The Australian Poultry Science Symposium (APSS) 2024 wrapped up its program last month with a resounding success, marking a significant milestone for joint coordinators Poultry Research Foundation of the University of Sydney and World Poultry Science Association Australian Branch.
Hosted at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, this year’s conference shattered previous achievements, drawing in a record-breaking number of attendees and receiving an unprecedented volume of paper submissions.
With a staggering 321 attendees from 23 countries across the globe, APSS 2024 became the most well-attended poultry science conference in Australia.
Researchers, postgraduate students, industry experts, producers and stakeholders involved in the poultry industry congregated under one roof to engage in discussion, share insights and explore the latest advancements in poultry science and technology.
The event provides a platform for professionals from diverse backgrounds to exchange knowledge, network and foster collaborations aimed at addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the poultry sector.
From academics to poultry producers, everyone present contributed to the vibrant atmosphere of learning and sharing.
In addition to the remarkable turnout, APSS 2024 set another record with the submission of over 100 papers, reflecting the growing interest and enthusiasm for poultry research.
These submissions covered a wide range of topics, including nutrition, genetics, health management, welfare, environment and sustainable production practices, underscoring the conference’s commitment to advancing every aspect of poultry science.
Throughout the three-day event, attendees had the opportunity to attend presentations by 10 invited speakers, scientific sessions featuring 43 of the submitted papers and a poster session featuring 44 posters covering topics ranging from cutting-edge research findings to practical solutions for enhancing poultry productivity, profitability and sustainability.
Moreover, the conference provided a platform for emerging researchers and students to present their work, gain valuable feedback and establish connections within the poultry science community.
Indeed, ‘connection’ was a key point driven home by the Meet and Greet mentoring session organised by the AgriFutures’ Chicken Nutrition, Gut Health and Environment consortium and Poultry Hub Australia during the conference, which facilitated close interactions among students, academics and industry practitioners in an open and friendly mentoring workshop.
A poultry industry Think Tank meeting organised by PRF in 2023 identified ‘people’ – that is future workforce, including academic, research and industry leaders – as the number one priority for the poultry industry going forward.
Hence, the value and impact of such a workshop cannot be overstated.
Among the highlights of APSS 2024 was the unveiling of this year’s winner of the WPSA Australia Branch Australian Poultry Award, Dr Kenneth Bruerton.
Also, the Poultry Hub Australia Mingan Choct Award for the Best Student Oral Presentation was given to Mr Caleb Wellard from Deakin University and the Poultry Research Foundation Award for the Best Student Poster went to Miss Rafika Tunisa from the University of Queensland.
As APSS 2024 came to a close, participants departed with renewed inspiration, valuable insights and a deeper appreciation for the pivotal role of poultry science in addressing global food security challenges.
The record-breaking success of this year’s conference serves as a testament to the unwavering dedication and collective efforts of all involved in advancing the global poultry industry.
A conference of this scale held in one of the most sought-after cities in the world cannot be put on without the generous sponsorship of many partners.
APSS 2024 attracted a record number of sponsorships, with 26 organisations involved.
These included some long-running partnerships, such as AgriFutures and Australian Eggs sponsoring the conference since its inception in 1989 and BEC and Adisseo both reaching a 20-year milestone.
It is difficult to list all the sponsors in this article, and the APSS 2024 website dedicates a section to acknowledge all of the event supporters.
The legacy of APSS 2024 will continue to resonate as the poultry community remains committed to fostering innovation, collaboration and sustainable practices to meet the evolving needs of a growing population.
No doubt, everyone is looking forward to hearing about APSS 2025 in due course and we will keep you up to date with the progress and preparation of next year’s conference in a timely manner.
Benjamin Geist
Poultry Research Foundation