Procavi: Innovating Turkey Production for a Sustainable Future

Procavi, an Andalusian agri-food company founded in 2002, has established itself as a major player in the turkey meat production industry. Specializing in the full-cycle production of turkey, the company has continuously reinvested profits into technological innovation and sustainable practices.

Today, Procavi is responsible for over 52% of turkey production in Spain and ranks as the fourth-largest producer in Europe and the eleventh largest in the world. This impressive scale solidifies Procavi's role as a key player in the global turkey market.

Commitment to Innovation and Technology

Procavi’s success can be attributed to its focus on reinvesting profits into cutting-edge technology. The company constantly explores ways to keep production costs low while also seeking opportunities where higher investments in innovation can bring benefits. This approach has led to a closer collaboration with veterinarians, who play a pivotal role in assessing the impact of new technologies on turkey welfare and productivity.

Partnership with Elías Equipamientos Ganaderos and HATO Lighting

A key collaboration in Procavi’s drive for innovation has been its partnership with Elías Equipamientos Ganaderos. This partnership has focused on improving turkey welfare and production efficiency through the integration of technology and recently lighting solutions.

Lighting in poultry farming is crucial for regulating animal behaviour, promoting optimal growth conditions, and ensuring overall well-being.

Working with Elías Equipamientos Ganaderos, Procavi introduced HATO lighting technology to address specific challenges they were facing in their turkey farming operations.

Addressing the Challenges: Overcrowding, Stress, and Low Pecking

One of the main issues Procavi faced in their turkey production systems was overcrowding in nests. With as many as 1,500 turkeys per nest, the company was experiencing significant stress among the birds, resulting in a higher incidence of eggs on the ground, reduced pecking behaviour, and overall stress due to a lack of environmental regulation. These conditions not only affected the health and well-being of the birds but also impacted overall productivity.

The integration of HATO lighting was chosen to address these behavioural issues. The lighting system was designed to regulate the environment and create a more comfortable, less stressful atmosphere for the turkeys. The new system provides lighting that mimics natural conditions, which can help in reducing aggression and encouraging more natural behaviours like nesting.

We started with the FORTIS LED tube, which can be regulated with good distribution to avoid dark areas, flicker-free operation and ON/OFF, which are essential for the animal's well-being and performance.

The Results: A Noticeable Change in Behaviour

The results of the lighting trials were remarkable. According to Procavi’s veterinarian, the improvements in turkey behaviour were unprecedented.

The lighting system contributed to a significant reduction in stress, which was evident in the calmer, quieter atmosphere within the barns.

         The turkeys became more active, with reduced pecking behaviour, which is a clear indicator of reduced stress  and overall health.

These positive changes translated directly into enhanced productivity and welfare, showing that a well-managed environment – including the right lighting – plays a crucial role in optimizing production. The company was able to reduce the number of eggs on the ground, minimize overcrowding issues, and ultimately improve the quality of the birds being raised.

Next Steps: Expanding the Technology to Other Farms

Given the success of these trials, Procavi is now planning to roll out HATO lighting across its other farms. The company is confident that these changes will continue to improve turkey welfare and production efficiency, driving further growth and sustainability in their operations.

As part of their ongoing commitment to innovation, Procavi will continue to invest in technologies that contribute to both the well-being of the animals and the long-term success of the company.

Procavi remains at the forefront of the turkey production industry. Their approach demonstrates that with the right technology, investments in animal welfare can go hand-in-hand with operational efficiency, setting a high standard for the future of poultry farming.