Discover the groundbreaking advancements in poultry farming as we welcome Silvin Faulstich, Business Development Manager at Respeggt Group, to discuss in ova sexing. (In the egg) This revolutionary technology is set to transform the industry by identifying the gender of hatching eggs before they hatch, thus addressing the pressing issue of male chick culling. Silvin’s journey from Germany to his current role provides valuable insights into the innovations and challenges of implementing such cutting-edge solutions.
Explore the essential steps toward transitioning to chick culling-free agriculture. Silvin emphasizes the importance of educating everyone along the supply chain, from farmers to consumers, to drive progress and add value. He also shares the complexities of introducing new labels in an already crowded market and the need for a gradual approach to scale up capacity. The episode highlights efforts in Europe, particularly Germany, and the potential for similar initiatives in the US, opening up a discussion on the future of cull free labeling in the industry.
Finally, join us as Silvin delves into the personal growth and learning journey that accompanies the adoption of new technologies. He candidly discusses the lessons learned from failures and the importance of continuous growth, both personally and professionally. By sharing knowledge and fostering a supportive farming community, we can create a ripple effect of positive change. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that promises to reshape modern farming practices and the future of the poultry industry.
Connect with Silvin Faulstich - LinkedIn
Hosted by Brandon Mulnix - Director of Commercial Accounts - Prism Controls
The Poultry Leadership Podcast is only possible because of its sponsor, Prism Controls
Find out more about them at www.prismcontrols.com
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Brandon Mulnix (00:15):
Welcome to the Poultry Leadership Podcast.
I'm your host, Brandon Mulnix,and before we kick off this
episode, I want to take a momentand thank our sponsors.
They make this podcast possiblefor you to grow as a leader,
and allow me to introduce you tosome of the best in the
industry.
What's so great about PrismControls is their passion for
bettering the industry andhelping farmers be more
(00:36):
productive.
You are important to thepoultry industry.
You may question that from timeto time, but you, being here
listening, listening to apodcast, are helping yourself
grow and you're helping yourselfbecome a better version of
yourself, and by doing all ofthat, you are providing better
leadership.
What that does for the industryis powerful.
(00:57):
You're helping others, you'rehelping others on your team,
you're helping your customers,and so all of that is so
important because that helpsmake farmers more productive.
So thank you, prism Controls,for your investment to our
listeners.
Now on to today's guest.
Before I introduce our guest,this episode is a follow-up to
(01:18):
episode 14, where I interviewedChloe Kleinheinz and we
discussed Inovasexing.
That's a topic that I didn'tthink was really going to get
too many questions, but, man,there were a lot of questions
raised and so I really wanted totake a deep dive into this
topic and, because of the greatlisteners, I was able to get
(01:40):
connected with Silvin Faulstitchof Respect Group, who is the
business development manager, soI invited Sylvan on the show to
understand this topic ingreater detail.
Sylvan is not from this side ofthe pond, so you might
recognize a little accent in hisvoice, which is absolutely fun.
Sylvan's a great guy.
I've been able to connect withhim at many events and so, man,
the fact that we've been able totalk and get to know each other
(02:02):
and then bring that energy tothe show.
It's incredible.
Sylvan, welcome to the show.
Silvin (02:09):
Well, thank you very much, Brandon, I'm very excited
to be here.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, very much, lookingforward to doing that deep dive
you just mentioned.
Brandon Mulnix (02:20):
Now you know there was the accent coming
through, so can you explain tothe listeners where you're from,
who you are?
Silvin (02:29):
Sure, I hope I'm not going to make it too obvious
that I'm from the other side ofthe pond.
I'm trying my best.
Well, yeah, I'm Sylvain.
I grew up in a small town inthe center of Germany, basically
between Hanover and Frankfurt.
I'm the youngest of fivechildren and yeah, so that was
(02:50):
kind of a regular story there.
So after graduating high school,I was thinking what am I going
to do now?
And I decided to go abroad forone year.
So I did a kind of civilservice in Peru, south America,
which was very intense phase ofmy life.
I was working there in a schoolfor children with disabilities
(03:13):
and that was very shaping for meand I learned very much there.
After that I started myacademic career, studying
business administration.
I followed up that with amaster's in agricultural and
food economics, although myroute there wasn't too straight,
(03:34):
I have to confess.
But I'm still there and well,today I'm living in Cologne For
my studies.
I moved to Bonn, which isanother not so big city in
Germany, the former capital, tobe honest, it's in the West.
I live here with my girlfriendand my dog and, yeah, and I'm
working for Respect Group,working and trying to get the
(03:58):
InnovoSaxing solution out intothe world.
Brandon Mulnix (04:01):
So, Silber, you're here because InnovaSexing
is becoming one of those hottopics that you know, we've
heard about and maybe noteverybody's up to speed on what
InnovaSexing is.
Could you give us a rundown onwhat InnovaSexing is?
Silvin (04:16):
Sure.
So InnovaSexing is kind of anew thing.
So we're looking here at, Idon't know, maybe five, six
years of development.
So what is inobose sexing?
It's basically a way toidentify the gender of hatching
eggs for layers, basically rightnow, in this state, to identify
the gender of hatching eggsbefore they actually hatch.
(04:39):
You all know, in poultryindustry, especially in the
laying industry, laying hands assoon as they hatch need to be
sexed.
That is being done manuallyright now, but in ovo sexing, as
the term says, in ovo, so inthe egg already we can identify,
using certain or differentmethodologies we can identify
(05:02):
the gender of hatching eggs.
Methodologies we can identifythe gender of hatching eggs and
that enables us to sort thesehatching eggs before the hatch
day into males and females.
And the reason why we are doingthis is basically, as you all
know, hatching eggs of layinghens or of poultry hatching eggs
in general are usually fertile50-50 male and female.
(05:24):
So for every laying hen thathatches out there in our egg
supply chains there is one malebrother actually that also
hatched once upon a time.
But as these males of layinghen genetics are not suitable
for, obviously, laying eggs butthey also cannot be raised
efficiently.
(05:44):
They eat a lot, but they growvery slow.
The industry has decided to getrid of them just the day after
they hatch, so that is an issuethat is out there.
So, globally, we are looking atI don't know, something like
seven to eight billion malechicks being culled just the day
they hatch, billion male chicksbeing culled just the day they
(06:09):
hatch, and that is very sad interms of animal welfare, but
it's also very inefficient, andan ovosexing is a way to address
this and actually to solve thisissue.
So what we offer is onesolution that is, a liquid-based
solution to identify the genderof hatching eggs.
We started in 2017 with takingbasic research from University
of Leipzig.
We founded a joint venture witha big German retailer and the
(06:33):
Dutch incubation technologycompany Hatchtech Group, and the
aim of this joint venture wasto bring this basic research
from a university level into afirst commercially viable
product and to make it marketready.
And we achieved that in 2019.
And this is when we had our ownrespect in Ovo sexing
(06:56):
technology market ready andintroduced it to the market.
So we started with this Germanretailer.
They rolled it out in theirsupermarkets, so for the first
time in 2019, there were eggsconsumption eggs, shell eggs,
table eggs, as we also call them, in the supermarket shelves
that are free of chick cullingand what we bring to the market.
(07:18):
Our solution is currently theearliest solution that is out
there.
We can analyze hatching eggs asearly as day 8 to day 9, 10, 11
.
Basically, we have accuracy indetermining the gender of
hatching eggs of above 99%.
We're currently achieving 99.5%, and so that's pretty much it.
(07:41):
There's many differentapproaches out there Of, only a
few are market ready, so theyall differ a little bit in terms
of when they can be applied, interms of throughput, in terms
of accuracy.
So what we offer, with respect,is really the earliest and most
accurate solution that iscurrently available on the
market.
Brandon Mulnix (08:01):
Okay, silvan, if I understood you correctly,
between this and what youbrought to us about the basics,
7 to 8 billion male chicks inthe layer markets are hatched in
the current situation andwithin a day or two have to be
culled, meaning taken out of theflock.
(08:21):
So that way, only the hens makeit to the farms.
Exactly, so this is all back inthe hatcheries before the birds
ever make it to the farm,correct?
Silvin (08:31):
Exactly, that's exactly what happens.
Maybe I can put this a littlebit into perspective.
So eight or seven billion is anabstract and a huge number If
we look at the US only havingabout 320 million laying hens
there.
So for these 220 million layinghens you have 320 million
(08:51):
laying hen brothers.
So that is a bit of a smallernumber, but it's still
incredibly huge.
Brandon Mulnix (08:59):
That is when you put it in that perspective.
When you put it in thatperspective, it's very
interesting and understandablywhy this is an issue the amount
of labor that goes into justsorting chicks, as well as the
animal welfare issues of havingto then cull these chicks so
they live a day or two andrealize, hey, you're a boy,
(09:20):
you're out of the industrybecause you eat too much and you
grow too slow to actually bemarketable in the industry as a
broiler or, um, some other use.
That's incredible.
That's like 50 percent wastefrom a happy perspective.
So when you're talking aboutwhat you're able to do and get
(09:41):
those eggs from out, the birdsnever hatch, they never see the
light of day.
That's incredible.
Because what happens to thoseeggs that are culled?
Silvin (09:54):
That's a very good question and that's actually
also a very important aspect ofthe work we are doing.
So I mean moving the issue ofkilling or culling day-old
chicks too early into theincubation process.
Some might criticize well,you're still kind of taking the
life of these eggs, but a veryimportant thing here is to make
(10:19):
it as early as possible and tomake it before there is any
brain negativity possible in theegg.
So that is really an advantageof well.
First, you mentioned ityourself, it's a waste.
It's a huge amount of workinvolved in it.
So when you apply an ovo-sexingto really make profit from all
(10:40):
the advantages it delivers, it'svery important also to make it
as early as possible to reallyalso benefit from this added
animal welfare perspective ofdoing that before the brain
activity in the egg gets started.
Brandon Mulnix (10:54):
Actually, Is somebody marketing those eggs in
a way that still utilizes themin some way?
Silvin (11:01):
Fortunately, these eggs that we sort out after knowing
their gender, they are notwasted Right now.
The way we work in Europe, forexample, is that these eggs are
being well, they are beingsorted out, but they are being
collected by a company and theyare being processed into a
high-protein, high-qualityprotein source, and that protein
can be used in various products, such as animal feed,
(11:25):
aquaculture, for example.
So it's a very high qualityprotein and there's many ways of
using it and we really do notonly get rid of wasting all
these male chicks, but we alsohave a use for this sorted out
male eggs.
