Poultry business update: What did you miss this June?
We’re keeping our finger on the pulse and bring you a summary of the latest business updates from the global poultry industry from June, including the introduction of WingScan to Spain and a 3-in-1 poultry vaccine in India. This and more from the global poultry industry.
Lesaffre and Zilor enter joint venture
French fermentation and microorganism company Lesaffre has acquired a 70% stake in Biorigin, a business unit of Brazilian multinational Zilor, which produces sugar, ethanol, renewable energy, and animal nutrition ingredients from sugarcane. This joint venture combines the expertise of Biospringer by Lesaffre and Biorigin to deliver enhanced yeast derivative and savory ingredient solutions for the food and feed industries.
Novus highlights contributions of late poultry scientist
Novus will honour the professional life and scientific contributions at the Poultry Science Association (PSA) 2025 Annual Meeting in July. The symposium, ‘Honoring Dr Dibner: Pioneering Poultry Science and Lasting Influence on Early Nutrition, Gut Health, and Cellular Metabolism’, will be held at 9:00 (EST) on 16 July. Dibner was a founding member of the research team at Novus and a pillar in the animal agriculture industry. She dedicated nearly 30 years to poultry research before retiring from the industry. During the event on July 16, symposium presenters will highlight how her pioneering contributions to early nutrition, immune cell function, and gut health remain foundational to modern poultry science and directly impact the work the industry is doing today.
Kipster chooses in-ovo sexing technology
Kipster has announced the use of in-ovo sexing technology as an alternative to culling male chicks at hatch. The company is the second in the US to use this approach that allows for the sex determination of chick embryos in hatching eggs during incubation. The eggs with males are immediately removed once identified, thereby preventing the hatching and culling of the day-old male chicks. Male embryos that are not identified by the in-ovo technology (about 0.5%, or 150-200 chicks) are planned to be raised at a farm.
De Heus acquires Voeders Huys, expanding into Belgium and France
De Heus Animal Nutrition announced the acquisition of Voeders Huys, a Belgian feed producer with production sites in Bruges (Belgium) and Northern France. This move strengthens De Heus’ position in Western Europe, a key region where the company has already experienced significant commercial growth and will now also produce locally.
Evonik optimises global production setup for MetAmino
Evonik will continue to optimise its global methionine production setup for MetAmino (DL-methionine) in the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2025. Implementation of several technical measures requires a shutdown of the production facilities for methionine and its precursors for 6-7 weeks each at Evonik’s Singapore site in August/September and at its Antwerp site in September/October 2025.
Pondex S.A.U. partners with Targan to bring WingScan to Spain
AgTech company Targan in the US has announced a strategic partnership with Pondex S.A.U., a subsidiary of Spain’s Vall Companys Group, to implement the WingScan system at its hatchery in Juneda, Spain. This marks the latest move in the growing adoption of intelligent feather-sexing automation across Europe. The installation will allow Pondex to sex up to 1,250,000 chicks per week.
NFU Mutual partners with Livetec
NFU Mutual has partnered with biosecurity solutions provider Livetec Systems to help UK poultry producers better prepare for, and recover from, disease outbreaks. Livetec is providing accurate, farm-specific costings for cleaning and disinfection (C&D) – crucial data that supports both proactive disease planning and accurate insurance cover. The report draws on its operational data from handling recent AI outbreaks on UK farms, evolving legislation and input from APHA (Animal Plant and Health Agency). It details the cost of C&D and assumptions across a range of poultry production systems – enabling producers to better plan, meet regulatory requirements, and avoid unnecessary delays during recovery.
Phileo by Lesaffre announces positive EFSA opinion for Microsaf
Phileo by Lesaffre has announced that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a scientific opinion on its bacteria probiotic, Microsaf, which concludes on its efficacy for chickens and other poultry for fattening as well as on its safety for the target species, consumers and the environment. Microsaf is a unique association of 3 Bacillus strains, powered with GO Technology, which allows Bacillus spores to germinate and deliver benefits more efficiently. The product has shown positive effects on digestive health and performance of broiler chickens.
ChainCraft and Innovad Group enter supply agreement
ChainCraft, a company that produces sustainable chemicals of food waste, has entered into a long-term exclusive supply agreement for butyricacid to the animal nutrition sector with animal health and nutrition solutions company Innovad Group. ChainCraft will supply fatty acids of high purity to Innovad, enabling production of low carbon advanced feed additives that support both animal intestinal health and environmental sustainability.
Dechra to sell Avishield poultry vaccines portfolio to Vaxxinova
The Avishield portfolio currently consists of 8 products manufactured, marketed and sold by Dechra Pharmaceuticals into 29 countries. In addition, the Dechra poultry vaccine R&D team of 24 people based in Zagreb, Croatia, and corresponding pipeline of potential future products, will also transfer to Vaxxinova upon completion, allowing them to continue their work towards commercialisation.
Boehringer Ingelheim launches 3-in-1 poultry vaccine in India
Animal health company Boehringer Ingelheim has announced the launch of its latest poultry vaccine in India – a single-dose, next-generation solution that provides protection against Bursal, Newcastle and Marek’s disease. This vaccine is aims to offer early, reliable, and long-lasting immunity with just one administration at the hatchery.
Novus appoints new sales manager for Northwest Europe
Aurélie Montagnon has joined Novus as sales manager for Northwest Europe, expanding the company’s regional support for poultry and swine producers. Montagnon, who is based in the Netherlands, will serve customers in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the UK, Ireland, and Scandinavia. Montagnon served as global solution manager and central technical manager at Orffa in the Netherlands where she led the feed efficiency portfolio.
