Global Macroeconomic Outlook Webinar

In the animal agribusiness industry, the drastic changes in the global economy have affected the way you run your company. In these challenging economic times, you need reliable forecast information to help you make confident business decisions moving forward.

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In his 60-minute presentation, Dr. Scherr will address critical economic questions plaguing business decision-makers today including:

• 
  
  Global economic recovery:  On track or stalling?
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  U.S. debt accumulation:  Can the U.S. find buyers?
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  U.S. economy:  Shape of the recovery?
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  Eurozone prospects:  Real recovery or stagnation?
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  Asian economic expansion: Can Asia lead the global recovery?

The formal presentation will be followed by a Q & A session, giving attendees the opportunity to interact with Dr. Scherr.

No business planner, manager or C-level executive should miss this invaluable online seminar. Gather your senior management team together to attend for one low price of $250 per login.

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Russia near to unveil meats importations quotas for 2011

Russia must unveil, by the end of September, only, its proposed quotas for meats imports for 2011. Russian officials, who have met WTO’s member-countries this week aiming at achieving Russia admission to the organism for the year end, already signalized that its proposal on the meat quotas for 2011 will be unveiled only in the next meeting.

Brazil will keep on strengthening the pressure on Russian officials as to get a more benevolent treatment for its meats exports. Five years ago Brazil and Russia signed an agreement which established that Russia would never trim down the Brazilian meats access to that market. However, in 2009, Russia handed down USA and EU the most attractive shares of chicken meat and pork importations quotas. In spite on counting on Brazil’s support to its WTO-admission campaign, Moscow has been struggling to reduce gradually the Brazilian chicken meat and pork imports.

The core idea in the next Russian meat imports quota plan is to cut off by 50% thru 2013 the current importations of 400 thousand tons of chicken meat. For pork they plan to cut off 200 thousand tons from the current 500 thousand tons importation volumes. Russians claim they can reach self-sufficiency in chicken meat and pork production in 3-year time. However, it is hard to believe this is possible as Russia’s producers, inefficient and expensive, have no means to compete with Brazil’s.

National Education Center for Agricultural Safety offers grain entrapment rescue training

The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) is offering grain entrapment rescue training to first responders.
With help from simulation equipment donated by GOWMARK, Nationwide Agribusiness and Grain Systems Incorporated, NECAS hopes to ensure that rural fire departments or emergency rescue squads are properly trained for the possibility of a grain entrapment rescue. "In our business, as well as the business of farming, there are times when one must enter a grain bin," said Randy Holthaus, GROWMARK grain systems marketing manager. "In the event of a problem, the actions of the first responders can mean the difference between life and death, so timely training is key."

Oct. poultry processors workshop to cover HACCP

The Annual Poultry Processors Workshop co-hosted by The Poultry Federation and the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, Poultry Science will be held Oct. 6-7. The two-day educational event addresses current issues for the processor including HACCP, QA and environmental personnel.
The first day of the conference will be held at Springdale Holiday Inn in Springdale, Ark., and the second day will be held at the University of Arkansas, Center of Excellence for Poultry Science in Fayetteville, Ark. Additional topics include:

• Traceability
• Plant Floor Data Collection
• Performance Based Sanitation
• Impact of Export Markets
• Employee Retention and Training
• New Performance Standards for Salmonella and Campylobacter

Alltech acquires algae facility for $14M

Alltech recently acquired an algae fermentation facility in Winchester, Ky., from Martek Bioscience Corporation for approximately $14 million.
“For Alltech, algae fermentation presents our latest technological platform from which we expect incredible opportunities in the areas of food, feed and fuel to arise,” said Founder and President Dr. Pearse Lyons.
According to the company, algae are some of the fastest-growing plants in nature and have the ability to convert large amounts of carbon dioxide into oxygen.
“Alltech is actively developing processes that are derived from a variety of different algae types,” said Becky Timmons, director of applications and quality assurance. “Alltech currently has the largest carbon dioxide sequestering algae pilot plant system in the state of Kentucky and this new acquisition will allow us to move our research yet further towards true implementation.” she continued.
The facility will allow for continued work with Alltech’s carbon dioxide sequestering algae strains and strains that are grown with other carbon sources. The algae will then be used for value-added feed products, algae derived bio-fuel and the production of ethanol.
The laboratory and pilot plant fermentation facilities in the acquisition are of particular interest as they will allow for quick product and process development. The automated control and monitoring systems on the fermenters will allow Alltech to make advances in new and current fermentation processes. One of the main focuses of the facility will be the development of products derived from algae.

Tyson will donate 1 million pounds of food in September

Tyson Foods Inc. is commemorating 10 years of hunger relief efforts by donating 1 million pounds of food during September, which is national Hunger Action Month.
Tyson made its initial plans to tackle the subject of hunger relief in 1999, beginning its campaign the next year. "Since 2000, hunger relief has become a significant part of our company's culture," said Tyson President and CEO Donnie Smith. "We have donated food in 48 states — including the ones where we have plants — in the past 10 years. We will continue to fight domestic hunger as we go into our second decade of action." Tyson has partnerships with organizations like Share Our Strength, Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) and Lift Up America. In the last five years, Tyson's employees have raised more than $350,000 for the cause.

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica requests proposals for 2011 PRRS research awards

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) is again seeking research study proposals focused on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), to help swine producers and veterinarians better manage the disease.
For the last eight years, BIVI has contributed $75,000 or more annually through its Advancement in PRRS Research Awards, which fund three selected research programs. The company’s PRRS research award program is open to swine veterinarians, diagnosticians or public and private researchers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Selected programs are designed to investigate new ways to diagnose, control and eradicate this costly swine disease.
Research proposals must be submitted by Jan. 1, 2011, and awards will be presented during the 2011 American Association of Swine Veterinarians Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz. Proposals will be selected by an independent review board based on established criteria, including potential economic impact to the swine industry, originality and scientific quality and probability of success in completing the year-long study.
This year, BIVI recognized three veterinarians and researchers for the 2010 Advancement in PRRS Research Award: Robert Morrison, DVM, Ph.D., University of Minnesota; Paul Yeske, DVM, MS, Swine Vet Center, St. Peter, Minn.; and Mark Wagner, DVM, Fairmont Veterinary Clinic, Fairmont, Minn.
To participate in the research program, submit a proposal, cover sheet, curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation by Jan. 1, 2011, to:
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc.
Attn: Trudy LutherThe Advancement in PRRS Research Award
5506 Corporate Dr. Suite 1600
St. Joseph, MO 64507-7752

