BFREPA chairman to speak at Severn Valley Poultry meeting
The next meeting of the popular Severn Valley Poultry Discussion Group takes place in October – with BFREPA chairman Tom Vesey as guest speaker. The discussion group has been a big success in 2009 and this, their final meeting of the year, promises to be just as well attended.
Mr Vesey will be presenting ’Back to Basics’ and then chairing an open forum for producers to raise questions and give their opinion on various industry topics. "Farmers are so busy that sometimes they can become stuck on farm but when there is so much going on in the industry any opportunity they have to speak to like minded people must be encouraged".
Mr Vesey has attended the majority of the Severn Valley group meetings this year. "I believe the value of such discussion groups is increasing all the time, we have heard from some wonderful speakers who have provided a challenging and realistic perspective on a diverse range of poultry related subjects. I am very much looking forward to being guest speaker myself"
The meetings are a result of a team effort, as Anthony Harman, Sales Manager at Humphrey Feeds and Severn Valley Group Secretary explains "I think the success of the group is down to so many different companies being involved. I do want to highlight the work of William Keown-Boyd from Farm-Tech and thank him for all his help in making this group such a success.
"My day job involves visiting producers and giving them advice on how to get the best return from their flocks. This group is a great way for producers to discuss techniques on how that can be achieved"
Nearly 100 producers have attended each of the 4 meetings in 2009. The group’s objective is to bring together anyone with an interest in egg production to discuss their livelihoods, contribute knowledge and information and hear advice from a range of pre-booked guest speakers, all experts in various aspects of successful egg production.
Guest speakers at the meetings so far have been:
• Michael Clark from Minster vets on poultry disease - Sep 08.
• Martin Troop from Noble Foods discussed ways to positively promote the industry - Jan 09.
• David Burch from Octagon Services gave a presentation on the latest research into Brachyspira disease and how it contributes to poor flock performance. Dr Kai Sievert from Novartis Animal Health discussed the importance of fly control – April 09
• Martin Humphrey, of Humphrey Feeds, discussed commodity market volatility and its effect on feed prices – July 09
"The Severn Valley Discussion Group will continue in 2010" concludes Mr Harman "we have dates booked in January, April, July and October and will have more information about each of those meetings nearer the time."
The next meeting takes place on October 28th at the Pengethley Manor Hotel, Ross-on-Wye. Tickets to attend the evening are £15, including dinner, and can be booked by calling 01432 266299.
