The Tyson Foods’ breeder complex at Wilkesboro, N.C., is the winner of the top US Cobb500 performance in 2016 for total egg production/hen housed.
This is the third year running for the complex to receive an award, having topped the Mid-Atlantic Region in the previous two years. In 2016, the Wilkesboro complex produced 177.42 total eggs/hen housed in a survey of the US industry with production figures all adjusted to 65 weeks. This complex housed 36 flocks, representing over 500,000 hens housed.
Cliff Lee, breeder hatchery manager, Tyson Foods, gives credit to his team members for this accomplishment, saying, “Tom, Ronnie, Daniel, Roger, Susie and the vaccination crew work hard every day to get top results and they take a lot of pride in their work. These good people keep us heading in the right direction.
“We communicate every day about what is happening and work closely together as a team. Taking care of our birds and our team members is the ultimate goal. Certainly, it’s a challenging job – but good communication, accountability, team effort and hard work makes it that much easier.”
Ken Semon, Cobb director of technical services for North America, added, “This is a great accomplishment for the Tyson Wilkesboro breeder department, and now the goal is to stay on top with Cobb500 and get to the same spot with the Cobb700.”
East Regional Award
Fieldale Farms in Baldwin, Ga., won the award for the best Cobb500 complex in the East Region. This is the company’s fourth year to be recognized as the top performer.
Totaling more than 990,000 pullets, the Fieldale complex averaged an overall performance of 175.45 total eggs/hen house with 85.44% hatchability and 145.41 chicks/hen housed with average depletion at 63.22 weeks.
Cobb Southeast technical service manager Jeff Steed said, “I want to congratulate Fieldale Farms on their continued effort to achieve outstanding performance as one of our regional winners in 2016 after their success as the top performing company in the US in 2015. All this shows their dedication to striving to be the best.”
West Region Award
As the top Cobb500 West Region performer, Tyson Sedalia’s flocks, totaling more than 443,000 pullets, achieved an average of 170.80 total eggs/hen housed, 165.47 hatching eggs/hen housed with 85.14% hatchability and 140.91 chicks/hen housed with average depletion at 64.42 weeks.
Altogether, this is the 11th time Sedalia has been recognized as a top performer with the Cobb breed—more awards in the Cobb survey than any other company/complex since it began in 2004.
Tommy Walker, Cobb technical service representative, commented, “I want to congratulate Travis Glenn and his breeder team on achieving this award. It takes hard work and consistent attention to fine details day-in and day-out, along with dedication and a great work ethic to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve such great performance. Again, I would like to express my appreciation to the Tyson Sedalia breeder team for this fine achievement.”
Cobb Package Flock Award
The top Cobb500 package flock award was presented to Pilgrims Nashville, Ark. The MX x 500FF flock on Dewayne Carver’s breeder farm near Ozan, Ark., achieved 188.20 hatching eggs/hen housed, with 87.93% hatchability and 160.51 chicks/hen housed. Charles Swain, Cobb technical service representative said, this flock’s performance is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Dewayne Carver and the breeder team at Pilgrim’s.
Slow Feathering Flock Award
International Poultry Breeders (IPB) of Rison, Ark., and the Steve and Tanja Burton Farm teamed up to win this award. The Burton Farm flock produced 180.04 total eggs/hen housed, making it the top in the US for the Cobb500SF.
Swain of Cobb commented, “The Burtons are very happy to be producing for IPB. The management team at IPB is very proud of their accomplishment and grateful for the hard work of the Burtons.”
Fast Feathering Flock Award
Marty Clark of Clark Hill Farm in Jefferson, Ga.—part of the Mar-Jac Poultry Complex in Gainesville, Ga.—received the award for the top fast feathering Cobb500 flock with 193.91 total eggs/hen housed. Clark attributes the farm’s success to paying close attention to detail, keeping a consistent routine and having a good preventative maintenance program.