National Chicken Council comments on China duties

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced it would confirm the so-called anti-dumping duties on U.S. chicken originally imposed on a temporary basis in February. These are in addition to countervailing duties, confirmed earlier in September, to offset what China sees as subsidies to the industry.
Both sets of duties have effectively been in place since February. According to the National Chicken Council, "the U.S. poultry industry does not engage in dumping and does not receive subsidies. China’s actions followed the tariffs imposed by the U.S. on automotive tires made in China and U.S. Congressional action against the proposed export to the U.S. of cooked poultry products of Chinese origin."
From January to July 2010, the poultry trade with China was running at about 13% of its volume for the same period in 2009.
The National Chicken Council represents integrated chicken producer-processors, the companies that produce and process chickens. Member companies account for more than 95% of the chicken sold in the U.S.

Vets ask companies to rethink all-Halal menus

Following a recent news investigation into the widespread use of meat and meat products from animals not stunned before slaughter, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is writing to the companies involved to express its concern that the use of this meat in the wider food chain may lead to an increase in the number of animals slaughtered without stunning.
The BVA has also renewed its call for clearer food labeling so that consumers are aware when they buy meat or meat products how the animals were slaughtered.
The report found that meat slaughtered under certain religious rules without pre-stunning (including kosher and some halal meat), is entering the mainstream food chain without being labeled as such, and is being used in schools, hospitals, pub chains and sporting venues.
The investigation follows news reports that GateGourmet, an airline caterer, is considering making the majority of its meals halal.
The BVA supports moves by the European Parliament to introduce mandatory labeling of meat from non-stunned animals, including use of the meat in other products. The BVA also supports the concept of an EU-wide label to indicate higher welfare throughout the food chain.

Europe’s farming outlook improving

The outlook for Europe’s farmers is positive, according to Dr Reinhard Grandke, general executive manager of the German Agricultural Society (DLG).
At the pre-EuroTier press meeting in late September, Dr Grandke quoted the results of the latest Trendmonitor Europe, a survey conducted by the DLG in conjunction with market research institute Kleffmann Group.
The survey, conducted during the previous two weeks among some 3,500 farmers in the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland and the UK, revealed improvements in current sentiment and future investment plans in comparison with the last survey, carried out in the spring.
In Germany, investment plans are stable, with every second farmer planning to invest, however, there has been a shift in investment plans in comparison with the spring survey. The core farming activities of farmyard work and field operations have moved back into focus, while interest in bioenergy has slowed somewhat.
In France and the UK, the improved economic climate is leading to greater investment plans, while in the Czech Republic investment is focusing on animal husbandry for the first time. Forty-five percent of farmers questioned plan to invest in animal production, while in contrast, despite improved expectations, the inclination of Polish and Hungarian farmers to invest can be classified as relatively reserved.
Dr Grandke continued that, while the number of farms keeping animals is continuing to shrink, the total animal population is roughly the same as farm sizes increase.

Pig sector 
Robert Hoste, pig production economist at the Research Institute for Agricultural Economics, Wageningen University and Research Group, the Netherlands, noted that, in 2006, the OECD predicted that demand for pork would increase by 14% up to the year 2014. He contrasted this with the fact that between the autumn of 2006 and the summer of 2008, feed prices increased by 50%, and that the situation was exacerbated by growing demand in the area feed-food-fuel.
It is becoming clear, he continued, that efficiency in production must increase in order to keep feeding the world.
There are substantial differences in performance, even among the countries of North-West Europe, and from farm to farm. For example, the slaughter weight production of piglets per sow and year varies between 1,608 kg in the UK to 2,279 kg in the Netherlands. In some production systems in southern Europe it can be as high as 2,681 kg.
If the performance levels of the Netherlands could be achieved worldwide, 44% fewer pigs would be necessary globally to achieve the same production levels (in tons slaughterweight). In particular, improved feed efficiency would make distinct savings in feed consumptions possible. Further potential for savings exist in the processing chain.
* As of Jan.1, 2013, all pregnant sows in Europe must be kept in groups. During the intervening period, sow farms will have to invest, as new building must satisfy this requirement. The BFL, which promotes agricultural building construction and livestock management, will showcase various examples of new husbandry methods at EuroTier at an event entitled “Sow well-being – in group housing.” 

O.K. Foods to use new poultry stunning system

The Poultry Federation website informs that O.K. Foods, Inc. will begin using a new and humane method of controlled-atmosphere stunning for poultry – Low Atmospheric Pressure System (LAPS). O.K. Foods, Inc. is committed to the proper handling, health, and humane treatment of its chickens, has been working with TechnoCatch LLC and Dr. Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton, Ph.D., Mississippi State University, to create a new and more humane way to process our poultry.
The LAPS system works by reducing the oxygen level in poultry live haul cages. This reduction of oxygen causes hypoxia and a sense of euphoria similar to climbing to altitude in an airplane. LAPS is a superior alternative to conventional electrical stunning because birds are insensible before unloading, shackling and stunning, reducing bird stress levels and eliminating animal welfare concerns as birds are introduced to the plant. The research on LAPS is set to be published in the Journal of Applied Poultry Research this winter.
The American Humane Association has endorsed the new method of controlled-atmosphere stunning for poultry as humane and O.K. is scheduled to start processing using the technology this fall. Research on LAPS methodology was presented by lead researcher Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton, Ph.D. at American Humane Association’s farm animal welfare Scientific Advisory Committee meeting on July 15, 2010. Based on the scientific evidence that was presented to the committee, The American Humane Association has approved LAPS, and has now included it as one of the acceptable methods of harvesting poultry in their welfare standards.

Source: www.thepoultryfederation.com

China's domestic egg prices soar

China's domestic egg prices have been rising since June, according to reports.
A full one-third of the country is experiencing egg retail prices over RMB10 (US$1.49) per kilogram. While prices may drop slightly after the holidays, breeding and feed costs are expected to remain high, influencing egg numbers. A shortage of supply, hot weather (which decreased egg production in China by as much as 30%), flooding in south and northeast China and rising transportation costs have also contributed to the rise in egg prices.

