Hendrix Genetics benefits from using software from UK poultry data company, Eggbase Ltd

Eggbase has a suite of highly specialised software products created by a dedicated and experienced team with a unique blend of industry and data management expertise. For more than a decade, Eggbase has been organising primary data for laying, rearing, breeding and broiler farms. Their software gives farmers the toolkit to optimise health, performance and efficiency through the analysis of input, environmental and yield statistics.

Due to the unique way that Eggbase has been developed, using the latest cloud infrastructure and a library of integrations with modern housing equipment, including process controllers and sensors, data entered in the poultry house can be quickly and securely viewed by anyone that the owner has given permission too. This protects the owner’s data. The owner could give permission to trusted business partners to remotely view and analyse data in order to offer expert advice. Eggbase also offer anonymous benchmarking if the owner wishes to take part.

Following a worldwide review of poultry farm software, we have found Eggbase to be an unrivalled resource that reduces the workload of primary data collection for poultry producers. “Eggbase will play a vital role in deepening our international customer support services and, in the longer term, strengthening our R&D capabilities”, says Gosse Veninga, Director of Product Excellence, Layers & Traditional Poultry Business Unit, Hendrix Genetics. “If, and only if, clients give permission to their trusted Hendrix Genetics field support representative, Eggbase will help our regional teams better support our clients to achieve optimum performance through the capture and analysis of timely production data.

Hendrix Genetics have enjoyed an enduring and multi-layered relationship with Eggbase. Founded in 2011 by Anne Fleck, Eggbase have participated in several of our international technical seminars and presented at our training schools. Eggsense and Avisense, their farm data platforms for laying and poultry meat producers, are employed in nearly 1500 poultry houses across four continents. Within this number, several existing distributors and associated parent stock or commercial producers already use the Eggbase systems and elect to share their data securely with Hendrix Genetics. Again, it is important to emphasise that, where Eggbase clients have not given their active consent to share their data with Hendrix Genetics, then we do not have any access to their information. This approach to the respect of client confidentiality is enshrined in our use of Eggbase. Nick Bailey, Managing Director at UK distributor Joice & Hill, commented “Eggsense is an extremely valuable tool for our customers. When a customer gives us permission, it also allows us to capture data, which shows how the incredible genetic potential of our breeds is translating to results in the field. We are then able to use this data analysis in additional technical support for customers.”

In our use of Eggsense, our focus will be on the ongoing support of existing clients but also the extension of services to the many long-standing commercial and parent stock customers worldwide for whom data capture and analysis presents great opportunity to unlock genetic potential.

With their unique Carbon Calculator, Eggbase have developed an independently verified product footprint schema that, being purpose-built for poultry, delivers the most comprehensive emissions report for the species. Data entry into the calculator is either stand-alone or fully integrated with the Eggsense and Avisense platforms and validation by experienced human eye ensures that results are meaningful and insightful. The Eggbase Carbon Calculator has already helped Hendrix Genetics measure the efficiency and environmental benefits that arise from stocking our Dekalb breed over brown feathered strains. This study was shared in a recent edition of Layer Vision and referenced in several subsequent industry publications worldwide. The climate crisis is a priority for us all, but the global livestock sector is under particular scrutiny. Animal production is estimated to be responsible for 12% of greenhouse gas emissions. Eggs and poultry meat are among the most sustainable sources of protein, with much lower carbon footprints than pork, beef or lamb. But, recognising the need to balance the production growth necessary to feed a burgeoning global population with the imperative need to mitigate the human impact on our planet, the reduction in carbon emissions per kilogram of egg when using a breed such as our Dekalb, with its unparalleled persistency and feed conversion ratio, has been an important message to communicate to our customers and consumers alike.

Eggbase has also conducted a full Scope 1 and 2 emissions assessment of UK distributor Joice and Hill, together with their breeder farm operations. Their study identified a reduction in controllable emissions of 17% per chick as a result of investments in the electrification of the company fleet and onsite renewable energy production. “We’re certain that the full range of services that Eggbase has developed will be of considerable value to our global customer base. We’re delighted to be using Eggbase, benefiting from the tools now at our disposal,” says Pelayo Casanovas, Managing Director, Layers & Traditional Poultry Business Unit, Hendrix Genetics.