Brandon Mulnix (11:42):
Well, that's value to the market for sure.
How are you able to get thisproduct into the market?
Silvin (11:49):
Yeah, that's also a very good question and that is
another perspective of the issuethat we addressed quite early
when implementing a label forthis free of chick culling eggs.
So I understand it's a's a newtechnology, it's something else.
It's um, a new thing forconsumers, it's a new thing for
(12:11):
producers, everyone but um, well, progress always at some point
needs to get uncomfortable inorder to make some development.
So it is important to really,when using this technology, to
really also educate everyonealong the supply chain and,
finally, also the consumers,because right now, consumers
(12:32):
might not be very aware of theissue, but as soon as you ask
consumers and you educate themon what is going on the 7
billion globally and there'salternatives, they start
becoming or getting interestedand there is actually a
willingness to also reward thisadditional effort done by
(12:54):
producers.
So you are able, with usingthis technology and with
communicating it, you areactually able to increase the
value of the product.
So, yes, it puts a littlehigher prices on products, but
you're also able to recoverthese prices and actually earn a
bit of an additional marginwith it by communicating what
(13:15):
you're doing and by educatingconsumers that there's better
alternatives available and thatthey are available now by
putting, for example, a label onthe egg pack or doing some
communication campaigns.
Brandon Mulnix (13:30):
So there's already enough confusion around
labeling on egg cartons.
How are you going to overcomejust that labeling issue?
I mean, there's organic,there's free range, there's
cage-free, and this is just inthe US.
How do you get through all thatmess?
Silvin (13:46):
Yeah, that's a good question and we've been
confronted with that a lot.
We saw the same or we got thesame questions when we started
in Germany and in Europe.
Well, a very important thingwhen putting a new label into
the market is really to practicewhat you preach.
And we stayed on our label thatis free of chick culling, so we
really made sure whenimplementing it that we abide to
(14:11):
that claim that we give andthat actually represented an
added value to retail, an addedvalue to consumers.
So there was actually a demandfor it, but I also understand
that it's a bit annoying havinganother label on the box.
I think, I'm afraid, we need togo that way, because it's a very
(14:31):
new thing and we need toeducate our consumers.
But there's a lot of certifyinginstitutions already in the
States also, so maybe there's alot of certifying institutions
already in the States also, somaybe there's different ways.
I mean, every new market hasits new challenges, new ways, so
we also cannot just take whatwe started to do in Europe and
Germany and ship it over to theUS and do it all in the same way
(14:54):
.
We need to adjust to the market.
So there's different ways to go.
We could combine it with anexisting label and by that
reducing, for example, the loadof new labels that are out there
.
So there's different ways to go, but I agree it is a challenge
and we have to hang in there andkind of solve it the easiest
possible way for everybodyinvolved.
(15:14):
We are completely aware of that.
Brandon Mulnix (15:16):
Now I've heard that there's not enough capacity
, there's not enough of thesemachines or this technology
available to really make adifference, specifically in the
US market.
But in Europe you guys havegained some traction, and can
you talk about that capacityissue?
Silvin (15:33):
Well, I think this is an issue for every new technology
that is out there, right, youalways need someone who is
willing to pioneer in that, butthis someone never would put up
technology in the side thatwould cover directly the entire
market.
So the critical thing here isto find pioneers, find people
who are willing to do so and toget started.
(15:55):
It is also maybe good to notchange the entire eggshell for
consumers right, to leave them achoice with their product they
know, but adding a new one to it.
So capacity sure is an issue,but even the way it started in
Europe it started in Germany.
It wasn't the entire eggshellthat has been changed at a time.
(16:18):
It was increased bit by bit.
So when looking at capacities,obviously also there is a
challenge in terms of size.
So if you compare Europeanhatcheries to US hatcheries,
there is an essential differencein size.
But we are also on the marketnow, right now, since four to
five years, and we've beenlearning about how to adjust to
these capacity requirements.
(16:39):
So we are constantly improvingand adjusting our equipment to
just fit these different sizes,and that can be done by a
modular approach, for example.
We are currently developing anintegrated, fully automated
solution.
But coming back to your questionof capacities, well, especially
looking at the US right now, wewouldn't be able to put up
(17:04):
technology to cover the wholemarket, but there is certain ag
products, certain ag categoriesthat are very well suited to get
started.
And these capacities, thesevolumes, can be realized already
with the equipment that we haveat hand.
Germany, for example, themarket size is about 45 million
laying hands and we are able todeliver just enough.
(17:30):
Also, not the entire Germanmarket is completely free of
check-hulling, as there are someregulatory exemptions or some
categories don't want to do itLegally.
Germany has to be fully free ofchick culling, but it can be
done either by using anoversexing technology or by
raising males, which is, by theway, not a very efficient and
(17:52):
economic way of getting rid ofchick culling.
So, in terms of capacity, it'sa joint effort of all
technologies that are currentlyout there.
But getting started byeducating, maybe with one
product first, and thenincreasing it bit by bit, that
can be done already and thesecapacities are available now and
(18:13):
we are looking into gettingstarted in the US with it as
well.
Brandon Mulnix (18:18):
Now I was doing some research for this interview
and I've started to seecompanies in the US specifically
to being call-free in certainareas of their product lines and
I see the free-range folks.
You know where they have lowernumbers.
What percentage of the USmarket from your awareness is
saying they're going to becoal-free versus that are
(18:41):
coal-free?
Silvin (18:42):
Oh, that's a very good question.
I'm not sure if I can put itinto absolute numbers at this
point.
Fortunately, we see thisdevelopment of first producers,
especially coming from thesehigh-value specialty categories,
communicating and committing tolaying their hands on the
(19:05):
technology.
But our goal, well, our missionof our company is really to
make global ag supply chainsfree of chick culling.
So it's a bit of a stretch.
I cannot tell you a percentage,but what I can tell you is that
the technology and that thesolution is suitable to not stop
(19:25):
at only I don't know, let's say, 10% of the market.
We are currently developing ourtechnology and we are aiming at
really changing the entiremarket into free of chick
culling, at really changing theentire market into free of tick
culling, sylvan, it makes sense.
Brandon Mulnix (19:44):
You have in Germany, where you have
regulations that say there's noculling, you either have to
raise the males, which takescost.
I mean that's food, that'shousing, that's labor, that to
create a product from that.
Where moving those eggs off thechain earlier into a different
product.
I can see the value there.
I can absolutely see the value.
So when it comes to the farmer,the guy who asked to buy the
(20:07):
pullet, the chick, what is hegoing to notice in cost
difference?
I mean you and I talked aboutthis and, as we led up to this,
that it really wasn't as big ofa difference as I thought it was
and actually there was a lot ofreturn on investment value
there Can you speak to?
Why would I want to buy thatcoal-free from that coal-free
hatchery?
Silvin (20:27):
There's different perspectives to just that
questions.
To be honest, maybe.
First of all, it really is ajoint effort of the entire
supply chain, of the entire agsupply chain, so at some point
you need to have everyone onboard wanting to do this, and I
know that is a bit of achallenge because it is not
(20:49):
always easy to convince everyoneat the same time.
But as development progressesthere is always new challenges,
new opportunities, and theyalways tend to be uncomfortable
for someone at some point.
So we cannot get around that.
But we also and that is theother perspective had a bit of a
learning when we started.
(21:09):
So our goal from the beginningwas we were completely aware
that we are introducing a veryabstract technology into an
existing structure thatbasically works perfectly fine
right now.
So our goal was to make thebarrier to adopt this technology
as low as possible.
(21:29):
So we started with manydifferent business models in the
beginning.
At the beginning we wereworking with packing centers,
basically invoicing per free ofchick culling table egg to keep
the risk as low as possible, sothey really only had to pay for
the eggs that they are able toactually sell in the supermarket
(21:50):
.
We then realized that farmersand packing centers and
retailers were actually able tosell most of the eggs.
So they themselves asked forswitching the business model
from a table egg unit to thelaying hand, because by that, by
their own management, by howthey have their cycles going on,
they could actually have aninfluence on how to regain their
(22:13):
investment.
So we had all kinds ofdifferent business models out
there.
But now we are at the pointwhere we decided well, we really
want to work with hatcheries,because we want to leave the
rest of the supply chain just asit is.
And right now, if you would askme that question, basically a
farmer, a producer would justbuy the same chick he did buy
(22:34):
before.
There is really difference interms of whether this chick has
been in Oval Sext or not, but itbrings me back to the joint
effort of the entire supplychain.
So since we are working now, weadjusted our business model to
focus on hatcheries directly.
So we have a contract with themand ultimately they define
(22:55):
prices into their supply chains,and by that there's also an
opportunity to make it as easyfor everyone participating in
the supply chain as possible andto not add too much cost of it.
But the interesting thing alsoabout it is everyone can profit
a little bit.
So hatcheries can put a smallpremium on their day-old chicks,
(23:17):
rearing farmers can put a smallpremium on their rearing
efforts.
Laying farmers can sell theireggs at a slightly higher
premium to the packer, andpacker sells it to the retail
and retail.
Ultimately, when communicatingand really making their effort
publicly, they can recover thisadditional cost by putting a
(23:38):
small price premium on shelleggs that are free of chick
culling and putting it to theconsumer, because the consumer,
ultimately, is the one whoshould be driving this change
and who should be asking forthat progress, that development,
to happen, and this is what wesee.
What happened in Germany, whathappens in Europe, by the way,
(23:58):
with and without legislation.
So we started in Germany in2019 and we didn't have
legislation there.
The US, at this point, israther unlikely to be having
legislation anytime soon, andthis is also actually a good
thing, leaving it up to theindustry to adopt this
technology.
They know best how to implementnew technology, and this is
actually what we like to supportto adopt this technology.
(24:18):
They know best how to implementnew technology, and this is
actually what we like to supportalso at this point.
Brandon Mulnix (24:24):
So the audience we covered the topic from
genetics.
We've talked with layer farmers,but this is the first time that
we've actually talked tosomebody that's in the hatchery
space, because it's sointeresting to say, well, the
genetic side really isn't goingto change, there's nothing
that's going to change there.
So, and that's where a lot ofthe cost of the species and the
(24:44):
birds and, as Sylvan said itfarmer is still going to buy the
same brand of chicks that he'sgetting before, but now they
just have that I'm going to callit that little asterisk by
their name the fact that they'reno longer culling.
But if you look at it, you havethat hatchery that's in between
and their job is to hatch eggsand then provide a pullet out
(25:05):
into the market for the rearingfarms.