International Poultry Scientific Forum donates to Ford Foundation

The International Poultry Scientific Forum presented a check for $18,047.11 to the U.S. Poultry & Egg Harold E. Ford Foundation during the Foundation's September meeting.
"We are pleased to accept this donation on behalf of the Ford Foundation," said Foundation Chairman Monty Henderson. "The Foundation is committed to the future of the poultry and egg industry through education and research. We are grateful to the International Poultry Scientific Forum for contributing to our efforts toward the long-term sustainability of our industry." The money will go towards meeting the Foundation's goals of providing financial support for poultry production student recruiting efforts at universities and colleges and funding industry research.

Tyson may raise chicken prices due to corn costs

Tyson Foods Inc. said it may raise chicken prices in response to rising corn costs.
Corn futures hit $5.2375 a bushel for August, the highest price since September 2008. Tyson uses corn and soybean meal as the primary feed for its chickens. "We're closely monitoring grain prices and continue efforts to limit our exposure to price increases," said company spokesperson Gary Mickelson. "However, we believe higher corn prices will ultimately result in consumers paying more for chicken, since we'll be forced to raise our prices to offset the increase in input costs."
Rising feed costs might impact the expansion of U.S. chicken output, as well, and production estimates for the first quarter of 2011 have lowered slightly.

American Feed Industry Association wraps up liquid feed tonnage survey

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has completed its annual liquid feed tonnage survey for 2010.
Eleven U.S. liquid feed manufacturing companies participated in the survey, providing their 2008 and 2009 liquid supplement production data. The report covers the categories of beef feedlot, dairy rations, range supplementation, feed mill blends and poured blocks. Overall, a slowdown of production levels was recorded in 2009, due in large part to the economic downturn and resulting herd reductions. Dairy rations were the hardest hit.

DSM acquires Microbia Inc. to expand its position in specialty ingredients

Royal DSM N.V. has acquired Microbia Inc. in a bid to expand its position in specialty ingredients.
DSM plans to incorporate Microbia's research and development capabilities to support DSM's development of the natural carotenoids market. "The acquisition of Microbia represents a significant step for DSM in our strategy to accelerate our innovation activities in natural products and fermentation processes," said Leendert Staal, president and CEO of DSM Nutritional Products. "This acquisition allows us to expand our product portfolio as well as our research and development capabilities."

Owners involved in egg recall go before House subcommittee

Austin DeCoster, owner of Wright County Egg, and Orland Bethel, president of Hillandale Farms, went before a House subcommittee on Wednesday to answer questions regarding their companies' roles in the August 2010 national egg recall enacted after a salmonella outbreak.
DeCoster apologized, saying he was "horrified" that anyone may have been sickened by his company's eggs. Duane Mangskau, a production representative for Hillandale Farms, said the recall has forced them "to take a hard look at our operations." More than 1,600 illnesses have been linked to the recall. The companies said that the source of the salmonella was likely an ingredient sold to them from an outside supplier. The Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are heading up the ongoing investigation.

JSR partners with Croatian Agro-farmer

After five years of conversation and negotiation, JSR has partnered with Croatian pig producers Agro-farmer.
Agro-farmer is JSR's first Croatian agent, and JSR hopes this will open the door for further expansion in the region. "With Croatia likely to enter the EU in the next couple of years any period of increased prosperity will improve diets — pork is already very popular in Croatia," said Paul Anderson, international sales director for JSR. "This is an ideal opportunity for us to demonstrate the capability of JSR Genetics and the stock chosen will help Agro-farmer improve both pork quality and productivity throughout the region."
The new pig herd Agro-farmer gains will be housed in a new pig unit scheduled for completion in November 2010.

American Farmland Trust releases PACE statistics

American Farmland Trust (AFT)'s Farmland Information Center has released its annual statistics on state-level purchases of agricultural conservation easement (PACE) programs. 
A survey of 26 states found that the states acquired 7% more easements and protected 7% more acres in 2009 than in 2008, in spite of spending 30% less in 2009 than in the previous year. The lowered cost is likely due to decreases in land values.
2010-2011 projections indicate that states may be forced to accomplish more with less, as the economic downturn and state budget shortfalls have resulted in reduced farmland protection funding. "I'm pleased to see states forging ahead, but the funding reductions are frustrating," said Julia Freegood, AFT's managing director for farmland and communities. "This is a critical time to invest in farmland protection while land is relatively inexpensive because it is a strategic long-term investment in rural communities. PACE programs not only secure the agricultural land base, they support local economic activity."
As of January 2010, 25 states have active state-level PACE programs.

USDA releases ACRE program analysis

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s Economic Research Service (ERS) has released its latest report on "ACRE Program Payments and Risk Reduction."
The report, which studied the effectiveness of the variables used in ACRE's payment system, found that ACRE is least effective in covering idiosyncratic risks, shortfalls on an individual farm that do not correlate with more widespread losses and more targeted at systematic or statewide risk. The program is most effective when related to the correlation between a farm's revenue variability and variability in state average revenue.

China commodity prices up across the board

China's major meat and feed commodity prices were up across the board for August from a month earlier, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Pork prices have been rising for two straight months, up 10% in August from July at 19.30 yuan per kilogram. Egg prices came in at an 8.4% increase from a month earlier to 8.66 yuan per kilogram, while dressed chicken rose 4% to 14.73 yuan. Beef and mutton showed small growth, 0.8%, to 33.55 and 34.61 yuan per kilogram, respectively.
Average corn prices in August rose 0.5% from the previous month and 17.9% year-on-year to 2.11 yuan per kilogram, while soybean meal prices grew 3.9% to 3.45 yuan per kilogram.

IEC organizes World Egg Day Oct. 8

The International Egg Commission has designated Oct. 8 as World Egg Day. To mark this event, the organization is urging members to donate eggs to needy recipient organizations.
The IEC will work closely with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to distribute eggs, especially in developing countries where the need is greatest. Donor countries include Thailand, Italy, Finland and the Czech Republic. Egg producers in the U.S. donated more than three million eggs to charities to date during 2010, helping to feed survivors of the earthquake in Haiti, as well as aiding egg banks and charities throughout the nation.

