January 28, 2019

Aviagen's Arbor Acres team conducts roadshow sessions in South Africa

Aviagen is committed to strengthening Arbor Acres South Africa's customer success by helping maximise the performance and efficiency of Arbor Acres flocks in production. This year marks a successful sixth roadshow tour to a number of South African customers, which included Eagles Pride, Daybreak, Chubby Chicks, Supreme, Grain Field Chickens and RCL Foods.

During an eight-day period in October, Arno Van der Nat, general manager of Arbor Acres South Africa, Richard Beevis, Arbor Acres technical service manager, Dr. Zoltan Marton, Arbor Acres veterinary services specialist and Dominic Elfick, international product manager, interacted with owners, production managers, nutritionists and veterinarians in each of the customer companies. Together they reviewed the performance data and exchanged ideas and the latest practices in effective male management, optimum broiler brooding and feeding into the laying period. The Aviagen Arbor Acres team also presented a valuable benchmark analysis of year-on-year improvements in performance indicators such as chick numbers, livability, hatchability and feed conversion ratio (FCR). 

As customers share production data, the Arbor Acres support team has the expertise to help them analyse such infomation and highlight critical points where improvement is most readily achievable. This exercise builds excellent dialogue and trust between the team and its customers by providing concrete results and added value to local producers, Aviagen said.

Van der Nat commented on the effectiveness of the roadshow: "This method is a great way to visit our customer base and deliver critical production, genetic and health updates and insights on parent stock and broilers."

"The topics [of the annual Arbor Acres roadshow] highlighted the genetic development and improvements being made with the Arbor Acres breed. It is very satisfying to note these improvements now routinely expressed in our commercial performances in the field. The format facilitated great participation and engagement from all concerned, and left the team with plenty to consider and take back into the operational areas. The learning experiences are invaluable to our business, and we thank the local Arbor Acres South Africa team for their efforts," said George de Kok, agricultural director of Supreme Poultry.

"Our South African customers look forward to this roadshow every year and recognise the added value it provides and on-going benefits of being part of the Arbor Acres family. The visits highlighted the dedication of producers in South Africa, which has helped to progress the performance of broilers and breeders, as well as the popularity of the Arbor Acres brand," said Richard Beevis, technical service manager of Arbor Acres Middle East and Africa (MEA).

- Aviagen