“The swine genetics of TOPIGS combined with the existing activities of Zierke Company in Minnesota and the Midwest form an excellent opportunity for the future development of our business in the United States,” says Peter van Kemenade, regional director of TOPIGS International. “With this agreement we expand our ability to bring advanced TOPIGS genetics and technology to US pork producers and we acquire market knowledge that will facilitate our future growth.”
The agreement allows Zierke Company to use TOPIGS nucleus breeding stock and technology within its multiplication system for gilt production for clients. The TOPIGS InGene program will also be used to assist existing Zierke customers with closed herd genetic programs.
Bruce Zierke, owner of Zierke Company, commented “TOPIGS is a very strong genetic company and we feel this is an excellent opportunity to advance our company and our clients’ performance with the world class genetics and organization of TOPIGS.
The agreement compliments an earlier agreement with AI Partners, also in Morris Minnesota, to establish a high-health, PRRS-free boar stud that will house over 100 TOPIGS terminal and maternal boars. The boar stud will now also house TOPIGS Duroc boars, in addition to Tempo, Talent and Top Pi terminal sires.
TOPIGS is a multinational company headquartered in Vught, the Netherlands. TOPIGS is a global player in pig genetics and together with its subsidiaries, agents and distributors is active in more than 30 countries. Each year TOPIGS supplies more than one million gilts and over six million doses of semen worldwide, and exports animals from its high-health SPF nucleus farms to clients across the globe.
http://www.topigs.com/