The event was well-supported by Dafaun customers and Aviagen with attendees from their local and international teams, including a number of specialists who presented technical information at the seminar.

The annual event has become a draw card for Dafaun customers whose numbers have swelled considerably since the first meeting five years ago. Around 200 people attended this year’s seminar with an agenda focused on getting the best performance through good management and nutrition.

Tian Fu, General Manager of Beijing Dafaun commented, "We are very grateful for the support Aviagen has given us at this event and over the past five years. When we first held this meeting, we could seat all our customers around one table, now we need twenty tables and a large hall to house everyone! What has made a difference for us is having the right partner in Aviagen with their local support and the right breed choice. We try to extend that same process we experience with Aviagen though to our customers, coming together to share experience and learn about the latest techniques and updates."

Presentations covered several key areas for parent stock breeders including management in the later breeding period and in large automated broiler farms, hatchery ventilation and managing the environment of breeder farms. Guests also heard how to identify and correct any nutritional issues and got an overview of the genetic improvements in the Ross 308.

The guest speaker was Professor Zhao, from Beijing Agriculture University, who addressed the seminar on the subject of ‘disease prevention and actual vaccination programmes’.

"It is interesting to note that this event has been taking place for the last five years and during this time we have seen some huge changes in the local market and in our bird’s performance through our long term commitment in the field and continuous research and development investment," stated Bill Souther, Senior VP Aviagen Asia.

"The experience of Dafaun highlights once again the importance of strong partnerships and working together for a common goal. We would like to wish Dafaun and all their customers another ten years of success."