Møllevang, an independent Denmark-based porcine genetics company, and PIC, the porcine business unit of Genus PLC and a global supplier of elite porcine genetics and services, announced Nov. 14 that they have agreed to enter into a strategic relationship on July 1, 2018. The agreements are subject to a number of conditions. As such, the parties will act independently until the relationship becomes effective.

After July 2018, Møllevang will continue to distribute elite genetics in the Danish market and certain other countries. Møllevang will also become an elite genetics production partner of PIC in Denmark. Niels Pedersen, the owner and chief executive of Møllevang, remains in control of the breeding operations of Møllevang, and the other terms of this strategic relationship remain confidential.

“Møllevang has supplied Danish and international producers with advanced genetics for nearly two decades,” said Bill Christianson, chief operation officer of PIC. “Once effective, the strategic relationship will allow PIC and Møllevang to grow their presence in Denmark, strengthen PIC’s supply chain in Europe and increase competition in the Danish market.”

Møllevang has an excellent track record for breeding and multiplication of Landrace, Large White and Duroc pure line populations. After starting as multiplier in 2000 and expanding into nucleus production in 2002 in the DanAvl system, Møllevang has consistently pushed the development and implementation of new technologies that drive faster genetic improvement, focusing on robust, productive animals that maximize profitability for its customers.

In July 2017, Møllevang started independent operations and began a process of advanced genetic selection tailored for commercial production by focusing on sow productivity, pig growth, meat quality and ease of animal management, with the ultimate aim of generating more efficient animals for the customer.

“Since becoming an independent genetics company, Møllevang has had a number of opportunities to partner with third-party genetics providers,” Pedersen said. “The choice is obvious; PIC’s technological leadership and global scale is a complementary fit for Møllevang. Once the strategic relationship commences in July 2018, the combination of Møllevang and PIC will offer our customers access to the highest-quality pig genetics and services. Until then, Møllevang will continue to offer its customers high-quality products and services.”