15International Hatchery Practice • Volume 31 Number 7

Flexibility forinnovativesolutions

Hubbard preserves a large genepool offering more flexibility forinnovative solutions to an industryfacing more and more constraintsbeing imposed on them:l High(er) feed prices.l Animal welfare regulations.l Increased segmentation of themarkets.l Increased focus on reducing theuse of antibiotics.l A reduction/shortage in produc-tion surface.

hubbardbreeders.com

Hubbard develops and imple-ments best practices in the geneticselection and production of animalprotein to feed a growing worldpopulation in a sustainable way.Hubbard’s breeding program favoursrobustness and feed efficiency,based on:l A large gene pool.l Selection under field circum-stances.l Maximum reduction of antibioticuse.l Selection on behaviour.l Selection for good meat quality.

l Selection on FCR andfeeding behaviour.Resulting in a prod-uct range, based onthe best balance

between breeders and broilers,offering a complete answer to thepoultry industry for conventional aswell as Premium markets.Their Hubbard Conventional range

includes:l Hubbard JV: producing the high-est number of chicks per m2 andgrade A chickens at the best price.l Hubbard F15: a real economicpackage with lowest live costs andhigh total meat yield.l Hubbard Classic: continues togain market share thanks to itsexcellent breeder performances,fast early broiler growth and goodFCR.l Hubbard Flex: the most feed effi-cient broiler producing meat with ahigh quality.l Hubbard H1: the best solution forthe heavier broiler markets and thetotal de-bone markets focusing onthe highest total meat yield perbroiler, including breast meat, legsand wings.l Hubbard M99 and M77 breedermales: Many customers around theworld recognise the positive traitsof these excellent breeder males interms of fertility and efficiency.l Hubbard M22 breeder male:Hubbard’s latest male focusing onthe production of breast meat.Hubbard is the global leader inPremium markets all around theworld and its products are recog-nised by many different quality programs and schemes. TheHubbard Premium product rangecovers not only the needs for thehigh-end quality chicken meat mar-kets, but is increasingly used as analternative to conventional broilergrowing as a response to societalpressure focusing on high animalwelfare and a major reduction inthe use of antibiotics.

remains production, egg quality andviability. The increased geneticpotential of the birds, because ofnewly applied selection strategiesmust always be manifested in thefield. The company also continue toinvest in international testing oftheir brown egg layers.l The latest generation of theirmost popular product; Tetra SL LLlays 420 good quality eggs until 90weeks, with low mortality andexcellent internal and external eggquality. l Tetra Amber is a mainly whitefeathered layer, with lower egg size,rustic look and excellent feathering.l Tetra Harco is an attractive, blackfeathered layer with extremeresilience. l Efforts have been successfullymade in recent years to improve theperformance and economic para-meters of Tetra L Superb, now readyto conquer the white markets with410 eggs laid until 90 weeks of agein cage or free-range systems.l Tetra Tint is a hybrid suitable forthe market segment demandingcreamy coloured eggs. l Tetra-H and Tetra Super Harcoare both slow-growing hybrids withhigh tolerance to feed and manage-ment. l Tetra HB Colour is a medium-growing broiler, with premium meatquality, excellent FCR and 2.5-3.0kgliveweight at 70 days of age, furtherimproved for heat tolerance and foreven better slaughter yield.A selection program of alternative

products is supported by cuttingedge technologies, while sustain-ability remains one of the mostimportant factors. Bábolna Tetrabelieves that all its efforts will guar-antee the competitiveness andincreased popularity of their hybridsaround the globe.

