Fast Genetics Acquires Acuity Ag Solutions
Fast Genetics, a Canadian-based swine genetics company owned by STgen, has acquired Acuity, an Illinois-based swine genetics company founded by The Maschhoffs, the largest family-owned pork producer in the U.S., with about 180,000 sows.
STgen purchased Fast Genetics in 2015 from HyLife. Fast Genetics utilizes technologies such as sex-sorted sperm and advanced DNA testing. The company said adding Acuity further increases Fast Genetics’ footprint in the U.S. marketplace.
Fast Genetics and Acuity customers will now have access to genetic lines from both entities, as well as gene transfer centers, multiplication supply, technical services, genetic teams and transformational technology, the company said in a release.
“Fast Genetics’ acquisition of Acuity Ag Solutions from The Maschhoffs is one more step in our commitment to ‘Create the Future’ with the utilization of advanced technologies,” Gregg BeVier, CEO of Fast Genetics, said in a release.
The Maschhoffs formed Acuity in the mid-2000s. They selected for a full-value pig tailored to their commercial production system and successfully launched the availability of their products to the rest of the industry in 2020. Acuity is credited for developing a novel genetic selection program capable of using a Commercial Test Herd to establish a proven crossbred EBV program, the release said.
“We are excited about this next phase of genetic development within The Maschhoffs system. This new alignment with Fast Genetics will add considerable value to our pork value chain,” Bradley Wolter, CEO of The Maschhoffs, said in a release.
Acuity will continue to provide genetics for The Maschhoffs system. Through the transition phase, both Fast Genetics and Acuity will operate independently.
Arm & Hammer Reorganizes to Meet Industry Needs
From natural animal feed additives to food safety antimicrobials, Arm & Hammer’s position in the food industry reaches from the farm to the processing plant. On Jan. 24, the company announced the restructuring of their internal organization to reflect the integrated approach they bring to customers.
Under the leadership of Roger Beers, Director, Global Integrated Food Production, the sales and technical teams serving poultry, swine and food production customers will now work as an integrated team bringing together the research, academic and industry experience of the team into one unit. The change in structure creates a single, unified team connecting all the links of the food chain.
“Integrating our teams is the natural progression in the way we are working to bring solutions to the food supply chain,” Scott Druker, general manager of Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production, said in a release. “We have built an expert team of professionals with deep experience in the food industry who will now be able to work more closely together to meet emerging customer challenges and industry trends.”
Customers can expect to continue to work with their current representative.
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