May Business Update: What’s new in the world of poultry?

First hatchery in Scandinavia, Steinsland & Co, installs respeggt system for in-ovo sexing in Norway

To introduce ‘Free of Chick Culling’ chicks, the in-ovo sexing technology of respeggt will be installed in the Steinsland & Co hatchery in Bryne in June. Steinsland & Co supplies day-old chicks across the Norwegian market. Tone Steinsland, GM at Steinsland & Co: “We are now confident that the timing is right, both in terms of market demands and the technology available through respeggt.” Last year Nortura, Norway’s largest egg packing station, bought shares in Steinsland & Co. With their own grandparent stock, parent stocks, hatchery, pullet rearing and several egg packing stations, the 2 companies cover the entire value chain in Norway.

Meyn America to accelerate customer parts deliveries through new distribution facility

Poultry processing solutions company, Meyn America, plans to construct a 7,400 sqm Green Globes-certified parts distribution facility in Oconee County, South Carolina. The construction of the warehouse requires an investment of US$10.8 million and is expected to be operational by Q3 2024. The facility is intended to accelerate and improve the accuracy of Meyn’s growing parts business to support customers throughout the US, Canada, Mexico and Latin America. Parts are currently shipped via air from distribution centres throughout Europe to Meyn America’s customers.

HIPRA launches the IN-OVO coccidiosis vaccination experiences challenge

In-ovo vaccination in commercial broilers is growing globally due to the advancements it brings in automating the vaccination process. Furthermore, the use of vaccines against coccidiosis in commercial broilers is increasing. To participate in Hipra’s challenge, avian veterinarians will need to present a trial demonstrating the performance of attenuated coccidiosis vaccines administered through in-ovo injection on commercial broiler farms. The top 3 trials will be selected for submission as abstracts at the 2024 AAAP Annual Meeting, and the authors of each selected trial will be rewarded with the opportunity to attend the event, which will take place in July 2024 in St. Louis in the US and present their findings.

Genus Focus in-ovo sexing ‘fully aligns with animal welfare standards’

A study commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture notes that the physiological neural activity of chick embryos does not start before day 13 of incubation, which they say means pain cannot be processed before this time. This, they say, supports the planned adjustment to the current German ban on chick culling after day 6 of incubation. German federal cabinet has decided to draft an aid to adapt the prohibition for ending the incubation process of chick embryos after day 12, as of 1 January 2024. Last year, Orbem and Vencomatic Group announced their partnership for Genus Focus: an in-ovo sexing solution that can detect the sex of poultry embryos before day 13 of incubation with MRI & Artificial Intelligence technology. The companies expect to soon deliver their first German installation. To date, 6 Genus Focus modules are operational at a French hatchery where over 10 million eggs have already been scanned.

Aviagen’s 2023 EMEAA Hatchery and Incubation School

Aviagen’s hatchery support team spent time sharing knowledge and ideas with customers during the 2023 Hatchery and Incubation Management Module of the Production Management School for Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The event took place in Budapest, Hungary, at the end of April. Attendees experienced both theory and practical knowledge, analysing the needs of a growing embryo and exploring the techniques and knowledge needed to achieve optimum hatchery performance. In addition, the 2023 Hatchery Module’s David Butler Award was presented to Jamie Langford, a Hatchery Management Trainee from PD Hook. The award honours students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, communication and innovation, as well as significant progress and development.

Innovad acquiring Herbonis

To strengthen its portfolio of natural speciality feed ingredients and align with its strategy of expanding into primary ingredients, Innovad is acquiring all the shares of Herbonis, a Swiss-based company and its affiliates. Panbonis, a flagship Herbonis product, contains the plant-based source of the metabolic active form of Vitamin D which the company says has proven health benefits in poultry, swine and dairy.

Adisseo launches new website ‘Protect your Margins’

To help the animal production sector face short-term price volatility and long-term resource management obstacles, Adisseo’s new website, ‘Protect your margins’, aims to help those in the ruminant, poultry, swine and aquaculture sectors. Various resources can be explored all related to critical business issues such as feed costs, animal performance, and disease outbreaks.

CP Foods plans 100% renewable energy-powered animal farms

Charoen Pokphand Foods has unveiled plans to develop a prototype for a fully renewable energy-powered animal farm. Dubbed the RE100 prototype farm, an array of renewable energy sources will be incorporated, including solar panels installed across farms, feed mills, and food manufacturing facilities, and waste-to-energy initiatives and recycling waste into renewable power.