Plenty of blame to be shared in egg recall

The significance of the 2010 egg recall is now becoming apparent. The short-term impact relates to an acute drop in consumption with a correspondingly precipitous decline in the average August Urner Barry price from 113 cents per dozen to the mid-70s by the second week in September. Contrast this value with a projected 117 cents for the month. Assuming that the generic shell-egg segment of the industry collectively experienced a decline of 40 cents per dozen, the loss in revenue for September alone would amount to $125 million assuming 162 million hens* with a 75% hen-to-pack yield.
The alleged circumstances, deficiencies and deviations from what could be regarded as prudent standards of operation by the management and ownership of the affected complexes and their affiliates are being emblazoned across newspapers in the U.S. fuelling concern over the safety of our product. Premature releases of preliminary findings by the FDA are adding to the rejection of shell eggs by domestic and food service users.
There is plenty of blame to go around. To name but a few:

• The owner and management of the implicated complexes who allegedly operated with complete disregard for accepted standards of prevention and detection of SE;
• The UEP and its directors for promoting its 5-Star Total Quality Assurance Food Safety Program, which was patently inferior to detect SE compared to the long-standing California and Pennsylvania EQAPs and the program initiated by the major producer of nationally distributed shell eggs;
• The UEP for not acting forcefully and expeditiously to publically disassociate its constituency of responsible producers representing 97% of production capacity from the alleged and widely publicized practices on the affected complexes;
• The UEP and its public relations advisors for mounting a lackluster campaign, which incorporated a blame-the-victim approach contrary to accepted principles of crisis control;
• The AEB for not acting quickly and authoritatively, applying its extensive resources to dispel concern among consumers in the face of negative publicity;
• The FMI in mandating an SQF program, which omitted the basic requirement that certified plants only pack eggs from flocks demonstrated to be free of SE, applying a comprehensive monitoring protocol;
• Purchasers of nest-run eggs from the affected complexes who repacked and distributed product without enquiring as to the SE status of supply flocks;
• The major chains and brokers who have imposed pressure on producers to supply eggs at the lowest cost, depriving the industry of the margins which would allow investment in effective biosecurity, SE vaccination, rodent control and monitoring; and
• The federal authorities for not coordinating their resources to provide the industry, initially with guidance and then successively comprehensive suppression and eradication programs. What have the USDA-AMS, USDA-ARS, USDA-FSIS or the FDA and their paymasters (Congress) contributed to preventing the SE crisis during the last two decades?

Am I bitter? Yes. Disappointed? Yes. A lot of good, honest and hardworking people, many of whom are friends and associates, will suffer from the acts of omission and commission, which contributed to the current situation. All that I can hope is that reason will prevail and that we will collectively develop a new attitude toward production of a quality product with inherent nutritional attributes for the benefit of our consumers and stakeholders.
Contrary opinions and rebuttals are welcome.
Inappropriate response to recall 
More from Dr. Shane about the blame-the-victim approach that caused backlash.

*(290 million hens in production less specialty and breaking flocks)

US Senate votes against biodiesel tax credit extension

The United States Senate has voted against a motion to extend the biodiesel tax credit.
The 41-58 vote fell short of the required 67 votes needed for the amendment to pass. The original tax credit expired on Dec. 31, 2009, and the motion would have retroactively extended the credit through the end of 2010. The American Soybean Association has expressed its determination to continue to campaign for an extension until Congress adjourns to campaign for the upcoming elections.

Reports suggest some caged EU hens will remain Jan. 2012

Recent reports suggest up to a third of EU hens will still be in cages at the Jan. 1, 2012, deadline for transition to colony housing or floor systems.
Providing non-compliant producers with an extension could be considered unfair to those who have made investments and would possibly operate at a financial disadvantage. Banning the sale of cage-derived eggs would represent hardship for consumers who would be obliged to pay more for eggs due to reduced supply. Even if eggs were imported to supply demand, in all probability, product would be derived from caged-housed hens, which would be inconsistent with the intended improvement in welfare.

July table egg exports down 7.5% in volume

Table egg exports in July 2010 amounted to 5.855 million dozen valued at $4.329 million, representing an average revenue of 72 cents per dozen. The 7.5% decline in volume was due to a decrease in shipments to Canada and Mexico.
Compensatory increases were achieved from exports to the UAE, South Korea and the Caribbean. For the first seven months of 2010, 37.413 million dozens were exported at an average revenue of 81 cents per dozen. Hong Kong, Canada, UAE, Bahamas and Israel represented the top five importers.
During July, 2,714 tons of processed products were exported, with an aggregate value of $8.924 million or $3,288/ton. The volume was reduced by 20% compared to the corresponding period in 2009, mainly due to lower volume of shipments to Canada. Year to date export of egg products attained 21,789 tons valued at $68.121 million, or $3,127/ton.
Total volume of eggs exported in-shell and as shell equivalent liquid amounted to 3% of U.S. production, or 115,707 million dozen over the first seven months of 2010, according to data assembled by USDA-FAS and processed by Dr. Renan Zhuang of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council.

US, Japan hold technical meeting on beef, beef products

Technical delegations from the United States and Japan met on Sept. 14 and 15 to discuss issues related to bilateral trade in beef and beef products.
The working-level meeting covered such topics as current Japanese regulations and regulatory processes, Japan's risk assessment process for beef and beef products and Japan's import inspection and border measures. The discussions were led by Dr. John Clifford, chief veterinary officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Toshiro Kawashima, director and chief veterinary officer for the Animal Health Division of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

USDA, FDA personnel respond to food safety survey

A survey addressed to 8,100 USDA and FDA scientists involved with food safety resulted in a 20% response rate, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the originators of the study. Of the respondents, 10% indicated they had encountered occasional or frequent requests from their agency administrators to alter technical information or exclude data to conform to desired regulatory outcomes. Approximately 20% of respondents reported occasional to frequent involvement of corporate or extra-agency pressure to amend technical information.

English pig herd smaller

England’ pig breeding herd dropped slightly between June 2009-2010, down 0.4 percent from 352,000 to 351,000 pigs.
However, despite the headline figure of a 0.4 % fall, the forthcoming December 2010 census could still show an increase in the national herd, as the gilts-intended-for-breeding category is a good indicator of confidence and, in the June 2010 survey it is up a bullish 13.6%, says the National Pig Association.

