The 2nd generation of a family of poultry farmers is often very receptive to innovative, modern solutions. They understand better than anyone that they need to invest to continue to grow. However, they also hope that market prices will remain favourable in the long term, so their company can remain financially sound.
When Roxell launched the Titan feeder pan this year, one of the first companies to use the pan was Krzysztof Panasiuk’s turkey farm in Poland. He happens to be one of those 2nd generation turkey farmers. Mr Panasiuk was asked to share his experiences of Roxell’s new, modern feed solutions. Here follows an interview with a customer from the country with the biggest turkey industry in Europe.
Krzysztof Panasiuk: “There is a huge demand for turkey meat, both for export and local consumption. Poland is the largest producer of turkey meat in Europe and we’re number 2 worldwide, behind the USA. According to statistics from Aviagen Turkeys, each year 47 million turkeys are kept, and we saw a growth of 31.8% in the past 4 years. That’s quite something, and it’s the reason why so many young people, like me, are starting turkey farms. I have the advantage of having learned the trade from my parents. It gives me a head start.”
Krzysztof Panasiuk: “I’m very interested in modern solutions, but I also drew on my parents’ experience. They were always satisfied with the quality of Roxell’s products. The feed and drink systems are built to last, work smoothly, and are easy to use and maintain. It was only logical that I would approach a familiar face when setting up the new housing. Roxell also frequently releases new products onto the market that meet the modern requirements. That was a deciding factor for me. For the purchase and installation, I am assisted by one of their Polish distributors, the family business Inwest-Agro. The fact that we literally and figuratively speak the same language is a real plus. And they have good after-sales service.”
Krzysztof Panasiuk: “I’m very satisfied with Titan, the new feeding system. My parents used the Optimax feeder pans, Titan’s predecessor, for years. I’m therefore able to compare the old version with the new one. The first thing you notice is the size of the pan. According to Roxell, the new Titan pan is 14% larger. There’s no need to get the measuring tape out, because you can see it with your own eyes. There’s a huge difference. My turkeys now have much more space to eat, which means they are also eating more. This is largely due to the higher feed opening, which is adapted to larger and heavier turkeys. The higher grill also means that more light can enter the pan, which makes it easier for the turkeys to see the feed. If they see the feed, they eat it. My animals are therefore growing better with Titan.”
Krzysztof Panasiuk: “It’s very practical that Titan has a starter pan for chicks. The oval shape prevents 2-week-old chicks from entering the pan, so they can’t play with the feed or scratch it out of the pan anymore. This leads to reduced feed spillage. The feed also stays clean, free from manure and straw. That saves time, because I used to have to remove it by hand. I can now use that time for other tasks. I use the starter pan during the first 7 weeks of rearing. Then I switch out the starter pan for the larger variety. All I must do, is change one component of the Titan feeder pan. It’s quick and easy, and a real improvement on the older Optimax pan.”