PHRN’s factsheets, research stories and seminars share UofG poultry expertise

Outreach and education are key components of the Poultry Health Research Network (PHRN). Five recently published factsheets, as well as research stories and a new seminar series, aim to share this scientific expertise with the poultry community.

The University of Guelph has one of the largest groups of poultry scientists and experts in North America. With expertise in a wide range of issues - from health and welfare to nutrition, productivity, food safety and environment – poultry researchers and health experts with the PHRN impact all areas of the poultry industry.

PHRN factsheets are intended to provide important poultry-related information to different sectors including poultry producers, industry and academia, says Dr. Ravi Kulkarni, PHRN co-ordinator.

They target five critical areas in poultry health - Antimicrobial resistance, Arboviruses, Avian flu, Newcastle disease, and Necrotic Enteritis.

“The factsheets encompass different areas of poultry science; diseases (including diagnosis), management practices, production, nutrition, welfare and economics,” adds Kulkarni. “We hope that these factsheets will be both educational and informative to different poultry communities.”

A recently created a ‘Research Portal’ posts information about research work by PHRN's researchers. Each research piece summarizes their work, focusing on one of their key poultry projects and includes a link to their research publications for more detailed information.

PHRN has also initiated a seminar series to communicate, discuss and expand poultry research endeavors. “The topics will address a wide range of poultry related fields from basic poultry science, to environmental concerns, to poultry disease and diagnostics, production and welfare,” says Kulkarni.

The monthly seminars will bring people from academia and industry together in an informal forum to learn about poultry research activities. In addition to UofG researchers, the seminars will offer guest lectures by poultry scientists visiting Guelph.