The annual conference of the Israeli Branch of WPSA took place on March 23-25, 2025, in Tel Aviv, with 531 participants in attendance. The conference hosted participants from 116 different workplaces, highlighting significant professional diversity, while the top 10 workplaces (with 13+ participants each) accounted for 49% of total attendees
Conference Highlights
The conference featured a comprehensive program covering various aspects of poultry science:
- Professional Sessions on incubation, veterinary vaccines, nutrition, diagnostics, pathology, egg production (layers), meat production (broilers)
- Award Presentations: 11 graduate students presented their projects, 4 won the award
- Special Plenary Discussions: (1) the importance of poultry in national food security;
(2) the transition to cage-free systems - Timely Topics: Impacts of the Iron Swords War on the poultry industry
- 3 International Speakers presented innovations and regulatory challenges
- Industry exhibition: 24 companies presented a wide range of products and innovations.
- Branch Appreciation Award was given to Prof. Orna Halevy-Pines for her contributions to the Branch and to poultry research, particularly on breast muscle development in broilers
Leadership Changes
15 members were elected to a new Branch Council, which appointed a new Executive Board:
Prof. Avigdor Cahaner, Hebrew University, Chairman,
Mr. Yochi Rulf, Poultry Nutritionist, Treasurer
Mrs. Hagit Arazi, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Secretary
Dr. Shelly Druyan, Volcani Center, Head of Professional Committee
Dr. (DVM) Nadav Zeltser, Israel Poultry Council, Board Member
Prof. Zehava Uni, Hebrew University, Board Member
Dr. (DVM) Sagit Nagar, Veterinary Services, Board Member
Mr. Kobi Lustgarten, Chair of the Audit Committee
Mr. Itzik Malka, the Branch longstanding Secretary, was replaced by Mrs. Hagit Arazi
Summary
The annual conference continued the tradition of bridging academic research with field practice, while emphasizing contemporary challenges facing the poultry industry in Israel.