Watt Global Media

Poultry Tech Summit 2022 schedule of events

Sunday, October 30

5-6:30 p.m.

Registration

5-6:30 p.m.

Opening reception

Monday, October 31

7:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Registration

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Breakfast

8:30-8:45 a.m.

Welcome
Greg Watt, CEO and president, WATT Global Media

8:45-9:15 a.m.

Keynote presentation
How next-generation sequencing improves food safety
Nikki Shariat, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Population Health, Poultry Diagnostic Research Center, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

For appropriate Salmonella control and for risk assessment, there is a need to discern all serotypes present. Next-generation sequencing technologies such as CRISPR-SeroSeq enable deep serotyping to detect multiple serotypes in a single sample. This improves our understanding of Salmonella dynamics in broiler production, leading to better controls for this important pathogen.

>> Watch a short video message from Nikki

9:15-9:30 a.m.

Innovation presentation
Harnessing the egg microbiome for early chick nutrition
Gina Sloan, Ph.D., CEO, AGRITX

Influencing the eggshell microbiome offers a new frontier of technology development that will leverage nature’s inherent pathway to a healthy GI track and ultimately a healthier chick. A new approach, nutritional egg coating, introduces probiotic bacteria from the outside of the egg into the developing chick, inducing positive intestinal morphological, microflora and immune system changes.

>> Watch a short message from Gina

9:30-9:45 a.m.

Innovation presentation
Egg yolk feed additive promotes poultry gut health
Kimberly A. Livingston, Ph.D., chief research officer, Optum Immunity

Bioactive components in egg yolk possess both pro- and anti-inflammatory properties, making them a potential key to inflammatory homeostasis in the broiler gut. Maintaining inflammatory homeostasis within the gut is essential for the animal’s health and optimizing its production performance. When used as a feed additive, egg yolks can enable the host immune system to mount adequate inflammatory response against various enteric microbes resulting in reduced mortality, improved performance and reduced intestinal lesions.

9:45-10 a.m.

Innovation presentation
Solve automation challenges at the poultry farm
Shankar Jagdale, CEO, PakshiMitra Poultry Technologies

Robots and automation can solve many of challenges that poultry farming experiences. However, the large-scale commercialization of these products is still difficult considering the limitation of power source and space availability inside the farm. Advances in automation allow for a single setup that featured a multi-utility bot adapter, multiple attachments and three utility lines. With water available at every corner of poultry, cleaning and dehumidification operation can be easy. At the same time, the vertical conveyor and a channel for material handling ensure the easy disposal of litter and wastewater.

10-10:30 a.m.

Networking break

10:30-10:40 a.m.

Tech talk
Digital pathogen monitoring platform for gastrointestinal and foodborne pathogens in poultry
Dilan Deniz, DVM, global product manager, Evonik

Despite different prevention and controlling measurements, Clostridium perfringens, Eimeria spec., Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enterica remain still important pathogens in poultry. The main requirements of monitoring are accuracy, reliability and speed to provide the data to poultry professionals so that they can make more precise decisions and predictions. This innovation bring science-based data into a simple digitalized tool that can be used on-site to make the platform accessible for all poultry farmers.

10:40-11 a.m.

Technology presentation
Rapid identification, quantification of poultry pathogens
Andre Tatar, project manager, Salvus

Interferometric-based detection enables rapid identification and quantification of chemicals or pathogens in production and processing environments with the precision and accuracy of tests typically run within labs by trained technicians. For example, this technology can detect peracetic acid (PAA) concentrations and avian influenza in fluids such as processing waters, chicken saliva, blood or air. This presentation will show proof of concept data from representative applications.

>> Watch a short message from Andre

11-11:15 a.m.

Innovation presentation
Poultry scalder filtration for pathogen reduction
Daniel Lehmkuhl, product manager, technical services, Safe Food Corporation

Currently, employees must shovel the solids and sediments out of the scalder with a shovel at the end of production, which can result in cross-contamination and increase the pathogen prevalence on product. This non-chemical intervention is designed to filter and clean scalders, producing significant impacts on decreasing microbiology in processing plants. It can also improve turbidity in scalder units by removing dirt, fecal matter, solids and heavy liquids. Reducing the organic loading in scalders decreases hot rehang microbiology while simultaneously cleaning the unit to reduce sanitation labor.

11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.

Panel discussion
The coming paradigm shift in Salmonella control for poultry products

U.S. broiler and turkey processors have employed several strategies and technologies to reduce incidence of Salmonella-positive parts and carcasses detected in test mandated by USDA FSIS. Despite over two decades improvement is sample results, the number of human cases of Salmonellosis in the U.S. attributable to poultry meat products hasn’t declined significantly. A new era for Salmonella sampling, regulation and control is beginning. How will your approach to Salmonella control change?

