For the past five years the Minster Veterinary Practice in conjunction with Elanco has been running a conference for poultry producers in the Alps for one week during the spring.

The concept of combining informative lectures and discussion sessions with skiing and snowboarding at good quality resorts is not a new one. However, the poultry industry has never been able to benefit from this format until Poultry on the Piste was launched. One of the key attributes of a good conference is informative lectures delivered by an interesting and knowledgeable speaker. The organisers of Poultry on the Piste have been able to fulfil the brief in both these areas. In fact, by asking delegates what topics they would like to be covered, they are able to keep the sessions fresh and very relevant to the varied groups of participants.

Sessions are delivered in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere at the start and end of the day which ensures maximum slope time and therefore our attention. Indeed one of the advantages of this type of conference is the opportunity for delegates to communicate with each other as well as the speakers during the more social side of the day. It is amazing what you can learn during a discussion on the chair lift with the sun blazing down.

The conferences have attracted delegates from the broiler industry and also egg, turkey and duck producers chewing the cud over the usual topics and sharing their knowledge with new entrants to the industry, the new entrants in turn can add fresh perspective. Indeed this mix of participants actually adds to the inclusive nature of this conference in the snow.

The resorts visited so far include Lech, Zermatt, Zauchensee, Davos and Obergurgal and are selected to give everyone a great range of ski runs to choose from during the day. They will satisfy everyone from the complete novice needing lessons each day to the avid "black runner" who likes to go off-piste. Hotels have been carefully chosen to allow relaxation apres ski such as swimming, sauna with excellent quality food.

Health, Nutrition & Economics Conference for Poultry Producers

Saturday 3rd to Saturday 10th March 2012

Hotel Relais Des Alpes, Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

Poultry on the Piste is now an established annual event for the poultry producer wishing to combine good quality CPD / learning with skiing in the best of resorts. During previous years The Minster Veterinary Practice and Elanco have run Poultry on the Piste courses in Lech, Zermatt, Zauchensee, Davos and Obergurgl. This next year we are heading to Italy for the first time. We are holding the conference at the Hotel Relais Des Alpes in Madonna di Campiglio in the Italian Dolomites.

This hotel typifies the best of standards that can be found in the Alps, is situated in the centre of the resort and is only 150m from the ski lifts. Madonna is a chic and stylish resort, offering spectacular views of the Brenta Dolomites and a lively Italian village atmosphere centred around the lively Piazza Righi. An efficient lift system opens up an extensive ski area that connects this resort with nearby Marilleva and Folgarida, providing 150km of mainly tree-lined pistes. There are runs to suit all abilities and even the most accomplished skiers will be challenged by the famous 3-Tre World Cup run back to the village.

The hotel boasts a central wellness area complete with swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, fitness and steam rooms. Massages and various treatments are also available. All the bedrooms have en-suite shower/bathrooms and most also have a balcony overlooking the village. The hotel has a first class restaurant and very comfortable bar and lounge areas to meet before evening lectures.  

Conscious that value for money is imperative, it is our great pleasure to announce that Elanco has again sponsored the event, thus making the congress a real bargain. Secondly it should be remembered that this is a conference and thus a legitimate expense for your business.

Finally the lecturers, Alastair Johnston and Sara Perez have between them many years of experience as Poultry Vets and Ian Mackinson is a well renowned Poultry Nutritionist. They will provide lectures and course notes, which will be an asset to poultry farmers. Certificates of attendance will be provided to demonstrate to ACP, QBT, and Soil Association etc. that each delegate has furthered their knowledge in poultry health, nutrition and economics.

Sara Perez DVM, MSC.,Cert.PMP,MRCVS

Poultry Veterinarian, The Minster Veterinary Practice

Sara qualified from the University of Barcelona in 1998. She completed a Master of Science at Bristol University and joined the Practice in 2003 after 5 years of farm and meat inspection work. Sara passed the RCVS Certificate in Poultry Medicine and Production in 2008 becoming one of the few vets that currently hold this qualification in the UK.  She became a Director in the business in 2010. Sara is active on the committee of the British Veterinary Poultry Association recently taking on the role of B.V.A. representative.

Alastair Johnston BVMS, MRCVS

Poultry Veterinarian, The Minster Veterinary Practice

Alastair qualified from Glasgow University Veterinary School in 1983 and after spending two years at Liverpool University Veterinary School as demonstrator in the large animal hospital, he moved to York. Although he spent 10 years as a mixed practitioner, he later specialised in poultry, initially working with Gregor Grant and then taking the reigns of the poultry department. Alastair became a partner in the practice in 1989 and then was President of the British Veterinary Poultry Association from 2003 until 2005. Since April of 2008, Alastair has been responsible for establishing the training department of the practice, establishing courses for all sectors of the poultry industry in the UK and abroad.

Ian Mackinson

Poultry Nutritionist, Premier Nutrition

Ian, a graduate of Nottingham University in 1987, started his career in the feed additive sector before joining a major national compounder as a nutritionist. He has been involved in poultry feed formulation since 1992. His in-depth knowledge of ingredients and specifications, coupled with hands on quality management experience, assists customers to maintain modern quality standards.

Lectures will be held from 8.00am to 9.00am each morning (but not the first morning) and from 6:00pm until 7:00pm each evening (but not the final evening), giving a total of ten hours of Continuing Professional Development during the week.  The lecture program will cover, amongst other topics:

• Various aspects of veterinary health
• Economics of the poultry industry
• Poultry Nutrition and the Modern Broiler
• Management issues