April 24, 2012

Cobb appoints Dr Kate Barger as global animal welfare director

Dr Kate Barger has been appointed as the global animal welfare director of broiler breeding company Cobb.

As the new director of world animal welfare, Dr Kate Barger will fulfil an internal role ensuring that Cobb farm and hatchery operations comply with company and national legislative requirements for animal welfare. 

Her industry role includes working with external researchers and allied industries to improve the understanding of the combined effect of genetics, environment and management on the bird's well-being. She will also support customer needs in aspects of animal welfare and will work closely with company leaders to develop animal welfare guidelines and resource materials.

Dr Barger began her career with Cobb as export manager in 2003 and became manager of sales and technical service for the Mexico, Central America and Caribbean region two years later.  In 2009, she moved to the UK to support Cobb Europe as the company veterinarian and quality assurance manager, responsible for managing programs involving biosecurity, animal welfare and avian health.

She received a veterinary medicine degree from North Carolina State University in 2002 and completed a one-year avian medicine specialty programme at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) as a Rotary International Scholar.