit drivers in the value added processing chain; John Ralph, Genomics Project Manager, who spoke of the Genome project showing how Aviagen is at the forefront of research and development by implementing leading edge science to the genetic process and Chris Morrow on the implementation of preventative biosecurity, vaccination programmes and health monitoring.

Day two had a technical service focus on ways to support the business strategically to identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve productivity. Nick Spenceley, Regional Technical Manager - Eastern Europe started the day's proceedings reviewing the value added chain through all stages of the production process, identifying specific areas where losses were typically made and where to focus management in order to make rapid progress.

The conference welcomed the locally based Technical Services Managers Dr Olga Myasnikova, and Dr Pavel Shkarlat, who made their first presentations at the conference since joining the Aviagen technical team last year. Olga Myasnikova gave a summary of various case studies, demonstrating egg handling from farm to hatchery and its effects on chick output and quality. Pavel Shkarlat reviewed the importance of adequate ventilation and air movement in the poultry house in relation to bird health and performance.

Jonny Harrison, Technical Manager gave the final paper, detailing a case study in which the team identified the causes of poor egg shell quality and liaised with the feed company to make changes to the in-feed minerals and thereby improve shell quality and hatchability.

Tyark Osterndorff, Business Manager for the region, commented: "We were delighted by the attendance at the seminar. The presentations generated lively and insightful feedback from those attending. The success of our business in this region is due to the working relationships between Aviagen and our customers. These events allow us to meet with customers. They provide a forum to share information and keep up to date with the latest developments in the industry."

The proceedings concluded with a Flock Award presentation to Mikahil Vodolazsky from Gap Resource, a customer of Aviagen for several years, who received an award for achieving exceptional performance with a Ross 308 flock.

Nick Spenceley commented: "Aviagen is always pleased to recognise exceptional performance and this result demonstrates the potential possible given the sustained high levels of management and effort seen within Gap Resource. We look forward to receiving more data in the coming year to be able to recognise other individual skill and hard work."

ThePoultrySite News Desk