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5 Jul 2024

Ross UK Flock Awards: Celebrating excellence in breeder management

EDINBURGH, Scotland – Aviagen® customers in the UK have once again showcased their dedication and expertise in flock management, optimizing the genetic potential of Ross® 308 breeders. The annual UK Flock Awards, held in Hertfordshire, recognized the top performers.

Attendees representing the complete UK breeder sector enjoyed networking and sharing innovative ideas while celebrating their remarkable accomplishments at the annual event.

Guests at Ross UK Flock AwardsTop honors and achievements

The evening featured the presentation of 30 breeder awards, including the prestigious Top Flock Award earned by P.D. Hook. Notably, P.D. Hook won this award for the second consecutive year.

Stuart Thomson, Head of Aviagen UK Sales and Technical, highlighted the exceptional performance of the flocks:

“Our awarded flocks highlighted outstanding results, showing the rest of the industry what is possible. These flocks achieved on average 166.4 chicks per hen housed (chicks/hh), which is 13.8 chicks ahead of the UK average; it also puts these 10 flocks an impressive 4.2 chicks ahead of the UK Top Quartile.”

  • Average UK performance: 152.6 chicks, surpassing the performance objective of 145.4 chicks.
  • 190 out of 231 evaluated flocks for the awards exceeded 150 chicks.
  • 57 flocks reached over 160 chicks.
  • The top flock achieved a remarkable 174.2 chicks - the only flock of more than 170 chicks/hh.

Commitment to welfare and sustainability

“Our customers have proven that good welfare is good business. For example, over the past five years, livability trends have improved by over 1%. Additionally, the steady increase in feed efficiency has enhanced the sustainability of our industry at a broiler level,” says Stuart. “The Aviagen team remains dedicated to supporting their customers in achieving even greater results in the future, truly embodying our spirit of ‘breeding success together.’”

David Neilson, Agriculture Director at Avara Foods, adds: “Recognition for the farmers is so important and often overlooked; therefore, the Flock Awards event is of priority for me every year.”