And so here's a technologythat's going to make the market
more sustainable, because you'renot, you're actually reducing
waste.
You're reducing, you know, ifit's male culling and they have
to raise the birds, all of thefeed and everything that goes
into it.
Man, I've seen a lot of thingsthat talk about sustainability
(25:25):
and this one product that youguys are, you know, this
technology that you're workingon, really does something for
the market, really doessomething for the sustainability
story of farms and I candefinitely understand why the
farms that I see, who haveamazing sustainability programs,
are getting behind thistechnology and claiming to be
coal-free by certain dates,because it really honestly, it
(25:46):
benefits the whole supply chainand it has a great animal
welfare story behind it.
It's an incredible product,sylvan.
Silvin (25:52):
You just mentioned the sustainability aspect of it, but
it's also been really anefficiency aspect.
I mean we were talking aboutthe labor involved.
So manual sexing when startingto work in the US market I
realized there are somechallenges actually to find
skilled labor to do that, andthat is going on actually
globally.
We see the same developmenthappening in Europe.
(26:14):
So having technology that canmove this sexing work from
post-hatch to pre-hatch is onething, and especially with the
accuracies we are able toachieve today above 99%, we are
competing with this manualsexing work.
So that is also really a goodthing in terms of efficiency and
(26:35):
it is also embedded in a kindof bigger development that is
currently going on.
I don't know if you heard abouton-farm hatching, in-oval sexing
, in-oval feeding.
It looks like there is atendency, at least on an
academia level, on a researchlevel, to move all this kind of
chick handling from post-hatchto pre-hatch, which is a very it
(27:00):
makes sense to do that if itworks properly.
So it is embedded in a generaldevelopment that we are seeing
going on right now, which ismaybe having all of those
different approaches workingtogether.
Might take a couple of yearsstill, but we see this general
development happening, and it isnot only really looking at one
(27:22):
topic at this point inoversexing, but it is really
looking into how can we improveag supply chains from today into
the future.
And there will be someuncomfortable steps to take,
pretty sure, but it also holdspotential to really make the
supply chains more efficient andfit for the future.
Brandon Mulnix (27:44):
Well, you said it in there when you talked
about on-farm hatching and justto explain that a little bit
from my understanding and youcan correct me if I'm wrong
currently most chicks arehatched in a well-established
hatchery.
It's designed for the life ofthe bird from like one to eight
(28:05):
days after hatch Very, veryyoung birds.
And then that bird is moved,put in a truck and moved to the
farm where it's supposed to grow, and in that period of time
there's a risk to those birdsthat they may not survive that
trip onto the farm where they'regoing to be reared.
And so I can see theefficiencies there, much
(28:27):
healthier for the bird.
But let's talk about if 50% ofthe eggs on farm hatching were
males.
Now the farmer has to cull thosebirds versus the hatchery has
to cull those birds.
Where your technology steps in,it says hey, I got a flat of 36
eggs, all 36 of them.
Percentage-wise, maybe one outof three or four flats is a male
(28:50):
.
Now I only have to worry abouta few of them.
Man, that really does bring it.
Because now you have a birdthat's raised, hatched on the
farm, got those eight days inthe environment where probably
they're going to grow up for awhile, for at least the first 16
weeks, and there's such areduction in loss of just the
transport time that really tiesin that story really well of
efficiency, sustainability andalso better life for the birds
(29:15):
Exactly.
Silvin (29:16):
And well, now, I'm not an expert on farm hatching and
luckily there's also differentcompanies having technologies
out there that really addressthat issue of transport losses
and everything, early feedingand that kind of stuff.
But, as I said before, it isembedded in a bigger development
(29:37):
picture, let's say, and it is aprerequisite to do that.
That is one thing, but the goodthing is also, we do not have
to look too far into the future.
We can actually start using itright now and also increasing
efficiency in a hatcheryprocesses by using it right now.
Brandon Mulnix (29:56):
I feel pretty comfortable that our audience
has an understanding and thevalue of this topic and I'm
welcoming them to reach out toyou, Silvan, for more
information about thistechnology.
Let's dive into what's thehardest part of your job.
Silvin (30:13):
Basically what we just discussed.
So you really need to explain.
There's a lot of tech involved.
I mean, I don't know if you'veseen the technology.
We're going to bring it to IPPnext year.
We had it already at some tradefairs.
So it's really a lot ofrobotics going on, computing
technology, keeping track ofevery act throughout the process
(30:33):
.
We all manage that.
Right now we actually puttogether equipment, a machine
that is as easy as plug and play, so you just put it into the
hatchery.
But as the topic is so new forsome people you initially said
it Sometimes we need to explain,first of all, why an oversexing
, what's the reason for it, whydoing it.
So that is really a bigchallenge to explain that
(31:08):
someone and to then or come tothe point that you actually show
that is really easy to use.
I have to attend a lot ofconferences, a lot of trade
fairs and I don't know manypeople yet.
So you really have to connectto people and to tell your story
.
So that's also sometimes a bitchallenging, being the new guy
standing around in the room andnot having anyone to talk to, so
(31:31):
you have to hang in there, butit's also a bit funny, so I kind
of like that strange kind offeeling.
Brandon Mulnix (31:40):
It's always hard to be the new guy in the room
Absolutely, and one of thereasons this podcast is
important is because it helpsconnect people that you may
never have connected with.
Maybe this is the connectionthat someone will say hey, I
heard Silva on the podcast andnow I'm comfortable going and
talking to him just because itgave you a little face time
there.
So it is one of the biggestchallenges in the industry is
(32:03):
just getting to know peopleWalking in the room, not feeling
like a fake first off, notfeeling like you don't belong
there, because this is the mostwelcoming industry I can ever
imagine being part of.
So if I can give you someadvice as a newcomer to the
industry I mean you've beenaround a little bit now and
you're starting to get your ownconnections is make sure you
make a point to introduce othernew people to your network.
(32:27):
And I say that because whenyou're in a room and you've got
maybe that new allied folk orthat new farmer and say, hey,
who's someone in the industrythat you want to meet and maybe
they're part of your network,make that introduction for them.
Help them out as a leader.
That's one of the things thatyou can do to really help your
team is to make thatintroduction as a leader in the
(32:49):
industry.
It's like the allied folk frommy perspective.
They're a part of my greaterteam.
They really are.
So how can I help them in theirdevelopment and introduce them
to one person?
So in this case, I'mintroducing Sylvan to the entire
industry because I believe thatone he's a great guy just from
(33:09):
our conversations that we've hadbut two, that the product can
make a difference to theindustry.
Thank you for allowing me tointroduce you to the industry
there, sylvan.
Thank you, Brandon, very kind.
All right Now.
You mentioned in your introthat you got your master's
degree.
That didn't come easy, for youdid it it didn't, to be honest.
Silvin (33:30):
So my career isn't exactly what you would call a
straight line, so there's beensome challenges along the way.
What you would call a straightline.
So there's been some challengesalong the way, and that is
partly due to my own charactertype, I would say, or probably
100%, maybe I can go as far asthat.
So after having done this civilservice in Peru, I came back
(33:57):
and I was a bit of a bit puzzledwhat to do next.
But I always had the idea ofbecoming an engineer because I
knew developing stuff,technology that really
interested me, but rather on aon a hands-on do-it-myself level
.
So I started bachelor programto become an engineer, and maybe
(34:18):
I have to add that I wasn't toomuch of a very good student
back in high school, to behonest.
So I was able to graduate therewithout putting too much effort
into it and I thought whenstarting my bachelor career
first that it could continue abit like that and I really had
to learn the hard way that it'sabsolutely not the case.
So that was one situation in mylife where I really felt or
(34:44):
experienced failure.
Everyone alongside me, all mystudy colleagues, were making
progress, were understanding thesubject, were passing their
exams and I was kind of fallingbehind.
So that was a tough period inmy life and I didn't know how to
handle it first, as I furtherand further fall back and
(35:04):
couldn't keep up with everyoneand that didn't feel good.
But at some point I realizedthere is no point in comparing
myself to others.
I really have to find my ownpace.
I really have to find the wayhow I can understand and make
sense of what I'm doing.
And this is when I decided tostart over again.
I decided to leave the engineerand get into business.
(35:28):
So I started another careerbusiness administration.
Luckily that was a program thatwas combined and had a big
share of practical work.
So I did my bachelor degreethere.
But at the same time I wasworking at the German
all-organic retailer so I couldactually gain hands-on
experience on the floor, insupermarkets, in strategic units
(35:51):
.
And I really like thiscombination of theory and
theoretical and practicalexperience because that puts
things together and you can makesense of what you theoretically
learn into practice.
And that is what alwaysmotivates me to.
(36:11):
There's a lot of theory outthere, there's a lot of words
out there, but at the end of theday it really counts what is
happening in front of you,around you, and this is where
you can make a difference.
Yeah, so, but the the journeywasn't completed then, actually,
because I don't know who of youmight might have experienced,
uh, the same like I did.
But after having graduated inbusiness administration, I was
(36:34):
like, okay, okay, I can doeverything right now, but
nothing at the same time,because it's so generic.
But having worked for this foodretail company really showed me
that that is an industry thatwill always be there.
We always need to feed theworld, and that was very helpful
.
And because of that, or justafter that, I actually decided
(36:59):
to start my master's degree inagricultural and food economics.
But the funny thing is that Iat the same time, started
working for an IT company.
So vita here also isn't exactlystraight.
So it was a bit of a strugglefor me also to complete this
master's degree, as I wasstarting to work in this company
(37:20):
and this company was about togrow and I was given a
responsibility, I was given ateam.
So it took me a couple of yearsactually to finish that master.
But also, having worked into ITmade me realize it is also a
very important sector, but Iwant to go back to the
agricultural sector, and this isbasically my entry point when I
(37:40):
started, with Respect, back in2019.
And I was able to combine myexperiences in IT, my
experiences in retail and mylearnings from the master's
degree, and this is where I'mnow.
Brandon Mulnix (37:53):
So as you progressed, what's interesting
is you didn't let failure keepyou down.
No, you came to understand yourown learning style, what worked
for you, and then you didn'tlet an industry define you, but
you ended up saying, okay, theskills I've even learned in IT
(38:13):
with having a team, it developedyou into who you are, where you
then now apply what you learnedthere into this technology and
agriculture space.
That's a pretty.
You say the lines wasn'tstraight, but no one's career
has a straight line.
Silvin (38:30):
Absolutely true.
Yes, and everybody's.