Resistant hybridswith balancedproduction

This year marks Bábolna Tetra’s 50thanniversary of providing layers witha superior genetic background. Thecompany offers a bird for every mar-ket and management systems, alongwith effective technical support inmore than 40 countries.

babolnatetra.com

In the last few years, the companyhas continued to promote their widerange of brown egg layers suitablefor cage and cage-free managementsystems. Pure lines selected for nestacceptance, adaptability and hardegg shell increasing suitability ofbreeding and commercial stocks foralternative farms. Bábolna Tetra have invested heav-

ily in infrastructure over the pastfive years and with renewed breed-ing farms the company can supplythe highest quality breeders andhatching eggs.The key to continuous develop-

ment is close communication withbuyers. The company target is tofind the balance between welfareand economical production andincrease its share in the global mar-ket by predicting future trends. Newchallenges need to be approachedwith effective R&D in cooperationwith scientific institutes. The effectof climate change on animal hus-bandry, invention of precision feed-ing and housing techniques, as wellas breeding for heat tolerance in lay-ers and coloured broilers, are hottopics for Tetra in the future. Among the most important traits

16 International Hatchery Practice • Volume 31 Number 7

world. In addition to choosing thebest families with the best produc-tion potential (for several criteria),Novogen’s breeding program alsopays particular attention to select-ing the families under various envi-ronments or conditions in whichthey want them to perform best.

The environment in which theselection is done is a critical factorin evaluating the real productionpotential and liveability under realfield conditions.

Genetic progress achieved onNovogen’s R&D farms, being vali-dated by several tests under fieldconditions, predicts a significantfurther improvement in the years tocome.

Novogen concentrates all itsefforts on the core business,research and development of prod-ucts that suit the specific marketneeds. They supply layer grandpar-ent stock and parent stock to theindependent players in the eggindustry. It is a clear part ofNovogen’s strategy not to integratethe full chain of the distribution bygetting involved in commerciallayer hatcheries.

Being a member of GroupeGrimaud, Novogen is supported bya large global network of sales, mar-keting and logistics.

The expertise and experience ofthe international technical special-ists of one of the major animalbreeding companies in the worldensures that all customers are wellsupported, from the breeding tech-nology to the technical follow upof the products in the field.

Focus on quality,productivity,efficiency andadaptability

Since its introduction in 2008,Novogen breeders have been placedin at least 50 countries on many dif-ferent continents. The actual techni-cal performances of the Novogenflocks in the field fully confirm thatNovogen is a serious player in theselection of layers offering a realeconomic solution to the layerindustry around the world.

novogen-layers.com

The good field results validateNovogen’s choice for an innovatingand efficient selection program,based on a mix of selection incolony cages and individual cagesfocusing on four main criteria: l Egg quality (good shell strength,colour, internal quality and eggweight).l Longevity of the flocks through abetter persistency and liveability.l Feed efficiency.l Ability to adapt to different con-ditions.

Because of its specific selectionprogram which started more than 15years ago, Novogen has been able tointegrate all these specificities in itslayer breeding program.

Laying hens also have to performin the various conditions around the

tion in growth rate and suitabilityfor a variety of alternative produc-tion systems, from indoor toorganic and free-range.

As well as offering excellenthealth and welfare characteristics,products within the Rowan Rangealso deliver strong advantages forfeed efficiency, meat yield and liv-ability.

The Rowan Range is backed bythe commitment, knowledge andexpertise of a large and experi-enced global poultry breedingcompany.

Strategically located near cus-tomers in markets that demand aslower-growing or coloured birdoption, the Aviagen service andsupport teams are committed tocustomer success.

The Rowan Range offers cus-tomers increased flexibility in theirproduct choices, supplementedwith full customer service and astrong breeding program with con-tinuous investment toward tar-geted product improvements.

Slower growingand colouredbird offering

The Rowan Range is a group ofspeciality birds developed tomeet the needs of selected markets, including the slower-growing, free-range, and organicsegments.

aviagen.com/rowan-range

The Rowan Range belongs to theAviagen family of poultry breedingproducts. Aviagen has focuseddecades of R&D efforts to developa balanced breeding program thatleverages industry innovations topromote poultry health and wel-fare, while catering to rapidlyevolving market demands.

As part of this advancement,Aviagen has invested in dedicatedproduct development exclusivelyfor the alternative, slower-growingsector for the last 15 years.

Owing to the brand’s high stan-dard of health and welfare, prod-ucts within the Rowan Range havebeen approved in a series of wel-fare accreditation schemes world-wide.

