Poultry industry connects with research discoveries at summer event

Poultry industry representatives had an opportunity to connect with the researchers whose discoveries help their industry at a mid-July barbeque held at the University of Guelph.

A joint venture of the University of Guelph, Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC), Poultry Industry Council (PIC), and the Poultry Health Research Network (PHRN), the poultry industry barbeque brought together industry leaders from the poultry commodity groups and industry with University of Guelph leaders, including UofG President Dr. Franco Vaccarino, UofG Vice President of Research Dr. Malcolm Campbell and Ontario Veterinary College Interim Dean Dr. Kerry Lissemore, and researchers from across the campus and beyond.

In welcoming the group, Ed Verkley, a director with Chicken Farmers of Ontario and chair of the Poultry Industry Council, noted just how important research is for the industry. The Poultry Industry Council works with the industry to deliver poultry extension services, event coordination, program and project management while supporting research for the poultry sector.

The poultry industry is incredibly important to the economy, said UofG president Dr. Franco Vaccarino as he addressed the group.

 “Knowledge in action is so very important,” he noted, “and this partnership is an example of that.” He added UofG is doing research at all levels from molecular to production and the questions researchers address often come from the industry.

“The goal of this event was to create a forum for enhanced interactions and dialogue between researchers, as part of the Poultry Health Research Network, and our industry partners,” said Dr. Shayan Sharif, with the Ontario Veterinary College’s Pathobiology department and leader of the PHRN.  “By all accounts, this forum delivered what it was meant to do.”

The University of Guelph has had a long-standing commitment to animal health with one of the largest groups of poultry scientists and poultry experts in North America.

The Poultry Health Research Network, established in 2012, is a network of poultry researchers and poultry health specialists who address a wide range of issues - from basic biology, to environmental concerns, to poultry disease, production and welfare.

The Livestock Research Innovation Corporation works collaboratively on behalf of Ontario livestock and poultry organizations to coordinate research priorities and engage in partnerships to maximize innovation and the return on research.

In the photo: At the poultry industry barbeque: UofG President Dr. Franco Vaccarino; Dr. Davor Ojkic, Animal Health Laboratory; Ed Verkley, Chicken Farmers of Ontario director and Chair, Poultry Industry Council; Dr. Shayan Sharif, Ontario Veterinary College’s Pathobiology Department.