Dr. Mike Helwig’s Dedication to Sustainable Bird Nutrition

With nearly 45 years in bird nutrition, Dr. Mike Hellwig embodies Peco’s dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in everything we do. As a poultry nutritionist, he collaborates with Peco’s live production team, in-house veterinarians and team members in the field to analyze data, identify trends and create sustainable feeding practices to prioritize animal welfare. Hellwig oversees all nutritional components of our operations, meticulously monitoring live performance to adjust feed ingredients based on nutrient profiles, market prices and emerging challenges birds face to optimize sustainability and foster flock health.

“Because of Peco’s holistic approach to bird nutrition and my relationship with the live production team, there’s a mutual trust in the work I do and the food we produce,” says Hellwig. “This trust allows us flexibility to continually evaluate our practices and adapt as needed.”

Hellwig’s career traces back to his upbringing on a livestock farm in Iowa. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State University and briefly worked for a feed company before deciding his passion lay in formulating the feed rather than distributing it. While pursuing his doctorate at the University of Arkansas, Hellwig served as a full-time university employee.

“I’ve still never taken a poultry production class. Everything I’ve learned about poultry, I’ve picked up along the way from some very good people in the industry,” adds Hellwig.

After earning his Ph.D., Hellwig moved into an apprenticeship with Central Soya, gaining essential trade experience. Over the next several decades, he went on to work for three U.S. integrators, one international integrator and two primary breeders, learning valuable insights across the industry. In 2022, Hellwig joined the Peco team, bringing years of experience to help guide Peco’s commitment to doing the right thing.

For Hellwig, navigating the complexity of feed economics is an art. Optimizing feed formulations and monitoring flock health indicators like enzyme and amino acid levels, he plays a pivotal role in achieving efficient and sustainable production outcomes.

“Honesty and dedication to quality are the foundations of a sustainable business,” Hellwig explains. “We do everything we can to prioritize the birds’ welfare and nutritional excellence, while aligning with our strict live production guidelines.”

When it comes to sustainability, the key metric that drives most calculations is feed conversion. By aligning nutrient profiles with the birds’ needs and maintaining optimal bird health, Peco maximizes production efficiency and ensures product quality for its customers.

“In sustainability, continuous improvement is key,” said Jay Pate, Peco’s sustainability coordinator. “And Dr. Hellwig is a perfect example of how we strive for excellence. He has a wealth of industry knowledge to steer us toward a successful, systematic approach.” Peco’s focus surpasses short-term objectives, emphasizing a systemic approach to long-term success. By prioritizing bird health, honesty and sustainable practices, Peco consistently meets customer expectations and delivers a high-quality product to global markets. Experts like Hellwig are essential in making informed decisions that shape the trajectory of our operations.