Featured panelists:

• Douglas L. Fulnechek, DVM, senior public health veterinarian, poultry, Zoetis
• Nikki Shariat, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Population Health, Poultry Diagnostic Research Center, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
• Jeffrey Niedermeyer, director of food safety, Butterball LLC

12-1:30 p.m.

Lunch

1:30-1:50 p.m.

Technology presentation
Biodegradable nanoparticle vaccines for poultry
Ramesh Selvaraj, Ph.D., associate professor, poultry, University of Georgia

A biodegradable nanoparticle-based vaccine that can be delivered either through water or feed can decrease Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens load in poultry intestine, as well as decrease the incidence and severity of the C. perfringens-induced Necrotic Enteritis in poultry or Salmonella loads in poultry. The nanoparticle platform can easily be modified to add additional vaccine antigens for other enteric pathogens.

>> Watch a short video message from Ramesh

1:50-2:10 p.m.

Technology presentation
Automate and predict bird weights with IoT
Silke Schantz, procurement manager, Exceldor

Learn how Exceldor uses internet of things (IoT) devices, machine learning and algorithms at the farm level to create predictive models tied to bird weight expectations. The resulting predictions can help plan the live haul and optimize the harvest vs the requirements of customers at any given time. By using technology installed at the farm that automates the collection of bird weight in real time, this project eliminated the need for manual weighing.

>> Watch a short message from Silke

2:10-2:30 p.m.

Technology presentation
Optimize poultry house environmental controls with AI
Mark Maxwell, CEO, Agrimesh Technologies

A matrix ventilation system backed by artificial intelligence (AI), wireless controls and sensors can manage the ventilation, heating, feed, water, lighting, temperature and CO2 equipment to optimize the conditions in poultry houses. The system analyzes live data, performs calculations based on tomorrow’s weather conditions and makes the best dynamic decisions in order to help optimize operations and return on investment. The system frees up time for producers to focus on other activities and provides more peace of mind around the farm.

2:30-2:40 p.m.

Tech talk
Combine data collection, vaccines to improve poultry health
Assaf Shafran, vice president, Phibro Animal Health, general manager, pHi-Tech

The constant development of new solutions is gaining momentum to support livestock management and we see more farms turning to digital technologies for improving productivity. In this Tech Talk, Assaf Shafran, vice president, Phibro Animal Health, and general manager, pHi-Tech, will demonstrate how poultry operations worldwide are already harnessing technology to enhance flock immunity using injection systems with integrated data collection technologies. This development provides farm managers and veterinarians with a deeper process understanding, empowering them to implement data-driven decisions with verifiable improvement to their flock’s health and productivity.

2:40-3 p.m.

SMART Broiler Project update
Nikki Dutta, scientific program officer, advanced animal systems, FFAR

The SMART broiler research initiative aims to aid the development of technologies that objectively assess broiler chicken welfare in commercial facilities. During this session, learn more about the teams and objectives selected for the second phase of this initiative.

>> Watch a short video message from Nikki

3-3:30 p.m.

Networking break

3:30-3:40 p.m.

Tech talk
Tackling digitalization and standardization in environmental monitoring
Katie McPherson, digital consultant, Neogen Corporation

Organizations are seeing major improvements in standardization in highly complex manufacturing environments. Digitalizing these areas is helping improvements in human capital aspects such as time to onboard, workload management, and efficiency. This session will review some key product improvements within Neogen Analytics, and show how new data elements contribute to the promise of big data in food safety through aggregated product and sanitation testing modules.

3:40-4 p.m.

Innovation presentation
Solving the broiler chick sexing conundrum
Menashe Tamir, CEO, Eshet Eilon

Ninety-five percent of the poultry grown worldwide are broilers. The majority of these birds are grown in mixed sex flocks, primarily due to the lack of experienced professionals able to sex chicks. However, the ability to raise broilers in separate sex flocks brings several advantages to the integrator, including savings on feed and medicine, reduced losses at the slaughterhouse, flexibility of the operation, easy data collection per chick and much more. Optical sorting technology can automate the broiler chick sexing process, improving bird growth and saving production costs.

4-5 p.m.

Panel discussion
What will be the biggest challenges and opportunities for raising poultry?

Continuous improvements in bird health and performance metrics along with great taste and versatility have combined to make poultry meat (broilers, turkeys and waterfowl) the world’s most consumed meat. However, what some consumers, regulators and NGOs are asking for is changing. The usual demands for low cost, great tasting and convenient poultry products are now combined with requests for things like Net Zero, higher welfare or NAE production. Our panel of senior live production specialists will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing broiler and turkey producers and highlight areas where creative solutions from innovators could have the biggest impact.

