OMP achieves American Humane Association certification

Ozark Mountain Poultry (OMP) has achieved certification through the American Humane Association’s American Humane Certified program. Ozark Mountain Poultry, headquartered in Arkansas, currently produces approximately 4 million pounds of poultry products a week for its consumer brand Forester Farmer's Market and the restaurant industry.
"We take great care in how we raise and process our chickens, and we think it makes a big difference in the taste and overall quality of our products," said Ed Fryar, president of OMP Foods. "We feel that becoming American Humane Certified is the best way to communicate our commitment to humanely raising birds to our customers and consumers."
American Humane Association's most recent survey shows overwhelming popular support for the humane treatment of farm animals.Its Humane Heartland Farm Animal Survey polled 5,900 Americans and 94.9 percent said they are "very concerned" about farm animal welfare, up from 89 percent in American Humane Association's 2013 study.   More than 75.7 percent stated that they are very willing to pay more for humanely raised eggs, meat, and dairy products, up from 74 percent in 2013.
"More and more Americans are demanding humanely raised foods, and with 10 billion animals raised on America's farms and ranches every year, it is our duty to treat them humanely," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association's president and CEO. "We are pleased that Ozark Mountain Poultry has made the humane choice and achieved certification through our American Humane Certified program."

Congress briefed on humane farming practices

Officials with the American Humane Association, Schoettmer Prime Pork and the happy egg co. were among agriculture industry stakeholders who went to Capitol Hill to take part in a congressional briefing on "The Humane Heartland."
The briefing was hosted by the Congressional Humane Bond Caucus, and outlined advances in agriculture, while calling on the American public to support humane farming practices and celebrating the farmers who make animal welfare a high priority.
"More people are concerned about how their food is raised than ever before and want to make choices that are in line with their values," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane Association.  "This Thanksgiving, we urge all Americans to set a humane table and give thanks to American farmers and ranchers who not only put food on our families' tables, but who work to put the 'heart' in heartland  by providing food that is safe, abundant, affordable and humanely raised under ethical, commonsense, and scientifically demonstrated standards."
At the briefing a famed Michelin-starred chef, top figures in farm animal welfare, farmers, and leaders of major organizations in food production involving hundreds of millions of animals outlined advances in humane agriculture in line with national studies showing overwhelming support for humanely raised food.
"The happy egg co. is passionately committed to improving the living conditions of all farm animals," said David Wagstaff, chief operating officer of the happy egg co. "We have established a profitable farming model that benefits laying hens, family farmers and U.S. consumers. Working with American Humane Association has allowed us to bring more awareness to Congress about the importance of providing Americans with affordable, high humane food, raised under the most ethical standards. We're confident that The Humane Heartland Congressional Briefing will further advance the movement toward humane agriculture in the U.S."
"I believe that that pig farmers are animal welfare professionals who provide the best care to pigs," said Keith Schoettmer of Indiana's Schoettmer Prime Pork, who was recently named "America's Pig Farmer of the Year" for his use of humane and sustainable practices. "The America's Pig Farmer of the Year program is a great avenue to share producers' commitment to doing things right every day on their farms."
The Congressional Humane Bond Caucus was founded by Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Florida, and Henry Cuellar, D-Texas.

Potters Poultry aviary certified by American Humane Association

Mike Button (far left), Potters Poultry, and Anthony Harman (far right), Potters Poultry, receive the award and certificate of approval for compact aviary system from Dr. Marion Garcia (center left), chief veterinary officer, American Humane Association, and Will Gillis (center right), standards and systems manager, American Humane Association, at the recent 2015 IPPE. 
The American Humane Association awarded the new compact aviary system from Potters Poultry its seal of approval. Dr. Marion Garcia, chief veterinary officer, American Humane Association, and Will Gillis, standards and systems manager, American Humane Association, made the presentation of the certification to Potters Poultry at the 2015 International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta.
The American Humane Association reports that it created the first welfare certification program in the U.S. to ensure the humane treatment of farm animals. The American Humane Certified program provides third-party, independent verification that certified producers’ care and handling of farm animals meet the science-based animal welfare standards of American Humane Association.
Achieving "Humane Housing" status for the compact aviary is an important milestone for the company, according to Mike Button, export manager, Potters Poultry. He said, "This is an important achievement for us and shows the commitment to providing the egg producers worldwide with workable approved animal welfare friendly systems, and helps the egg producers give confidence to their customers that eggs are produced to high animal welfare standards."

