On the 13th – 15th of May 2024 the PIX, AMC and APL event ‘Food With Purpose’ was held at the Gold Coast convention centre. Six young industry delegates from all different fields of the poultry industry were brought together to experience all that the conference had to offer.
The young industry delegates applied through a competitive selection process, and upon being selected, the PIX committee sponsored their accommodation, flights, and conference registrations. The purpose of the young industry delegate program is to expose under 35-year-olds that hold a position in the poultry industry to the broader poultry industry to learn and facilitate new connections. During the conference the young delegates were introduced to industry leaders and mentors. They were able to gain knowledge with the potential to implement this new knowledge into their own operations. Carissa Anderson from Poultry Hub Australia was the main contact to make introductions for the young delegates. Carissa said, ‘This year the young delegates blew me away – they instantly bonded and were so passionate about the poultry industry. Lots of knowledge was exchanged between the delegates and also through the workshops. It was great to see such a young group of poultry enthusiasts meeting industry leaders and gaining so much knowledge and walking away with lifelong friends.’
The delegates were exposed to the latest information, research, and technologies available within the poultry industry. There were various sessions that were thought provoking and showed how technology will play a vital role in the future of the poultry industry and how the industry will have to change and increase efficiency in order to keep up with the demand of poultry products. It was great to see sessions on bird health and welfare and how individual farms can implement strategies to help with bird behaviour.
Workshops on various special interest areas including ’best on-farm practice’ were included in the PIX program. The young delegates were able to take part and gain knowledge on the latest information out and the current research going on and how they may be able to implement it into their own operations. There were plenty of opportunities to ask questions of the presenters and get them to clarify how their research would work in a commercial situation. The delegates were able to meet industry professionals and were able to gain great connections across the broader industry.
One of the young industry delegates Josh from Baiada stated that ‘The conference was an opportunity to delve into the world of poultry production with enthusiastic likeminded individuals! The trade show displayed the future of chicken production in an excellent and interactive manner. The networking opportunities are unrivalled and easily the best part, but I think the group of young delegates made the whole experience better.’
It was great to see likeminded individuals come together and share their passion for poultry and walk away with a wealth of knowledge and new connections.
The PIX young delegates were:
Joshua Angrove – Baiada
Ricardo Horta – Turosi
Jack Mason – Mason Farms
Carla Castro – University of Queensland
Zach Maddox – Baiada
Jack Gordon – Proten
