70 years of progress and partnerships

We spend a lot of time looking ahead to the future and planning for the next milestone. But sometimes it’s important to reflect on where we came from. This year we are celebrating Hybrid Turkeys’ 70th anniversary!

70 years ago… Hybrid Turkeys began in 1953 as a small family operation based in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. The founders, brothers Milo and Ross Shantz, were active leaders in the Mennonite farming community where they were raised. They began the business with two brooder barns and a flock of 500 turkeys. The photo above shows Milo Shantz with one of the first flocks.

From these humble beginnings, the company has grown across continents, continually leading the way in breeding and genetics. As part of Hendrix Genetics, we are part of a global, multi-species leader in genetic solutions that meet the growing demand for food. Our vision for the future is to set the standard for sustainable animal breeding. After 70 years in business, we have the right foundation to pave the way for a brighter future, together.

To mark the 70th anniversary, we will celebrate and share memories, both in person and online. Look out for the Throwback Thursday posts on our Facebook page, where we will be sharing photos of different eras in the history of Hybrid Turkeys, and we encourage our audience to share their favorite memories with us over the years as well.

Are you planning your visit to IPPE? Be sure to stop by the Hendrix Genetics booth #4927 on Wednesday, January 25 at 3:00pm to take part in our cake cutting ceremony in honor of the 70th anniversary. We’ll also be taking time to mark the occasion at other industry events throughout the year. Click here to see where you can find us during the first few months of 2023.

We see this anniversary as a chance to celebrate the past. But it is also an important opportunity to say thank you to the many customers, partners, and friends who have been a part of our history. We could not have achieved this milestone without your support!