The Production Management School, which ran from the 15th-18th of July, was a chance for the students to receive first hand training from experts in the field, whilst also meeting their counterparts from various neighbouring countries.

The four day long module, modelled on the Aviagen Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) School concept, included many practical workshops and technical presentations, allowing the students to gain critical experience and knowledge to improve their own businesses and production techniques. The course emphasised many important aspects of poultry science and its practical application to managing successful breeder and broiler operations. A wide variety of topics were covered including; Research and Development, Biodiversity, Disinfecting and the production stages.

The students faced exams during their four day course, with the three strongest students receiving tablet computers able to run the ‘Ross App’, to assist their future learning and development. After long and challenging days the students were given a chance to relax and socialise in the evenings with various activities laid on for them such as a BBQ and attending a Horse Show.

Explaining why Russia was hosting a school for the first time, course organiser, Neil Clark, Regional Technical Manager, said: "Such is the demand for places at the US and EMEA Schools from our customers worldwide that it made sense to develop a school that would be more accessible to the region and also more suited from a language point-of-view. We have a wealth of experience and knowledge here in the form of our tutors and lecturers, all of whom have practical experience of working in this industry to complement their educational capabilities. I hope that the students will go back with an understanding and focus on the key drivers in their business and apply their new-found knowledge to their day-to-day work."

Demand to attend the course was very high and all applicants were Aviagen customers nominated by an Aviagen Sales or Technical Representative.

The students themselves were full of praise for the programme. Marina Bushuyeva from Elinar-Broiler farm said: "This course has proved to be invaluable. I learned a huge amount of information and practical skills, all of which were expertly taught and the course was very engaging. The Biosecurity Principles and Rearing Workshops were my favourite part of the course but it was all equally important and relevant to our work. All of the students came together as a team and this made the whole experience all the more enjoyable. I will leave the School in a far stronger position to improve my business and care for my animals as well as having made some great new friends."