Many people are trying to makethat impression.
Brandon Mulnix (38:37):
Well, I mean my own story and the listeners some
may know this and some may not.
I mean I started off out ofhigh school wanting to be a
photographer and a full-timefirefighter and I did that.
I mean I literally followed mydreams, where I owned a
photography studio, was afull-time fireman paramedic, and
that was okay.
And then each of those journeyswere parallel but they were so
(39:00):
different until we got to apoint where I had to give one of
them up.
So I gave up the photographyside as a full-time job, which I
was working two full-time jobsat that time, owning my own
business.
But even the paramedic stuffwas like what the heck does that
make you prepared for anythingto do with the egg industry?
Well, I finally left thatindustry, got into manufacturing
(39:22):
, where I found process, youknow, and all the process that I
worked under as a paramedic andas a manager.
I'm like, oh, I get whatprocess is and I had to write
SOPs and that means standardoperating procedure.
I had to write SOPs and thatmeans standard operating
procedure.
I had to write these things.
I had to develop things in theparamedic world.
That translated really well intomy future career of being a
(39:46):
project manager and then sales.
Being able to talk to somebodyin the back of an ambulance,
being able to talk to them ontheir worst day and make them
feel comfortable, prepared mefor what I do today being able
to, as a photographer, beingable to talk to a bride on her
most stressful day.
But all of those learnings ofhow to talk through that day
(40:10):
prepared you for somethingdifferent.
You failed, yes, you failed,but guess what?
You didn't fail at anything.
You learned from that failure.
You learned what you didn'twant to do, and that's what's
really important.
Silvin (40:22):
Yeah, I actually had to fail this first time at least,
to realize that I cannotcontinue the way I'm doing stuff
right now.
So I really had I needed thismoment in my life to develop.
So that is what I can telleveryone, don't be afraid of.
Well, it's hard to realize thatand I wasn't used to that
(40:45):
because in this way it neverhappened to me and I was like,
oh, it's probably never going tohappen to me.
But then it happened and I waslike, okay, this is how it feels
, but use it, and there's always.
And if you can transform thisfailure into realizing, well, I
cannot keep up with this pace,but I can find another pace, and
then I can transform it intomaking it my own way, that
(41:08):
really is powerful.
Brandon Mulnix (41:11):
Yeah, absolutely , sylvan.
As you grew, you ended up witha master's degree.
Dude, that is.
That is applaudable.
That is something that mostpeople don't strive to do.
Most people don't go to thathigher level of education.
Congratulations on getting thatand now having your degree.
Have you stopped learning?
(41:32):
Have you stopped growing?
Silvin (41:34):
No, I'm lastly, I can say no.
And also it took me a bitlonger getting that degree and I
also don't want to stress toomuch on that degree.
But one reason why it took meso long was that I was always
focusing on what is going onaround me.
I told you, this company I wasworking first uh with uh was
(41:56):
very growing.
There was a lot ofopportunities, there was a lot
of responsibility and that wassuper interesting.
I was super interesting and Icould work there.
I could actually support thedevelopment there.
And there is always somethingbesides an ideal way to go.
There is also opportunitiesalong the way and they sometimes
require you to take a rerouteor, yeah, take a deviation,
(42:20):
let's say, and yes, it is also.
What was hard for me in thisacademic career, to be honest,
is that with all thistheoretical work, sometimes
you're really making progress ona on a micro scale, and
actually working in a growingcompany shows you a different
kind of change on a micro scaleand actually working in a
growing company shows you adifferent kind of of change on a
day to day basis.
(42:40):
So I kind of paused that thatmicro steps in favor of of doing
something else.
But and this is the way youlearn.
So there is different ways oflearning.
So you can do micro steps.
You can be the theoretical guy.
I'm a rather practical guy, soI like to be hands-on, and so
(43:01):
this is also making, orgraduating.
Making this degree didn't bringme to the point where I was
saying I'm done, I'm complete,I'm finished, I can do
everything right now.
No, it is just the startingpoint for a next chapter, and
this is also why I took a bitmore time to complete that,
because there was a lot to learnalong the way and I didn't want
(43:23):
to miss out on that opportunity.
But it gives you a certainsecurity, also for the future.
So I would absolutely recommendeveryone having the opportunity
doing this to complete it.
It makes total sense.
But you don't stop learningthere.
Fortunately, you do not.
There is a lot to learn fromthere on and yeah, I'm doing
(43:44):
that on a daily basis.
Brandon Mulnix (43:46):
So some key takeaways, listeners, is one the
journey's not straight.
The journey is what the journeyis to help you grow to who
you're going to become.
So if you're at a spot in yourcareer or a spot in your journey
that you don't like, you havethe opportunity to change that.
Second, as a leader, your jobis to understand how to make
(44:09):
your people grow.
One of that is understandingtheir learning style.
You may have someone on yourteam that man.
I just wish they would learnthis, but do you realize they
may not have the drive to learnit themselves via YouTube or
their drive to learn itthemselves by going back to
college.
It's your role as a leader tounderstand what's going to help
(44:33):
them grow.
Is it practical, is it hands-on, is it books, is it YouTube?
But to help them grow and tochallenge them to grow, because
what happens is there may besomething that that failure that
they have in their learningthat actually labels them.
So in Silvan's story, if hehappened to say, man, I'm not
(44:54):
good at college because I failedengineering class, he may never
gone back because he put thatlabel on himself.
What labels do your team have?
Or what ceilings have you put onyour team that have discouraged
them from learning, and so it'simportant that you find out
their learning style and feed itTruly, grab a hold of what they
(45:15):
do through meetings with themand learn and study your team,
study yourself, so that way youcan understand maybe what labels
you put on yourself or yourteam's labels and then really
help them grow in that.
And third, never stop learning,never.
I'm not going to stop learninguntil I'm in the grave, because
(45:38):
I love getting up in the morningand I love recording these
podcasts at seven o'clock in themorning with my German friend
here, because I learnedsomething you're missing out,
and it can be from success andcareer.
It can be politics, it can bereligion, it could be people
(46:00):
learn what they want to learn.
What can you learn to actuallybring value, you know, to
yourself and to your team, toyour family, which ultimately
brings value back to yourpurpose in life?
So, sylvan, what is one thingthat you're doing right now to
help yourself grow into a betterleader?
Silvin (46:20):
So, yeah, what I'm doing is I compare what people say
and what people do and I try toverify it with the effect that
it has in real life.
So this is the way I learned.
This is the way I learned whenI was little, because I come
from a very simple upbringing.
But I always wanted to growbeyond that, so I had to kind of
(46:45):
find role models around me.
But there is a lot of talkingand at some point many people
talk and you realize after sometime well, they apparently seem
to be knowing their stuff, butfor some reason their action and
what they do has a negativeimpact on their surroundings.
So that is why I always try tocompare these two things and
(47:09):
find kind of the truth inbetween.
It's always in between.
So this is really what I wouldadvise everyone Stay aware,
listen, listen carefully, butdon't be afraid to to compare
the two things you see and hearand and measure them against
their actual outcome.
And by that it kind of doesn'tmatter in in which area you're
(47:31):
in or whether what, what toolsyou've been given, that that
always works are you in or whattools you've been given.
Brandon Mulnix (47:38):
That always works.
Now, that's solid advice.
That is so solid advice to one.
Look for role models to watch.
If there's somebody doingsomething that you want to do,
watch and then evaluate thatagainst the impact they're
having on the world.
Maybe they're doing it in adifferent way, Maybe they're not
doing it the right way in yourmind, which is okay, because you
(48:00):
can learn what not to do fromthat role model.
There's good and bad rolemodels, Exactly you shouldn't
copy.
Silvin (48:07):
You should watch and learn and make it your own way.
Brandon Mulnix (48:11):
Yeah, you said it great there.
You're not trying to becomethem.
You're literally just trying tolearn from them and what
they've done and their mistakes,and I think that's a challenge
for anybody.
For sure is, look at thosefolks in your life that have
overcome.
Look at those folks that you'vemet.
Ask people questions.
I mean, anybody can be a rolemodel when we interview for this
(48:32):
podcast.
Not everybody has that storythat you would say is a heroic
story.
I overcome this great crazything, but even in the trials
that they go through, there'ssomething that you can learn
from.
And how did they overcome it?
What kind of person are theytoday?
Many things like that you don'teven get a chance to see
(48:53):
because you don't ask thequestions.
Like that you don't even get achance to see because you don't
ask the questions.
So get to know people, get toknow their story and then learn
from the trials and tribulationsthat they've overcome and, as a
leader, ask those questions.
Don't hesitate to ask thequestion of what is something
that you've overcome.
Silvin (49:10):
Exactly.
Brandon Mulnix (49:10):
Yeah, and it will tell you so much about your
team.
It will tell you so much aboutyour role models.
It'll tell you so much aboutyour team.
It will tell you so much aboutyour role models.
It'll tell you so much aboutthose in your life.
It's just asking that questionis what's one thing you've
overcome this week, this month,in your life?
Because you can always learnfrom that.
Sylvan, thank you for beinghere.
Thank you for sharing yourstory.
(49:31):
Thank you for sharing aboutInnovaSexing, thank you for
showing about Respeggt.
It's a great company, greatpeople over there with just a
passion for utilizing technologyto really make a significant
difference in the industry, andthat's hugely appreciated for
what you guys are doing forfarms and for farmers.
Silvin (49:51):
Well, thank you for this opportunity.
It's also very special for meand, yeah, you just said it, it
is really about passion, andthat's one thing I can also
share.
It's be passionate about whatyou do and then you kind of
cannot fail.
Yeah, I'm quite confidentsaying that we're working with a
lot of passion on what we docurrently.
I'm working with a lot ofpassion.
(50:11):
Thank you very much for thisopportunity.
Brandon Mulnix (50:14):
All right, listeners, if you want to get a
hold of Sylvan, I'm going tohave his LinkedIn profile and
potentially his phone number andyour contact information in the
podcast notes here, so pleasetake a look at those.
He would love to connect andreach out to you to explain what
he's doing for the industry.
He's a great person.
His company's doing powerfulthings.
(50:35):
I'll put a link to theirwebsite as well so you can learn
more about them.
But, most importantly,listeners, please share this
podcast with others.
I ask you that every week and Iknow that this podcast is
growing I get to see the numbers, but what I really like to see
is I like to see people grow,and I may not see that.
I may not see the growth that'shappening from the seeds planted
(50:58):
by this podcast, but I knowthat if you're willing to share
this with your team, it justmakes them have a valuable
resource to connect with peoplelike Sylvan.