Golchha partners with Hester Bioscience to begin production of animal vaccines

Golchha Organisation's Him Electronics is partnering with Hester Bioscience Ltd. to produce vaccines for poultry and cattle.
The project, worth Rs250 million, will provide employment to 200 area workers and will begin producing before the end of 2012. "This is a first of its kind joint venture in Nepal and has opened up formerly uncharted territory," said Him Electronics Managing Director Shekhar Golchha. "As we will be exporting the majority of the products, this project will contribute to the export industry." Both partners have expressed their confidence in the project's success.

Pork Quality Assurance Plus Adviser Training Program to be offered by IPIC

The Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) will hold a Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Plus Advisor training session at Iowa State University on Oct. 5
Certification as an Advisor requires attendance at a daylong training session and passing an exam at the end of the session. "If you're interested in attending, please let us know by submitting an application as soon as possible," said IPIC spokesperson Jane Runneals. Requirements for eligibility include being a veterinarian, extension specialist or agriculture educator; having a D.V.M. or B.S. in animal science or an equivalent combination of education and swine production experience; and having two years of recent documentable swine production experience. The application deadline is Sept. 28.

NPIP adopts US salmonella monitored program

The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) voted to adopt a U.S. Salmonella enteritidis (SE) Monitored Program at its biennial conference.
The program, which will focus on multiplier meat-type breeder chickens, was developed by a committee organized by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Vice President Dr. Alling Yancy. "The Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) has stated that SE has been increasing at the same time the overall prevalence of Salmonella spp. has been declining in broilers," said Yancy. "This new NPIP program will add some context to discussions on this matter by helping us learn the relative prevalence of SE in U.S. meat-type parents breeding flocks. Only then can we know how serious the issue is, and begin to figure out what can be done about it."
Now that the program has been adopted by the NPIP, Yancy said he intends to encourage broiler integrators to participate. He also plans to search out volunteers to form an industry coalition that will collaborate with the FSIS to address SE in broilers.

Three Maine egg farms on Congress radar

Three Maine farms with ties to Jack DeCoster, the owner of one of the farms involved in the recent U.S. egg recall, are under scrutiny.
A congressional committee has requested inspection records and documents relating to any allegations of egg contamination at the farms. According to Maine state veterinarian Don Hoenig, no commercial farm building has tested positive for Salmonella enteritidis since October 2009. According to Hoenig, Maine has enacted regulations that go beyond federal requirements, including vaccinations of young birds for salmonella, follow-up testing and increased building inspections and cleaning.

Rosemary Mucklow tapped as Meat Industry Hall of Fame keynote speaker

Rosemary Mucklow, director emeritus of the National Meat Association, has been tapped to be the keynote speaker for the Meat Industry Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony.
Mucklow was the executive director of the National Meat Association from 1982 to 2007, and has nearly 50 years of industry experience. "[Mucklow] has enjoyed a ringside seat on 50 years of industry history, so she is the perfect keynoter for the annual induction ceremony," said Hall of Fame President Chuck Jolley. "Her reflections on the changes she's witnessed will be especially fitting since our inductees are some of the most influential people who drove those changes in the industry."
The induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 30.

Chore-Time's Forrest Lee Ramser dies at 85

Forrest Lee Ramser, “The Captain,” 85, of Watkinsville, Ga., died Sept. 14, following an extended illness.
Ramser was born March 13, 1925, to Fred and Margaret Wallace Ramser in Alliance, Ohio. Following graduation from Alliance High School in 1943, he entered the U.S. Navy and served in the U.S. Navy Submarine Service in the South Pacific Theatre as an electrician’s mate during World War II. He served on the USS Razorback and the USS Pufferfish and was present at the signing of the Peace Treaty with Japan in 1945.
Ramser married Helen Margaret Greek, Jan. 5, 1947. They had been married for 60 years at the time of Helen's death in 2007. Ramser was Chore-Time Equipment Inc.'s first employee and shareholder. He was the senior vice president of Chore-Time and CTB Inc.; executive vice president of CT Sales Inc.; and President and Managing Director of Chore-Time Elite N.V., Maldegem, Belgium.
In 1968, Chore-Time decided to open a southern division in Georgia to be near the expanding commercial egg and poultry industry. Ramser agreed to move from Indiana to build a manufacturing plant on 441 South in Watkinsville, Ga., which is now the Oconee State Bank Operations Center. The Ramsers and their son Fred moved to Athens, Ga., in 1970. He held the position of Senior Vice President of Chore-Time Brock Inc. until 1985.
During his forty years in Georgia, Ramser was actively involved in numerous civic and philanthropic endeavors and was a member of Athens Christian Church for 40 years. He was the recipient of the Salvation Army’s “Other’s Award” in 1985 and a lifetime member of its Advisory Board.
He is survived by his three children, Janet Lee, Watkinsville, Ga.; Mark Alan (Jean), Zionsville, In.; and Fred Milton (Betty Jo), Goshen, In. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Christine N. Brubaker (Janet Rountree), Nicholson, Ga.; Laura K. Brubaker Sparr (David), Watkinsville, Ga.; Forrest Michael Ramser (Courtney), Winter Garden, Fla.; Adam N. Ramser, Indianapolis, In.; Seth P. Ramser, West Lafayette, In.; Kyle B. Ramser, Santa Rosa, Calif.; and his great-grandchildren, Skylar M. Sparr; Zachary E. Sparr; and Forrest Matthew Ramser.
Visitation will be held at Lord & Stephens West, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Rd., Bogart, Ga., 5-7 p.m., Sept. 18. Funeral services will take place at Athens Christian Church, 1200 Forest Heights Drive, Athens, Ga., 4 p.m. Sept. 19. A second funeral will be held in Alliance, Ohio, at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, Sept. 22, with visitation at 1 p.m. and funeral at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in the Alliance City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Forrest L. & Helen M. Ramser Scholarship, Atlanta Christian College, 2605 Ben Hill Rd., East Point, Ga., 30344 or Hope Haven of Northeast Georgia, 795 Newton Bridge Rd., Athens, Ga., 30607.