The Rowan Range portfoliobrings to market product choice tofit individual customer require-ments in traits such as plumagecolour and shade, as well as varia-

International Hatchery Practice • Volume 31 Number 7 17

Delivering a birdfor every market

With the Hy-Line Brown, W-36, W-80, Silver Brown and Sonia, Hy-Linedelivers a bird for every market –every climate, every housing sys-tem, every country.

hyline.com

Founded in 1936, Hy-LineInternational is the world’s oldestand largest poultry genetics com-pany and was the first poultrybreeding company to apply theprinciples of hybridisation to com-mercial layer breeding. Developing layer genetics is their

core business. In fact, Hy-Line, incollaboration with university scien-tists, was the first layer breedingcompany to privately fund andimplement genomic selection on a

commercial scale. Hy-LineInternational continues to be a pio-neer as the first company with itsown in-house molecular geneticsteam leading the industry in appli-cation of DNA-based technology toits breeding and genetics program.Having the world’s most extensiveDNA archive in the poultry industryallows Hy-Line to make even betterselections for a bird that can meetfuture demands.With the industry’s largest and

most comprehensive field test pro-gram, Hy-Line receives essentialdata for the selection process. Real-world results come from

commercial test flocks producing indifferent climates with a variety ofmanagement systems, feeds, feedingprograms and disease challenges. Hy-Line layers are known for their

strong egg production, superiorliveability and feed conversion aswell as outstanding shell strengthand interior quality.

Commitment to quality andperformance

Established 40 years ago, OrviaGroup has become a major opera-tor fully and actively dedicated toduck and geese breeders throughan innovative and strict geneticselection program.Orvia will reach €90 million total

turnover this year, from which 25%is from its substantial growth andpresence in international marketsthroughout more than 40 coun-tries.

orvia.fr

Thanks to its 40 years of researchinto the genetic development ofwaterfowl, Orvia has gained a solidreputation and well-recognisedcompetitiveness with its holisticapproach.With its leadership position in

the supply of Muscovy and Muleduck breeds and white and greygeese strains, Orvia supplies customers all over the world withboth breeder and broiler birdsfrom France. With the Europeanand Asian expansion and develop-ment of customers adopting theST5 Pekin ducks, Orvia is continu-ously upgrading its local produc-tion facilities in strategic countries

such as Hungary and Spain to coverthe demands of ST5 parent stock. In addition, the company is also

operating in China under greatgrandparent stocks to be able todirectly supply grandparent stocksto the local market.Through relevant investments

allocated to research and develop-ment, the Orvia Group continuesto enhance optimal returns of theST5 Pekin for their customers andcontinously maintain its trials indifferent climatic environments inThailand, Indonesia, China, CzechRepublic, Poland, USA and Canadain order to demonstrate theseimprovements. The Orvia ST5 Pekin has one of

the best combinations of an opti-mal feed conversion ratio andmeat yield offering customers theability to potentiate the high per-formance genetic heritage of thisproduct. Consequently, the markethas reacted and has quickly identi-fied the benefits of using the OrviaST5 Pekin duck. Currently, the Orvia Group sup-

plies duck breeders within the fourcontinents and works closely withits customers through a team ofexperts dedicated to perform andmake the ST5 Pekin duck excel inthe field.Orvia organises full-time training

session at their facilities in Franceon a regular basis, as well asdirectly on site for farms, hatch-eries and laboratories.

been building its real world know-how by continually challenging andimproving breeder and broiler per-formance traits sought after andidentified during time spent workingclosely with customers to satisfytheir requirements.From its earliest days Arbor Acres

has been an innovator in breeding,nutrition and flock managementwith a number of key initiatives thatare still in practice today – relocat-ing production and service close tocustomers, use of floor slats toimprove litter quality, first to createand develop a highly successful pro-duction management school andthe regular distribution of marketoriented analysis called BroilerEconomics.While innovation is critical, the

consistent improvement and endur-ing quality of its breeding stock iswhat has earned Arbor Acres theindustry’s trust and respect.Arbor Acres has continually driven

