New feed mill boosts Iraq’s poultry industry

Vano Group, parent company of Rasun Poultry, the Ross Grandparent (GP) distributor in Iraq, has recently completed and commissioned a state-of-the-art feed mill just outside the city of Erbil. The new mill is part of ongoing strategy to support and boost the poultry industry in Iraq with quality poultry rations.

Based on a 14-hour working day, the new facility is able to produce 210 tons of high- quality mash feed each day. The mill is fully automated and capable of producing feed for grandparent stock (GPS), Parent Stock (PS) and broilers. Quality-finished feed product and feed hygiene was top of the priority list when it came to construction.

“The new mill is in a great location to supply our customers in Iraq and Kurdistan. It gives us a real competitive advantage and, combined with the genetic quality of the Ross bird, a superb package for the market,” said Dr. Salah M. Bakir, Chairman and CEO of Vano Group.

“We have worked hard training staff and have developed a consultancy service to offer advice to our customers on feed issues. It is already a bit of a landmark as is our state-of- the art feed mill in the country.”

In addition to investing in infrastructure, Vano Group is also investing in innovation with the University of Salahaddin in Erbil, supplying a University farm and hatchery with chicks and hatching eggs. The project will be used for research on Ross broilers, promoting welfare to local farmers focusing on issues such as feeding, drinking, lighting and vaccinations as part of a collaborative approach to research. Vano Group will share any profit from the project with the University.

The farms will also serve as a facility where the next generation of poultry managers can develop their skills in a real world environment. “Vano Group, and in particular Rasun, the GP distributor in Iraq, are making great strides, not only for themselves, but also for the industry as a whole”, said John Maguire, Ross International Sales Manager.

“They have shown the way forward with welfare and biosecurity as vital components of their business and the partnership with the University of Salahaddin will produce graduates who have real hands-on experience of all aspects of poultry management, something the rapidly growing Middle Eastern poultry industry is in need of.”

Source: Aviagen