Company History

A Brief History of Cherry Valley

The company was founded in 1958 by the late Sir Joseph Nickerson. Head office is in the village of Rothwell which lies in a cherry tree-lined valley in the quiet countryside of North East Lincolnshire. Backed by it’s decades of production experience, Cherry Valley has become the acknowledged leader of Pekin duck primary breeding and associated technologies. This is so to the point where the brand name ‘Cherry Valley’, like ‘Pekin’ is widely used to denote a type of duck. This brand name is synonymous throughout the world with quality and efficiency at all stages of the production process. Recognition of these performance benefits by producers and consumers alike has made Cherry Valley the world’s premier duck.

The Nickerson Estate Office, Cherry Blossoms in Rothwell, and the Highfield Growing Farm

In the late 1950s’, 'JN', as he was known, having run a successful chicken breeding farm for some years, assembled a small team to look into the viability of a duck-breeding operation. Market research revealed that many people liked the taste of roast duck, but considered the ducks available at that time to be too fatty and lacking in edible meat. If these problems could be addressed it was clear that the latent consumer demand could be released. A multi-discipline team was assembled at Cherry Valley and a genetic selection programme established to reduce fat and increase the deposition of lean meat in a number of strains. Today, after more than three decades of genetic improvement, the benefits of this first and subsequent programmes are enjoyed by duck producers around the world. The Cherry Valley brand has become the choice of the world's 2.5 billion duck a year industry.

During this journey of endeavour, the company has achieved many firsts in duck production and research and development.

• In 1959 the company produced the first frozen, oven-ready duckling ever in the UK, and a year later the first ducks were marketed under the Cherry Valley brand.

• During the late 1960s’ large airy barns were built to accommodate the ducks and so protect them from predators and from the worst of the winter weather. It became possible to farm ducks all year around to meet the consumer demand.

• In 1977 the first processing plant, meeting EEC specifications was built at Cherry Valley.

An elite farm, elite hatchery at Rothwell, and Cherry Valley duck

• In 1975, Cherry Valley started to supply breeding stock and technology to other duck producers in different parts of the world.

• In 1981 the first breeding stock was supplied to China, which many consider the birthplace of duck production.

• In 1984 Cherry Valley received its first Queen’s award for Export achievement.

• In 1985 Super Meat breeding stock was launched worldwide and Cherry Valley confirmed its leading position as the world primary duck breeder.

• In 1992 SM2 breeding stock were introduced to the world market.

• In 1994, Cherry Valley won ITS second Queen’s Award for export.

• In 2000 the most efficient duck in the world, Super M3, was successfully launched.

• 70% of ducks in the world are produced in China and in 2003, a fully owned subsidiary embracing R&D, breeding and production was established near Beijing.

• In 2004, Cherry Valley invested in significant improvements to it’s genetic selection programme and continually reviews its genetics activities to ensure we stay at the forefront of duck breeding.

Today developments at Cherry Valley, which started 50 years ago, continue at a rapid pace. This is at a time when the world's duck industry is expanding at an unprecedented rate. In many parts of the world the consumption of duck meat has started to challenge that of other types of animal protein. Today, the duck industry is providing a more versatile poultry Cherry Valley’s breeding programme has yielded significant improvements in economically important traits and will continue to do so. However we are fully aware that the development of breeding programmes for ducks needs to be continually reviewed and in order to satisfy the markets in the 21st century we will consider all aspects and ensure an appropriate use of technology to improve the performance, health and welfare of stock.


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A Brief History of Cherry Valley The company was founded in 1958 by the late Sir Joseph Nickerson. Head office is in the village of Rothwell which lies in a cherry tree-lined valley in the quiet countryside of North East Lincolnshire. Backed by it’s decades of production experience, Cherry Valley has become the acknowledged leader of Pekin duck primary breeding and associated technologies. This is so to the point where the brand name ‘Cherry Valley’, like ‘Pekin’ is widely used to denote a type of duck. This brand name is synonymous throughout the world with quality and efficiency at all stages of the production process. Recognition of these performance benefits by producers and consumers alike has made Cherry Valley the world’s premier duck. The Nickerson Estate Office, Cherry Blossoms in Rothwell, and the Highfield Growing Farm In the late 1950s’, 'JN', as he was known, having run a successful chicken breeding farm for some years, assembled a small team to look into the viability of a duck-breeding operation. Market research revealed that many people liked the taste of roast duck, but considered the ducks available at that time to be too fatty and lacking in edible meat. If these problems could be addressed it was clear that the latent consumer demand could be released. A multi-discipline team was assembled at Cherry Valley and a genetic selection programme established to reduce fat and increase the deposition of lean meat in a number of strains. Today, after more than three decades of genetic improvement, the benefits of this first and subsequent programmes are enjoyed by duck producers around the world. The Cherry Valley brand has become the choice of the world's 2.5 billion duck a year industry. During this journey of endeavour, the company has achieved many firsts in duck production and research and development. • In 1959 the company produced the first frozen, oven-ready duckling ever in the UK, and a year later the first ducks were marketed under the Cherry Valley brand. • During the late 1960s’ large airy barns were built to accommodate the ducks and so protect them from predators and from the worst of the winter weather. It became possible to farm ducks all year around to meet the consumer demand. • In 1977 the first processing plant, meeting EEC specifications was built at Cherry Valley. An elite farm, elite hatchery at Rothwell, and Cherry Valley duck • In 1975, Cherry Valley started to supply breeding stock and technology to other duck producers in different parts of the world. • In 1981 the first breeding stock was supplied to China, which many consider the birthplace of duck production. • In 1984 Cherry Valley received its first Queen’s award for Export achievement. • In 1985 Super Meat breeding stock was launched worldwide and Cherry Valley confirmed its leading position as the world primary duck breeder. • In 1992 SM2 breeding stock were introduced to the world market. • In 1994, Cherry Valley won ITS second Queen’s Award for export. • In 2000 the most efficient duck in the world, Super M3, was successfully launched. • 70% of ducks in the world are produced in China and in 2003, a fully owned subsidiary embracing R&D, breeding and production was established near Beijing. • In 2004, Cherry Valley invested in significant improvements to it’s genetic selection programme and continually reviews its genetics activities to ensure we stay at the forefront of duck breeding. Today developments at Cherry Valley, which started 50 years ago, continue at a rapid pace. This is at a time when the world's duck industry is expanding at an unprecedented rate. In many parts of the world the consumption of duck meat has started to challenge that of other types of animal protein. Today, the duck industry is providing a more versatile poultry Cherry Valley’s breeding programme has yielded significant improvements in economically important traits and will continue to do so. However we are fully aware that the development of breeding programmes for ducks needs to be continually reviewed and in order to satisfy the markets in the 21st century we will consider all aspects and ensure an appropriate use of technology to improve the performance, health and welfare of stock.