May 3, 2018

Aviagen moderates seminar on poultry health and welfare in Belgium

Aviagen^® EPI's regional technical manager, Kris Van Daele, recently moderated a PROHEALTH seminar at the University of Ghent in Belgium.

These subjects included: Poultry research in PROHEALTH project (presented by DVM. Dr.Tommy Van Limbergen, University of Ghent, Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health Management); improvement in the early life experience of broilers through improved farm management (presented by Ir. IneKempen, Experimental Poultry Centre, Geel); hatchery innovations that promote poultry health (presented by DVM. Filip Boel Belgabroed); impact and control of production diseases in poultry (presented by DVM Johan Van Erum, poultry veterinary practice, Galluvet); poultry production and disease prevention through optimal nutrition (presented by Ir. Jan Vanginderachter, Van den Avenne, Ooigem); transgenerational effects from balanced low protein diets on zootechnical results from breeders and their progeny (presented by Ir. Dr. Seline Schallier, KUL, Laboratory of Livestock-Physiology-Epigenetics); and expertise with longer layer hen flock ages, feather pecking and red mites (presented by DVM Dr. Nathalie Sleeckx, Research Institute in Geel, Belgium).

Since 2013, Aviagen has had a strategic alliance with PROHEALTH, which endeavors to improve competitiveness and sustainability of modern poultry and pig farming throughout Europe. The consortium of more than 22 associates leverage its vast pool of resources in veterinary science and epidemiology, physiology and immunology, genetics, nutrition, socio-economics, welfare and production science toward consistently improving poultry and pig health and welfare.

Tommy Van Limbergen, DVM and PhD candidate from the University of Ghent, said: "It was rewarding to see such a large and committed gathering of researchers, veterinarians, nutritionists, hatchery specialists and other poultry industry professionals come together and share their ideas on promoting poultry health and welfare through improved biosecurity, nutrition and management. Based on the feedback from attendees, everyone shared my enthusiasm for the success of this seminar."

"The event brought together industry representatives who may face production issues on a daily basis. These valued contributors have much to offer with their innovative ideas and openness to sharing information and learning from one another," said Kris Van Daele. "Aviagen takes its role as a poultry breeder with a continual focus on improving poultry health and welfare, while at the same time maximising performance, extremely seriously."