COMPANY FOCUS
Sustainable poultry production through responsible, balanced breeding Our global population is predicted to grow to 9.8 billion by 2050. As we approach the challenge of how to produce enough food to meet the needs of these extra 2 billion people, the world’s producers must do so in a way that is environmentally responsible. passes everything we care about: we know that our customers are passionate about their birds, and so are we. That is why we make bird health and wellbeing a top priority and a major focus of our research and development. You may find it interesting that, through balanced breeding, we have been able to improve more than 50 production, health and welfare traits simultaneously, while at the same time protecting biodiversity. (Learn more about our commitment to biodiversity in our article, “Biodiversity – Breeding choice for markets of today and tomorrow”, see Zootecnica International, October 2021).
According to Magnus Swalander, Director of R&D and General Manager of Aviagen® Ltd, the answer may lie in achieving “balance”. Swedish author Rachel Brathen once said, “Balance is key. In everything you do,” and Aviagen has made “Balanced Breeding” #3 of its Top 5 Commitments. Through this balanced approach, Aviagen addresses three of the five United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) prioritised by the International Poultry Council: Zero Hunger (SDG2), Good health and wellbeing (SDG9) and Climate Action (SDG13). In this article, Magnus further explains Aviagen’s Balanced Breeding philosophy.
Magnus Swalander,
Health and welfare – Foundation of sustainability
Director of R & D and General Manager, Aviagen Ltd
“Balanced is the best word to describe our breeding programme, because it encom-
10
- company focus -
We work daily to support our customers in their effort to eradicate hunger in their local communities by supplying an affordable, nutritious and popular source of protein – the production of which is gentler on our planet compared to other meats (source: OurWorldinData). Another compelling reality is that birds with better health and welfare also perform better and, in doing so, contribute to the economic sustainability of poultry growers. For example, they have better liveability, and are hardier, more resistant to the world’s varying climate conditions. This goes back to our goal of balanced breeding, and some of the same technologies that have assisted our selection of birds with greater health, have also improved performance for the benefit of our valued customers. We are thus able to help provide better economics with birds that have superior meat yield and daily weight gain on the broiler side, and excellent reproductive traits, chick and egg numbers and hatchability as breeder traits.”
