Leading UK poultry producer PD Hook recently earned two Cobb Champion Awards — the first time in Cobb-Vantress history the same company has gained two awards in one year.
The hatchery award went to its Great Yarmouth hatchery in Norfolk, which produces one million broiler chicks a week. The breeder award went to nearby Strumpshaw farm, housing a flock of 17,000 Cobb500 parent stock.
Andrew Gibson, PD Hook regional production director, said he was delighted to receive the awards, which were a tribute to their teamwork and attention to detail in bringing out the potential of the Cobb breed. The flock achieved award-winning performance even before the Strumpshaw farm benefited from a major refurbishment program earlier this year.
The presentations took place at the British Pig and Poultry Fair where plaques were also given to the Spelman brothers — Mark who is area breeder manager and Stuart who is farm manager — and to hatchery manager Ben Burnett.
Cobb regional account manager Tom Procter said focusing on key areas of breeder rearing such as controlling bodyweight, maximizing condition, and male management had paid handsome dividends in scoring this double triumph.
Cobb Champion Awards were introduced in 2015 to recognize outstanding performance in breeder and broiler flocks, and at hatcheries, by customers throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. They not only reward excellence but act as an incentive for other customers to achieve similar results.
