Poultry system supplier to present new logo, products at Midwest Poultry Federation Convention

Farmer Automatic will be presenting its new brand design by its longtime distributor, Farmer Automatic of America, at the Midwest Poultry Federation Convention in Saint Paul, Minn., from March 13 to 14. The manufacturer of economic poultry husbandry systems headquartered in Germany has completely redesigned its corporate logo, website and all of its product brochures.
After a successful attendance the at the International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta in January, Farmer Automatic will present its new corporate design and an assortment of its intelligent husbandry systems at the Midwest Poultry Federation Convention in St. Paul in March.
At the Midwest Poultry Federation Convention, all interested parties will have the opportunity to personally get to know the products. Farmer Automatic will be exhibiting some systems for housing and rearing, such as Eco Plus and Combi. Staff members from longtime distributor Farmer Automatic of America Inc. and Steve Lamar from Farmer Automatic Inc. will be attending the trade show.
The Midwest Poultry Federation Convention is the largest regional poultry show in the U.S. The distributor Farmer Automatic America is a long time contributor and supporter of the show, and it is an ideal venue for Farmer Automatic to present its professional husbandry systems in the Midwest.
Farmer Automatic will be exhibiting its products in booth 400 and is looking forward to all visitors.

Louisiana distributes $11.2 million in poultry grower aid

The Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority has distributed $11.2 million in aid to 175 poultry growers affected by the 2008 bankruptcy of chicken processor Pilgrim's Pride.
The company's closing of its Farmerville plant in 2009 affected more than 300 poultry suppliers in Louisiana and Arkansas. Other growers were hit in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas, and more than $60 million in total aid has been distributed. "This money will literally help some of the growers make back payments on their mortgages that will allow them to keep their farms," said Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M.

Poultry a promising Ukraine agribusiness sector

Ukraine's meat industry, and more specifically the poultry industry, is one of the most promising sectors of the country's economy as Ukraine rebounds from being one of the hardest-hit European countries during the economic downturn of the last few years, according to recent data.
In 2009, Ukraine's GDP fell 15%, but is now recovering and estimating a GDP growth of 4.4% in 2011 on the heels of 4.2% growth in 2010. A significant portion of this upswing belongs to the country's poultry production, rising due to both national consumption and a solid export foundation. In 2009, Ukraine consumed 2.2 million tons of meat (105 pounds per person), nearly half of which was poultry. In addition, Ukraine's proximity to both Russia and Europe allow the country to take advantage of poultry exporting.
"[Renaissance Capital] estimates that Ukraine’s share of poultry consumption will grow over the next five years to reach the same level as South Africa, Venezuela and Mexico," said Frank Holmes, CEO and chief investment officer for U.S. Global Investors. "This is an important development for companies...with industrialized production of poultry. These companies and the Ukrainian economy could substantially benefit if the RenCap forecast materializes. Overall, look for the developing agricultural sector to play a bigger role in Europe’s food chain."

Foster Farms to reduce number of suppliers

Foster Farms announced that it will not renew the contracts of all chicken growers who previously sold to Pilgrim's Pride in Farmerville, the Associated Press reported. The California-based company acquired the Pilgrim's Pride plant in Farmerville in early May.
Ira Brill, director of marketing services at Foster Farms, said the plant cannot accommodate the grower base that was previously supplying two plants – the Farmerville plant and the Clinton, Ark. plant that is now closed.
Grower contracts are subject to USDA regulations.