The La Rural fairground in Argentine capital Buenos Aires was hosting the XXII edition of the ALA Latin American poultry show and congress which took place from September 6-9.

During the official opening ceremony, Argentine minister of agriculture Debora Giorgi addressed the audience. Ms Giorgi emphasized the need for Argentina and other countries in Latin America to play a major part and respond to the growing demand for poultry products around the world.

ALA is the place to be. International suppliers such as Chick Master were on display with well designed and professional stands to meeting their customers from Latin America.

Animal health company Ilender from Peru is a relatively young market player, but has over the years gained authority all across Latin America and also in the USA. They offer a wide range of products, from disinfectants to vaccines for various species including poultry.

Concurrently with the show, a conference programme took place. Specialists presented their papers like here from left to right, the three geneticists of respectively Cobb, Aviagen and Hubbard: John Hardiman, Santiago Avendaño and Yves Jego.

European companies like Texha from Ukraine are expanding their activities. In this respect, they see good chances to gain a share in Latin America and therefore took the chance to be represented at ALA.

Recently, the name of animal health company Intervet Schering Plough was changed into Merck Animal Health (MSD Animal Health outside USA and Canada). As a result, also their house style, design and presence has changed. ALA was one of the first events for them to making this visible.

Apart from the well known suppliers of housing systems from Europe and the USA, also companies like Kilbra from Brazil play a strong role on the Latin American continent.

Usually large size new hatcheries are being designed by the well known international suppliers. Yet there are some smaller companies, like Coopermaq from Brazil, serving clients in primarily Latin America. They also supply chick transportation systems.

Indumetavi from Argentina is manufacturing poultry processing equipment. Their newest product is an electronic bird counting device. If there’s no bird at the shackle, it will as a result not keep its outbound position. Thus, no chicken is counted. Very simple device, but apparently working well.

World Poultry was represented with a small booth at the ALA congress and show, taking the opportunity to introduce our new name…

Yet, eventually the original name was restored. Marketing manager Jacco and hostess Andrea handed out magazines in backpacks.

Metalurgica Albace from Argentina are specialists in conveyor systems. One of their products is a conveyor system to be used for deep frozen poultry in storage facilities.

An egg a day, keeps the doctor away… A girl is handing out free cooked eggs to ALA visitors.

Breeding companies were strongly represented, such as Aviagen.

The ALA show is an excellent venue to meet with customers and discuss or sometimes teach about latest ideas.

Argentina is well known because of tango dancing. Even at the show floor there was a fair chance to give this a try...

Among the exhibitors of animal health products was LAH with a bright and open stand.

DSM Nutritional Products took the chance to launch their next-level phytase Ronozyme HiPhos. The company claims that, dependent on feed ingredient prices and feed composition, additional savings of 10-15% can be generated compared to standard phytase recommendations.

Jefo is supplying non medicated performance feed additives. The Canadian company is well recognizable by its specific style and design which was also reflected in their stand at the ALA congress.

Among the premium (platinum) sponsors of the ALA congress and show, was breeding company Cobb–Vantress.

Latin American breeder farmers are adopting to automated breeder nests. One supplier is GSI Agromarau from Brazil who is offering the system of Dutch company Jansen Poultry Equipment.

By the end of the final show day, exhibitors are taking down their stand. Some even cut their cages into pieces.. Apparently the easiest and quickest solution.

Argentina was an excellent place for hosting this years' edition of the ALA congress. Next edition will be in November 2013 in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador in Central America.