27 March 2025

3 minute read

By: Aviagen

Europe

Aviagen^® was proud to host the first-ever UK European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) Club event on March 5, honoring broiler growers who have achieved an EPEF of 450 or higher. While Ross^® EPEF Club awards were previously presented individually on-site, this new format brought together a group of top achievers, creating a space for networking, knowledge-sharing and industry benchmarking.

These elite growers—representing the top 1% of UK broiler production—proved that success comes from the right combination of genetic potential, expert flock management and seamless teamwork. To-date 822 farmers have received over 3,000 EPEF awards.

An event to remember

After a morning of outdoor activities, Stuart Thomson, Regional Technical Manager Northern Europe, welcomed over 60 attendees to the evening segment, including 450 Club winners and representatives from poultry companies across the UK as well as the Aviagen UK Sales & Technical Team.

Stuart shared insights on Ross EPEF Club trends, highlighting how flock performance has steadily improved since the Club’s introduction in 2009. Back then, the Ross 400 Club set the benchmark. As customer outcomes soared, so did the entry level—first to 420, then 440 and in 2024 the remarkable 450 milestone.

Membership has grown alongside these achievements. From just three members in 2009, the club expanded to 590 by 2020 and now boasts an impressive 824 inductees representing over 3,000 qualifying flocks.

For producers who consistently exceed expectations, the Gold Club is reserved for those who achieve three consecutive qualifying flocks or exceed the current entry level by 10%. In the 450 Club, that means reaching an EPEF of 495 or higher, while the 440 Club’s Gold level stands at 484, and so on. Since its launch in 2018 with just 15 flocks being awarded, the Gold Club has grown to a remarkable number of nearly 100 awards today.

Insights from the breeding program

Attendees also got an exclusive look into Aviagen’s breeding program, with Brendan Duggan, Aviagen European Director for R &D, sharing how breeding for health, welfare and sustainability supports the entire poultry supply chain—from pedigree to broiler production.

The evening culminated in a special awards presentation, led by Sean Harrison, Broiler Technical Manager, and Harrison Davies, Aviagen’s newly appointed Broiler Technical Manager.

Celebrating excellence

The highlight for the Aviagen team was presenting the winners with certificates and promotional items for their farms. Aviagen was especially proud to announce the highest EPEF of the year 2024 as 498, with one winner surpassing 450 in every flock of the year. In total, 44 farmers took home an impressive 63 awards.

“I want to express my heartfelt thanks for such a fantastic day! I had an incredible time getting involved in the activities, enjoying the camaraderie with the team, and connecting with fellow farmers and managers who have achieved such outstanding results,” commented Robert Francis, who scored an EPEF of 464.

“A huge thank you to the Aviagen team for organizing such a fantastic event! Farming can be tough—both mentally and physically—but this experience really highlighted where all the hard work goes and the effort Aviagen puts into supplying us with the best stock. We truly appreciate the chance to connect, learn and have some fun,” added 450 Club winner Devon Munnik from Pilgrim’s Europe.

Looking ahead: Raising the bar for UK producers

“At Aviagen, we are Breeding Success Together with our customers and we’re incredibly proud of their outstanding progress,” said Stuart. “Their expertise and dedication highlight how strong stockmanship and high-quality chicks lead to exceptional performance. We’re grateful for their hard work and ongoing pursuit of excellence.”

He added that the EPEF entry level will be reviewed throughout 2025, with expectations that UK producers will continue to push performance to new heights. Aviagen is also launching a new online entry system to make EPEF submissions even easier.

“We encourage all UK growers to apply for the Club—aim for 450, or even Gold. We know many producers are achieving fantastic gains in flock performance, welfare and sustainability, and we’d love to recognize their success,” concluded Stuart.