The time together also allowed members of each team to discuss opportunities for both Aviagen and Astral in the South African market.

Michael Garden, Business Manager, Aviagen Middle East & Africa, said: “It was our absolute pleasure to welcome one of the oldest Ross customers, Astral, to Scotland, the birthplace of Ross. During our 44 years of business, we have witnessed its commitment and dedication to the Ross brand. We want to thank Astral for its loyalty to the brand, which will celebrate 60 years in 2016.Astral works hard to promote and progress the Ross 308 and help it continue to strengthen its position as one of the most popular broilers in the region and for that we are very grateful.”

Great grandparent stock is supplied to South Africa from Aviagen in the UK with grandparents delivered to Astral and Ross Poultry Breeders (RPB) via Aviagen South Africa since 2008. Astral and RPB are long-standing GP customers since 1971.

Gary Arnold, Director of Business Development, Astral said: “I would like to thank Aviagen and its key personnel for taking time out of their busy schedules to welcome us to Scotland and offer us informative presentations throughout our stay. I must say that we were very impressed with the professionalism of Aviagen and this just reaffirms our belief that we have chosen the right poultry breed and look forward to future commercial opportunities that will benefit both of our businesses.”

In between receiving presentations on initiatives such as heat treatment of feed and building world class production facilities, members of the Astral team were also given the opportunity to experience Scottish hospitality and the Scottish countryside that added some exciting down time to the trip.