Select Genetics held its official groundbreaking ceremony for the new 118,000 square foot hatchery being built in Terra Haute, Indiana.
When completed in the summer of 2018 this will be the largest turkey incubation and hatching facility in the world, with the capacity to set 61 million eggs per year, the company stated in a press release.
Key local officials, the Economic Development Corporation, industry representatives and members of the community joined Aviagen and Select Genetics in celebrating the progress that has been made on this new facility.
Jihad Douglas, CEO of Select Genetics, said: “We are proud to become a part of the Indiana turkey industry with this latest investment. Aviagen and Select Genetics are fortunate to have owners that are committed to investing in infrastructure and the future of the turkey industry. This facility will complement a similar hatchery that was completed in Iowa in 2011 and the company’s four other hatcheries around the U.S.”
According to Rick Vanderspek, president of Select Genetics, “When looking for a hatchery site, we obviously wanted a location that was convenient to our customer base. Terra Haute was in the right place, but just as important was a welcoming community with the employee base and infrastructure to support the operation of a hatchery this size. We’ve been very pleased with the progress thus far and look forward to being a part of the community for years to come.”
Hatchery design and construction
The hatchery was designed using the experience of John Sims, Aviagen Hatchery Specialist and Larry B. Smith, Jr. (JR) of L. B. Smith & Associate.
Shawn Peltier, Select Genetics’ project manager for the hatchery, said the design work was completed in May and Garmong Construction was appointed at that time, allowing Select Genetics to begin site preparation work during the summer months.
The total site encompasses 40 acres and the hatchery will have the equivalent of 2.7 acres under roof. It will be equipped with Jamesway single-stage incubation and hatching equipment.
Douglas said the company plans to hold open house for the facility in 2018.
