Part of a wider European initiative from Aviagen, this inaugural Danish event follows similar, successful roll-outs in the UK, Central and Eastern Europe and Russia.

In total, 16 Danish farmers who reached a European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) of 400 or more with their Ross flocks have been rewarded with membership to the Club, certificates and other gifts as recognition of their success.

Aviagen SweChick and DanHatch have a long-established relationship in Denmark. The award ceremony took place during a DanHatch customer day, held recently in Sabro, Aarhus in Denmark and also included presentations on a number of industry issues.

Ron Meijerhof, consultant in poultry performance, spoke about creating good productivity in the first days of a chicken’s life while DanHatch managing director Kristian Kristensen informed guests about the broader marketplace and how the company is performing. Other discussions that took place among guests included looking at how to effectively communicate with the authorities when building a new farm.

Thomas Carlson, managing director at Aviagen SweChick, said: “I am hugely impressed with the Danish production chain and to have DanHatch involved with the 400 Club, with their two consultants, Henrik Hansen and Thomas Anderson, means they are able to drive continued improvements among producers.

“To have 16 farmers reach the magic 400 EPEF level in the first year of our 400 Club, is an excellent achievement. One farmer has even reached this result five times in 2013, which is exceptional. There is approximately 185 broiler farms in Denmark and DanHatch expect that 5-7 more will be in the Club by the end of 2013.

“We created the 400 Club in Denmark in cooperation with DanHatch in order to provide tools for our customers to be more successful. The Club in Denmark is just the beginning though. We are hopeful we can set up similar initiatives with our customers in Sweden soon and we are also looking at establishing similar clubs in Norway, Iceland and Finland in the near future.”

Henrik Hansen, consultant at DanHatch said: “DanHatch is delighted to be a part of the Denmark 400 Club and this initiative has already got the farmers engaged and talking about the Club, which is very positive. It stimulates interest amongst farmers as well as providing a measurement for their success.”

One of the farmers who became a Club member commented: “I was excited to hear about the 400 Club starting in Denmark as it provides us with a fresh element to our farming as well as a new incentive to work towards.”