Foster Farms recognized for environmental stewardship

Poultry producer Foster Farms was one of 45 agricultural operations in California recognized by the American Farmland Trust in a report called Profiles in Stewardship. The group, headquartered in Washington D.C., highlighted Foster Farms and others for their efforts to protect animals and the environment.
Foster Farms, based in Livingston, Calif., was cited for having its chicken barns certified by the American Humane Association and sending its waste to be turned into energy by the East Bay Municipal Utilities District.
"The conservation practices highlighted in the Profiles conserve water, reduce greenhouse gases, improve air and water quality, restore wildlife habitat, generate renewable energy and achieve other environmental benefits," said Edward Thompson Jr., state director for the group, told the Modesto Bee.
Funding for the report was provided by the Adams Legacy Foundation.

Humane award given to Springer Mountain president

Gus Arrendale, president of Springer Mountain Farms, believes that healthy eating starts with healthy animals. His dedication to the humane treatment of chickens has helped him earn the American Humane Association's National Humanitarian Medal. The award presentation was made at the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards, which will broadcast nationwide at 7 p.m. Central, October 30 on the Hallmark Channel.
The American Humane Association's National Humanitarian Medal is presented each year to an individual whose actions reflect the essential values of compassion, caring and hope to children and animals. In addition, Springer Mountain Farms is the first poultry producer to be American Humane Certified for its dedication to animal welfare.
Arrendale's dedication to animal welfare dates back more than 40 years. From raising chicks as a child to becoming company president, one thing has never changed - his passion for farming and understanding the importance of raising a healthy chicken from the moment it hatches.
"How you raise an animal directly affects the people who consume it," said Arrendale. "The fact that families are directly impacted by the treatment of our chickens is something that has always resonated and served as motivation to continuously push for better practices."
Arrendale is a humane visionary in the animal welfare community, committed to the welfare of all farm animals, said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association president and CEO. "Through his leadership by example, he has been instrumental in helping the nation's oldest and largest farm animal welfare program grow at this unprecedented rate."
Arrendale continues to lead the charge at Springer Mountain Farms to provide the purest chicken possible by raising them humanely and 100 percent all natural with no antibiotics, growth stimulants or hormones, according to Springer Mountain. The chickens are fed a pesticide-free, vegetarian diet with natural vitamins. The company health and welfare practices are recognized as being at the top of the industry, resulting in a healthier, completely natural chicken.

Animal relief services deployed to Oklahoma

Shortly after the tornado hit Moore, Okla., Dr. Rod Hall, state veterinarian for Oklahoma, extended an invitation to American Humane Association’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services to officially deploy to the disaster in Moore.
The tornado, reported to be EF-5 strength and two miles wide, touched down in the Oklahoma City area on May 20, killing at least 24 people.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the people in Oklahoma as they begin recover and rebuild. Just as people are adversely affected by a natural disaster, so are our animals — both those we keep as pets and those on our farms and ranches,” said Animal Agriculture Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith. “The alliance is encouraging its members to donate to worthy causes, which will be on the ground in Oklahoma helping in this devastating storm’s aftermath.”
The American Humane Association’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services in Oklahoma will include two large big-rig rescue vehicles, which serve as mobile veterinary hospitals and triage centers for animals and also transport crates and medical supplies. The rigs also provide lodging for the association’s staff and first responders.
Other groups that will be instrumental in helping ensure animal care and well-being in the storm’s aftermath include the American Veterinary Medical Foundation and the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter. Both these groups, as well as the American Humane Association, are accepting donations to aid in their relief efforts.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, certified American Veterinary Medical Association veterinary teams will be standing by to assist in Oklahoma in caring for both large and small animals. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation asks any Oklahoma veterinarians in need of help in order to continue to provide critical health and sheltering care, to contact them.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this disaster, their families and those on the ground helping to assist with the ongoing clean-up efforts. We hope our membership and others will be generous in donating to those organizations caring for both humans and animals in Oklahoma,” Johnson Smith said. 

