Langue 
In November 2019 Aviagen® Turkeys Ltd (ATL) was pleased to receive a group of leading commercial turkey growers who work with our customer Gerczak Hatchery. The group travelled with Mr Jarek Gerczak, the joint owner of Gerczak Hatchery who celebrated a 20 year anniversary in 2018. B.U.T. 6 breeding stock is supplied to the Gerczak farms from the UK on a regular basis. Performance is closely monitored to ensure high quality poult supply to the Polish market.
Dr Carlo Norci is a regular visitor to Poland and provides advice to our customers at both breeder and commercial level. Poland is now the largest producer of turkey and chicken in the EU and has produced annual growth in both sectors since the early 1990’s. The industry is well established with modern facilities and aim to maintain their market position.
The meeting was organised to update the group on the progress being made in the breeding programmes for the B.U.T.6 and the latest investments in the pedigree farms. Richard Hutchinson, Sales and Marketing Director for ATL along with Carlo Norci, Management Specialist for ATL gave the group an informative visit showing them different areas of the ATL business.
The group had a visit to the ATL trials facility which has high importance in the assessment of breed crosses, nutrition and management. Dr John Ralph, ATL’s Research and Development Director along with Yasmin Oakley, ATL’s Marketing & Technical Development Manager were on hand to explain the current trial and the company strategy regarding trial work both inside the company and in collaboration with customers in the largest markets. Discussions were had about the current market trends and specific topics and challenges relevant to turkey production today.
Time was taken to see ATL’s Farms from the outside featuring the new “state of the art “ rearing facility which was fully commissioned in January 2019. A number of specific design features were highlighted to the group by Colin Worrall, ATL’s Farm Support & Properties Manager who oversaw the construction of the site.
The group enjoyed the intensive programme and shared thoughts and information developing the contacts for future cooperation.