And, last but not least, I haveto thank our sponsors again
Prism Controls I don't likesounding like a commercial, but,
man, I just couldn't do itwithout them.
They love the industry.
Their passion is applyingtechnology to make farms more
(51:20):
productive and farmers moresuccessful, and this is one of
their primary ways of doing thatis just sharing great leaders
with you, sharing those storieswith you that we just don't get
a lot of time to sit around attrade shows to do.
And so Prism Controls believesin you.
They want to see you grow.
(51:40):
You can find out moreinformation about at www.
prismcontrols.
com, and the team just wouldlove to talk to you more.
So please reach out to them andthank you, have a great week.
Look forward to talk to you infuture episodes.
Welcome to the Poultry Leadership Podcast.
I'm your host, Brandon Mulnix,and before we kick off this
episode, I want to take a momentand thank our sponsors.
They make this podcast possiblefor you to grow as a leader,
and allow me to introduce you tosome of the best in the
industry.
What's so great about PrismControls is their passion for
bettering the industry andhelping farmers be more
(00:36):
productive.
You are important to thepoultry industry.
You may question that from timeto time, but you, being here
listening, listening to apodcast, are helping yourself
grow and you're helping yourselfbecome a better version of
yourself, and by doing all ofthat, you are providing better
leadership.
What that does for the industryis powerful.
(00:57):
You're helping others, you'rehelping others on your team,
you're helping your customers,and so all of that is so
important because that helpsmake farmers more productive.
So thank you, prism Controls,for your investment to our
listeners.
Now on to today's guest.
Before I introduce our guest,this episode is a follow-up to
(01:18):
episode 14, where I interviewedChloe Kleinheinz and we
discussed Inovasexing.
That's a topic that I didn'tthink was really going to get
too many questions, but, man,there were a lot of questions
raised and so I really wanted totake a deep dive into this
topic and, because of the greatlisteners, I was able to get
(01:40):
connected with Silvin Faulstitchof Respect Group, who is the
business development manager, soI invited Sylvan on the show to
understand this topic ingreater detail.
Sylvan is not from this side ofthe pond, so you might
recognize a little accent in hisvoice, which is absolutely fun.
Sylvan's a great guy.
I've been able to connect withhim at many events and so, man,
the fact that we've been able totalk and get to know each other
(02:02):
and then bring that energy tothe show.
It's incredible.
Sylvan, welcome to the show.
Silvin (02:09):
Well, thank you very much, Brandon, I'm very excited
to be here.
Thank you for having me.
Yeah, very much, lookingforward to doing that deep dive
you just mentioned.
Brandon Mulnix (02:20):
Now you know there was the accent coming
through, so can you explain tothe listeners where you're from,
who you are?
Silvin (02:29):
Sure, I hope I'm not going to make it too obvious
that I'm from the other side ofthe pond.
I'm trying my best.
Well, yeah, I'm Sylvain.
I grew up in a small town inthe center of Germany, basically
between Hanover and Frankfurt.
I'm the youngest of fivechildren and yeah, so that was
(02:50):
kind of a regular story there.
So after graduating high school,I was thinking what am I going
to do now?
And I decided to go abroad forone year.
So I did a kind of civilservice in Peru, south America,
which was very intense phase ofmy life.
I was working there in a schoolfor children with disabilities
(03:13):
and that was very shaping for meand I learned very much there.
After that I started myacademic career, studying
business administration.
I followed up that with amaster's in agricultural and
food economics, although myroute there wasn't too straight,
(03:34):
I have to confess.
But I'm still there and well,today I'm living in Cologne For
my studies.
I moved to Bonn, which isanother not so big city in
Germany, the former capital, tobe honest, it's in the West.
I live here with my girlfriendand my dog and, yeah, and I'm
working for Respect Group,working and trying to get the
(03:58):
InnovoSaxing solution out intothe world.
Brandon Mulnix (04:01):
So, Silber, you're here because InnovaSexing
is becoming one of those hottopics that you know, we've
heard about and maybe noteverybody's up to speed on what
InnovaSexing is.
Could you give us a rundown onwhat InnovaSexing is?
Silvin (04:16):
Sure.
So InnovaSexing is kind of anew thing.
So we're looking here at, Idon't know, maybe five, six
years of development.
So what is inobose sexing?
It's basically a way toidentify the gender of hatching
eggs for layers, basically rightnow, in this state, to identify
the gender of hatching eggsbefore they actually hatch.
(04:39):
You all know, in poultryindustry, especially in the
laying industry, laying hands assoon as they hatch need to be
sexed.
That is being done manuallyright now, but in ovo sexing, as
the term says, in ovo, so inthe egg already we can identify,
using certain or differentmethodologies we can identify
(05:02):
the gender of hatching eggs.
Methodologies we can identifythe gender of hatching eggs and
that enables us to sort thesehatching eggs before the hatch
day into males and females.
And the reason why we are doingthis is basically, as you all
know, hatching eggs of layinghens or of poultry hatching eggs
in general are usually fertile50-50 male and female.
(05:24):
So for every laying hen thathatches out there in our egg
supply chains there is one malebrother actually that also
hatched once upon a time.
But as these males of layinghen genetics are not suitable
for, obviously, laying eggs butthey also cannot be raised
efficiently.
(05:44):
They eat a lot, but they growvery slow.
The industry has decided to getrid of them just the day after
they hatch, so that is an issuethat is out there.
So, globally, we are looking atI don't know, something like
seven to eight billion malechicks being culled just the day
they hatch, billion male chicksbeing culled just the day they
(06:09):
hatch, and that is very sad interms of animal welfare, but
it's also very inefficient, andan ovosexing is a way to address
this and actually to solve thisissue.
So what we offer is onesolution that is, a liquid-based
solution to identify the genderof hatching eggs.
We started in 2017 with takingbasic research from University
of Leipzig.
We founded a joint venture witha big German retailer and the
(06:33):
Dutch incubation technologycompany Hatchtech Group, and the
aim of this joint venture wasto bring this basic research
from a university level into afirst commercially viable
product and to make it marketready.
And we achieved that in 2019.
And this is when we had our ownrespect in Ovo sexing
(06:56):
technology market ready andintroduced it to the market.
So we started with this Germanretailer.
They rolled it out in theirsupermarkets, so for the first
time in 2019, there were eggsconsumption eggs, shell eggs,
table eggs, as we also call them, in the supermarket shelves
that are free of chick cullingand what we bring to the market.
(07:18):
Our solution is currently theearliest solution that is out
there.
We can analyze hatching eggs asearly as day 8 to day 9, 10, 11
.
Basically, we have accuracy indetermining the gender of
hatching eggs of above 99%.
We're currently achieving 99.5%, and so that's pretty much it.
(07:41):
There's many differentapproaches out there Of, only a
few are market ready, so theyall differ a little bit in terms
of when they can be applied, interms of throughput, in terms
of accuracy.
So what we offer, with respect,is really the earliest and most
accurate solution that iscurrently available on the
market.
Brandon Mulnix (08:01):
Okay, silvan, if I understood you correctly,
between this and what youbrought to us about the basics,
7 to 8 billion male chicks inthe layer markets are hatched in
the current situation andwithin a day or two have to be
culled, meaning taken out of theflock.
(08:21):
So that way, only the hens makeit to the farms.
Exactly, so this is all back inthe hatcheries before the birds
ever make it to the farm,correct?
Silvin (08:31):
Exactly, that's exactly what happens.
Maybe I can put this a littlebit into perspective.
So eight or seven billion is anabstract and a huge number If
we look at the US only havingabout 320 million laying hens
there.
So for these 220 million layinghens you have 320 million
(08:51):
laying hen brothers.
So that is a bit of a smallernumber, but it's still
incredibly huge.
Brandon Mulnix (08:59):
That is when you put it in that perspective.
When you put it in thatperspective, it's very
interesting and understandablywhy this is an issue the amount
of labor that goes into justsorting chicks, as well as the
animal welfare issues of havingto then cull these chicks so
they live a day or two andrealize, hey, you're a boy,
(09:20):
you're out of the industrybecause you eat too much and you
grow too slow to actually bemarketable in the industry as a
broiler or, um, some other use.
That's incredible.
That's like 50 percent wastefrom a happy perspective.
So when you're talking aboutwhat you're able to do and get
(09:41):
those eggs from out, the birdsnever hatch, they never see the
light of day.
That's incredible.
Because what happens to thoseeggs that are culled?
Silvin (09:54):
That's a very good question and that's actually
also a very important aspect ofthe work we are doing.
So I mean moving the issue ofkilling or culling day-old
chicks too early into theincubation process.
Some might criticize well,you're still kind of taking the
life of these eggs, but a veryimportant thing here is to make
(10:19):
it as early as possible and tomake it before there is any
brain negativity possible in theegg.
So that is really an advantageof well.
First, you mentioned ityourself, it's a waste.
It's a huge amount of workinvolved in it.
So when you apply an ovo-sexingto really make profit from all
(10:40):
the advantages it delivers, it'svery important also to make it
as early as possible to reallyalso benefit from this added
animal welfare perspective ofdoing that before the brain
activity in the egg gets started.
Brandon Mulnix (10:54):
Actually, Is somebody marketing those eggs in
a way that still utilizes themin some way?
Silvin (11:01):
Fortunately, these eggs that we sort out after knowing
their gender, they are notwasted Right now.
The way we work in Europe, forexample, is that these eggs are
being well, they are beingsorted out, but they are being
collected by a company and theyare being processed into a
high-protein, high-qualityprotein source, and that protein
can be used in various products, such as animal feed,
(11:25):
aquaculture, for example.
So it's a very high qualityprotein and there's many ways of
using it and we really do notonly get rid of wasting all
these male chicks, but we alsohave a use for this sorted out
male eggs.
Brandon Mulnix (11:42):
Well, that's value to the market for sure.
How are you able to get thisproduct into the market?
Silvin (11:49):
Yeah, that's also a very good question and that is
another perspective of the issuethat we addressed quite early
when implementing a label forthis free of chick culling eggs.
So I understand it's a's a newtechnology, it's something else.
It's um, a new thing forconsumers, it's a new thing for
(12:11):
producers, everyone but um, well, progress always at some point
needs to get uncomfortable inorder to make some development.
So it is important to really,when using this technology, to
really also educate everyonealong the supply chain and,
finally, also the consumers,because right now, consumers
(12:32):
might not be very aware of theissue, but as soon as you ask
consumers and you educate themon what is going on the 7
billion globally and there'salternatives, they start
becoming or getting interestedand there is actually a
willingness to also reward thisadditional effort done by
(12:54):
producers.
