ST. PAUL, Minn. -- New this year, the Midwest Poultry Federation and USDA's Agricultural Research Service are teaming up to provide a special Turkey Breeder Symposium on March 17-18, in conjunction with the 2010 MPF Convention.
The symposium will cover an in-depth and hands-on look at the methodologies in AI (artificial insemination) technology and fertility evaluation. The symposium is geared for commercial farm and hatchery technical staffs and research lab personnel.
Instructors will be Dr. Murray Bakst and Dr. Julie Long of ARS.
The schedule includes:
March 17
12:30-3 p.m. Oral presentations addressing male and female reproductive anatomy and function; evaluating and predicting fertility from eggs; semen (what it is, collection, avoiding semen contamination, how to determine semen quality, semen dilution and storage); and future trends in genomics, genetics and breeding.
Immediately following this session is the MPF Turkey Breeder Workshop, 3-5 p.m.
March 18
8-10 a.m.; and 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Hands-on laboratory demonstrations of techniques to include two sessions:
Semen evaluation -- sperm live-dead stains; sperm motility; accudenz semen evaluation; packed cell volume; spectrophotometers; use of hemocytometer; and serial dilution to establish standard curves for cell counts.
Fertility evaluation -- Perivitelline layer-sperm hole assay; differentiation of fertilized from unfertilized germinal discs; and staging embryos.
Registration
A separate registration fee of $75 per person applies to this symposium and includes:
CD-ROM copy of the Turkey Breeder Symposium Proceedings.
Coffee break on Wednesday afternoon and continental breakfast on Tuesday morning.
Use of equipment during the hands-on laboratory sessions.
Space is limited to the first 50 people who preregister. Preregistration is available online at http://www.midwestpoultry.com, or by mail/fax, at 108 Marty Drive, Buffalo, Minn. 55313; fax: 763-682-5546. MPF can be reached by phone at 763-682-2171.
(*Note: A separate registration fee applies to attend the MPF Convention and its events.)
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