Aviagen customers in the United States continue to impress with their stellar breeder performance. Aviagen recently recognized these top achievers with the 2020 Flock Awards. The awards are given to Ross poultry producers who are able to optimize the genetic potential of their Ross breeders by applying excellence in animal husbandry combined with teamwork and dedication. The winners were presented with an engraved crystal egg and personally congratulated by Aviagen North America representatives.
Categories of excellence
Here are the top four Flock Award categories, which are based on 2020 flock results. (The broiler breeders include the Ross 708 and Ross 308, and the Ross 308 AP is a new category for this year.)
- Top Egg Producer represents the highest number of eggs output per hen housed to 65 weeks
- Top Hatching Eggs is the largest number of hatching eggs per hen housed to 65 weeks
- Top Chicks awards the most chicks produced per hen housed to 65 weeks
- Top Hatch recognizes the greatest hatchability (based on a percentage) to 65 weeks
To be considered for a Flock Award, a farm complex must send in all records of depleted flocks for the previous year, with a minimum requirement of six flocks.
According to Aviagen North America President Marc de Beer, the goal for the Flock Award program is twofold: “To encourage growers throughout the region by showing them the breeder performance that is possible with Ross birds, and to provide customers with a helpful benchmarking tool. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and look forward to helping our customers achieve continued success.”
“We congratulate these high achievers, who are a shining example to the entire industry of the breeder performance that is possible through hard work, commitment, attention to detail and a true passion for what they do,” added Frank Dougherty, vice president of Sales for Aviagen North America.
Randall Vickery, regional technical manager for Aviagen North Amerca, also commented, “We are thrilled to honor our 2020 Flock Award recipients, who represent the best of the best in the U.S. market. Our dedicated service teams work hand-in-hand these high achievers, as well as our valued customers throughout North America, providing management advice and support to champion their success.”
2020 Flock Award winners
A big congratulations to the 2020 Ross 708, 308 and 308 AP Flock Award recipient, many of whom are repeat winners from 2019:
Ross 708 Flock Award winners:
Gold Top Egg Producer, Wayne Farms, Clermont, Ga.
Silver Top Egg Producer, Sanderson Farms, Kinston, N.C.
Gold Top Hatching Eggs, Wayne Farms, Clermont, Ga.
Silver Top Hatching Eggs, Sanderson Farms, Kinston, N.C.
Gold Top Chicks, Sanderson Farms, Kinston, N.C.
Silver Top Chicks, Wayne Farms, Clermont, Ga.
Gold Top Hatch, Sanderson Farms, Laurel, Miss.
Silver Top Hatch, Sanderson Farms, McComb, Miss.
Ross 308 Award winners:
Gold Top Egg Producer, Pilgrim’s, Ellijay, Ga.
Silver Top Egg Producer, International Poultry Breeders, Norman Park, Ga.
Gold Top Hatch, OK Foods, Inc., Ft. Smith, Ark
Ross 308 AP Flock Award winners:
Gold Top Egg Producer, Pilgrim’s, Broadway, Va.
Silver Top Egg Producer, Pilgrim's, Ellijay, Ga.
Gold Top Hatching Eggs, Pilgrim's, Broadway, Va.
Silver Top Hatching Eggs, Pilgrim's Ellijay, Ga.
Gold Top Chicks, Pilgrim’s, Broadway, Va.
