Jamaica ag minister committed to keeping avian flu away

The Jamaican government has affirmed its commitment to poultry industry stakeholders in the country, stressing that it is doing what it can to protect birds there from potential avian influenza outbreaks.
Speaking at the Caribbean Poultry Association’s Technical Symposium, Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Luther Buchanan said the government knows how important the poultry industry is to food security in Jamaica, reported the Jamaica Observer. Buchanan stated that more poultry is raised in Jamaica than any other protein sources, representing about 85 percent of the meat produced there.
“As policymakers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, through our Veterinary Division, has been working closely with our private sector partners to protect our borders from (avian influenza) and the other diseases and we look forward to continued collaboration in this regard,” said Buchanan.
Jamaica has not had any confirmed cases of avian influenza in 2015, but because of the island nation’s proximity to the United States and Mexico, both of which have had their poultry industry’s hit hard by avian influenza, concerns of wild birds spreading the virus to Jamaica have been high.
No new cases of avian influenza have been reported in the U.S. since June, but USDA officials are anticipating its possible return as wild birds fly south for their annual migration.

Jamaica Broilers invests millions of dollars in grain storage

Jamaica Broilers Group will triple its grain storage capacity by investing JM$830 million (US$7.5 million) to build out more room for raw materials used in the production of feed. The poultry processor, which also produces feed, has started construction of six grain silos, each with a 12,000 metric ton capacity.
Construction of the new silos, situated at the Best Dressed Mill in Old Harbour, Jamaica, should be completed within a year.
John Carberry, assistant vice president for energy and mill operations, Jamaica Broilers, told the Jamaica Observer when the new silos are in place, the company can purchase grain from other regions in the world instead of primarily from the United States as it has in the past. The new storage capacity will also help the company operate more efficiently in terms of logistics, reducing the need to truck grain to the mill. The new silos will also complement the company’s local corn-growing program.

Jamaica Broilers to purchase smoked meats processor

Poultry company Jamaica Broilers Group has entered into an agreement to acquire Hamilton's Smoke House, a local producer and processor of smoked meats. The terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
The acquisition is hoped to give the poultry company more-solid footing in the pork market and improve the range of products the group currently offers, said Ian Parsard, senior vice-president of operations and finance for Jamaica Broilers Group.
"This move means a number of things, among them the coming together of two locally grown companies and brands which are known for exceptional quality products," Parsard told the Financial Gleaner.
The pending purchase of Hamilton's Smoke House is the second acquisition announced by Jamaica Broilers during the summer of 2013. The company is in the process of closing the purchase of a U.S. egg producer that has not yet been publicly identified.
Hamilton's Smoke House began operation in 2000 and produces 23 products under three lines: hams, sausages and deli meats. The products are supplied to grocery stores, quick-service restaurants, hotels and caterers.