Maryland ban on roxarsone takes effect

Maryland has become the first state to ban an arsenic additive in chicken feed, according to reports.
A law banning the additive took effect on January 1. In 2012, the state approved a bill banning the use of roxarsone, a chemical used to help the birds grow and fight parasites. Pfizer Inc., which distributes roxarsone, stopped selling the chemical in July 2012 after a U.S. Food and Drug Administration study found higher levels of inorganic arsenic in chicken treated with the additive than those that were not.
Opponents said the measure wasn't needed because the company voluntarily suspended sales of the product.

Poultry processor uses black soldier fly in no-waste research

White Oak Pastures, which raises, processes and packages poultry and livestock on-site, received a Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Producer Grant to turn the black soldier fly into a value-added tool of making compost, while also serving as a protein source for chickens.
The fly, native to North America, exhibits characteristics that would be considered beneficial in agriculture, according to White Oak Pastures. The adult fly does not bite, nor is it known to carry any diseases. In addition, the larvae are scavengers, thriving on several kinds of decaying matter such as carrion, manure, plant refuse and waste products. With a dry weight protein content of roughly 42 percent and a fat content of 34 percent, the larvae also make ideal inexpensive feed for chickens. "We are taking an unwanted by-product of livestock processing that has a negative value and creating a higher and better use for it through black soldier flies by creating two value-added products: compost and supplemental feed," said farm owner Will Harris. "And we are creating these products using a resource that is already available to us and without using any energy."
The challenge, so far, said organic farm manager Tripp Eldridge, is maintaining a sustainable population of larvae at a volume suitable for waste processing and a volume high enough to be harvested for chicken feed. Moisture content appears to be big factor in the survivability of the larvae. "Once we get our population secured and maintained, then we'll be exploring a number of objectives, such as the ratio of larvae to compost production, how much larvae it takes to make a difference in the growth rate of the birds, what is the best processing system and cost comparison of larvae as feed compared to other supplements," said Eldridge.

Africa poultry farmers look for feed alternatives

Continued high maize costs have forced African poultry farmers to scale back production and search for feed alternatives, according to producers.
Maize prices have increased threefold since the end of 2010, raising the price of chick mash from Sh2,700 (US$28.97) per 70kg bag to Sh3,500 (US$37.55). “Chicken feed accounts for 70% of the total input cost, so if the feed prices go up, the input costs will automatically increase," said Wairimu Kariuki, chairperson of the Kenya Poultry Farmers Association. "If a farmer cannot meet the costs, he chooses to either reduce the number of chicken he rears or stop poultry farming altogether.”
Many farmers have turned to alternative feed sources, such as amaranth, millet or sorghum, which have helped reduce their costs by up to 40%, according to the farmers. Researchers at the University of Nairobi are also studying non-traditional options such as pigeon peas, leaf meals and agricultural byproducts as possible protein supplements.

Maryland state legislature introduces bill to ban arsenic from chicken feed

Maryland Sen. Paul G. Pinsky and delegate Tom Hucker have introduced a bill into the state legislature that would ban arsenic-based drugs commonly used in the feed of commercial poultry operations.
Arsenic is found in chicken feed in the form of roxarsone, which is added to control coccidiosis and promote growth. Those against its use say that arsenic in chicken feed contaminates chicken meat and are concerned about arsenic infiltrating Maryland's groundwater through poultry waste.
Some growers, including Perdue, have stopped using arsenic, but others have fought similar bills, pointing out that arsenic's use has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Rising poultry feed costs highlighted at EuroTier

Increases in world grain prices during the second half of 2010 have had a dramatic effect on the cost of feeding broiler chickens, according to calculations quoted by poultry consultant Gordon Butland at an international poultry panel held in Germany during the EuroTier 2010 exhibition.
As recently as June 2010, the total amount of corn contained in feeds for the world’s broilers represented a cost of approximately US$46million per day.
By the time of the panel at EuroTier in November 2010, this grain cost had risen by US$36 million to US$83 million daily.

Maryland considers ban on arsenic in chicken feed additives

Maryland congressional committees are considering a proposed ban on arsenic in chicken feed, according to Capital News Service. Industry members oppose the move, saying it would sicken poultry and put growers on an unlevel playing field with producers in other states.
Maryland’s attorney general, Douglas Gansler, told a senate committee that a ban would be beneficial to the poultry industry and the environment.
But Bill Satterfield, executive director of Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc., said that the feed additive Roxarsone, which contains arsenic, prevents intestinal illness in birds and that a prohibition on its use would cause "a lot more sick birds, a lot more dead birds." Perdue Farms, which says it no longer uses arsenic in its feed, also opposes the ban, saying that it is not supported by science.

Chicken feed recalled for low protein

A limited voluntary recall has begun of Country Acres poultry feed in 50-pound bags, according to reports . The feed mistakenly contains a lower than intended protein level which could be detrimental to birds.
The recall impacts dealers in Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Arkansas and eastern Texas.Lot numbers appear on the sewn strip of bags and contain the lot numbers: 9AUG20ARC1, 9Year / AUG Month / 20Day of Month / ARC1 Plant Code.
Country Acres is a product of Land O'Lakes Purina Feed.