Foster Farms, Fresno State dedicate poultry research facility

Fresno State University has dedicated its new Foster Farms Poultry Education and Research Facility at Fresno State's Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. The facility features a fully working, state-of-the-art poultry barn and is a reflection of the longstanding support of agricultural education and ongoing advancements in poultry science by major West Coast poultry producer Foster Farms.
The facility has been certified by the 136-year-old American Humane Association. This is the first time an educational and research center has earned this certification.
The 16,320-square-foot, eco-friendly, power-efficient building will include advanced climate-control and feed delivery systems replicating professional poultry production. The facility has been designed to provide hands-on agricultural training and education for more than 500 students in the Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education Department. Faculty and students will also conduct research in the areas of poultry nutrition, animal welfare and improved environmental practices.
The new educational and research facility will meet the same stringent animal welfare standards used by American Humane Association's American Humane Certified program, the nation's first, largest and fastest-growing farm animal welfare certification and audit program. The program is based on the implementation and independent, third-party verification of more than rigorous 200 science-based animal welfare standards, covering everything from food and water toliving conditions, lighting, ventilation, minimum space requirements, and the ability of animals to express natural behavior.
The dedication was made in conjunction with a major joint animal welfare announcement from American Humane Association and Foster Farms, which revealed that all the producer's fresh chicken products are now certified under the nonprofit's American Humane Certified program.
"American Humane Association is dedicated to the idea that all animals are entitled to humane treatment," said Kathi Brock, National Director of American Humane Association's Humane Heartland program. "We are very pleased to certify Fresno State's education and research facilities in its adherence to our rigorous, science-based animal welfare standards."

Foster Farms earns American Humane certification

Foster Farms has become the first major broiler producer in the nation to carry the American Humane Certified seal, ensuring consumers that its farms meet the nonprofit's stringent animal welfare guidelines for raising poultry.
"It's the right thing to do for our birds, and we know that it is important to our consumers," said Ron Foster, CEO of Foster Farms, in a written statement.
The certification requires livestock producers to submit to annual audits by third-party inspectors -- in this case Validus -- and follow specific handling requirements. The rules are science-based to meet the American Humane Association's five tenets for raising food animals: freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; freedom to express normal behavior; and freedom from fear and distress.
Foster Farms, the nation's eighth-largest broiler chicken producer, has 140 farms; 100 in California and 40 in the Pacific Northwest. Those farms will receive surprise reviews throughout the year. The auditors will be checking 200 criteria covering living conditions, diet and natural behaviors.

Eggs from enriched cages may cost up to 17% more than conventional

The cost of eggs produced in enriched cages, such as this JS West enriched colony system, is higher than that of conventional cages, a study from the company shows.

The cost per dozen eggs produced in enriched cages is 15% to 17% higher than in conventional cages, according to Tom Silva of JS West.
Silva, who spoke at the Egg Industry Issues Forum hosted by the Egg Industry Center of Iowa State University, said the enriched system requires a premium of 10 to 12 cents per dozen to compensate for additional costs.
JS West studied its 151,200 hens housed in enriched cages and compared these birds' results with hens in conventional battery cages through 50 weeks of age. To 50 weeks of age, hen-housed egg production for the two systems was 197 and 191 for the enriched and conventional cages, respectively, with mortality attaining 1.4% and 0.9%. Average production for the period 20 through 50 weeks was 89.4% for enriched cages and 88.3% for conventional cages.
Feed intake per dozen attained 3.7 pounds for the enriched system and 2.94 pounds in conventional cages. Since body weight for the two groups were 3.45 pounds and 3.47 pounds, respectively, inferior feed conversion in enriched cages is attributed in part to increased movement and to the average case weight of 48.8 pounds for enriched cages and 47.0 pounds for conventional batteries.
This system, supplied by Big Dutchman International, along with similar installations, has received the seal of approval of the American Humane Association.

J.S. West 'hen cam' offers view in to enriched colony systems

J.S. West is now offering video monitoring of the J.S. West enriched colony systems with the "hen cam." The video stream is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
There are six camera views plus vertical and side views of the installation. It is possible to view the movement of hens and to observe feeding and perching behavior. A series of comments from viewers are appended to the view and most are positive, reflecting satisfaction with the system as assessed by laypersons and consumers.
The enriched colony systems are certified by the American Humane Association.

