In the latest issue of e-Chook from CEO, Professor Mingan Choct, writes that Poultry CRC held its annual Ideas Exchange 2011 event recently and showcased its research projects displaying frontier science, and educational initiatives spurring the enthusiasm of the poultry industry. One important aim of this event was to offer a platform where researchers, students, industry experts, board members and management staff could mingle with each other and exchange ideas.

The organisation's Chairman, The Hon. John Kerin, said: "The atmosphere of the event was great and I thoroughly enjoyed talking to our researchers, regardless of whether they were at early stages of their career or experienced. The industry’s interest in up-skilling their personnel is very high.

"Having listened to the amazing science this CRC is doing and the implementation of innovative ideas in poultry production, I must say that poultry farming has really moved on since I was a poultry farmer in the 60s and to the early 70s."

The Poultry CRC enjoys an unprecedented support of the industry (with over 95 per cent of the industry on board) because its focuses on frontier science that has end-user relevance and on educational initiatives that will increase the skills of the industry and attract high calibre young people into industry. It also receives great support of our partners because we place emphasis on collaboration that enhances the capability of all partners involved in the CRC.

Professor Choct added: "One of the feature stories of this edition of eChook is from Kylie Hewson, who won the Golden Comb Award for best presentation at this year's Ideas Exchange. Congratulations, Kylie!"