ISA Breeding Program
The breeding program of ISA consists of individual pure line breeding and pedigreed crossbred daughter group field testing (Recurrent Tests). Based on well described breeding goals the best individuals of the pure lines are selected. The pure line R&D farms and the field test farms generate performance data that are collected and stored at ultra modern database systems. The stored data are the basis for the determination of the breeding values. For this breeding value estimation BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) technology is being used. Next to BLUP selection also ISA introduced the new “genomic selection” technology.
In the breeding value estimation the most important economic traits are taken into account in a balanced way, including quality traits and animal welfare traits. ISA breeds laying hens with high egg production and good laying persistency. Also emphasis of course on the desired egg size, external and internal egg quality,feed conversion and livability. At ISA we focus on the highest economic merit for the producers and egg packers, taking also into account of course consumer expectations and the wishes of society related to sustainable breeding and animal welfare.
Genomic Selection
In the ISA breeding program it is important to find a well balanced combination between applying the right and most modern science in combination with applying the right breeding craftsmanship and animal friendly bird handling. Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA) and Hendrix Genetics are constantly investing in new technologies. One of the latest areas is genomic selection, that is based on applying DNA research technology. Currently ISA is testing breeder candidates for 60.000 SNP markers.
Bio-informatics/ICT technology is being used to translate massive amounts of laboratory results of DNA testing into more accurate predictions of genetic breeding values. Genomic Selection will increase the genetic progress per generation and will shorten the generation interval, being the time gap between pure line breeding and commercial crossbreds in the field.
Genomic selection gives ISA extra tools to further and quicker improve the ISA yearly genetic improvement.
Breeding Information Technology
An impressive quantity of pedigree generations information and performance results of millions of animals are collected and stored at the ultra modern ISA breeding database. All data entry is carried out automatically, through handheld computers and automated measuring equipment. The equipment ranges from weighing scales, haugh unit device and shell color equipment to breaking strength machines. All data is processed on-line and meticulously checked on possible errors.
The vast database is available on line for the members of the breeding department throughout the world. Our geneticists have instant access to the database in order determine breeding values in the most reliable and timely fashion with the aim to select the improved new ISA layer generation.
Biosecurity at Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA)
The veterinary health status of our farms is crucial. We export our layer breeding stock, all over the world.
For this reason, our farms must be free from all salmonella serotypes, free from Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synovia, free from Egg drop syndrome (EDS), Avian Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) and a number of other diseases.
Biosecurity is not only important for export reasons. The health status of production animals becomes more and more important:
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- Our customers produce eggs and egg derived products which must be absolutely safe for human consumption, so free from pathogens and other contaminations (food safety).
- Our customers are focused on optimal production results. Poultry diseases can negatively influence egg production and the economic results of the poultry farmers.
We recognize various categories of disease threats that should be optimally controlled. - Highly contagious diseases like Avian influenza and Newcastle disease.
- Feed born diseases with Salmonella as the most important one for layer pullets.
- Several other poultry pathogens that we control mainly through vaccinations. The aim is to keep our flocks healthy, to minimize losses, to achieve good and efficient production results and to supply the offspring with adequate maternal derived antibody levels.
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So biosecurity programs are put in place to maintain the “disease free” health status of our flocks.
Biosecurity is key in the prevention of disease and can be achieved through tailor made vaccination -and disease eradication programs, in combination with strict operational farm management rules.
ISA has developed strict and well defined biosecurity policies for its poultry operations all over the world.
Implementing a biosecurity program means investing in our poultry operations through the implementation of management and control systems and a permanent training of our farm staff.
An investment however that clearly pays off and in fact in the end is the most economical way of disease control.
Quality Control / Quality Assurance
In order to safeguard a stable and constant quality of our deliveries, strict quality control programs are implemented at ISA.
Before our products are sent to their final destinations they are being tested carefully by our dedicated QC teams. This with the aim to deliver uniform Parents stocks of high quality to our customers. Our dedicated staff is constantly trained to improve our production processes, besides our production facilities are kept at the highest possible standards.
As we work with living animals, sometimes being transported over long distances, we are taking the necessary precautions which are needed to mitigate the risk during transportation. Temperature recorders are included in the shipments of our DOC parent stocks, this in order to measure any possible change in temperature during the transport. Temperature changes during transportation can be of detrimental influence on the quality of our deliveries.
Apart from Quality Control a Quality Assurance Department is monitoring our production process with the aim to limit and when possible eliminate mistakes or product quality non conformities.
It is our ultimate QA goal to deliver first time right PS DOC production batches.