Peterson Farms sells male genetic breed line

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

— Heirs of local poultry pioneer, Lloyd Peterson, continue to sell assets of the family poultry business based in Decatur.

An Alabama poultry genetics firm, Avigen Group, said it recently purchased the “Peterson Male” broiler breed genetic line from the Peterson family. The agreement also required Avigen to use the Peterson brand name. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by either party.

The late Lloyd Peterson developed the “Peterson Male” in 1954, and it’s often considered the gold standard for broiler breeder males worldwide, according to industry scientists.

“We’re pleased that Aviagen will preserve my grandfather’s legacy and that the Peterson male line will endure for the future,” said Blake Evans, president of Peterson Farms.

“Peterson has been an important male line breeder since 1959,” said Randall Ennis, CEO, Aviagen, Inc. “Acquiring the Peterson male line is a strategic move for Aviagen’s global business as it will increase the diversity of our genetic pool, and it supports our commitment to sustainability.”

Peterson sold its broiler complex and processing plant to Simmons Foods in July 2008, roughly eight months after the death of Lloyd Peterson.

The acquisition builds on a shared history between the two companies. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the poultry industry’s dominant broiler breeder paired the Peterson’s male with the Arbor Acres female line, an Aviagen brand that continues to be a leading global broiler breeder brand.

News, Pages 2 on 10/20/2010