Cobb-Vantress invests US$15 million in Brazil expansion

Cobb-Vantress is investing US$15 million in increasing its farm and hatchery production in Brazil as part of a major two-year expansion program scheduled for completion in September.
The project includes expanding and remodeling the Cobb great grandparent and grandparent farms in Brazil to increase production capacity by 23 percent and hatchery capacity by 10 percent.
“This investment in expanding and improving our facilities will also enhance the welfare of our birds, which is one of our core policies,” said Idir Savoldi, production manager at Cobb-Vantress Brasil. “With the latest advances in technology and automated controls, we can look forward to continuing increases in performance on the farm and at the hatchery.”
At the company's two great grandparent farms in Paulo de Faria, São Paulo, and Itapagipe, Minas Gerais, the housing capacity has been expanded to allow for introduction of the Male MX line to meet demands. The associated hatcheries have been expanded with additional rooms to allow hatching dates and quantities to be more flexible.
The project includes fitting the latest environment controls providing quicker and more precise adjustments to ensure bird comfort, and installing minimum ventilation and CO₂ control devices. “This advanced automation will help improve production and hatching rates,” added Savoldi.
The grandparent farms in Itapagipe, Minas Gerais; Guapiaçu, São Paulo; Palestina, São Paulo; and Água Clara, MatoGrosso do Sol, have also undergone major renovations. The production capacity at the Itapagipe farm has been doubled to allow for an increase of 2 million breeders per year.
At the Guapiaçu hatchery, more than1,200M² of floor space has been added, and the entire hatching facilities have been replaced by Petersime machinery. The environment control system has also been replaced bringing this facility in line with the other Cobb hatcheries operating state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
Cobb-Vantress Brasil, founded 20 years ago, has its headquarters outside Guapiaçu in the state of São Paulo, and has some 670 employees.