So you are able, with usingthis technology and with
communicating it, you areactually able to increase the
value of the product.
So, yes, it puts a littlehigher prices on products, but
you're also able to recoverthese prices and actually earn a
bit of an additional marginwith it by communicating what
(13:15):
you're doing and by educatingconsumers that there's better
alternatives available and thatthey are available now by
putting, for example, a label onthe egg pack or doing some
communication campaigns.
Brandon Mulnix (13:30):
So there's already enough confusion around
labeling on egg cartons.
How are you going to overcomejust that labeling issue?
I mean, there's organic,there's free range, there's
cage-free, and this is just inthe US.
How do you get through all thatmess?
Silvin (13:46):
Yeah, that's a good question and we've been
confronted with that a lot.
We saw the same or we got thesame questions when we started
in Germany and in Europe.
Well, a very important thingwhen putting a new label into
the market is really to practicewhat you preach.
And we stayed on our label thatis free of chick culling, so we
really made sure whenimplementing it that we abide to
(14:11):
that claim that we give andthat actually represented an
added value to retail, an addedvalue to consumers.
So there was actually a demandfor it, but I also understand
that it's a bit annoying havinganother label on the box.
I think, I'm afraid, we need togo that way, because it's a very
(14:31):
new thing and we need toeducate our consumers.
But there's a lot of certifyinginstitutions already in the
States also, so maybe there's alot of certifying institutions
already in the States also, somaybe there's different ways.
I mean, every new market hasits new challenges, new ways, so
we also cannot just take whatwe started to do in Europe and
Germany and ship it over to theUS and do it all in the same way
(14:54):
.
We need to adjust to the market.
So there's different ways to go.
We could combine it with anexisting label and by that
reducing, for example, the loadof new labels that are out there
.
So there's different ways to go, but I agree it is a challenge
and we have to hang in there andkind of solve it the easiest
possible way for everybodyinvolved.
(15:14):
We are completely aware of that.
Brandon Mulnix (15:16):
Now I've heard that there's not enough capacity
, there's not enough of thesemachines or this technology
available to really make adifference, specifically in the
US market.
But in Europe you guys havegained some traction, and can
you talk about that capacityissue?
Silvin (15:33):
Well, I think this is an issue for every new technology
that is out there, right, youalways need someone who is
willing to pioneer in that, butthis someone never would put up
technology in the side thatwould cover directly the entire
market.
So the critical thing here isto find pioneers, find people
who are willing to do so and toget started.
(15:55):
It is also maybe good to notchange the entire eggshell for
consumers right, to leave them achoice with their product they
know, but adding a new one to it.
So capacity sure is an issue,but even the way it started in
Europe it started in Germany.
It wasn't the entire eggshellthat has been changed at a time.
(16:18):
It was increased bit by bit.
So when looking at capacities,obviously also there is a
challenge in terms of size.
So if you compare Europeanhatcheries to US hatcheries,
there is an essential differencein size.
But we are also on the marketnow, right now, since four to
five years, and we've beenlearning about how to adjust to
these capacity requirements.
(16:39):
So we are constantly improvingand adjusting our equipment to
just fit these different sizes,and that can be done by a
modular approach, for example.
We are currently developing anintegrated, fully automated
solution.
But coming back to your questionof capacities, well, especially
looking at the US right now, wewouldn't be able to put up
(17:04):
technology to cover the wholemarket, but there is certain ag
products, certain ag categoriesthat are very well suited to get
started.
And these capacities, thesevolumes, can be realized already
with the equipment that we haveat hand.
Germany, for example, themarket size is about 45 million
laying hands and we are able todeliver just enough.
(17:30):
Also, not the entire Germanmarket is completely free of
check-hulling, as there are someregulatory exemptions or some
categories don't want to do itLegally.
Germany has to be fully free ofchick culling, but it can be
done either by using anoversexing technology or by
raising males, which is, by theway, not a very efficient and
(17:52):
economic way of getting rid ofchick culling.
So, in terms of capacity, it'sa joint effort of all
technologies that are currentlyout there.
But getting started byeducating, maybe with one
product first, and thenincreasing it bit by bit, that
can be done already and thesecapacities are available now and
(18:13):
we are looking into gettingstarted in the US with it as
well.
Brandon Mulnix (18:18):
Now I was doing some research for this interview
and I've started to seecompanies in the US specifically
to being call-free in certainareas of their product lines and
I see the free-range folks.
You know where they have lowernumbers.
What percentage of the USmarket from your awareness is
saying they're going to becoal-free versus that are
(18:41):
coal-free?
Silvin (18:42):
Oh, that's a very good question.
I'm not sure if I can put itinto absolute numbers at this
point.
Fortunately, we see thisdevelopment of first producers,
especially coming from thesehigh-value specialty categories,
communicating and committing tolaying their hands on the
(19:05):
technology.
But our goal, well, our missionof our company is really to
make global ag supply chainsfree of chick culling.
So it's a bit of a stretch.
I cannot tell you a percentage,but what I can tell you is that
the technology and that thesolution is suitable to not stop
(19:25):
at only I don't know, let's say, 10% of the market.
We are currently developing ourtechnology and we are aiming at
really changing the entiremarket into free of chick
culling, at really changing theentire market into free of tick
culling, sylvan, it makes sense.
Brandon Mulnix (19:44):
You have in Germany, where you have
regulations that say there's noculling, you either have to
raise the males, which takescost.
I mean that's food, that'shousing, that's labor, that to
create a product from that.
Where moving those eggs off thechain earlier into a different
product.
I can see the value there.
I can absolutely see the value.
So when it comes to the farmer,the guy who asked to buy the
(20:07):
pullet, the chick, what is hegoing to notice in cost
difference?
I mean you and I talked aboutthis and, as we led up to this,
that it really wasn't as big ofa difference as I thought it was
and actually there was a lot ofreturn on investment value
there Can you speak to?
Why would I want to buy thatcoal-free from that coal-free
hatchery?
Silvin (20:27):
There's different perspectives to just that
questions.
To be honest, maybe.
First of all, it really is ajoint effort of the entire
supply chain, of the entire agsupply chain, so at some point
you need to have everyone onboard wanting to do this, and I
know that is a bit of achallenge because it is not
(20:49):
always easy to convince everyoneat the same time.
But as development progressesthere is always new challenges,
new opportunities, and theyalways tend to be uncomfortable
for someone at some point.
So we cannot get around that.
But we also and that is theother perspective had a bit of a
learning when we started.
(21:09):
So our goal from the beginningwas we were completely aware
that we are introducing a veryabstract technology into an
existing structure thatbasically works perfectly fine
right now.
So our goal was to make thebarrier to adopt this technology
as low as possible.
(21:29):
So we started with manydifferent business models in the
beginning.
At the beginning we wereworking with packing centers,
basically invoicing per free ofchick culling table egg to keep
the risk as low as possible, sothey really only had to pay for
the eggs that they are able toactually sell in the supermarket
(21:50):
.
We then realized that farmersand packing centers and
retailers were actually able tosell most of the eggs.
So they themselves asked forswitching the business model
from a table egg unit to thelaying hand, because by that, by
their own management, by howthey have their cycles going on,
they could actually have aninfluence on how to regain their
(22:13):
investment.
So we had all kinds ofdifferent business models out
there.
But now we are at the pointwhere we decided well, we really
want to work with hatcheries,because we want to leave the
rest of the supply chain just asit is.
And right now, if you would askme that question, basically a
farmer, a producer would justbuy the same chick he did buy
(22:34):
before.
There is really difference interms of whether this chick has
been in Oval Sext or not, but itbrings me back to the joint
effort of the entire supplychain.
So since we are working now, weadjusted our business model to
focus on hatcheries directly.
So we have a contract with themand ultimately they define
(22:55):
prices into their supply chains,and by that there's also an
opportunity to make it as easyfor everyone participating in
the supply chain as possible andto not add too much cost of it.
But the interesting thing alsoabout it is everyone can profit
a little bit.
So hatcheries can put a smallpremium on their day-old chicks,
(23:17):
rearing farmers can put a smallpremium on their rearing
efforts.
Laying farmers can sell theireggs at a slightly higher
premium to the packer, andpacker sells it to the retail
and retail.
Ultimately, when communicatingand really making their effort
publicly, they can recover thisadditional cost by putting a
(23:38):
small price premium on shelleggs that are free of chick
culling and putting it to theconsumer, because the consumer,
ultimately, is the one whoshould be driving this change
and who should be asking forthat progress, that development,
to happen, and this is what wesee.
What happened in Germany, whathappens in Europe, by the way,
(23:58):
with and without legislation.
So we started in Germany in2019 and we didn't have
legislation there.
The US, at this point, israther unlikely to be having
legislation anytime soon, andthis is also actually a good
thing, leaving it up to theindustry to adopt this
technology.
They know best how to implementnew technology, and this is
actually what we like to supportto adopt this technology.
(24:18):
They know best how to implementnew technology, and this is
actually what we like to supportalso at this point.
Brandon Mulnix (24:24):
So the audience we covered the topic from
genetics.
We've talked with layer farmers,but this is the first time that
we've actually talked tosomebody that's in the hatchery
space, because it's sointeresting to say, well, the
genetic side really isn't goingto change, there's nothing
that's going to change there.
So, and that's where a lot ofthe cost of the species and the
(24:44):
birds and, as Sylvan said itfarmer is still going to buy the
same brand of chicks that he'sgetting before, but now they
just have that I'm going to callit that little asterisk by
their name the fact that they'reno longer culling.
But if you look at it, you havethat hatchery that's in between
and their job is to hatch eggsand then provide a pullet out
(25:05):
into the market for the rearingfarms.
And so here's a technologythat's going to make the market
more sustainable, because you'renot, you're actually reducing
waste.
You're reducing, you know, ifit's male culling and they have
to raise the birds, all of thefeed and everything that goes
into it.
Man, I've seen a lot of thingsthat talk about sustainability
(25:25):
and this one product that youguys are, you know, this
technology that you're workingon, really does something for
the market, really doessomething for the sustainability
story of farms and I candefinitely understand why the
farms that I see, who haveamazing sustainability programs,
are getting behind thistechnology and claiming to be
coal-free by certain dates,because it really honestly, it
(25:46):
benefits the whole supply chainand it has a great animal
welfare story behind it.
It's an incredible product,sylvan.
