Scotland’s Edinburgh Aviagen’s joint venture in Zambia, Ross® Central Africa (RCA), recently held a successful and well-attended Hatchery Distributor Customer Focus Team (DCFT) conference in Lusaka, Zambia, from September 17–20. With the help of Pas Reform, a top provider of integrated hatchery solutions, more than fifty poultry experts from Central Africa attended the meeting. During a series of lectures, hands-on activities, and hatchery tours, participants learned a lot about managing hatcheries and broilers.
Adriaen Sligcher, Pas Reform’s Director of Sales for Sub-Saharan Africa, gave a welcome speech to kick off the seminar. He gave a brief description of the organization and established the scene. After that, Pas Reform Senior Poultry & Hatchery Specialist Gerd de Lange guided participants through technical talks on preserving ideal egg quality, embryology, and the best methods for incubation. Those who wanted to learn more about the technical and biological elements of incubating poultry found these workshops particularly beneficial.
Quinton Pretorius, Technical Support & Business Development Manager at CBH Africa, contributed a presentation on broiler management with an emphasis on the critical first week of life. This period is crucial for long-term flock performance, and Pretorius offered insights into effective strategies that can ensure the best possible outcomes for broilers.
Throughout the meeting, participants explored a variety of essential hatchery topics. A full day was dedicated to hands-on learning at a customer hatchery, where attendees received training on hatchery data management, which is key for optimizing hatchery efficiency. The group also learned about the advantages of in-ovo vaccination—a modern technique that provides disease resistance at an early stage, ultimately contributing to healthier flocks and more resilient operations.
On the final day, the agenda shifted to farm and hatchery vaccinations and health assessments, led by Alex Bili, a veterinarian from Ross Breeders Zambia. Bili’s session on health monitoring and vaccine protocols was well-received, as it addressed both preventative and responsive approaches to maintaining flock health. The day concluded with a presentation by Steve Kyriazis, General Manager of Nutrifeeds Zambia, who shared his expertise on nutrition’s role in broiler performance, highlighting how balanced diets can improve growth rates and overall poultry health.
Reflecting on the event’s impact, Andrew Clarkson, Technical Director of RCA, remarked, “Our DCFT meeting is of great importance, not only to Ross Central Africa and Pas Reform, but also to our customers. The focus this year was on hatchery and broiler performance, providing our customers with a platform to discuss their experiences and challenges. The DCFT is also designed to give participants the professional advice they need to maximize the performance of their flocks and improve their return on investment.”
Attendees shared their positive experiences as well. Stuart Mitchell, owner of Masvingo Chicks, praised the event, stating, “Everything from the content and variety of the sessions to the quality of the speakers was interesting and engaging. A huge amount of thought and effort went into hosting this event to ensure all relevant topics related to the hatchery environment were covered.”
Similarly, Donavan Perumal, Operations Manager at Zamhatch, appreciated the opportunity to connect with other professionals, saying, “I really enjoyed this year’s DCFT. It was great being able to network with like-minded poultry professionals. Thank you to the Ross Central Africa and Pas Reform teams for organizing a great event.”
The DCFT meeting not only provided valuable technical insights and professional development but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among hatchery operators in Central Africa. RCA and Pas Reform’s continued commitment to supporting and educating their customers ensures that the regional poultry industry will benefit from these advancements and strengthened networks for years to come.
