Aviagen expands diversity of its genetic pool

Broiler-breeder Aviagen has announced plans to purchase the Peterson Male genetic line from Peterson Farms in Arizona, together with the Peterson brand name.

“Peterson has been an important male line breeder since 1959,” said Aviagen chief executive Randall Ennis. “Acquiring the line is a strategic move for Aviagen’s global business, as it will increase the diversity of our genetic pool and supports our commitment to sustainability.”

The Peterson Male was developed in the early 1950s and soon became the “gold standard rooster” worldwide, providing unmatched reproductive traits, superior feed conversion and rapid growth.

“Lloyd Peterson introduced the Peterson male in 1954-55, and our primary emphasis has continued to be on the male line,” said Blake Evans, president of Peterson Farms. “We’re pleased that Aviagen will preserve my grandfather’s legacy and that the Peterson male line will endure for the future.”

The acquisition builds on a shared history between the two companies. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the poultry industry’s dominant broiler breeder paired the Peterson’s male with the Arbor Acres female line, an Aviagen brand that continues to be a global leader.

Aviagen is the world’s leading poultry breeding company, developing pedigree lines for the production of broiler chickens under the Ross, Arbor Acres and LIR brand names. It is based in Huntsville, Alabama, USA, with wholly-owned operations across the globe.