The scientific community supporting poultry farming

29-10-2018 | Home | Expert opinion

Jake Davies Freelance Journalist

Leaving the European Poultry Conference in September, I was slightly worried that my luggage weight limit would be exceeded, such was the amount of literature picked up over the course of the event.

The book of abstracts and proceedings alone comes to more than 600 pages, and weighs in at 1.4kg. That’s before you take into account the fringe symposiums – a day with Adisseo, an evening with Dupont, for example. Spend an hour walking around the trade stands and you will soon find your baggage bulging with brochures, press packs, a few stress toys, usb sticks, and no doubt some great ideas.

Also read: The limits of genetic potential – based on a plenary lecture delivered at the 2018 European Poultry Conference

All in all the World Poultry Science Association is an amazing organisation, driving forward production across the globe, and serving the entire supply chain, from the smallest producers to the largest integrated companies.

Also read: GI Tracts: Feeds’ final frontier – an Adisseo forum at the 2018 European Poultry Conference

It has come a long way since its early days, when founded as the International Association of Poultry Instructors in 1912.

The European congress has ran since 1960, and this 15^th edition highlighted just how economically crucial poultry production is around the world. The poultry sector is not without its challenges, but it’s clear that the huge range of researchers working tirelessly to improve performance and lift welfare are giving it their best shot at overcoming them.

Also read: The limits of genetic potential – based on a plenary lecture delivered at the 2018 European Poultry Conference

It’s worth giving the last word this month to current president of the WPSA’s European branch, Birger Svihus, who says: “Our scientific symposia and conferences allow for the presentation and critical discussion of new insights in poultry science, and equally important, allows for the mutual exchange of experiences and knowledge between academia and industry…. I do not think it is too bold to claim that this unique cooperative spirit.. has played a key role in the ascent of poultry production to the pinnacle of animal production.”