I-SF/SF Certification Program now available in EU

As a result of collaboration between the American Feed Industry Association and the European Union Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and Mixtures, the I-SF/SF Certification Program is now a reality, paralleling the U.S. FAMI-QS Program.
The new certification program will facilitate exports to the EU, ensuring compliance with Feed Hygiene Regulation EC183-2005 which requires application of HACCP. The FAMI-QS is one of three systems officially adopted by EU.
The first certificate has been issued to Kemin AgriFoods with other manufactures undergoing the certification process.
“AFIA welcomes this important achievement in feed and food safety, which is a result of the shared and coordinated efforts of the EU and U.S. industries,” said Joel G. Newman, president and CEO of AFIA.

AOAC approves Neogen’s Aflatoxin DR Assay System

The Association of Official Agricultural Chemists has awarded Performance Tested Method approval for the Neogen NeoColumn™ for Aflatoxin DR. Approval was contingent on independent evaluation of the Aflatoxin level in corn and peanuts with direct-read fluorometry and HPLC as reference techniques.
The NeoColumn for Aflatoxin allows extraction from a ground sample. The method uses positive pressure to create flow through the column with determination of Aflatoxin by antibody. Toxin which is present is eluted using ethanol and is then assayed using direct-read fluorometry or HPLC.
The Neogen Corp. produces a range of mycotoxin test kits including DON, Ochratoxin, T-2, fumonisin, and zearalenone.

USDA to pursue organic standards violations

The USDA Agriculture and Marketing Service’s National Organic Program announced it will be more aggressive with respect to deviation from standards and regulations relating to organic certification.
Although the National Organic Program does not have the resources to ensure compliance, it is expected that it will rely on certifying agencies. There is an obvious conflict of interest inherent in a situation where producers remunerate certifying agencies to conduct audits and at the same time the agencies are beholden to the NOP.
If the USDA is to fulfill its function of “allowing us to perform our jobs of persuading consumers they can trust the USDA organic label” as stated by Miles McEvoy, Deputy Administrator of the NOP, the agency itself must be responsible for investigating violations and taking appropriate action.

Whole Foods to assign welfare ratings

By January 1, 2011, Whole Foods announced it will implement an animal welfare rating program in all stores. Point-of-sale signs will inform customers of how meat-animals were raised as stated by John Mackey, founder of the company.
Whole Foods will commence marketing vegan foods under their private label, according to an article in USA Today.
In the interview, Mackey also indicated that wellness clubs will be introduced in five prototype stores. The company is at pains to justify high prices and to dispel the “Whole Paycheck” image by product differentiation and appealing to their core constituency.

Russia looks to become self-sufficient in poultry meat by 2013

Russia is looking to stop poultry imports by 2013, and says it may beat that goal, according to reports.
The country has been developing domestic poultry breeding to cut its dependency on imports. The recently lifted ban on American poultry imports, which lasted more than six months, served as an unexpected test. "Imports from the start of the year to July 1 were some 150,000 tons," said Russian meat producer Cherkizovo's CEO Sergei Mikhailov. "We survived and can make a preliminary conclusion that maybe imports are not necessary and we may reach self-sufficiency."
2010 poultry imports for Russia so far stand at 75% less than the same time period last year. "Therefore, the talk is no longer about volumes on which Russia is dependent," said Mikhailov. "Imports will continue, maybe 400,000-450,000 tons in the whole year." Mikhailov said that if domestic production can be raised by 200,000 tons this year and by the same amount in 2011, imports will be at minimal volumes ahead of the 2013 schedule.

National Organic Program extends use of synthetic methionine

A note in a recent Federal Register posts an interim rule extending the acceptability of synthetic methionine for organic poultry through October 2012.
Additives will be restricted to four pounds per ton of feed for egg producing hens, five pounds per ton for broilers and six pounds per ton for turkeys. Calculations performed by industry experts indicated a significant increase in cost of diets to achieve acceptable levels of methionine in the absence of synthetic products including DL-methionine and methionine hydroxy analog.
There is no scientific justification thus far for banning either synthetic methionine or lysine from organic diets as these compounds are the same structure as the equivalent amino acids found in vegetable ingredients and are absorbed and metabolized in the same way as plant-source amino acids.

2010 broiler, pork production estimates reduced

The latest USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates reports broiler and pork production are reduced from last month. The 2011 forecast is reduced as higher feed prices encourage cattle producers to keep cattle on forage longer and tempers pork, broiler and turkey production gains.
Pork and poultry trade forecasts are unchanged from last month. Livestock and poultry prices for 2010 are raised but forecasts for 2011 cattle and hog prices are unchanged. The broiler and turkey price forecasts for 2011 are raised slightly on expected tightness in supplies. Egg prices for 2010 are forecast higher due to the recent spike in third-quarter prices, but the forecast for 2011 is unchanged.

Corn
Projected U.S. feed grain supplies for 2010/11 are lower this month with lower carryin and reduced production for corn and sorghum. Beginning stocks for corn are projected 40 million bushels lower with higher 2009/10 corn use for ethanol and a small increase in exports. Corn production for 2010/11 is forecast at 13,160 million bushels, down 205 million, but still the largest crop on record. The national average yield is forecast at 162.5 bushels per acre, down 2.5 bushels.
Domestic corn use for 2010/11 is lowered 100 million bushels with lower expected feed and residual use, as higher prices trim feeding demand and the smaller crop reduces residual disappearance. Projected exports are raised 50 million bushels with rising world demand for coarse grains, particularly corn. U.S. corn ending stocks are expected to decline to 1.1 billion bushels, down 196 million bushels.

Soybeans
Soybean exports for 2010/11 are increased 50 million bushels to 1.485 billion, reflecting strong early season sales and a projected increase in global import demand, especially for China. Soybean ending stocks are projected at 350 million bushels, down 10 million from last month as higher export demand more than offsets the increased supply.
Soybean exports for 2009/10 are projected at a record 1.495 billion bushels, up 25 million from last month, reflecting strong shipments in the final weeks of the marketing year. The increase is partly offset with a lower residual, leaving ending stocks projected at 150 million bushels, down 10 million. Other changes for 2009/10 include reduced use of soybean oil for biodiesel and increased soybean oil exports. Season ending soybean oil stocks are projected record high at 3.21 billion pounds.
Prices for soybeans and products are all raised this month, supported by strong prices for corn and wheat. The U.S. season-average soybean price range for 2010/11 is projected at $9.15 to $10.65 per bushel, up 65 cents on both ends of the range.

