Hy-Line International hosts Latin America customers at Colombia Tech School

Hy-Line International, the world leader in layer poultry genetics, together with Avicol S.A., the Hy-Line distributor to Colombia and Ecuador, recently hosted 250 participants representing 11 countries at the II Colombia Technical School in Bogota, Colombia.
The participants learned about specialized nutrition for the Hy-Line Brown and W-36 for profitable production, strategic lighting programs for the modern hen, characteristics of the modern hen, analyzing and projecting internal egg quality for long cycles, and the future of the global egg industry.
“We were pleased to host our Latin America customers and enhance their knowledge,” said Jonathan Cade, president of Hy-Line International. “It is vital to share the latest management techniques and egg industry trends with our customers to help them grow their profits.”
Latin America has more than 500 million laying hens. Mexico leads the per capita consumption of eggs at 352 units per person, followed by Uruguay, Colombia and Argentina.

Hy-Line and Chinese customers participate in 30th anniversary celebration

Zhou Benshun, party secretary of Hebei province and Hy-Line International President Jonathan Cade exchange cultural gifts.
A large Chinese delegation from Hebei province gathered recently in Des Moines for the Iowa - Hebei Sister State 30^th Anniversary Celebration. Zhou Benshun, party secretary of Hebei province and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad were among the dignitaries present.
Hy-Line International President Jonathan Cade welcomed the delegation to a visit to Hy-Line's headquarters in West Des Moines where the group discussed the layer industry and learned about Hy-Line's China activities.
Hy-Line International is working to strengthen its business cooperation with three separate Chinese companies. Pan-Asia International Investment Co., Ltd and Hy-Line discussed the integration of parent stock. Talks with Hebei Huayu Poultry Breeding Co., Ltd focused on the collaboration to increase production of day-old chicks. Final discussions with Shijiazhuang Huamu Animal Husbandry Company centered on the joint cooperation and support of local training facilities. Hy-Line has agreed to provide education forums featuring specialized speakers. Through these separate cooperative agreements, Hy-Line hopes to assist in the ever-expanding and innovative companies within the Hebei province.
Hebei Province and the state of Iowa became sister states in 1983. Iowa Sister States, a non-profit organization, focuses on connecting Iowa with the world community. Iowa Sister States' mission is to provide international programs that promote the mutual interests of citizens in Iowa and their Partner States.

Hy-Line acknowledges animal welfare practices violation

Hy-Line announced that independent audits confirm that some of the practices at its Spencer, Iowa, facility depicted in the undercover video produced by a welfare group last week did not reflect the standard operating procedures of the company and are in direct violation of its animal welfare policy.
The independent audits identified specific recommendations for Hy-Line to modify its equipment so that it cannot be altered or changed. Those corrective actions to equipment and procedures were implemented immediately, the firm said.
The firm also said it will enforce zero-tolerance policy toward employees behavior that does not conform to established animal well-being procedures. Ongoing training and investments are also mandatory to ensure that employees abide by the company's highest operating standards.

Hy-Line investigates alleged abuses

On Sept. 1, PETA posted a video on its website based on an “undercover investigation” by the pro-vegan group, Mercy for Animals, showing operations at a Hy-Line hatchery in Spencer, Iowa. This investigation showed a number of cruel and abusive practices, and focused primarily on the euthanizing of the male chicks.
That same day, Hy-Line International and Hy-Line North America issued a statement which said that the care and safety of the birds and employees is the company’s first priority. Hy-Line also said that they have initiated an immediate investigation to see if any animal welfare policies were violated and to take disciplinary action against anyone violating company policy. Hy-Line stated that the company is committed to meeting or exceeding all industry poultry welfare standards.
The video was taken in late May/early June, but just released. Hy-Line stated that the company wishes that it would have been made aware of the allegations immediately, so that a timelier investigation could have been made.
The video was in the PETA blog section, titled: “Unwanted Males Mutilated and Killed at Birth”. The blog emphasized the main points made on the video: Workers at an Iowa hatchery kill newborn male chicks every single day. Workers grab them by their wings, toss them onto conveyor belts, and throw them down a chute to spend their final moments in a grinding machine while they are still alive.
The Hy-Line release also stated: “Other hatchery procedures are shown in the video. These procedures are supported and approved by the animal veterinary and scientific community. Instantaneous euthanasia by maceration is specifically supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Federation of Animal Science Societies, Agriculture Canada, World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the European Union.”