USSEC recently provided technical services to Egypt’s poultry industry.
Dr. Gary Butcher, from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, recently traveled to Cairo, Egypt to provide technical service to the Egyptian poultry industry in a USSEC program coordinated by USSEC – Middle East North Africa (MENA) from November 27 through December 3.

On November 27, Dr. Butcher visited the Al Wadi Group Poultry Company, the largest poultry integration in Egypt accompanied by production manager Puzant Dakessian. There, Dr. Butcher presented three lectures to 30 veterinarians and technical staff for Al Wadi. Topics included: New Antibiotic Regulations in the U.S. for the Commercial Poultry Industry; Techniques for Investigating Vaccine Failures; and Emerging Myopathies in the Broilers. A roundtable discussion followed on the topics of H5 and H9 avian influenza, infectious bronchitis variants, and biosecurity.
Dr. Butcher traveled to the poultry integrator Al-Wataniya Poultry Company on November 28, accompanied by their production supervisor Dr. Mostsfa Radwan. Dr. Butcher presented a seminar to 25 company veterinarians and technical staff on the topics of: Mycoplasma Control Practices and New Regulations on the use of Antibiotics in Food Animals in the U.S. A roundtable discussion followed including the topics of avian influenza, vaccine programming, and poultry house ventilation during the winter season. Al-Wataniya is a major poultry producer in Egypt and is faced with serious disease challenges. Discussions on vaccination, biosecurity, and the proper use of antibiotics helps assure maximum production potential is achieved.
On November 29, Dr. Butcher traveled to the poultry integrator Cairo Poultry Group, accompanied by technical supervisor Dr. Mostafa Saad.  A meeting was held with 11 veterinarians and technical staff where two presentations (1) Mycoplasma Update and 2) Avian Influenza- Bird Flu Update) were given.  The seminar was followed by a roundtable discussion on antibiotic use to comply with EU and USA regulations, as the Cairo Poultry Group is a supplier to international clients such as KFC and McDonalds.  Discussions also included two processing issues of importance in Egypt as birds are processed and sold at a young age of 28- 34 days.  These topics included: 1) black bone and 2) pink fleshing.
Dr. Butcher visited the poultry integrator Al-Dakahliya, accompanied by production manager Jim Scoular on November 30. A meeting was held with eight members of the technical team from the integrator. This company produces broilers and is a major supplier of fertile eggs and one-day-old chicks to smaller companies. Efforts are being made by Al-Dakahliya to eliminate diseases that are endemic in Egypt. New farms are being constructed away from other farms. Discussions on biosecurity practices to assist in maintaining these farms free of disease were discussed. Vaccination programs for control of variant infectious bronchitis virus were also discussed.
On December 2, USSEC held a poultry diseases seminar at the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo, which was attended by over 95 poultry companies, allied industry veterinarians, and technical staff from the government and universities.
Topics presented included: New Antibiotic Regulations for Food Animal Medicine; Emerging Muscle Myopathies in Commercial Broilers; Update on the Mycoplasma Situation around the World; and Causes of Vaccination Failure in Commercial Poultry. Roundtable discussions during the meeting provided an opportunity to cover additional topics of regional interest and allow for an exchange of ideas.
On December 3, Dr. Butcher attended the USSEC Nutrition Seminar given by Dr. Craig Coon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo. Both during and after the seminar, he provided one-on-one consultation to program participants, discussing topics including mycoplasma control, vaccine programming for H5 and H9 avian influenza, and biosecurity programs for the commercial poultry industry in Egypt.
The Egyptian poultry industry faces serious endemic disease challenges. Continuing education through USSEC programs will help ensure that the industry continues to develop and be an important customer of U.S. soybeans and soybean products.