In order to better utilize the hatching and vaccine technology that Nova-Tech, Epitopix and WPC have developed, Willmar Poultry Company partnered with Rick VanderSpek in the year 2000 to form Ag Forte. In the immediate years following the partnership, Ag Forte acquired breeding and hatching facilities from Pilgrim’s Pride, ConAgra and Elite Genetics. The acquisitions from Elite Genetics in Kansas produced grandparent breeding stock for Ag Forte (WPC) and Cargill. Combined, WPC and Ag Forte represented 30% of the United State’s turkey hatchery business.