Poultry is a caring industry. The poultry community realizes that business is not simply about economic returns. It is about building relationships, working toward the industry’s sustainability and fulfilling a collective mission to combat hunger and promote good health and well-being. In this third article of our sustainability series, we will make the case that success for the world’s poultry farmers, and the people they serve, equals success for all.
Helping farmers succeed
Poultry breeders offer farmers a consistent supply of quality breeding stock. However, that is only a fraction of their responsibility.
A direct team of support specialists located close to customers, and who often speak their language, is there to help with daily challenges. Knowledge and skills are key to sustaining a poultry operation. Breeders provide management advice in a variety of ways, including schools, workshops and seminars, online and in person, as well as tools and documents downloadable from websites and mobile apps.
Animal welfare is good business
Poultry breeders are devoted to bird well-being because we care about our birds. Bird welfare is not only the right thing to do but is good for business. Birds with good health have stronger immune systems and are more robust and disease resistant. Similarly, strict biosecurity programs protect bird health by keeping away infectious pathogens – vital to securing the supply chain.
Helping communities succeed
Helping others serves to strengthen our societies from the ground up. It also promotes a sense of community among our own colleagues, making them feel proud to work for an industry that cares. We have seen countless examples of companies and individuals devoting time and funds to give back to those in need, and this spirit of giving was heightened within our industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sustaining our future
The future of our industry depends on our ability to attract and retain creative young talent. Research by the World Economic Forum shows that Generation Z cares more about sustainability than anyone else – they want to work where they can make an impact.
It is on us to tell the story of our sustainability advantages. Chicken is the most sustainable meat, and breeders are making consistent progress in lowering its environmental footprint further. Poultry meat is affordable, nutritious and popular around the world. It is important for us to build and strengthen ties with academia. We can offer scholarships and give students a first-hand glimpse into the good work we do by providing internships in an array of exciting job fields.
Breeding consumer confidence
Transparency and communication are important for public perception. Today’s consumers want to know where their food comes from and that it is raised responsibly, sustainably and with good welfare. We must be forthcoming with this information and, at the same time, reassure the public that our strict biosecurity protocols support both food safety and supply security at the breeder level.
Passion for feeding the world – sustainably
We all have something we are passionate about. For poultry breeders and our colleagues in the wider supply chain, it is feeding the world and strengthening societies, while making our industry an attractive career proposition and strengthening the sustainability of our industry for generations to come. In our sustainability article series, we hope to have made the case that the three pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental and social – work seamlessly together to generate a high quality of life and thriving society that live in balanced harmony with the planet we all call home.
How sustainability really benefits poultry producers
