Genetics Built for Real World Conditions: The Value of CCPS Trials

These trials give our breeding team an essential feedback loop between pedigree-level selection and field performance. With a revamped approach and expanded measurements, CCPS plays an increasingly important role in strengthening selection for livability, robustness, and long‑term performance.

CCPS trials take crossbred turkeys, which are “half siblings” of our pedigree birds, and evaluate their performance in a commercial-like environments. From density, to diets, and overall barn environment, these birds are raised in as close to real-world commercial conditions as possible. With the data collected from the CCPS trials, we can learn more about livability and robustness.

Pedigree environments must operate under strict biosecurity and management. This is a requirement in order to protect our genetic lines and to create a consistent environment for data collection. These conditions cannot fully mimic the environmental pressures and management variability experienced on commercial farms. This is where CCPS trials can fill the gap, giving us the opportunity to introduce real-world commercial challenges for our genetic lines and capture data on performance.

The CCPS trials were originally established to better understand livability by collecting mortality data. Early stages of the trial focused heavily on survivability, including genotyping and mortality tracking. While this provided useful insight, it became clear that more could be done to capture a full range of data to help inform genetic selection decisions. Rather than relying on a single trait, the revamped CCPS approach expands the scope of measurements including body weight and growth curves to capture a more complete picture. A wide range of data collected will enhance our ability to select robust, efficient turkeys.

One of the strengths of the CCPS trials is its agility. Because it operates outside the core pedigree system, it allows for greater flexibility in testing new measurements, management approaches, and research initiatives without risking the future breeding population.

This flexibility also makes these trials a valuable resource for applied research. The trials have supported collaborations with external partners, including the University of Guelph, by providing access to birds and environments suitable for research while maintaining appropriate biosecurity separation from pedigree facilities.

By testing pedigree birds in real commercial-like environments, CCPS trials are one part of ensuring that the commercial turkeys our customers receive are robust and efficient. Beyond the direct benefits to flock performance, CCPS also reflects Hybrid’s long‑term commitment to data‑driven improvement.

The program is part of a broader R&D investment that includes facility expansions at our pedigree facilities, new technology and equipment, and strengthened research collaborations. Together, these initiatives reinforce our focus on continuous improvement and our goal of delivering reliable, high quality birds for turkey growers year after year.