American Humane Association to evaluate alternative poultry housing

A project directed by the American Humane Association with the participation of Cargill Kitchen Solutions, McDonald's Corp., USA, Michigan State University and the University of California-Davis will evaluate alternative housing systems, according to Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity.
The study will be funded by the Coalition for a Sustainable Egg Supply and will take place at a large commercial farm in Iowa. The objective of the project is to compare conventional cage systems, colony cages and aviaries.

US may resume horse slaughter

Prior to the 2007 ban, 100,000 horses representing the surplus population were processed in the U.S. each year.

An in-depth review in a recent edition of the Wall Street Journal documents the effect of the ban on U.S. slaughtered horses introduced four years ago. A meeting entitled “Summit of the Horse” aims at resuming slaughter of horses in part to dispose of the old, lame and surplus animals that are either shipped to Mexico or live an unhappy life in the U.S.
Animal-rights activists wish to exacerbate the situation by banning the export of up to 60,000 horses annually. Prior to the 2007 ban, 100,000 horses representing the surplus population were processed in the U.S. each year. The American Humane Association, noted for its pragmatism and even-handed approach to welfare of all animals including livestock and pets, has agreed to develop science-based guidelines for handling and processing horses. The National Conference of State Legislatures has adopted a resolution requesting Congress to support horse processing and to rescind the 2007 ban.
An additional problem relating to horses is the accumulation of thousands of feral mustangs which are culled each year to reduce herds to manageable levels.
Costs for management and subsistence have risen to over $37 million annually to temporary hold 40,000 horses in corrals and pasture. According to the Bureau of Land Management, slaughter is not an acceptable option.

Tecno receives American Humane Association 'Seal of Approval' for 'Colony Plus 60' poultry housing system

Tecno Poultry Equipment has received the "Seal of Approval" from the American Humane Association for its Colony Plus 60 enriched colony housing.
The Seal of Approval is presented when a company's housing system satisfies all the requirements of the Facility System Plan Design review. Tecno can now market the housing as meeting humane standards. The award was presented on Nov. 1.

Controversy over enriched colony cages continues

The American Humane Association recently announced that it would endorse enriched colony cages in its certification program. Although the HSUS has announced its rejection of the system in according with an interpretation of California Proposition 2, there are hints from president and chief executive officer of the HSUS, Wayne Pacelle, that this decision may be reconsidered.
The HSUS wants to present a more reasonable and mainstream image, possibly resulting from the unpleasant revelations by HumaneWatch.org concerning lack of support for animal shelters and a liberal remuneration policy inconsistent with a non-profit organization.
However, there is strong opposition to any form of confinement of any livestock species. United Poultry Concerns, run by Dr. Karen Davis, has issued a statement opposing enriched cages and citing the HSUS report “Issues with furnished cages for egg-laying hens.”

PAACO certifies American Humane Standards checklist

The Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) announced certification of the welfare audit sections of the checklist to be used by the American Humane Association for its program.
The program will be used to obtain certification for non-confined hens. The chairman of PAACO, David R. Hermes, stated, “because of increasing consumer interest in how their food is produced, certification programs will provide validation of production and welfare practices at the farm level.”
"There is also an increase in need for trained, knowledgeable auditors who can fairly and accurately assess welfare practices,” he added.
Tim Amlaw of the American Humane Association commented, “Voluntary participation in the Animal Humane Certified Program is a benefit to cage-free layer producers who meet the rigorous science-based standards because it verifies their commitment to humane and ethical treatment of their flocks.”
PAACO is an organization comprising five animal industry organizations concentrated on best management practices and application of science to livestock production. For further information access the PAACO website.

Symposium considers future of animal agriculture

The Future Trends in Animal Agriculture Symposium will feature Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of the American Humane Association, at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, December 2.
The symposium will explore what animal agriculture will and should look like in the future.
Other speakers during the daylong conference include U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan; Rep. Rosa DeLauro, chair of U.S. House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee; Rep. David Scott, chair of the U.S. House Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Subcommittee; and Dr. Ron DeHaven, CEO of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at the USDA's Jefferson Auditorium, South Agriculture Building, in Washington, D.C.