Hybro completes upgrade and expansion at pure line pedigree farm - THE NETHERLANDS - Leading Dutch broiler breeding company Hybro BV has completed the second phase of a comprehensive redevelopment programme at its pure line pedigree farm in Herveld (The Netherlands).

The programme of expansion and facilities improvements has taken 18 months to complete, running entirely on schedule throughout - and already demonstrating substantial improvements.

The redevelopment programme was initiated late in 2004, together with the decision for the establishment of the new PL/GGPS centre in Brazil, to ensure continuity in meeting growing demand for Hybro's enhanced broiler breeders. Hybro's operations manager and head of the Herveld Project, Nico Kooter, says the new facilities fully meet the company's expectations, boosting the pace of Hybro's genetic development programme and already demonstrating substantial improvements.

"As a result of these investments we are able to extend our PL capacity with 25 per cent, allowing us to conduct more and new measurements at pure line level, " Nico Kooter explains. "And especially in the field of reproduction-traits, these investments allow us to add a number of new measurements".

"With these investments in our pure line pedigree farm in Herveld, as well as the establishment of a PL/GGPS centre in Brazil, we show that we are fully dedicated to our aim to be the preferred partner for the poultry meat industry worldwide with breeding as our core business. And the expansion and development of our pure line facilities is a clear example of our commitment," concludes general manager Richard Maatman, "to deliver the best products through genetic progress, performance and results, and growth for Hybro broilers in every segment of the global marketplace."

Since the introduction of Hybro's enhanced product portfolio of the PG+ and G+ in 2003, and more recently the PN+, Hybro has been growing significantly. In 2005 a growth of 35% was accomplished in comparison with 2004. And in Hybro's fiftieth Anniversary year sales in the first quarter of 2006 are showing an increase of 51 per cent compared to the first quarter last year.

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