Staying abreast of the latest developments in the global poultry industry, we present a summary of key business updates from August. Highlights include the launch of Cheggy’s innovative technology in Brazil, a major investment by Hendrix Genetics, and Betagro’s support for a new poultry bacteria product in the US. Read on for more insights from the industry.
Revolutionary In-Ovo Sexing Technology ‘Cheggy’ Debuts in Brazil
In a significant advancement for poultry management, the Cheggy machine has been successfully installed in Brazil for the first time. This innovative technology identifies the sex of chicks while they are still in their eggs, providing an effective solution for dealing with male chicks that are not viable for egg production. Developed by Agri Advanced Technologies GmbH (a subsidiary of the EW Group), this marks a significant milestone for in-ovo sexing technology in Latin America.
Hendrix Genetics Enhances Poultry Innovation with New Investment
Hendrix Genetics has announced plans to bolster its poultry breeding program through a strategic investment in a new pedigree facility in the Netherlands. This state-of-the-art facility will enhance the Layers and Traditional Poultry Breeding Program, featuring modern hatchery capabilities and rearing setups designed for advanced breeding techniques and precise data collection. A highlight is the incorporation of Real-Time Feed Stations for individual feed intake monitoring, geared towards accelerating genetic progress in critical traits such as egg production, livability, animal welfare, and eggshell quality.
Aviagen Honors Top Breeding Performance at Ross UK Flock Awards
Aviagen held the 25th annual Ross Flock Awards in Chester, celebrating UK producers who achieved remarkable success with their flocks in 2024. The Top Flock Award was conferred to Pilgrim’s Europe for an outstanding achievement of 173.4 chicks per hen housed, while the national average increased to 156.1 chicks/hh, reflecting a growth of 3.5 chicks from the previous year.
BarnTech Rebrands to GalliNova
BarnTech B.V. has rebranded to GalliNova B.V., a change that aligns with its mission to offer smarter, more humane, and efficient solutions for poultry farms. “Our innovations aim to enhance workflow and animal welfare,” said a company spokesperson. Flagship products include the Poultry Hawk, designed to streamline farm operations, and the H2H Euthanizer, a humane alternative to cervical dislocation.
Betagro Ventures Invests in BiomEdit’s Poultry Bacteria Product
Betagro, through its venture arm, Betagro Ventures, has entered into a partnership with global investors to support BiomEdit‘s Series B funding. This investment is aimed at advancing BE-101, a leading probiotic vectored antibody product designed to reduce mortality related to necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens, with plans to market it as Optavant once licensed.
Cobb-Vantress Announces 2025 Research Initiative Grant Recipients
Cobb-Vantress has revealed the recipients of its 2025 Cobb Research Initiative grants, funding seven innovative projects aimed at advancing poultry genetics:
- Marcelo Veiga (Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil): Studying embryonic and fetal development of Cobb chickens at various incubation temperatures.
- Nilva Kazue Sakomura (Sao Paulo State University): Analyzing metabolic responses to different temperature programs in Cobb broiler chickens.
- Craig Coon (University of Arkansas): Investigating optimal amino acid ratios and digestible lysine intake for breeders during peak production phases.
- Hui Yu (The Ohio State University): Examining the role of satellite cell heterogeneity in the development of wooden breast myopathy.
- Lonneke Vervelde (Royal GD Animal Health): Utilizing intestinal organoids as phenotyping tools for screening genetic lines for microbial resilience.
- Guoming Li (University of Georgia): Developing an intelligent system for tracking and phenotype extraction in group-housed broiler chickens.
- Stephanie Richter (Georgia Tech Research Institute): Analyzing digital morphometrics related to leg defects.
Cargill to Acquire Mig-Plus, Expanding Animal Nutrition Portfolio in Brazil
Cargill has made a binding offer to acquire 100% of Mig-Plus, a family-owned company that specializes in animal nutrition solutions. The agreement is set to expand Cargill’s offerings across multiple species and enhance their product portfolio of premixes, feed concentrates, and complete feeds. This acquisition is pending regulatory approval.
Kemin Industries Acquires Hennessy Research Associates
Kemin Industries has announced its acquisition of Hennessy Research Associates, which specializes in developing vaccines for infectious diseases in animals and boasts expertise in biological manufacturing and testing processes.
DSM-Firmenich Publishes Mycotoxin Survey Results
DSM-Firmenich has released findings from its World Mycotoxin Survey for January to June 2025, revealing a comprehensive analysis of 10,868 samples from 81 countries. The survey found that deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisins were the most prevalent mycotoxins, particularly in North, Central, and South America, South Asia, China, and Taiwan.
