Page 27 - AWA Vol.41-No.3

POULTRy

Great Eggspectations: H&N supports local production

and broad availability of eggs as super-food
ggs have been part of human history producers during his career. He understands
Esince the earliest beginnings. A given concerns of handling flocks multi times in size.
natural source of nutrients for some – an unat- Paul also remembers the early days of the
tainable luxury to too many others! H&N Inter- program, when in 2018 HOI and OneEgg.org
national supports the International Egg Foun- began their collaboration to supply one egg a
dation (IEF) in their collaboration with One day to families in the Agalta Valley. “OneEgg.
Egg.org and Honduras Outreach Inc. (HOI), org played a key role in initiating things and
who pioneered an initiative in 2017 to bring has been a major supporter ever since!”
eggs to more people and much earlier in their Back then, the eggs were produced in a small
lives too! Combined with production support layer house with 400 floor raised hens. The
and technical services, a flock of 1,500 H&N tion of eggs supported, but likewise the local program expanded into a new 3000 square
Super Nick pullets produced by H&N Dis- egg production also develops into a modern foot hen house with caged systems. Now the
tributor INHASA and donated by H&N Inter- agricultural profession of creating regional next plan is to increase from 400 to 1500 birds
national just arrived at HOI’s “Huevos el Rey” high-quality protein. and ultimately to full capacity of about 3000
farm, which is operated by Claudio and Blanca hens, which will allow the “First 1000 Days
Aguirre. The support of all partners and the Camila Reina, CEO of Honduras Outreach of Life” program to expand and also provide
H&N pullets will allow the Aguirres to greatly Inc. (HOI), as IEFs partnering Non-Govern- eggs to the local school.
increase the quantity of eggs they produce for mental Organisation (NGO) said: “The ‘First Rely on (K)AI
HOI's “First 1000 Days of Life” nutrition pro- 1000 Days of Life’ nutrition program is a game
gram. changer. Not only is this directly impacting an So far, production tracking only covered
Few natural products can compare in terms expectant mother’s health and that of her baby weekly egg production and mortality. Con-
for over 1000 days of life, but it is also creating
of nutritional value, not to mention the inge- healthier eating habits and educating the pop- sistently meeting and exceeding Key Perfor-
nious product packaging worthy of any de- ulation about the benefits and wonders of the mance Indicators (KPIs) provided the impor-
tant foundation and reassuring factor to scale
sign award! H&N birds’ proven track record egg. Our aim is to address physical and cogni- up.
of world-leading eggshell strength helps in tive stunting as well as maternal nutrition and
transporting the eggs to families that often live wellbeing in remote areas in rural Honduras Paul advocates facilitating and speeding
very remotely. with potential global replication. With the ex- up analysis of important criteria such as feed
The “First 1000 Days of Life” program of pansion the IEF and its partners are support- consumption, egg mass, and body weight with
HOI, One Egg.org and IEF ing, HOI will now be able to double its popu- targeted Artificial Intelligence (AI). To control
the greater capacity, Paul and Claudio will also
The programs’ goal is to supply a minimum lation reach and facilitate our entrepreneur’s rely on KAI, H&N Internationals digital farm-
of 100 families with daily eggs over 1000 days. market expansion.” ing assistance. KAI offers additional measure-
This period starts with expecting mothers and Facilitating market expansion ments and AI-aided production surveillance
continues over the birth of their babies for at To sustain the availability of local high-quali- with task reminders, 24/7 help and tips. Data
least two additional years. ty egg-protein, modern production also needs can easily be exchanged between various
In doing so the program demonstrates how support. Present-day layer breeding and egg languages, such as Spanish and English, flaw-
the power of eggs can support the critical production evolved from a niche industry or lessly and barrier free.
early developmental stages. By providing an the regard as supplementary food into a main- Quick to big and strong – Qualities of
essential source of high-quality protein, vita- stream future business of modern healthy eat- H&N Super Nick
mins, trace minerals, and nutrients to the moth- ing. Modern production also means modern “We are very honoured to support this proj-
er and child during pregnancy, breastfeeding, management with the support of artificial in- ect with H&N Super Nick pullets that will be
and infancy stages, the program addresses the telligence to plan tasks, prevent risks, reduce producing the actual key elements of the ‘First
nutritional needs crucial for optimal growth waste, educate staff, and make farming more 1000 Days of Life’ programme!”, says Dr. Ron-
and development. This is particularly vital in efficient and profitable. ald Trenchi, Key Account Manager for Latin
communities around the world that still suffer Scale without fail America and one of the most experienced
from nutritional poverty. So, as egg producers Claudio and Blanca veterinaries of H&N International, as he rep-
“The IEF is honoured to be part of expanding Aguirre of HOIs “Huevos el Rey” will be sup- resents H&N International onsite at HOI upon
this program to reach even more families, and plying the eggs for the “First 1000 Days of arrival of the pullets.
we are excited that the medical data being Life” program they also play a key role in up- “We will also do our best to transport mod-
professionally collated can support research scaling production numbers. Claudio has over ern egg production methods and help estab-
studies to showcase the programme’s effec- ten years’ experience in egg production. Sup- lish a firm base for future developments”, says
tiveness and the vital role eggs can play in ported by HOI, Claudio began raising a small Xabier Arbe, Managing Director of H&N In-
human health, especially in those who need it backyard flock a decade ago. And as a result, ternational and Chief Nutritionist. H&N Super
the most”, says Cassy Price, CEO International he and his wife Blanca were chosen to be the Nick layers produce large eggs already very
Egg Foundation (IEF). producers when the “First 1000 Days of Life” early, so the ‘First 1000 Days of Life’ benefit
OneEgg.org likewise dedicates itself to program started in 2017. Initially there was a from as much egg mass as possible right from
counter the effects of protein deficiency in group of ten families, and with the support of a the start.
children like immunity problems, poor con- medical doctor and a nutritionist the program H&N Super Nick like all H&N breeds is world
centration capabilities, and delayed growth. kept growing. leading in adaptability. H&N breeds also ex-
The organisation partners with local leaders “The role our medical staff plays in the de- cel in any egg target, any climate, any hous-
to provide protein for thousands of children ployment and follows through of the program ing, and with any feed available, thus giving
across the globe during the most crucial is instrumental. Selecting families, training and farmers flexibility in producing with what they
stages of development. “We and our partners educating mothers, caring for the expectant have available locally. Being able to produce
pursue a simple, straightforward mission: get mother and the newborn-infant-toddler, they competitively and to thus sustain oneself in the
more eggs to more children. We work to create really are the engine that keeps it going.”, ex- local market is a key fact for solid future egg
sustainable agribusiness operations to ensure plains Camila Reina. supply as well.
a steady egg supply, a supportive community Growth is a great thing, however Claudio also
and a generational change for kids to have the knows that bigger flocks mean bigger respon- Given the remoteness of the Agalta Valley,
protein they need to grow to their fullest po- sibilities. Ready to take the quantum leap, sup- H&Ns world leading shell strength also plays
tential”, explains Dave Juenger, Executive Di- port for his endeavour comes from more than a key role in making the donation really take
rector of OneEgg.org. one side: positive effect and work out practically. Deliv-
ering such big eggs intact to the consumers is
1000 days and far beyond Consultant Paul Pressley, retired from the U.S. a decisive factor that sets H&N International
With the program, not only is the consump- Poultry and Egg Association, met many poultry apart. Circle 35 on enquiry card
Vol. 41 No. 3 25