Record-breaking performances for Pilgrim’s Europe’s poultry farmers
Pilgrim’s Europe’s poultry farmers have been applauded for their record-breaking flock performance results, recognising their world-leading husbandry and farming practices.
Edward Calcott, owner and manager at Dunnimere Farm, scored a European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) of 512, setting a new national record for the UK poultry sector. Dunnimere Farm is now the first in the UK to exceed an EPEF of 500, significantly surpassing the previous best of 498 submitted to Aviagen.
Ed, who farms near Tamworth, Staffordshire, utilised Pilgrim's Europe's complete internal supply chain, with chicks from Newark hatchery and feed from Ashbourne.
The EPEF score, a calculation based on average daily weight gain, mortality, and feed conversion, is used worldwide by farmers and producers to measure farm performance. With very few farms worldwide registering scores above 480, these results are particularly impressive.
Other top performing Pilgrim's Europe farms include Edward McMahon and Dan Sealey from Horsley Brook Farm and the company's own team at Beech Farm, Ryan Wright and Andrew Wells, both achieving an EPEF of 500.
Throughout the start of 2025, Pilgrim's Europe has already had more than 20 flocks from 20 individual farms score over 450 EPEF, qualifying them for the "Ross 450 Club," an initiative by poultry breeding company Aviagen.
These latest achievements form part of Pilgrim's Europe's ongoing commitment to excellence and innovation in farming practices across its operations.
Aaron McKenna, Head of Broiler Operations UK at Pilgrim’s Europe said: “Pilgrim’s Europe growers have demonstrated a commitment to world-leading husbandry and farming practices, with a determination to continually improve. Our farmers and farm managers have a long and successful history of scoring in the top percentile for EPEF, and Ed’s result of 512 is a stand-out achievement.
“Coming off the back of a recent transition into broiler production, the result is a testament to the level of hard work, care, and attention to detail that Ed provides as he develops his flock management skills, alongside the guidance of his area manager Ben Vernon.
“As well as Ed’s achievements, a special mention is also in order to the team at Beech Farm, our first company run farm to hit the 500 EPEF milestone!”
“Pilgrim’s Europe’s network of farming partners continues to deliver impressive performance on a global scale, and I want to congratulate all winners on their well-deserved awards.”