Wheat
U.S. wheat ending stocks for 2010/11 are projected lower this month with higher expected world demand for U.S. wheat. Strong early season sales and reduced supplies in EU-27, particularly of higher quality wheat, support an improved outlook for U.S. exports.
Wheat exports are projected 50 million bushels higher with larger expected shipments of Hard Red Winter, Hard Red Spring and White wheat. Projected ending stocks are lowered by the same amount to 902 million bushels. At the projected level, stocks would remain the second highest in more than a decade. The 2010/11 season-average farm price is projected at $4.95 to $5.65 per bushel, compared to $4.70 to $5.50 last month.
The next WASDE report will be released Oct. 8.

More than 90% of domesticated turkey genome sequenced

An international group of researchers has published "Multi-Platform Next-Generation Sequencing of the Domestic Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo): Genome Assembly and Analysis," the latest results in an ongoing effort to map the domesticated turkey genome.
The report, which can be found in the journal PLoS Biology, breaks significant new ground. "To date, more than 90% of the domesticated turkey genome has been sequenced and assembled," said Rami Dalloul, assistant professor of animal and poultry sciences in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "We have already described thousands of genes previously unknown to avian scientists."
Beyond new data for avian researchers, the genome sequencing promises knowledge and benefits for poultry producers. "In the short term, the genome sequence will provide scientists with knowledge of specific genes that are important in meat yields and quality, health and disease resistance, fertility and reproduction," said Dalloul. "For example, we don't always know the mechanism for how host-pathogen interactions work. The genome sequence will allow us to better understand this process, which will in turn give us a better understanding of disease prevention and treatment." In the long term, producers could use the new knowledge to grow turkeys faster and healthier, or breed turkeys with a specific desirable texture, flavor and leanness.

Major integrator in Australia promotes poultry wholesomeness

Steggles, a major producer of broilers in Australia, has launched a TV campaign to refute the widely held consumer perception that hormones and steroids are used in the production of poultry meat. Studies conducted in Australia confirmed that 75% of consumers believe that their chicken meat was adulterated with additives such as hormones and steroids.
Most industrialized countries including the U.S., Australia and the EU banned the use of these additives over half a century ago.
According to the managing director of Steggles, the company is hoping the TV campaign will reinforce their message that broilers are raised without either hormone or steroid additives in feed or at any point in the production process.

Corn production down 2 percent from August forecast

Corn production is forecast at a record 13.2 billion bushels, down 2% from the August forecast, but up from the previous record of 13.1 billion bushels set in 2009, according to the USDA's latest crop production report.
Based on conditions as of Sept. 1, yields are expected to average 162.5 bushels per acre, down 2.5 bushels from the previous month and 2.2 bushels below last year’s record of 164.7 bushels. Forecasted yields decreased from last month throughout much of the corn belt, Tennessee Valley and Delta. Yields were up from August in the lower portions of the Southeast.
Soybean production is forecast at a record high 3.48 billion bushels, up 1% from August and 4% above last year. Based on Sept. 1 conditions, yields are expected to average a record high 44.7 bushels per acre, up 0.7 bushel from both last month and last year.
Compared with last month, yields are forecast higher or unchanged across the central and northern corn belt, with the exception of Michigan. The largest increases in yield from last month are expected in Maryland and Virginia, both up four bushels. With the exceptions of Louisiana and the Carolinas, yields are forecast down across the Delta states, southern Great Plains and Southeast. The largest decline from the Aug. 1 forecast is expected in Oklahoma, down seven bushels as drought conditions across much of the state hampered yield expectations. If realized, the forecasted yield in Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York and North Dakota will be a record high.
Area for harvest in the U.S. is forecast at 78 million acres, unchanged from June, but up 2% from 2009.

Singapore destroys contaminated eggs

The Singapore Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority has destroyed eggs valued at approximately $700,000 as a result of alleged antibody residues.
This action denotes the risks associated with extra-label use of antibiotics in flocks producing eggs. Regulatory authorities worldwide are under pressure from consumer groups to conduct routine assays of livestock products using highly sensitive analytical equipment.
The action in Singapore is reminiscent of the wide-scale surveillance for nitrofuran residues in poultry from Southeast Asian countries during the late 1990s.
It is anticipated that the Food and Drug Administration will implement a program to assay eggs produced in the U.S.

New York legislatures propose mandatory vaccination against SE

New York Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblyman A. Brian Kavanagh have announced a proposal to mandate vaccination against SE, according to The Associated Press. It is unclear whether the requirement will be for hens producing eggs in New York or for eggs introduced into the state.
Although vaccination will not absolutely guarantee freedom from egg-borne infection of consumers, administration of both attenuated live mutant ST vaccine to pullets and inactivated SE emulsion prior to transfer is being adopted as an industry practice.
A comprehensive program to prevent SE incorporates vaccination but also involves effective biosecurity, rodent control, prerequisite flock monitoring, egg washing and maintaining a cold chain of under 45F from packing through to point of sale. In combination these measures will reduce the probability of infection to almost zero.

New compartmentalization program for primary breeders

According to a release to members of the American Veterinarians in Egg Production circulated by Dr. Eric Gingerich, the recent National Poultry Improvement Plan Conference accepted a proposal submitted by the Association of Primary Poultry Breeder Veterinarians regarding compartmentalization.
The program adopted by the NPIP incorporates both requirements of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the guidelines recommended by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The compartmentalization program would allow primary breeders to ship product from their facilities, which are subjected to high levels of biosecurity and under surveillance in the presence of diseases which have resulted in area quarantines.
The principle of compartmentalization is designed to facilitate trade and logistics involved in supply of breeding stock.

Mexico considers import ban on US eggs, poultry meat

Senator Fernando Castro of the Industrial Revolutionary Party representing the state of Baja California has proposed that U.S. table eggs be banned from importation into Mexico, ostensibly as a result of the Wright County Eggs recall.
However, table eggs are not currently imported on any scale into Mexico from the U.S. Notwithstanding this reality, events such as those which have unfolded in Iowa in recent weeks have sullied the reputation of intensive livestock production. The recall has even stimulated opposition to importation of U.S. poultry into the Russian Federation.
Although there is no direct connection between table egg production and broiler meat, intensified surveillance on U.S. exports will be implemented. Given the zero tolerance for salmonella imposed by Russia, it is likely that the Wright County episode will have untoward effects on U.S. shipments of poultry meat.

