Breeding today. Feeding tomorrow.
Feeding the future starts with the choices we make today.
How we produce food, use finite resources and apply science responsibly will help shape our ability to meet the nutritional needs of our communities today and for generations to come.
On Oct. 16, Aviagen joins people and organizations around the world in marking World Food Day and reflecting on this year's theme, “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.” The theme underscores the role innovation can play in building a more sustainable and resilient food supply for the future.
For Aviagen, responsible innovation begins with poultry breeding. Through balanced breeding, we provide poultry producers with healthy, robust breeding stock. We also share knowledge, tools and insights to support bird care and the production of nutritious, affordable protein.
A balanced approach to poultry breeding
Selection takes place at the top of the poultry breeding pyramid, where decisions can ultimately benefit poultry producers and consumers around the world.
For those benefits to be sustainable, Aviagen considers many traits, including animal health and welfare, robustness, reproductive performance and feed efficiency.
Technologies such as computed tomography (CT) scanning for whole body assessment, radio-frequency identification (RFID) monitoring feed utilization and genomics information to increase selection accuracy give the R&D team a deeper understanding of poultry welfare and production efficiency. Coupled with advanced data analytics, these cutting edge technologies enable better-informed breeding decisions and sustainable genetic progress.
But innovation is not about technology alone. Its value lies in how new knowledge is put into practice.
Balanced selection also draws on data from the different environments where chickens are raised so that breeding decisions remain relevant to real-world conditions, including changes in climate and disease challenges.
Feed efficiency and sustainable poultry production
Feed accounts for a significant share of the resources used in poultry production. Advances in feed efficiency through breeding mean less feed is needed to produce nutritious chicken meat, reducing demand for land and water, lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with feed production and reducing costs for poultry producers. The result is a more sustainable use of resources while keeping nutritious food accessible to families.
How poultry breeding gains reach the plate
The impact of responsible breeding multiplies through the breeding pyramid. Improvements made at the pedigree level can ultimately extend through successive generations to the broilers raised by poultry producers, bringing benefits in resource efficiency, animal welfare and sustainable food production.
Securing breeding stock supply
Food security depends in part on resilient local poultry sectors. By locating production facilities and supply bases around the world, Aviagen works to keep high-quality breeding stock close to customers, strengthening regional availability and reducing vulnerability to disruption.
This includes Aviagen South Africa, where expanded facilities are increasing production capability and supporting security of supply for customers in the region.
While needs vary from one region to another, the purpose remains the same: helping poultry growers access the breeding stock they need to feed their communities.
Innovation with a purpose
The aim of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger extends far beyond any one company or sector. Progress depends on people and organizations throughout the food chain, from primary breeders and farmers to researchers, veterinarians, governments, universities and food companies.
Responsible breeding is Aviagen's part in that wider effort. By advancing animal health and welfare, resource efficiency and other important traits while preserving genetic diversity, Aviagen works to make a meaningful difference. Sharing knowledge and investing in people are equally important, helping prepare the next generation to meet tomorrow's food-security challenges.
On World Food Day, that gives innovation a clear purpose: progress today that helps nourish people, strengthen communities and preserve resources for tomorrow.