Poultry

PUPIL AI vision technology, SmartBase software and HMI touchscreen control all add intelligence to the VC-i. (Image source: Marel)

Primary poultry processing receives a revolutionary upgrade with Marel introducing the world's first intelligent vent cutter—VC-i

The vent cutter's job in the primary poultry process is to drill out the cloaca without damaging the intestines and hang it over the back of the carcass. Being the first operation performed inside the product, vent cutting needs to be done with surgical precision and hygiene. This is because mistakes cannot be corrected by the remaining operations in the evisceration line.

The Marel VC-i vent cutter sets a new benchmark in accuracy by meticulously drilling out the cloaca without touching the intestines, thereby preventing any soiling or contamination. Designed to optimise hygiene, efficiency and automation, the VC-i eliminates manual adjustments and ensures precise, contamination-free vent cutting. This precision is driven by PUPIL (Precision Unified Processing with Intelligent Learning) AI vision technology, which provides real-time insight into the machine’s performance, ensuring that cloacas are extracted and positioned correctly.

Promoting automation

Advanced features including the HMI touchscreen allows users to set the VC-i on-the-fly with a few taps. Pre-defined recipes are controlling the automatic machine settings to achieve optimal parameters, such as drill depth and product positioning, for the incoming flock. Thanks to these digital machine settings, manual adjustments based on guesswork are a thing of the past. PUPIL visually monitors performance, eliminating human error and ensuring consistent, high-quality results irrespective of significant variations in bird weights and sizes.

Automated adjustments along with PUPIL AI monitoring maintain high performance across all shifts and flocks, even with wide weight ranges. Internal SmartBase software contributes to VC-i’s consistency by monitoring the machine’s health in real time. It offers early warning alerts on performance at both machine level and unit level, enabling proactive adjustments and maintenance.

Prioritising hygiene

When it comes to VC-i design, soiling or contamination is strictly unacceptable. The open structure of the 20 newly developed, robust carousel units not only reduces wear and tear, but also residue buildup and contamination risk, while offering enhanced cleanability. After each operation, the individual drill units are thoroughly cleaned by their own spray washers. The VC-i’s vacuum system also adds to hygiene by removing initial feces from the intestines, preventing soiling of the clean process and contamination in downstream processes. Moreover, to save water, empty shackles are identified by the smart product detection system and switched off. 

The idea is that instead of selling the eggs raw, processing them in the form of powder and liquid will fetch higher prices both locally and internationally. (Image source: State House Uganda)

In an attempt to strengthen Uganda’s economy, improve nutrition and food security, president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has said that the government will establish a processing factory to add value to eggs

The idea is that instead of selling the eggs raw, processing them in the form of powder and liquid will fetch higher prices both locally and internationally. The president remarked that eggs could be processed into products such as baby foods and nutritional foods to feed the country’s sick and elderly and export. 

During the president’s assessment tour of the PDM and wealth creation programmes in the Kigezi sub region, he said that while eggs that are boiled, scrambled, or mixed with chapati, commonly known as Rolex, cannot be exported, they can attract international markets if properly processed and packed. 

Speaking to the residents, the President reminded the Kigezi people that the only medicine to poverty is intensive agriculture by not only using their small portions of land but going for products with high returns under the 4 acre model and the recommended seven activities. These include one acre for coffee, another acre for fruits (mangoes, oranges, and pineapples), another one for food crops for the family (cassava, bananas, Irish potatoes, or millet), and the last one for pasture for around 8 dairy cattle. On top of this, one can add on poultry for eggs in the backyard, piggery and fish farming.

Akampurira Evas, a poultry farmer and beneficiary of the Parish Development Model (PDM) in Bubare trading centre expressed gratitude for the PDM programme, which she said has changed her life. “This PDM has really worked for me because I’m selling chicken, eggs, and chicken manure, and I’m now able to pay school fees for my children, some of whom had sat home,” said Akampurira who received US$273 in September 2023. “Those who got money for the PDM and know what to do must now be rich,” she informed the president.

A total of 180 participants from across the country attended the event. (Image source: Aviagen)

Wadi Group recently held its tenth Wadi Poultry Academy from 18-21 November at the Hyatt Regency in West Cairo, Egypt

Wadi Group has been a Ross 308 Parent Stock (PS) distributor in Egypt since 1992, and the Aviagen Ross customer support team have contributed to the Wadi Poultry Academy since it began in 2017. A total of 180 participants from across the country attended the event, where they received advice on key subjects including best practices for parent stock grading, light stimulation and feeding into lay, best practices for broiler management and egg handling.

Puzant Dakessian, CEO, Poultry Sector, Wadi Group opened the event, and provided updates on the company’s expansions, renovations, and the cutting-edge technologies it has implemented. These advancements ensure that Wadi Group consistently delivers the highest quality flocks to its customers. Musa Freiji, founder of Wadi Group, followed Puzant’s comments and emphasized the importance of biosecurity, explaining how good biosecurity practices contribute to the success and optimal flock performance.

The Aviagen team were also in attendance, Bulent Tanyildizi, business manager, MENA provided a local and global market review, and Andreas Kranis, research geneticist, presented on Aviagen’s genetic progress.

During the Academy, all aspects of poultry production were explored, benefiting participants by helping them enhance their management skills, and maximise the genetic potential of their flocks. Tony Freiji, executive chairman, Wadi Group, closed the event by thanking the audience for their continued business and providing a motivational speech on how to stay focused on your objectives throughout challenging times.

“I'm thrilled to reflect on the successful conclusion of the 10th edition of the Wadi Poultry Academy, which we organised in collaboration with Aviagen. The theme of this year’s Academy, “Your Journey to Excellence,” focused on providing our attendees with the latest insights into genetic advancements and cutting-edge poultry management practices, shared by renowned experts from Aviagen.

It was an invaluable opportunity for all to gain new knowledge and share ideas. This year’s event was a testament to our unwavering commitment to not only advancing poultry science, but also to empowering our clients with the tools they need to thrive. As we look ahead, I am confident that Egypt’s poultry industry will continue to grow, overcome challenges, and remain a leader in the global market. We have set very high standards in the meticulous organisation and logistics of these events elevating the level of our gatherings to a world class status, and setting a new norm in the country. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this event possible. Together, we will continue to elevate the poultry sector, promote innovation, and strengthen our relationships for years to come,” commented Puzant.

Murat Yakar, regional technical manager, TMENA added, “We are delighted that we were able to support Wadi Group during their recent Wadi Poultry Academy for PS and broiler customers. The event was a great success, demonstrating exceptional professionalism and organisation. This collaboration highlights Aviagen’s commitment to advancing knowledge and driving success across the poultry industry, while strengthening our valued relationship with Wadi Poultry and their customer base.”

The panelists consisted of experts in the field who touched upon a variety of topics. (Image source: Republic of Poland)

In November 2024, Polish panelists shared valuable insights with the stakeholders of Tanzania's poultry sector through a seminar titled 'Innovative Technologies in Poultry Farming and Meat Production

Co-organised and co-sponsored by the Embassy of Poland in Dar es Salaam and the Polish Association for Innovation in Agriculture, the seminar which was accompanied by a B2B session was aimed at advancing the country's economic prosperity and also proposed an interesting solution for smallholder farmers involving the collaborative usage of agrimachinery.

The panelists consisted of experts in the field who touched upon a variety of topics including veterinary care in poultry farming, feed production, slaughtering and cooling process.