Aviagen’s poultry feed mill increases output yet cuts carbon emissions

Aviagen’s energy-smart poultry feed mill in Athens, Alabama cuts carbon emissions by 558 metric tons a year, while in the mean time feed production has increased by 30 percent.

The newly expanded Aviagen poultry feed mill in Athens, Ala. is producing 30 percent more feed while consuming far less energy, reducing its carbon emissions by hundreds of tons, and cutting its annual utility expenses by more than $160,000.

Global poultry breeding company Aviagen completed a multi-million dollar expansion of its feed mill in June of 2010.

The expansion added production capacity with new equipment and procedures that ensure the biosecurity of pelletized and crumbled feed for Aviagen’s Pedigree operation in Tennessee and to 115 Aviagen poultry farms in Alabama.

Now with a full year of operation behind it, the mill is reporting its results: Even though the facility has increased feed production by more than 30 percent, Aviagen’s more efficient processing equipment has allowed it to reduce its electric, natural gas and diesel costs by $169,836 and cut its overall carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 615 tons (558 metric tons).

To bring those carbon savings down to earth, sucha a reduction in CO2 is like pulling 126 passenger cars (or 92 pickups and SUVs) off the road for a year, according to Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

“Our Athens mill expansion is achieving all our goals,” said Richard Obermeyer, Aviagen’s director of feed production. “We grew capacity, ensured biosecurity, and cut costs. But the added benefit is that we enhanced the sustainability of our feed mill operation by reducing energy consumption across the board.”

Detailed figures on the savings can be found HERE.