(L to R) Eben Vermaas – General Manager – Farming, Hazeldene’s; Kane Arnold – Regional Operations Manager, Gleeson Farms; Michael Leahy – Managing Director, Aviagen ANZ

Goulburn, Australia — Aviagen^® Australia and New Zealand (AANZ) has recognized the region's highest-performing Ross^® growers through its 2025 Annual Performance Awards, celebrating customers who have consistently delivered outstanding broiler performance throughout the year.

The annual awards honor excellence based on real commercial production data submitted by Aviagen customers. “Every year, we recognize the 'best of the best' in the best meat industry,” said Michael Leahy, Managing Director of Aviagen Australia and New Zealand. “This year, our customer growers have once again set new biological performance records and, in doing so, helped reduce the amount of the earth's resources needed to produce the world's most affordable protein. Their commitment to continuous improvement, attention to detail, and dedication to bird welfare are driving greater efficiency and sustainability for our industry.”

The awards demonstrate what can be achieved when high-quality genetics are combined with excellent management, strong after sales service, and a commitment to best practice. 

Rather than rewarding a single outstanding flock, the broiler awards focus on sustained performance by calculating a rolling three-flock average using the European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF). This approach recognizes growers who consistently achieve exceptional biological performance across multiple production cycles.

For broiler growers, the honors are presented separately in Australia and New Zealand, with conventional and free-range production systems judged independently to ensure growers are identified within the unique management conditions and production constraints of their respective systems.

(L to R) Debbie Fisher – Technical Services Manager Aviagen ANZ; Bruce Hornblow – Farm Manager for Arrowville Farm; Nico Steynberg – Farm Manager for Pinelands Farm; Scott Baker – Operations Manager for Pinelands Farm: Shelena Wiggill – Broiler Manager, Van Den Brink Poultry Ltd – New Zealand

In New Zealand, conventional farms that reached the 500 EPEF milestone were presented with certificates of achievement, while free range farms that exceeded 490 were recognized. For flocks completed in 2025, growers from Van Den Brink Poultry Ltd in New Zealand made a clean sweep of the top three in the conventional category with Pinelands (513 EPEF), Lange (508), and Coakley (507) Farms all recording EPEF scores exceeding 500. Brink’s Melrose (512) farm topped the Free-range category in New Zealand with Agright NZ OPCO 1 (498), and Matamata Free Range (496) farms, both of whom grow for Ingham’s Enterprises New Zealand Pty Ltd., rounding out the top three. 

Aviagen ANZ Technical Services Manager, Debbie Fisher, said this year's results were particularly encouraging, with New Zealand growers reaching new performance milestones. “Congratulations to the club entrants for 2025. I'm very pleased to see growers in New Zealand lifting the bar with 500 Clubs this year,” said Fisher. “It's fantastic that we can take this opportunity to appreciate and distinguish the top growers across Australia and New Zealand who are consistently achieving exceptional results with the Ross bird. Well done to you all.”

In Australia, the disease situation and industry economic fundamentals result in slightly lower EPEF numbers, with all farms exceeding 440 being admitted to the Australian award clubs. Top honors in the free-range categories were presented to Hazeldene’s growers, Gleeson (487) and Mackenzie farms, as well as Barlou Pty Ltd who grew for Ingham’s Enterprises Pty Ltd. In the conventional category, Hazeldene’s growers shone again, with Brialei (463) and Pavilion 8 farms recognized, along with Turosi’s Prime Chick farm. 

The growing number of high-performing farms reflects the ongoing collaboration between Aviagen's service team and customers across the region. Through shared knowledge, continuous benchmarking, and a focus on best-practice management, growers continue to raise performance standards year after year.

Aviagen congratulates all award recipients and every customer who submitted production data for the 2025 program. Their commitment to measuring, benchmarking, and continually improving performance helps strengthen the Australian and New Zealand poultry industries. By consistently improving feed efficiency, livability, and overall production performance, farmers are helping produce more chicken using fewer natural resources – supporting economic, environmental and social sustainability.