change and today benefits from theinnovative technologies utilised inthe Aviagen breeding program.Innovations include electronic mea-surement of lifetime feed conver-sion progress, testing underchallenging conditions to improvethe efficiency and robustness of thebirds and variations in feed formand quality to challenge andimprove broiler appetite in less thanoptimal conditions. These improvements in the

genetic breeding program have

been widely acknowledged in per-formance by customers across theglobal broiler industry. Arbor Acres has a strong commit-

ment and has recognised the needto provide a valuable source of ani-mal protein to consumers. TheArbor Acres bird has respondedwith the right genetic performanceand produced an efficient breederand competitive broiler to continueto succeed in supplying customersin the global poultry industry.

Growth plusefficiency

The Arbor Acres Plus breeder hasconsistently produced some of thebest egg and chick production inthe industry. The broiler is theleader in growth rate with excel-lent feed conversion and highestdark meat yield.

aviagen.com/arbor-acres

Combined breeder and broilerperformance, persistent on-farmservice support and experiencedflock management make ArborAcres the preferred choice for cus-tomers everywhere.For over 80 years Arbor Acres has

18 International Hatchery Practice • Volume 31 Number 7

tomers as a distinct advantage whenchoosing a breeding pack-age for their needs. This expertise and

attention to product per-formance have made aclear difference in live per-formance in the highlycompetitive and chal-lenging markets in manyregions.Indian River has also suc-

ceeded in delivering incre-mental performance benefits

by being part of the industry’smarket-leading R&Dbreeding program. Thecontinual investment and

utilisation of new technology haveenhanced the breeding programefficiency and have enabled a morerapid rate of genetic progress to bedelivered each year.The breeder and broiler regularly

outperform other breeds. Aviageninvests millions of dollars in R&Dand has a successful strategy ofmaintaining a balanced approach tobodyweight, feed efficiency, leghealth, cardiovascular fitness androbustness, which enables IndianRiver to continue to improve and bethe difference maker in the poultryindustry.

The differencemaker

Indian River is the difference makerwith a highly manageable breederproducing good chick numbers invariable conditions and a feed-effi-cient broiler with excellent livabilityand proven environmental toler-ance.

aviagen.com/indian-river

The broiler has secured a reputa-tion for a superior early growth rateand exceptional feed conversion incustomer facilities throughout theglobal poultry market.The proven breeder and broiler

package delivering excellentfield performance and valueto customers has generatedgrowth and ongoingdemand for the IndianRiver breed. The consis-tent performance has caughtthe attention of customersof all sizes and has contin-ued to be the fastest-growingbrand in the broiler breedermarket.The Indian River repu-

tation comes from out-standing support through close-knit,highly dedicated and customer-focused support teams that havebeen openly recognised by cus-

Intensification ofselection forbreeder ducks

Grimaud Frères Sélection is signifi-cantly developing its supplies ofbreeder ducks to the world market.This is especially the case in Asiawhere the duck market is steadilygrowing in several countries, butthey are also experiencing the sametrend in other continents.

grimaudfreres.com

This is, of course, mainly the resultof consolidation of favourablebroiler and breeder technical andeconomical performances in clientfacilities, who then orientate theirsupplies of the STAR 53 breederaccordingly. This consolidation of

good technical performance is theresult of years of intensification ofselection upstream to the suppliesof breeder ducks. It is also the resultof Grimaud’s ability to maintain wellbalanced performances at PS and CSlevels, especially regarding the dif-ferent economic criteria of produc-tion.

This includes live weight, feedconversion ratio (FCR), carcaseyields (including breast meat, legmeat and others) at the broilerlevel, or egg production, fertilityand hatchability at the breederlevel.Good STAR 53 performances have

been confirmed in various impartial

comparison tests done in privatetesting stations or universities inAsia and in Europe.Based on this positive reaction of

the market, Grimaud FrèresSélection is making a new step inintensification at its duck selectioncentres. This means higher selection pres-

sure and more numerous or accu-rate selection measures to satisfycustomers in the competitive mar-ket that all duck producers are fac-ing in every country and in everymarket, as well as providing the bestplace for duck meat consumptionto all consumers. Grimaud also offer producers

adapted sales and technical ser-vices. For example, the comput-erised production data recordingsystem developed by the companyis now installed for free in severalof their client farms.

improvements in broiler parentperformance and the performanceof their broiler offspring for cus-tomers worldwide. They give theircustomers the consistency they arelooking for in the crucial areas ofmeat yield, feed conversion andtime to processing.Animal welfare and proper han-

dling is the foundation of the train-ing programs, husbandry methodsand breed selection at Cobb-Vantress. Caring for chickens is apassion for their team membersand farmers. They have ethicalrequirements for the daily care,health and well-being of theirchickens.Optimal bird health is a critical

component of the welfare of allthe chickens at Cobb-Vantressfarms and hatcheries. They striveto produce chickens that arerobust, healthy and disease-free.Cobb-Vantress are building a

future that achieves economicgrowth and preserves theenvironment. They recy-cle, use solar heating sys-tems and the latestefficiency lighting at theirhatcheries, farms andoffices. For them, a com-mitment to sustainabil-ity brings responsibilityand accountability intoall their activities. Cobb-Vantress is

committed to helpingthe communities, coun-

tries and the world wherethey operate. Their team

members participate in a hostof charitable giving through

their time, money, andfundraising events.Cobb is proud of OneEgg, their international

egg-producing projects aimed atreducing child hunger in develop-ing countries.

Setting thestandard inquality

Cobb-Vantress Inc makes qualityprotein accessible, healthy andaffordable worldwide. Theirresearch and technology innovatesthe global poultry industry. Withheadquarters in Siloam Springs,Arkansas, they are the world’s old-est pedigree broiler breeder, dis-tributing poultry to more than 120countries.

cobb-vantress.com

Their commitment to, and invest-ment in, research and developmentis a key factor in the quality andconsistency of their high qualitybroiler breeding stock. They have astrong focus on customer serviceand provide broiler breeder prod-ucts to meet the needs and expec-tations of each of their customers. Cobb-Vantress operates globally

through four business units:Cobb North America,Cobb South America,Cobb Europe,Middle East andAfrica, andCobb Asia.They geneti-

cally improvechickens foroptimal broilerbreeder produc-tion, efficientgrowth, reduced envi-ronmental impact, andsuperior poultryhealth and wellbeing. Poultry breeding and

genetics are helping make perma-nent production and well being

International Hatchery Practice • Volume 31 Number 7 19

This programme ensures excellentegg production, fertility and hatcha-bility to produce the maximumnumber of day-old ducklings withthe highest growth rate, the bestfeed conversion ratio and excep-tional meat yield of the best quality.Investment in research and devel-

opment centres in UK and Chinaguarantees continued progress.Cherry Valley was the first duckbreeding company to adopt feedstation technology for selection ofall its elite breeding stock, and itsinnovative use of genomics andDNA molecular markers will allow itto improve difficult to measuretraits, such as resistance to diseaseand liveability.Cherry Valley’s position as a

leader in duck production gives itstechnical support team strength indepth. Commitments to technologytransfer and active customerengagement are core company val-ues. Cherry Valley veterinary, nutri-tion and husbandry technicianssupport deliveries of day-old duck-lings and work with customers toensure that they get outstandingresults from their Cherry Valleybreeding stock.Cherry Valley Farms’ range of SM3

Pekin duck breeding stock providesnothing less than consistentimprovement, consistent qualityand consistent performance.

Quality andefficiency at all stages ofproduction

Cherry Valley Farms Ltd is theworld’s leading supplier of Pekinduck breeding stock with more than50 years of experience in the duckindustry. Its trademark and SM3Heavy and Medium strains arerecognised by producers and con-sumers alike in more than 60 coun-tries as producing the least cost andbest quality duck meat.

cherryvalley.co.uk

Cherry Valley Farms’ success isbuilt on its commitment to its pedi-gree breeding programme, which isthe source of the whole elite breed-ing population. Selection criteria arebalanced between the need todevelop reproductively efficientparent stock and growing stock thatwill produce the maximum amountof duck meat with the least amountof feed. Alongside these production para-

meters, measures of feather devel-opment, skeletal integrity and leghealth are used to secure the wel-fare of the animals that are kept atall levels by Cherry Valley and its

customers.

SM3 Heavy SM3 Medium

Eggs at 50 weeks of lay 296 296

Ducklings at 50 weeks of lay 241 244

Liveweight at 42 days (kg) 3.55 3.45

FCR 1.88 1.92

stances in the field. With theirglobal distribution network andcommitment to leading biosecuritystandards, customers gain the bene-fit of the security of supply, no mat-ter the circumstances. Genomic selection is another cru-

cial part of their R&D program; theycurrently test breeder candidatesfor 60,000 SNP markers and trans-late this information into moreaccurate predictions of geneticbreeding values and achieve fastergenetic progress.Through continuous testing and

research, their layers are capable ofproducing 500 top quality eggs,leading to increased profits for eggproducers. As cage-free egg production

becomes a large focus for US eggproducers and a growing interest inSouth America, the company isexcited to supply the best productsfor this changing environment. Theyoffer docile and productive layersthat perform well in a cage-free sys-tem.

In the transition to this new sys-tem, they aim to share their knowl-edge and expertise for the benefitof egg producers at every stage ofthe value chain. Within the broad product portfo-

lio, there is a tailored solution suit-able for every type of housingsystem, climate, egg market, pro-duction need, and managementstyle:

l ISA: Offers high egg production.l Bovans: A robust and versatilelayer.l Dekalb: A docile bird offeringhigh egg production.l Shaver: Excellent feed conversionrates.l Babcock: Exceptional productiv-ity in a range of climates.l Hisex: Superior egg quality andlay persistency.

Global breederand distributorof white andbrown layers

With roots dating back to the firsthalf of the 20th Century, HendrixGenetics Layers is the global operat-ing breeder and distributor of whiteand brown egg layers. HendrixGenetics is an international multi-species breeding company withactivities in turkey, layer, swine,aquaculture, and traditional poultry.

hendrix-genetics.com

The pure line layers are bred inseven R&D centres. From these R&Dcentres, pedigreed crossbred birdsare produced for field tests in anumber of different environments inorder to select the best birds in thebreeding program for the circum-

Breedingturkeys for thefuture

The core breeds, B.U.T. Premium andB.U.T. 6 are selected using a broadand balanced breeding goal whichdelivers optimal improvements ineconomic, health and welfarerelated traits and environmentalimpact.

aviagenturkeys.com

Aviagen Turkeys works closelywith the turkey industry to developthe turkey of the future. The combi-nation of Aviagen Turkeys’ largegene pool, balanced selection pro-gramme and high levels of invest-ment in new science ensures thestrongest product portfolio – rightnow and for the future. Key to the growth and competi-

tiveness of the turkey industry isefficiency of meat production, opti-mising inputs, for example feed,

water and litter, and maximising theoutputs, for example meat andhealth. To achieve this, AviagenTurkeys uses a balanced multi-traitselection strategy incorporatingpioneering techniques, to deliverimprovements in health, welfare,efficiency and ease of management. Examples of such techniques

include the use of X-ray technologyto develop skeletal strength. Feedconsumption and conversion ismeasured on all pedigree farms andreplicates feeding behaviour oncommercial farms. Each meal eatenby pedigree birds is captured andrecorded.The highly accurate data, increas-

ing number of records and high heri-tability has delivered faster progressin feed conversion. These tech-niques and skills of selection pro-duce breeds which are efficient,healthy, robust and easy to manageboth as parent stock and commer-cial birds.Aviagen Turkeys provides their

customers with a range of market-leading products to suit specificoperations and requirements.

20 International Hatchery Practice • Volume 31 Number 7

ers with a distinctive appearance.These colourful hybrids also offerfantastic opportunities to poultrybreeders, hatcheries and egg pro-ducers by supplying non-standardcommercial hens, chicks or eggs,where robust highly adaptablechickens are needed. Dominant CZ ,in co-operationwith privately owned companyLihen Studenec Ltd, have recentlyexpanded testing facilities to con-tinue to breed, select, improve andmarket these genetic programmes.The focus of the selection strat-egy is to maximise flexibility androbustness essential for extensiveand sub-optimal conditions.This strategy is realised by usingactual gene pools of tradi-tional breeds and local attrac-tively coloured populationsincluding Rhode Island Red,Barred & Blue Plymouth Rock,Sussex, White and BrownLeghorn, New Hampshire andtheir crosses with modern com-mercial populations.After stabilisation of new modernsynthetic populations, gene poolsare closed. Selection then starts

using BLUP methodology invarious environmental condi-tions with co-operation fromagricultural universities andtesting institutes. Every yeartwo generations of pure lineselection programmes areproduced. More than 50,000 chicks arereared, individually housed andidentified giving total traceabilityof parents and grandparents forevery chick. Various housing is used for testing,

including cage and floorsystems. Multiple strate-gies are adopted to varyand monitor genotype-environment interactions.For example, feed ration con-struction and presentation is

changed for every new generationof pure line. Reciprocal selection

tests are used to studyresults of these plannedenvironmental changes.A key selection criteria ishomogeneous growth char-acteristics and similar bodyweight at maturity across allprogrammes. The breeding strategy is

based on maximum yield fromgrandparents, parents and finalhybrids to ensure prolific earlyproduction of high qualityfertile hatching eggs andfirst grade table eggs.In addition to the in-houseselection and improvementstrategies, data is constantlymonitored through co-opera-tion with commercial poultrybusinesses, scientists and studentsfrom agricultural universities inorder to make furtherimprovements.

Flexibility forthe changingdemands of thepoultry market

In the last 20 years partners frommore than 50 countries haveimported a range of traditionalcoloured layers from Dominant CZ.This family owned private com-pany from the Czech Republic spe-cialises in breeding and selectionof laying and dual purpose poultry.

dominant-cz.cz

Traditional dual purpose isachieved by breeding hens that arehighly adaptable forprofitable egg produc-tion in all managementsystems and climaticconditions, whilst usingcockerels for meat production.These traditional utility layerswith higher body weight thanstandard modern hybrids are per-fectly suited to specific local breed-ing programmes including Baladiand Sonali types inMiddle Eastern coun-tries, Inasal type popu-lar in the Philippines,local specialities inMexico and production forAsian style restaurantsacross Europe and USA.In many countries, after prof-itable egg production,hens are processed forthe high yielding qualitycarcase which is consid-ered a delicacy. The flexibility ofDominant genetics offersa profitable alternative forindependent hatcheries pro-ducing day old chicks for sus-tainable meat and eggproduction as well as support-ing local small scale family farmsespecially in developing economies. In addition to dual purpose brownegg breeding programmes,Dominant CZ also offerspecial programmes for theproduction of premium highvalue table eggs of mixedcolours including white, brown,dark brown, cream, green andblue. These artisan eggs offer excel-lent opportunities to producers tocreate new markets orexpand existing ones asa viable value addedalternative to standardbrown and white eggproduction. Dominant CZ also offermodern commercial hybridlaying programmes synthesisedfrom traditional attractive breeds,resulting in robust and flexible lay-

International Hatchery Practice • Volume 31 Number 7 21

Focus onsuccess for theglobal turkeysector

At Hybrid Turkeys, their entire teamis focused on ensuring the successof your business and the globalturkey industry as a whole. Fromturkey breeding through commer-cial distribution they offer a reliablesupply of leading genetics as well asaccess to their team of globalturkey experts.