Featured panelists:

• Dave Wicker, Ph.D., vice president of live operations, Fieldale Farms Corporation
• Bruce Stewart-Brown, DVM, senior vice president of technical services and innovation, Perdue Farms
• Carl Heeder, DVM, senior director, avian health and nutrition, Mountaire Farms

5-6:30 p.m.

Networking reception

Tuesday, November 1

7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Registration

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Breakfast

8:30-9:10 a.m.

Technology presentation
What Net Zero will mean for the poultry supply chain
Marty Matlock, Ph.D., professor of ecological engineering, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, University of Arkansas

Consumers concerns about sustainability have pressured retail and foodservice to make Net Zero pledges, with implications that are felt throughout the poultry supply chain. The drive to design sustainable global food systems will impact and how birds are raised, fed, processed distributed and marketed. Join Marty Matlock, Ph.D., professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at the University of Arkansas and former Senior Advisor on Food Systems Resiliency for USDA, for a discussion of the opportunities for new poultry technologies to aid in future sustainability goals.

9:10-9:30 a.m.

Technology presentation
Deep learning tracks problematic cage-free layer behavior
Lilong Chai, Ph.D., assistant professor and poultry engineering specialist, University of Georgia

Currently, two of the biggest challenges associated with cage-free layer housing, pecking behaviors and floor eggs, are monitored manually by farm staff several times a day, which is labor intensive, time consuming and subject to human errors. Researchers at the University of Georgia are developing specific imaging technologies (e.g., deep learning models) for monitoring/tracking hens’ pecking behaviors under different production ages and environmental conditions and floor egg laying behaviors of hens temporally and spatially for identifying potential reasons of floor egg laying behavior.

9:30-10 a.m.

Technology presentation
How can technology improve your poultry facility biosecurity?
Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, DMV, MSc, Ph.D., professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal

North America and Europe have experienced the worst ever losses due to HPAI outbreaks on commercial poultry farms. HPAI has managed to infect flocks on farms that have thorough biosecurity programs and substantial infrastructure investments. Learn how technology can be employed to monitor farm activities, assist with decision-making and encourage individuals to comply with biosecurity rules.

10-10:30 a.m.

Networking break

10:30-10:45 a.m.

Innovation presentation
Traceability in poultry supply chain transport logistics
Mike Shindelar, CEO, DP Techlink

At a time when precision agriculture solutions are seeing rapid adoption across the industry, there is a major gap when it comes to the movement of agricultural cargo. Logistics planning technology can track the movement of products, feed and animals throughout the poultry supply chain and allows producers to adapt to the real-time needs of their operation, integrates with their existing ERP, decreases workload and respond to active biosecurity threats as they arise.

10:45-11 a.m.

Innovation presentation
Computer vision applications for counting, weighing eggs
Evan Anderson, CAD designer, Agrinerds

Despite nearly a century of intensive layer production in the U.S., accurate and consistent egg counting methods remain elusive. Computer vision could enable a more accurate egg count on the layer belt while also providing row level egg weights and quality checks for dirt, cracks and more. The technology also incorporates self-cleaning and self-validating mechanisms which can mitigate miscounts between the barn and processing plant.

11-11:15 a.m.

Innovation presentation
A cooler approach to poultry transportation
Anne-Jo Smits, project manager, Poultry Expertise Centre and Dick van Ravenhorst, owner, Van Ravenhorst Transport Solutions

European Union (EU) regulations prohibit poultry transport on days with temperatures above 95 °F. A closed curtain-sider trailer that features forced airflow and both heating and cooling can help maintain an optimal climate during transport the year round. The objective of the new trailer design was to improve animal welfare and to increase transport efficiency of poultry transported to the slaughterhouse without making concessions in terms of the number of modules plus the process of loading/unloading of modules. In the presentation, the developers of the trailer will share the development route, the current experiences and the future research.

11:15 a.m.-12 p.m.

Panel discussion
Tackling the automation challenge in poultry processing

Automation is commonly touted as the solution for one of poultry processing’s biggest challenges, labor, and for its potential to make operations more efficient, reliable and predictable. Learn about future opportunities for automation within the plant and how the technology is evolving to meet the needs of poultry processing’s harsh environment.

Featured panelists:

• Jay Russell, key account manager, Marel
• Mathias Konne, food market leader, Staubli
• Harley Green, business development director, Soft Robotics Inc.

Since its 2018 inception, Poultry Tech Summit has fast-tracked several pioneering ideas from concept to commercialization, transforming the future of the poultry industry through artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, sensors, virtual reality, vaccines and more.

The Poultry Tech Summit Hall of Fame showcases the innovation presenters from the annual conference and their success stories. Their early process concepts and prototypes show promise for solving some of the industry’s biggest challenges.

To be considered in this category, presenters must be seeking investment to develop their product for market, looking to license their intellectual property, or recruiting partners to trial their innovation.

Meet the innovators: