October 12, 2011

TOPIGS and Schothorst Feed Research to collaborate

In the partnership between the two organisations, Schothorst Feed Research will be conducting research for TOPIGS.

The information obtained will be used for TOPIGS' breeding programme. With this move, Schothorst Feed Research will take over the tasks of TOPIGS' experimental farm in Beilen. This pig farm will cease its research activities and be sold.

The collaboration is, in part, possible because the pig herd and research facilities at

Schothorst Feed Research are currently being expanded. "The collaboration gives them the opportunity to investigate differences in requirements between genetic lines,'' says Marcel Hakkaart, director of Schothorst Feed Research. "That will strengthen its position as an internationally recognised knowledge centre.''

Schothorst Feed Research has many years of experience in the precise registration of

characteristics and performances. "The collaboration with Schothorst Feed Research will enable TOPIGS to gather data in an efficient manner,'' says Hans Olijslagers,Technical Director of TOPIGS. "The research question fits will within Schothorst's activities.''

Schothorst Feed Research is an independent research institute of international repute that is strongly embedded in the Dutch animal feed sector.

With a production of more than 1,100,000 crossbred gilts and seven million doses of semen per year, Dutch based TOPIGS is one of the biggest pig genetics suppliers in the world. In various countries, including its home base of the Netherlands, TOPIGS is either the market leader or one of the major suppliers.