Silvin (25:52):
You just mentioned the sustainability aspect of it, but
it's also been really anefficiency aspect.
I mean we were talking aboutthe labor involved.
So manual sexing when startingto work in the US market I
realized there are somechallenges actually to find
skilled labor to do that, andthat is going on actually
globally.
We see the same developmenthappening in Europe.
(26:14):
So having technology that canmove this sexing work from
post-hatch to pre-hatch is onething, and especially with the
accuracies we are able toachieve today above 99%, we are
competing with this manualsexing work.
So that is also really a goodthing in terms of efficiency and
(26:35):
it is also embedded in a kindof bigger development that is
currently going on.
I don't know if you heard abouton-farm hatching, in-oval sexing
, in-oval feeding.
It looks like there is atendency, at least on an
academia level, on a researchlevel, to move all this kind of
chick handling from post-hatchto pre-hatch, which is a very it
(27:00):
makes sense to do that if itworks properly.
So it is embedded in a generaldevelopment that we are seeing
going on right now, which ismaybe having all of those
different approaches workingtogether.
Might take a couple of yearsstill, but we see this general
development happening, and it isnot only really looking at one
(27:22):
topic at this point inoversexing, but it is really
looking into how can we improveag supply chains from today into
the future.
And there will be someuncomfortable steps to take,
pretty sure, but it also holdspotential to really make the
supply chains more efficient andfit for the future.
Brandon Mulnix (27:44):
Well, you said it in there when you talked
about on-farm hatching and justto explain that a little bit
from my understanding and youcan correct me if I'm wrong
currently most chicks arehatched in a well-established
hatchery.
It's designed for the life ofthe bird from like one to eight
(28:05):
days after hatch Very, veryyoung birds.
And then that bird is moved,put in a truck and moved to the
farm where it's supposed to grow, and in that period of time
there's a risk to those birdsthat they may not survive that
trip onto the farm where they'regoing to be reared.
And so I can see theefficiencies there, much
(28:27):
healthier for the bird.
But let's talk about if 50% ofthe eggs on farm hatching were
males.
Now the farmer has to cull thosebirds versus the hatchery has
to cull those birds.
Where your technology steps in,it says hey, I got a flat of 36
eggs, all 36 of them.
Percentage-wise, maybe one outof three or four flats is a male
(28:50):
.
Now I only have to worry abouta few of them.
Man, that really does bring it.
Because now you have a birdthat's raised, hatched on the
farm, got those eight days inthe environment where probably
they're going to grow up for awhile, for at least the first 16
weeks, and there's such areduction in loss of just the
transport time that really tiesin that story really well of
efficiency, sustainability andalso better life for the birds
(29:15):
Exactly.
Silvin (29:16):
And well, now, I'm not an expert on farm hatching and
luckily there's also differentcompanies having technologies
out there that really addressthat issue of transport losses
and everything, early feedingand that kind of stuff.
But, as I said before, it isembedded in a bigger development
(29:37):
picture, let's say, and it is aprerequisite to do that.
That is one thing, but the goodthing is also, we do not have
to look too far into the future.
We can actually start using itright now and also increasing
efficiency in a hatcheryprocesses by using it right now.
Brandon Mulnix (29:56):
I feel pretty comfortable that our audience
has an understanding and thevalue of this topic and I'm
welcoming them to reach out toyou, Silvan, for more
information about thistechnology.
Let's dive into what's thehardest part of your job.
Silvin (30:13):
Basically what we just discussed.
So you really need to explain.
There's a lot of tech involved.
I mean, I don't know if you'veseen the technology.
We're going to bring it to IPPnext year.
We had it already at some tradefairs.
So it's really a lot ofrobotics going on, computing
technology, keeping track ofevery act throughout the process
(30:33):
.
We all manage that.
Right now we actually puttogether equipment, a machine
that is as easy as plug and play, so you just put it into the
hatchery.
But as the topic is so new forsome people you initially said
it Sometimes we need to explain,first of all, why an oversexing
, what's the reason for it, whydoing it.
So that is really a bigchallenge to explain that
(31:08):
someone and to then or come tothe point that you actually show
that is really easy to use.
I have to attend a lot ofconferences, a lot of trade
fairs and I don't know manypeople yet.
So you really have to connectto people and to tell your story
.
So that's also sometimes a bitchallenging, being the new guy
standing around in the room andnot having anyone to talk to, so
(31:31):
you have to hang in there, butit's also a bit funny, so I kind
of like that strange kind offeeling.
Brandon Mulnix (31:40):
It's always hard to be the new guy in the room
Absolutely, and one of thereasons this podcast is
important is because it helpsconnect people that you may
never have connected with.
Maybe this is the connectionthat someone will say hey, I
heard Silva on the podcast andnow I'm comfortable going and
talking to him just because itgave you a little face time
there.
So it is one of the biggestchallenges in the industry is
(32:03):
just getting to know peopleWalking in the room, not feeling
like a fake first off, notfeeling like you don't belong
there, because this is the mostwelcoming industry I can ever
imagine being part of.
So if I can give you someadvice as a newcomer to the
industry I mean you've beenaround a little bit now and
you're starting to get your ownconnections is make sure you
make a point to introduce othernew people to your network.
(32:27):
And I say that because whenyou're in a room and you've got
maybe that new allied folk orthat new farmer and say, hey,
who's someone in the industrythat you want to meet and maybe
they're part of your network,make that introduction for them.
Help them out as a leader.
That's one of the things thatyou can do to really help your
team is to make thatintroduction as a leader in the
(32:49):
industry.
It's like the allied folk frommy perspective.
They're a part of my greaterteam.
They really are.
So how can I help them in theirdevelopment and introduce them
to one person?
So in this case, I'mintroducing Sylvan to the entire
industry because I believe thatone he's a great guy just from
(33:09):
our conversations that we've hadbut two, that the product can
make a difference to theindustry.
Thank you for allowing me tointroduce you to the industry
there, sylvan.
Thank you, Brandon, very kind.
All right Now.
You mentioned in your introthat you got your master's
degree.
That didn't come easy, for youdid it it didn't, to be honest.
Silvin (33:30):
So my career isn't exactly what you would call a
straight line, so there's beensome challenges along the way.
What you would call a straightline.
So there's been some challengesalong the way, and that is
partly due to my own charactertype, I would say, or probably
100%, maybe I can go as far asthat.
So after having done this civilservice in Peru, I came back
(33:57):
and I was a bit of a bit puzzledwhat to do next.
But I always had the idea ofbecoming an engineer because I
knew developing stuff,technology that really
interested me, but rather on aon a hands-on do-it-myself level
.
So I started bachelor programto become an engineer, and maybe
(34:18):
I have to add that I wasn't toomuch of a very good student
back in high school, to behonest.
So I was able to graduate therewithout putting too much effort
into it and I thought whenstarting my bachelor career
first that it could continue abit like that and I really had
to learn the hard way that it'sabsolutely not the case.
So that was one situation in mylife where I really felt or
(34:44):
experienced failure.
Everyone alongside me, all mystudy colleagues, were making
progress, were understanding thesubject, were passing their
exams and I was kind of fallingbehind.
So that was a tough period inmy life and I didn't know how to
handle it first, as I furtherand further fall back and
(35:04):
couldn't keep up with everyoneand that didn't feel good.
But at some point I realizedthere is no point in comparing
myself to others.
I really have to find my ownpace.
I really have to find the wayhow I can understand and make
sense of what I'm doing.
And this is when I decided tostart over again.
I decided to leave the engineerand get into business.
(35:28):
So I started another careerbusiness administration.
Luckily that was a program thatwas combined and had a big
share of practical work.
So I did my bachelor degreethere.
But at the same time I wasworking at the German
all-organic retailer so I couldactually gain hands-on
experience on the floor, insupermarkets, in strategic units
(35:51):
.
And I really like thiscombination of theory and
theoretical and practicalexperience because that puts
things together and you can makesense of what you theoretically
learn into practice.
And that is what alwaysmotivates me to.
(36:11):
There's a lot of theory outthere, there's a lot of words
out there, but at the end of theday it really counts what is
happening in front of you,around you, and this is where
you can make a difference.
Yeah, so, but the the journeywasn't completed then, actually,
because I don't know who of youmight might have experienced,
uh, the same like I did.
But after having graduated inbusiness administration, I was
(36:34):
like, okay, okay, I can doeverything right now, but
nothing at the same time,because it's so generic.
But having worked for this foodretail company really showed me
that that is an industry thatwill always be there.
We always need to feed theworld, and that was very helpful
.
And because of that, or justafter that, I actually decided
(36:59):
to start my master's degree inagricultural and food economics.
But the funny thing is that Iat the same time, started
working for an IT company.
So vita here also isn't exactlystraight.
So it was a bit of a strugglefor me also to complete this
master's degree, as I wasstarting to work in this company
(37:20):
and this company was about togrow and I was given a
responsibility, I was given ateam.
So it took me a couple of yearsactually to finish that master.
But also, having worked into ITmade me realize it is also a
very important sector, but Iwant to go back to the
agricultural sector, and this isbasically my entry point when I
(37:40):
started, with Respect, back in2019.
And I was able to combine myexperiences in IT, my
experiences in retail and mylearnings from the master's
degree, and this is where I'mnow.
Brandon Mulnix (37:53):
So as you progressed, what's interesting
is you didn't let failure keepyou down.
No, you came to understand yourown learning style, what worked
for you, and then you didn'tlet an industry define you, but
you ended up saying, okay, theskills I've even learned in IT
(38:13):
with having a team, it developedyou into who you are, where you
then now apply what you learnedthere into this technology and
agriculture space.
That's a pretty.
You say the lines wasn'tstraight, but no one's career
has a straight line.
Silvin (38:30):
Absolutely true.
Yes, and everybody's.
Many people are trying to makethat impression.
Brandon Mulnix (38:37):
Well, I mean my own story and the listeners some
may know this and some may not.
I mean I started off out ofhigh school wanting to be a
photographer and a full-timefirefighter and I did that.
I mean I literally followed mydreams, where I owned a
photography studio, was afull-time fireman paramedic, and
that was okay.
And then each of those journeyswere parallel but they were so
(39:00):
different until we got to apoint where I had to give one of
them up.
So I gave up the photographyside as a full-time job, which I
was working two full-time jobsat that time, owning my own
business.
But even the paramedic stuffwas like what the heck does that
make you prepared for anythingto do with the egg industry?
Well, I finally left thatindustry, got into manufacturing
(39:22):
, where I found process, youknow, and all the process that I
worked under as a paramedic andas a manager.
