GENUS FOCUS NON-INVASIVE IN-OVO SEXING FULLY ALIGNED WITH ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS

Orbem and Vencomatic Group are excited about the fact that a recent study commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) confirms that the physiological neural activity of chick embryos does not start before day 13 of incubation – meaning pain cannot be processed before this time. This finding is crucial for animal welfare standards, as it provides scientific evidence to support the planned adjustment to the current German ban on chick culling after day 6 of incubation. German federal cabinet (Bundeskabinett) has decided to draft an aid to adapt the prohibition for ending the incubation process of chick embryos after day 12, as of January 1 st , 2024.

Dr. Maria Laparidou, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at Orbem, veterinarian, and embryo development expert comments: “The results found in this latest study of pain perception in embryos are confirming that the Genus Focus non-invasive technology is the way forward when it comes to in-ovo sexing in the most animal-friendly way. A perfect match with our mission to develop technology that meets high standards of animal welfare and sustainability.”

About a year ago the two companies announced their strategic partnership for Genus Focus: an in-ovo sexing solution that can detect the sex of poultry embryos before day 13 of incubation with MRI & Artificial Intelligence technology.

The teams worked intensively to develop and install their modular trolley-to-trolley solution, combining Orbem’s Genus Focus technology with a newly developed Prinzen automated egg-handling system, allowing 24,000 eggs per hour to be scanned. Given the proposed adjustment of German regulations to allow in-ovo sexing on day 12 and also after 1. January 2024, the companies expect to soon deliver their first German installation.

To date, 6 Genus Focus modules are operational at French hatchery customers and already >10 million eggs have been scanned. This combined solution is versatile, accurate, can be utilized on any chicken breed, and does not affect hatchability as it is non-invasive and contactless. Customers are very satisfied with the high degree of automation and efficiency, as only 1 employee is needed to operate the entire process even when multiple modules are used in parallel. Moreover, the flexibility of adding more modules, allows hatcheries to increase their egg-scanning output, keeping up with growing market demand.

For more information, visit www.vencomaticgroup.com

Aglobal agricultural market affected by ASF (African swine fever), and avian influenza outbreaks has given the Danish manufacture of hygiene and disinfection products for livestock, Jorenku A/S, an increased bottom line.

For the third year in a row the Danish company Jorenku A/S, the producer of e.g. Staldren®, has increased the bottom line.

The company’s result for 2022 ends with DKK 2.7 million compared to the previous year, where the result ended at DKK 2.1 million. That is an increase of 27.3%. The operation – the EBITDA – ends with DKK 4.1 million and is thus also higher than the previous year.

According to the founder and CEO of Jorenku, Johnni Pedersen, the positive development is a result of great demand for the company’s flagship product, Staldren®

Johnni Pedersen states: “The profit is mainly due to the fact that more and