World renowned hatchery expert, Steve Tweed, has said that farm efficiency is must for the development of the poultry industry in Pakistan, reports Business Recorder. He was addressing a seminar on the Cobb 500, the most efficient poultry breed arranged by the K&N's Foods in Lahore recently. He spoke on 'Hatchery Ventilation Requirements' and 'Critical Aspects of Breeder Rearing up to Point of Lay' at the seminar.

Chief Executive of K&N's and a leading figure of poultry industry, Khalil Sattar, was also present on this occasion. The seminar was attended by the representatives of different poultry companies. Highlighting the significance of ventilation in poultry farming and hatchery, Dr Tweed said that there was a dire need to adopt modern poultry technologies. He pointed out that oxygen level, air volume, relative humidity, room pressure, air distribution and temperature were the most critical aspect, which required greater attention in hatcheries.

He said farmers could not only enhance farm efficiency but also save a huge sum of money by adopting modern technology. Speaking about Cobb 500, he said that it was the most efficient broiler breed, which had lowest feed conversion and best growth rate. He pointed out that Cobb 500 had genetic ability to thrive on low density and less costly nutrition. These attributes combine gave the Cobb 500 a competitive advantage of the lowest cost per kilogram of live-weight produced, he added.

Earlier addressing the seminar, K&Ns Executive Director, Adil Sattar, said that both agriculture and livestock sectors were under great pressure due to rapidly increasing population, soil erosion and water scarcity. He underlined that the poultry industry had great potential of growth only efficiency was required at all stages of poultry farming. He said Punjab's poultry industry could increase its production manifold by using highly efficient and cost-effective Cobb 500 breeds in the indigenous farming.