hybridturkeys.com

As part of Hendrix Genetics, aleading multi-species breeding com-pany, they have access to state-of-the-art research and technologyfacilities as well as shared servicesin processing and transport. Theycan therefore offer progressivesolutions for a bright future. Their vision is to be recognised as

a global leader in the turkey indus-try and as a partner in your businessrather than just a supplier of genet-

ics. They strive to be at the fore-front of innovation and investmentin the turkey industry. They provide unmatched thought

leadership, research and develop-ment and collaboration to grow theindustry and optimise your business.With production locations around

the world they provide a reliablesupply of top quality genetics totheir customers. At Hybrid you are apartner, not a customer. Partnershipmeans reliable access to their globalsupply chain. It means a team ofglobal experts focused on yourbusiness. It means they are with youevery step of the way.Hybrid Turkeys offers three core

strains of turkeys through a globalnetwork of approved distributors.Each product is designed to max-imise economic return at differentmarket weights. These productsinclude:l Grade maker: Medium weightoption. Best for the whole bird market. l Converter: Number one sellingheavy bird in the world. Offers theindustry’s best economic return atflexible weights. l XL: Heaviest weight option. Greatfor further processing markets.

of the Ross 308 breeder, bringingsuperior egg and chick numbers.Ross 308 is an important part of

the Aviagen portfolio of world-leading poultry breeding products.Aviagen’s balanced breeding pro-gram has led the industry in suc-cessful breakthrough technologiesfor decades. As a result of thesecontinual advancements, the Ross308 has reaped powerful geneticimprovements in health, welfareand performance.To ensure customers benefit from

the full genetic potential made pos-sible by years of research and devel-opment, an experienced andknowledgeable regional serviceteam is always close at hand tochampion their success.No matter where Ross customers

are located on the globe, these ded-icated local teams live in the samecommunities, speak the local lan-guages and understand theirunique challenges.

With valuable breed-ing traits, excellentbroiler productiv-ity and the com-mitment of localteams to fortifycustomer success,the Ross 308offers the com-plete package forcurrent and future

businessneeds.

The completepackage in onebroiler breeder

The Ross 308 consolidates value-added qualities in one completepackage: consistently strong repro-ductive traits, a dedicated serviceand support team and excellentbroiler performance, making it theworld’s most popular broilerbreeder.

aviagen.com/ross

The Ross 308 is recognised glob-ally as a broiler that consistentlydelivers robust performance inthe broiler house.Integrated and indepen-

dent producers profitfrom the cost-effective-ness and productivity of abroiler that has excellentfeed efficiency, highmeat yield and stronglivability and the ver-satility to meet abroad range of endproduct require-ments.Adding further value

to the broiler advantage,Ross 308 customers gainfrom the out-standing fertilityand hatchability

Our next breeder review feature will be

published in International Hatchery Practice in

October 2018.

Find out how to be included by

contacting us on:Tel: +44 1377 241724

Email: info@positiveaction.co.uk

Sasso's sole goal has always beento breed strains capable of produc-ing high-quality poultry, full offlavour and cost-effective for pro-ducers, in the best hygiene condi-tions.Developments in selection tech-

niques, research in nutrition andbreeder management have enabledSasso to continually improve theeconomic performance of its stockwithout compromising their inher-ent quality. Sasso is constantly lis-tening to the broiler industry tomatch these expectations.Their portfolio includes two main

recessive females – SA51 and SA31 –which are able to fit different mar-kets, such as free range, organic,Label Rouge but also differentiatedgrowth. Their three different families of

males allow a large phenotypes ofproducts:

Fully dedicatedto supplyingcolour breedergenetics

Sasso is a company fully dedicatedto colour breeder genetics from along and strict breeding programbased on performance.

sasso.fr

Established 40 years ago by theleading French ‘Label Rouge’ poultryproducers, at the end of last yearSasso welcomed Hendrix Genetics asthe main shareholder. This newalliance will help Sasso to increaseits R&D and to develop sales all overthe world despite AI bans.

l T Family: for slow growthproduction (T for traditional).l X Family: for medium growth. l C Family: for more rapid growth. The characteristics of Sasso’s

products are an extremely resistantchicken with excellent livability,high rusticity, agood carcaseuniformityand, of course,a premium qual-ity meat. Theyare also easyto manage. This is why

Sasso is todaya world-lead-ing breeder oftraditional farming,distributing its breedingstock all over the world.Sasso is also the

only company who

can customise genetic lines for anyspecific requirements. Sasso, withits know how, is able to offer anymade to measure selection at anyplace in the world.