Valley of the Moon Expands Supply and Distribution

 

Valley of the Moon Commercial Poults (VOM) is pleased to announce that Willmar Poultry Company (Ag Forte) will join its family of contract producers.

Three years ago, Aviagen made a substantial commitment to the turkey industry by establishing a turkey multiplication division known as Valley of the Moon Commercial Poults (VOM) with operations in Iowa, Missouri and North Carolina. A new hatchery with an annual capacity of about 50 million eggs was built in record time along with farm production capacity to match. This provided the industry with a better route to its genetic options and the ability to speed the genetic progress from Aviagen's primary breeding stock. This division, coupled with the ongoing efforts of the most advanced and successful breeding company in the world, have given the industry a product that leads in weight, yield, conversion and livability.

"Providing an efficient, robust, and geographically diverse supply chain to best serve our customers has been our priority since we began this endeavor" said Jihad Douglas, president of Aviagen Turkeys. "Since our initial investment in the farms and hatchery in 2011, we have expanded our base with the Janssen hatchery in Michigan, the Edward's hatchery in California, and by forming a joint venture with the Schlegel's family in Ontario, Canada. As a continuation of this effort and in light of Ag Forte's decision announced earlier today to no longer sell eggs or poults to external customers, I am pleased that Ag Forte will now begin producing eggs and poults as a contract producer for VOM."

Clint Grimsley, president of Valley of the Moon, noted "Our relationship with Willmar allows VOM to source eggs and poults from a wider range of locations, enhancing the health, quality and delivery efficiency to our customers throughout North America and internationally. This additional production is needed due to the increase in our market share and will augment our current production in NC, MO, MI, IL and Canada. We expect to start parent stock placements at Willmar by the end of 2014. They will be sourced from Aviagen Turkeys' pedigree and GP operation in Lewisburg, WV."

Grimsley continued, "The Aviagen Turkeys and VOM sales and service teams will continue to lead and be accountable for sales and support for our quality eggs and poults. In addition, we will be able to utilize the innovative technologies, new vaccines, hatchery expertise, and logistics experience that Ag Forte brings to our group, allowing us to better supply our customers."

"Please join me in welcoming Ag Forte to Valley of the Moon's contract producer family." Douglas concluded. "I also want to congratulate Ag Forte on making this decision and their continued support to provide the turkey industry with genetic options. We are extremely excited to work with an innovative and technology leader such as Ag Forte."

About Valley of the Moon Commercial Poults, Inc.

Based in Osceola, Iowa, Valley of the Moon Commercial Poults supplies highly selected, quality Nicholas commercial poults and eggs to the turkey industry. Valley of the Moon Commercial Poults, Inc. is a subsidiary of Aviagen Holdings, Inc.