A global perspective for the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Advisory Panel

Professor Roura is being joined by returning panel member, Dr Tim Wilson with both men described as formidable thinkers by AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program Chair, Guy Hebblewhite.

“Eugeni brings a fresh perspective, with experience in the European poultry sector before coming to Australia, and we look forward to his contributions to the program,” said Mr Hebblewhite.

“Tim is a returning panel member who served between 2014 and 2017. He brings a wealth of experience relevant to current and future research projects.”

Adding: “Both Eugeni and Tim have broad research experience that will strengthen our Advisory Panel and will ensure continuing meaningful discussion on our research projects now and into the future.”

Solving industry challenges

Professor Roura is a Research Scientist in the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Queensland (UQ). He joined UQ in 2010, where he leads a research team focused on bridging the gap between scientific insights and commercial applications for a sustainable chicken meat and pork productions.

According to Professor Roura the chicken industry has never faced so many competing issues and challenges at the same time.

“To solve these challenges a big effort across disciplines, institutions and a strong collaboration from the international community will be of paramount relevance.”

Adding: “Bridging the gap between basic research and industry adoption will also be another key aspect to get our industry successfully to the next level.”

Training the next generation

Professor Roura’s passion doesn’t stop there. He is also keen to ensure industry’s technical capabilities remain relevant and up to date.

“It is imperative to train the next generation of chicken farm managers, pathologists, nutritionists and geneticists by including modern concepts and technologies such as welfare, precision feeding, genomics, microbiome, real-time monitoring and high throughput phenotyping,” he said.

“I hope to apply my 30 year-experience of working with the national and global poultry industries, and of training the next generation of technical staff to help develop the future of the Australian chicken meat industry.”

Prior to joining UQ, Professor Roura worked for the feed and food industries during 16 years in strategic research, development and investment in management and market-focused services in a global highly competitive environment.

Welcome back Dr Wilson

Returning Panel member, Dr Wilson who is the Director of Research for Scolexia – Avian and Animal Health is looking forward to resuming his work on the Advisory Panel.

“I am hoping to encourage sound study design and funding of various projects that will result in benefits to the industry in the short, medium and long term,” said Dr Wilson.

“My specific R&D interests in the chicken meat industry are antimicrobial resistance, the impact of feed additives on microbiota, gut health and performance, vaccination efficacy and biosecurity.”

With an agricultural background, Dr Wilson has worked in livestock veterinary practices, veterinary pharmaceutical and biological companies in technical, marketing and research roles.

He was the Deputy Veterinary Director of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA), has managed animal health research funding for Meat and Livestock Australia and provided veterinary and regulatory advice to chicken meat and egg producers in government, pharmaceutical and veterinary consultancy roles.

Dr Wilson is currently the poultry representative on the AVA Therapeutics and Antimicrobial Resistance committees. His master’s degree discussed alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry.

Outgoing Advisory Panel member Peter Chrystal

Advisory Panel Chair, Guy Hebblewhite also paid tribute to outgoing Advisory Panel member, Peter Crystal, for his time on the Panel.

“Peter’s knowledge on nutrition and his ability to connect with researchers to provide industry perspective, has benefited the industry enormously,” said Mr Hebblewhite.

“By linking our researchers and projects, this has ensured that the projects delivered are relevant and adoptable and I thank Peter for his significant contribution.”

For more information on the AgriFutures Chicken Meat Program go to: agrifutures.com.au/chicken-meat/