Select Genetics Forms Hatchery Support Team

Select Genetics is pleased to announce that Doug High and Dr. Michelle Behl will work together as the Hatchery Support Team.  John Sims, Aviagen Hatchery Specialist, will guide the team which will work with the company’s seven hatcheries to consistently provide quality poults to customers and to optimize hatch results.   

Rick Vanderspek, President, noted “We are excited to share this first example of how we are bringing together the  experience and knowledge of Willmar Poultry Company (WPC), Valley of the Moon and Aviagen, leaders in poultry breeding and hatching, to deliver value to our customers.”

Doug has over 35 years of experience in the poultry industry, including 12 years with Aviagen as a hatchery manager.  Doug also spent several years with Butterball where he served as a poult quality manager and as a production supervisor overseeing company brooder hubs.  In 2015, he joined Valley of the Moon as live operations manager for its Missouri operations.

Michelle earned a B.S. in Poultry Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and and then went on to earn both a M.S. and a PhD in Poultry Sciences from Texas A&M. She has worked for WPC/Ag Forte for over ten years focusing on egg quality and handling, embryonic development, hatchability, poult quality, and poult services.

According to Kevin Lynch, Vice President of Operations, “Poult quality starts with the production of good quality hatching eggs and continues with proper egg handling, incubation, hatching, poult servicing and delivery to the customer. Doug has a long history of hatchery and production experience that will compliment Michelle’s knowledge and talent.  John Sims is well known throughout the poultry industry for his ability to evaluate hatcheries and develop strategies for improving performance. His experience, knowledge and practical approach is a great resource for us and our customers. This group, combined with the experience of each of our hatchery managers, will form a strong effective team to support the Select Genetics’ operations in delivering high quality poults.”