This year for the first time, other customers were able to share in some of the live presentations through a webcast, which can still be accessed through the company's web site.

Frederick Orpiano (centre) from the Philippines with Gail Thorp and Randy Vardeman, Cobb-Vantress vice president of production operations

A feature of the 12-day programme is the number of case studies presented to the school.

Gail Thorp, Cobb Production Administrator who organised the event, said: "We introduced case studies several years ago and they now play a central role in giving the participants real life experience of specific issues on the farm and at the hatchery.

"We've more than doubled the size of the school since they began and we always receive very positive feedback about their value in terms of sharing contacts between customers in different countries as well as learning and updating technical knowledge."

The programme included visits to the University of Arkansas, breeder and broiler farms, a hatchery, processing plant and the Tyson Foods Discovery Center as well as presentations by members of the Cobb World Technical Support Team and invited specialists.

Participants at the 12th world technical school