AFIA submits comments on Sanitary Food Transportation Act implementation

Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested data and information on the food transportation industry and its practices as part of the implementation of the 2005 Sanitary Food Transportation Act.
In response, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has published comments highlighting the success of current practices and expressing concerns over the industry's ability to provide complete documentation for previous loads. "AFIA expressed concern on the ability of feed and ingredient manufacturers to get information on previously hauled loads, especially by independent truckers and rail carriers," said Keith Epperson, AFIA's vice president of manufacturing and training. "Many companies own and maintain their own vehicles for transportation of products. This gives the company complete control over the vehicle with regard to feed safety."
AFIA and a coalition of several industry associations said they believe the public health and consumer protection objectives of the Act will be best served by improving compliance with existing requirements. They listed enhanced enforcement, industry guidance and outreach programs as key tools for success.

China feed market to grow as livestock demand increases

As livestock production in China increases, import/export group and food manufacturer Cofco predicts the country may double its industrial animal feed level by 2020, according to a Bloomberg report.
In 2009, animal feed output -- mostly from corn, soybeans and other oilseeds -- was at 148 million tons, according to Liu Xiaoyu, general manager of Cofco’s feed division. In just 10 years, that figure could increase to more than 250 million metric tons.
This growth has been spurred, in part, by livestock reform in the country, leading to more large-scale operations, and government assistance.
Liu said from 1980 to 2009, China's feed production grew at about 16% per year, with annual growth closer to 8% per year from 2000 to 2009.
Cofco is state owned and is China’s largest grain trader.

Muscatine Foods forms Kent Nutrition Group

Muscatine Foods Corporation is uniting its livestock and pet nutrition subsidiary companies into the Kent Nutrition Group Inc.
The Kent Nutrition Group will be comprised of a feed division and a pet division. The feed division will focus on the specific products and services important to commercial producers, horse owners and lifestyle farmers. The pet division will focus on developing products for dog and cat owners, small animal enthusiasts and birders.
“We believe having a customer-focused structure is a powerful strategy that will benefit the dealers and retailers we do business with and spur growth,” said Gage A. Kent, chairman and CEO of Muscatine Foods Corp.
Prior to the formation of the Kent Nutrition Group, subsidiary companies Blue Seal Feeds Inc., Kent Feeds Inc. and Evergreen Mills functioned independently in their own distinct geographic regions of the U.S., servicing commercial livestock producers, equine and lifestyle farmers and pet owners.
The feed division will be led by Rich Dwyer, formerly president of Kent Feeds, and this division will be headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, with a regional sales and service office in Londonderry, N.H. The pet division will be led by Kevin Fields, formerly president of Blue Seal Feeds, and this division also will be headquartered in Muscatine, with a regional sales and service office in Londonderry.

Find out about what took place at this year’s VIV China

VIV China took place in Beijing in early September, at the New China International Exhibition Center. With a technical program and commercial exhibition, the event’s organizers note that this year attracted a particularly high volume of visitors from overseas.
Some 370 exhibitors took part in the event and, while mainly from China, the exhibition halls attracted companies from at least 67 countries.
Doing business in China is different than in many other countries, and WATT has made a number of videos available to offer insight across the poultry, pig and feed industries.

Skretting closes production in Ireland

Due to significant fall in demand for salmon feed year-on-year in the Irish market, Skretting, a producer and supplier of feed for farmed fish, is closing its production and administration facility in Westport, Ireland.
The company is starting a consultation period regarding the cessation of production at Westport in the near future and the transfer of feed production for the Irish market to Skretting‘s manufacturing plants in the UK. The company said this will result in 22 redundant positions in Ireland and a number of redundancies in joint services based in the UK.

Poultry Foundation to put 88 years of 'Poultry Science' online

The Poultry Science Association Foundation has begun work on its Legacy Project, which aims to make 88 years of Poultry Science articles available to poultry researchers online for the first time.
The last 14 years of the journal are already available online, as Poultry Science went digital in 1996, but issues prior to that can be difficult to come by. "Because of space issues, many libraries only keep a few years of their traditional bound journals readily available in-house," said Foundation President Dr. William Saylor. "The rest they move to off-site storage facilities, making access to thousands of Poultry Science articles representing decades of research, including many groundbreaking papers, much more difficult."
The Legacy Project will scan, index, and make available online more than 600 back issues of the journal from 1921 through 1996, as well as issues of its predecessors International Association of Instructors and Investigators in Poultry Husbandry Proceedings (1908 through 1912) and the Journal of the American Association of Instructors and Investigators in Poultry Husbandry (1914 through 1921). The project is slated to be completed by July 2011.

Egg farmers worldwide help feed the hungry

More than 17 million eggs have been distributed in the last 12 months to those in need thanks to egg farmers around the world, according to the International Egg Commission.
International hunger relief charities working in Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and Europe have all been recipients of donations. In response to the earthquake in Haiti, American egg farmers donated more than 3 million eggs to the charity feeding disaster survivors. In addition, American and Canadian farmers routinely donate shell eggs to charities and food banks all over their respective countries. Canadian farmers also donate large quantities of powdered egg; in the last 12 months Canada has sent 16 metric tons of powdered egg to help communities around the world. Farmers in India, Thailand, Italy, Finland and the Czech Republic are also well-known for providing eggs annually to charitable institutions and food programs in their own countries.
As the world's population continues to grow, "egg farmers from all around the world are working together to help solve this problem and provide a source of high quality protein to help feed this growing population," said Chairman of the International Egg Commission Frank Pace.

Aviagen begins production at new Russian hatchery

Aviagen has delivered its first batch of Parent Stock chicks from its recently opened Russian hatchery.
The US$10 million Yasnogorsk hatchery, which opened in July, was built to provide a local supply of chicks to Aviagen's area customers. "We are committed to being closer to our customers not only in terms of technical support but also in terms of the strategic location of our facilities," said Sales Manager Eduard Taktarov. "Our investment in the Yasnogorsk hatchery has resulted in an even better service for our customers."