The American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health program sponsored the travel and participation of four people from Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal to the International Poultry Short Course at the University of Georgia.

WISHH escorted the group from Atlanta to Athens for the program, which includes intensive classroom lecture and hands-on laboratory exercises from one of the world’s leading poultry science programs. Presentations were made by USDA station researchers, and UGA staff presented during the course.

U.S. soy can increasingly serve as feed for poultry production companies. The program offers trade team members the opportunity to learn about future potential for global poultry production and the soybean industry in the United States while networking with U.S. soy industry leaders to build long-term relationships.

“There have been numerous experiences in the program that have been helpful to my understanding of the poultry production process. I believe it’s highly likely that what I’ve learned here will help me in the next stages of my business in Ghana,” said Mathew Bonso, CEO of Harimat Farms in Ghana.

Bonso said specifically learning more about poultry nutrition, egg quality and safety, feeder and drinker system management and the identification of common poultry diseases through lecture and the guided laboratory exercises were, “the highlights of the program, and the lessons learned are all things I plan to implement upon return to my country.”