Cobb-Vantress Inc. announced that it is making a significant investment in research and development by expanding its Bear Hollow pedigree research farm in southwest Missouri.

The company said it purchased more than 750 additional acres to more than double the size of the farm, and this investment reinforces Cobb’s commitment to continued progress and helping support a sustainable supply chain of healthy and affordable broiler breeding stock worldwide.

“The expansion of this farm is another important step in continuing the growth of our global research and development program,” Cobb president Joel Sappenfield said. “We understand the importance of our business in the global supply chain and are fully committed to investing in the future to support a growing product portfolio while continuing our focus on providing the highest quality in our products and our service.”

The Bear Hollow farm is one of the company's six pedigree research farms in the U.S.; it has an additional pedigree farm in the Netherlands. Doubling the size of the Bear Hollow research farm allows for additional product development and portfolio expansion to help meet and exceed customer needs and expectations around the world, the company said.

“All of our research farms play an important role in helping Cobb remain a global leader in the production of broiler breeding stock,” Cobb vice president of research and development Dr. Aldo Rossi said. “This opportunity will help us expand our latest technology and equipment as well as reinforce our focus on biosecurity, animal welfare and the health and safety of our team members.”

Cobb-Vantress makes quality protein accessible, healthy and affordable worldwide, and its research and technology innovate the global poultry industry. With headquarters in Siloam Springs, Ark., it is the world’s oldest pedigree broiler breeder and distributes poultry to more than 120 countries.