University of Sydney PhD student Milan Kandel recently completed a 13-week industry placement with Turosi Food Solutions Group in Victoria, supported by Poultry Hub Australia (PHA).
Read Milan’s full placement report below to learn more about his experience, the skills he developed and the valuable insights he gained into the poultry industry.
Placement Experience
Can you briefly describe your placement and the type of work or activities you were involved in?
My placement with Turosi provided practical exposure to an integrated poultry production system. I participated in activities across broiler breeder rearing and laying, commercial broiler production, nutrition, feed quality and farm management. My field activities included monitoring bird body weight and uniformity, assessing brooding conditions, checking feeder and drinker management, evaluating ventilation and temperature distribution, observing flock health and performance in broiler breeder and commercial broiler and conducted a field study on feed quality and nutrient distribution at commercial broiler farms.
What were the main skills or knowledge you gained during your placement?
I gained hands-on practical knowledge of broiler breeder and commercial broiler management, including brooding, feeding programs, lighting, ventilation, flock health, bird uniformity, reproductive performance and egg production.I also developed skills in commercial feed sampling, particle-size assessment, field data collection, bird weighing, farm observation and identification of management-related problems. Most importantly, I learned how nutrition, feed manufacturing, farm equipment, environmental management and bird performance are interconnected within an integrated poultry business.
What was the most valuable or enjoyable part of your placement?
The most significant part was learning directly from experienced industry professionals and applying my academic knowledge under commercial conditions. Visiting different farms and observing how management decisions affect bird health, welfare and performance was particularly valuable.I also enjoyed developing the feed assessment study because it allowed me to investigate a practical industry problem. It helped me understand how feed distribution along a commercial feeding line could potentially influence nutrient intake, flock uniformity and production performance.
Did the placement help you better understand the poultry industry and potential career opportunities within the industry? Please explain.
Yes. The placement significantly improved my understanding of how the different parts of the poultry industry operate together. I could see how decisions involving breeder management, hatchery outcomes, feed quality and farm management can influence broiler performance and the efficiency of the entire production system.The experience also introduced me to potential career pathways in poultry nutrition, technical services, production management, research and development and integrated poultry operations. It strengthened my interest in pursuing a career that involves practical industry problem-solving.
How would you rate your overall placement experience? 0–5, where 0 = very poor and 5 = excellent
Rating: 5/ 5-Excellent
What could have been done differently to improve your placement experience?
The placement experience was very positive. Additional financial support covering the full placement period would also make placements more accessible to students working across geographically dispersed farm locations
PHA provided financial support of $500 per week during your placement. How did this funding assist you, and would you have been able to undertake the placement without this support?
This financial support helped me cover essential expenses, particularly accommodation, transport and daily living costs while undertaking the placement away from my residence. As I was required to travel between multiple farms, completing it without this support would have been extremely difficult. The Poultry Hub Australia funding was therefore important in enabling me to participate and gain this valuable industry experience.
Would you recommend an industry placement like this to other students? Why or why not?
Yes, I would strongly recommend this type of industry placement to other as well. It allows students to apply academic knowledge in real commercial situations and understand the practical, financial and operational factors involved in poultry production. It also helps students develop practical skills, professional networks, confidence and a clearer understanding of potential career pathways. For research students in particular, an industry placement can help ensure that their research remains relevant to the practical needs of poultry producers and industry.
