Lohmann unveils new vaccine plant

Dr Hans-Friedrich Finck, MD of Lohman Tierzucht, welcomed more than 280 hatchers and partners of Lohmann Tierzucht to the Franchise Hatchery Meeting, held 23-24 September in Cuxhaven.

The Lower Saxony’s Minister of Science and Cultural Affairs, Lutz Stratmann did the honours and cut the orange coloured band after the speech about flock-specific vaccines support health prophylaxis by Dr Matthias Voß, Head of Veterinary Laboratory, and the presentation about the production of flock-specific vaccines by Dr Rainer Theil, production manager of the new plant.

The prominent speakers, the MD of Lohmann Tierzucht and representatives of the EW-Group, as well as visitors from the outside, participated in a guided tour around the new facility.

The primary topics discussed were elimination of E. Coli in the poultry management, as well as the alternative housing systems for layers. After the introducing presentation of Prof Dr Rudolf Preisinger, MD of Lohmann Tierzucht, about FUGATO – Functional Genome Analysis in animal Organisms – followed a presentation of Dr Christa Ewers, Freie Universität Berlin. Dr Ewers presented a model of infection for fundamental research against E. Coli. In addition to this Dr Hans-Christian Philipp and Dr Matthias Schmutz, both of Lohmann Tierzucht, presented breeding measures to reduce susceptibility of E. Coli.

Another big topic discussed was alternative housing systems for layers. Especially the domestic visitors were interested in this topic, as the law forbids conventional housing systems for layers as of 2009.

Prof Preisinger began with a presentation about new methods for the selection of layers for alternative housing systems.

Robert Pottgüter, expert for nutrition and feed stuff, pointed out that layers in alternative housing systems have special demands regarding nutrition. He stressed the effect of feed recipes with feed fats and crude fibre.

Additionally, Dr Corinna Böhland, Spreenhagener Vermehrungbetriebe GmbH and Landkostei GmbH, answered questions about management and the health prophylaxis. Many hygiene measures were observed by the hatcheries, but it was also important to document the work in this field.

 

Lohmann Tierzucht (English, German)