I'm like, oh, I get whatprocess is and I had to write
SOPs and that means standardoperating procedure.
I had to write SOPs and thatmeans standard operating
procedure.
I had to write these things.
I had to develop things in theparamedic world.
That translated really well intomy future career of being a
(39:46):
project manager and then sales.
Being able to talk to somebodyin the back of an ambulance,
being able to talk to them ontheir worst day and make them
feel comfortable, prepared mefor what I do today being able
to, as a photographer, beingable to talk to a bride on her
most stressful day.
But all of those learnings ofhow to talk through that day
(40:10):
prepared you for somethingdifferent.
You failed, yes, you failed,but guess what?
You didn't fail at anything.
You learned from that failure.
You learned what you didn'twant to do, and that's what's
really important.
Silvin (40:22):
Yeah, I actually had to fail this first time at least,
to realize that I cannotcontinue the way I'm doing stuff
right now.
So I really had I needed thismoment in my life to develop.
So that is what I can telleveryone, don't be afraid of.
Well, it's hard to realize thatand I wasn't used to that
(40:45):
because in this way it neverhappened to me and I was like,
oh, it's probably never going tohappen to me.
But then it happened and I waslike, okay, this is how it feels
, but use it, and there's always.
And if you can transform thisfailure into realizing, well, I
cannot keep up with this pace,but I can find another pace, and
then I can transform it intomaking it my own way, that
(41:08):
really is powerful.
Brandon Mulnix (41:11):
Yeah, absolutely , sylvan.
As you grew, you ended up witha master's degree.
Dude, that is.
That is applaudable.
That is something that mostpeople don't strive to do.
Most people don't go to thathigher level of education.
Congratulations on getting thatand now having your degree.
Have you stopped learning?
(41:32):
Have you stopped growing?
Silvin (41:34):
No, I'm lastly, I can say no.
And also it took me a bitlonger getting that degree and I
also don't want to stress toomuch on that degree.
But one reason why it took meso long was that I was always
focusing on what is going onaround me.
I told you, this company I wasworking first uh with uh was
(41:56):
very growing.
There was a lot ofopportunities, there was a lot
of responsibility and that wassuper interesting.
I was super interesting and Icould work there.
I could actually support thedevelopment there.
And there is always somethingbesides an ideal way to go.
There is also opportunitiesalong the way and they sometimes
require you to take a rerouteor, yeah, take a deviation,
(42:20):
let's say, and yes, it is also.
What was hard for me in thisacademic career, to be honest,
is that with all thistheoretical work, sometimes
you're really making progress ona on a micro scale, and
actually working in a growingcompany shows you a different
kind of change on a micro scaleand actually working in a
growing company shows you adifferent kind of of change on a
day to day basis.
(42:40):
So I kind of paused that thatmicro steps in favor of of doing
something else.
But and this is the way youlearn.
So there is different ways oflearning.
So you can do micro steps.
You can be the theoretical guy.
I'm a rather practical guy, soI like to be hands-on, and so
(43:01):
this is also making, orgraduating.
Making this degree didn't bringme to the point where I was
saying I'm done, I'm complete,I'm finished, I can do
everything right now.
No, it is just the startingpoint for a next chapter, and
this is also why I took a bitmore time to complete that,
because there was a lot to learnalong the way and I didn't want
(43:23):
to miss out on that opportunity.
But it gives you a certainsecurity, also for the future.
So I would absolutely recommendeveryone having the opportunity
doing this to complete it.
It makes total sense.
But you don't stop learningthere.
Fortunately, you do not.
There is a lot to learn fromthere on and yeah, I'm doing
(43:44):
that on a daily basis.
Brandon Mulnix (43:46):
So some key takeaways, listeners, is one the
journey's not straight.
The journey is what the journeyis to help you grow to who
you're going to become.
So if you're at a spot in yourcareer or a spot in your journey
that you don't like, you havethe opportunity to change that.
Second, as a leader, your jobis to understand how to make
(44:09):
your people grow.
One of that is understandingtheir learning style.
You may have someone on yourteam that man.
I just wish they would learnthis, but do you realize they
may not have the drive to learnit themselves via YouTube or
their drive to learn itthemselves by going back to
college.
It's your role as a leader tounderstand what's going to help
(44:33):
them grow.
Is it practical, is it hands-on, is it books, is it YouTube?
But to help them grow and tochallenge them to grow, because
what happens is there may besomething that that failure that
they have in their learningthat actually labels them.
So in Silvan's story, if hehappened to say, man, I'm not
(44:54):
good at college because I failedengineering class, he may never
gone back because he put thatlabel on himself.
What labels do your team have?
Or what ceilings have you put onyour team that have discouraged
them from learning, and so it'simportant that you find out
their learning style and feed itTruly, grab a hold of what they
(45:15):
do through meetings with themand learn and study your team,
study yourself, so that way youcan understand maybe what labels
you put on yourself or yourteam's labels and then really
help them grow in that.
And third, never stop learning,never.
I'm not going to stop learninguntil I'm in the grave, because
(45:38):
I love getting up in the morningand I love recording these
podcasts at seven o'clock in themorning with my German friend
here, because I learnedsomething you're missing out,
and it can be from success andcareer.
It can be politics, it can bereligion, it could be people
(46:00):
learn what they want to learn.
What can you learn to actuallybring value, you know, to
yourself and to your team, toyour family, which ultimately
brings value back to yourpurpose in life?
So, sylvan, what is one thingthat you're doing right now to
help yourself grow into a betterleader?
Silvin (46:20):
So, yeah, what I'm doing is I compare what people say
and what people do and I try toverify it with the effect that
it has in real life.
So this is the way I learned.
This is the way I learned whenI was little, because I come
from a very simple upbringing.
But I always wanted to growbeyond that, so I had to kind of
(46:45):
find role models around me.
But there is a lot of talkingand at some point many people
talk and you realize after sometime well, they apparently seem
to be knowing their stuff, butfor some reason their action and
what they do has a negativeimpact on their surroundings.
So that is why I always try tocompare these two things and
(47:09):
find kind of the truth inbetween.
It's always in between.
So this is really what I wouldadvise everyone Stay aware,
listen, listen carefully, butdon't be afraid to to compare
the two things you see and hearand and measure them against
their actual outcome.
And by that it kind of doesn'tmatter in in which area you're
(47:31):
in or whether what, what toolsyou've been given, that that
always works are you in or whattools you've been given.
Brandon Mulnix (47:38):
That always works.
Now, that's solid advice.
That is so solid advice to one.
Look for role models to watch.
If there's somebody doingsomething that you want to do,
watch and then evaluate thatagainst the impact they're
having on the world.
Maybe they're doing it in adifferent way, Maybe they're not
doing it the right way in yourmind, which is okay, because you
(48:00):
can learn what not to do fromthat role model.
There's good and bad rolemodels, Exactly you shouldn't
copy.
Silvin (48:07):
You should watch and learn and make it your own way.
Brandon Mulnix (48:11):
Yeah, you said it great there.
You're not trying to becomethem.
You're literally just trying tolearn from them and what
they've done and their mistakes,and I think that's a challenge
for anybody.
For sure is, look at thosefolks in your life that have
overcome.
Look at those folks that you'vemet.
Ask people questions.
I mean, anybody can be a rolemodel when we interview for this
(48:32):
podcast.
Not everybody has that storythat you would say is a heroic
story.
I overcome this great crazything, but even in the trials
that they go through, there'ssomething that you can learn
from.
And how did they overcome it?
What kind of person are theytoday?
Many things like that you don'teven get a chance to see
(48:53):
because you don't ask thequestions.
Like that you don't even get achance to see because you don't
ask the questions.
So get to know people, get toknow their story and then learn
from the trials and tribulationsthat they've overcome and, as a
leader, ask those questions.
Don't hesitate to ask thequestion of what is something
that you've overcome.
Silvin (49:10):
Exactly.
Brandon Mulnix (49:10):
Yeah, and it will tell you so much about your
team.
It will tell you so much aboutyour role models.
It'll tell you so much aboutyour team.
It will tell you so much aboutyour role models.
It'll tell you so much aboutthose in your life.
It's just asking that questionis what's one thing you've
overcome this week, this month,in your life?
Because you can always learnfrom that.
Sylvan, thank you for beinghere.
Thank you for sharing yourstory.
(49:31):
Thank you for sharing aboutInnovaSexing, thank you for
showing about Respeggt.
It's a great company, greatpeople over there with just a
passion for utilizing technologyto really make a significant
difference in the industry, andthat's hugely appreciated for
what you guys are doing forfarms and for farmers.
Silvin (49:51):
Well, thank you for this opportunity.
It's also very special for meand, yeah, you just said it, it
is really about passion, andthat's one thing I can also
share.
It's be passionate about whatyou do and then you kind of
cannot fail.
Yeah, I'm quite confidentsaying that we're working with a
lot of passion on what we docurrently.
I'm working with a lot ofpassion.
(50:11):
Thank you very much for thisopportunity.
Brandon Mulnix (50:14):
All right, listeners, if you want to get a
hold of Sylvan, I'm going tohave his LinkedIn profile and
potentially his phone number andyour contact information in the
podcast notes here, so pleasetake a look at those.
He would love to connect andreach out to you to explain what
he's doing for the industry.
He's a great person.
His company's doing powerfulthings.
(50:35):
I'll put a link to theirwebsite as well so you can learn
more about them.
But, most importantly,listeners, please share this
podcast with others.
I ask you that every week and Iknow that this podcast is
growing I get to see the numbers, but what I really like to see
is I like to see people grow,and I may not see that.
I may not see the growth that'shappening from the seeds planted
(50:58):
by this podcast, but I knowthat if you're willing to share
this with your team, it justmakes them have a valuable
resource to connect with peoplelike Sylvan.
And, last but not least, I haveto thank our sponsors again
Prism Controls I don't likesounding like a commercial, but,
man, I just couldn't do itwithout them.
They love the industry.
Their passion is applyingtechnology to make farms more
(51:20):
productive and farmers moresuccessful, and this is one of
their primary ways of doing thatis just sharing great leaders
with you, sharing those storieswith you that we just don't get
a lot of time to sit around attrade shows to do.
And so Prism Controls believesin you.
They want to see you grow.
(51:40):
You can find out moreinformation about at www.
prismcontrols.
com, and the team just wouldlove to talk to you more.
So please reach out to them andthank you, have a great week.
Look forward to talk to you infuture episodes.
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