New format creates a platform for shared insight, innovation and connection across the UK poultry sector.
The Aviagen® UK customer service team brought a fresh format to its long-running roadshow this autumn, combining Ross® 308 breeder and broiler audiences for the first time in the Aviagen Live events.
Over five consecutive days, the speakers, panelists and UK technical service managers travelled more than 800 miles across the country — from Bristol and Telford to Norwich, Bradford and Edinburgh. At every stop, they joined customers and sector representatives in open discussions focused on flock welfare, sustainability and productivity.
The program featured presentations, Q&A sessions, panel discussions and informal networking — all designed to encourage the free exchange of experience and ideas that help continue breeding success together.
“The purpose of Aviagen Live was to bring people from the poultry sector together — from farmers to veterinarians, production managers and feed mill representatives — to share the latest research and insights, and have open discussions relevant to daily farm operations,” said Toby Arkell, Breeder Technical Manager for the UK and Scandinavia, and main organizer of the event.
“This approach shows how interlinked the Parent Stock and Broiler generations are,” Arkell continued. “Bringing everyone into the same room gives us a more complete picture of the challenges and opportunities across the value chain. It’s about two-way learning — listening as much as sharing — so we can all keep improving welfare, sustainability and flock performance.”
Topics that matter most to producers
Each session combined strategy, science and hands-on flock management:
Research and development. Program Geneticist Lauren Purves and Director of R&D Brendan Duggan (Edinburgh) explained how continuous advances in balanced breeding are improving welfare, sustainability and bird performance. Their sessions highlighted how data, experience and innovation work hand in hand to guide selection progress.
Veterinary insight. Colin Adams, Veterinary Health Director for Europe, discussed current health challenges including Avian Influenza (AI), Transmissible Viral Proventriculitis (TVP) and Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH). He emphasized the importance of prevention through structural, operational and cultural biosecurity.
Practical management. Building on the veterinary sessions, the UK and Scandinavia service team turned the focus to daily flock care, showing how good management is central to welfare and performance. They explored how close observation, environmental monitoring and consistent management help farmers bring out the best in every flock. The team also shared how feedback from farmers and field results are fed back into Aviagen’s management advice and breeding program — creating a continuous cycle of learning and improvement that strengthens every new generation.
Panel discussion. A panel of Tim Burnside, Global Vice President of Welfare, Sustainability and Compliance, Aviagen Group, along with Colin, Lauren, Brendan (in Edinburgh) and UK technical managers, invited open questions and perspectives from attendees.
Customer voices
“We manage 13 farms, nine laying and four rearing sites,” said Brian Beaumont, Area Manager for Corbett Farms. “The advice we received to strengthen our disinfection plan will make a real difference to our biosecurity.”
Hannah Cargill, Contract Production Manager at Avara Foods, also representing the ‘Women in Poultry’ Group, added: “It was great to see both broiler and breeder perspectives brought together with Aviagen’s R&D team. Having that wider context helps us understand where the industry is heading. I look forward to next year’s event and hope to bring more Women in Poultry members along.”
Source: Aviagen
