Eggs bolster state's total poultry values in 2015

Spared from avian influenza outbreaks in 2015, Mississippi’s poultry industry benefitted significantly from higher egg prices but still felt the pinch from export declines.
Preliminary estimates indicate a 3.4 percent increase in the state’s poultry value. The largest growth is an almost 40 percent increase for eggs. Chickens (replacement egg layers) may be up 5 percent, and broilers were near even with a 0.4 percent increase, according to recent estimates from the Mississippi State University (MSU) Extension Service.
Extension agricultural economist Brian Williams said poultry remains the state’s largest agricultural commodity for the 21st year. Total poultry value is $3.2 billion, which included $2.9 billion for broilers, $328 million for eggs and $7 million for chickens used as laying hens. Poultry ranked ahead of the estimated $1.2 billion forest industry and $930 million soybean commodity.
“The highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak primarily hurt turkey and egg production, and most of the outbreaks were in Minnesota and Iowa,” Williams said. “Most of Mississippi’s industry is broiler production, but we are also home to Cal-Maine, the nation’s largest egg production company.”
None of the Cal-Maine facilities across the country experienced an outbreak in 2015. The egg shortage caused by the outbreak bolstered prices for companies that were able to maintain production.
“Last Thanksgiving, a dozen eggs were $1.85 to $2, but this year, they were $3 or more,” Williams said. “Because of avian influenza, there has been a shortage of laying hens and eggs. About 10 percent of the nation’s laying hens were lost. None of them were in Mississippi.”
In fact, Mississippi did not have any positive tests for the highly pathogenic avian influenza, and none of the out-of-state outbreaks were in broiler houses.
Tom Tabler, poultry specialist with the MSU Extension Service, said the avian influenza scare reduced some of the nation’s export markets. “While no broilers were impacted by avian influenza, Mississippi did feel the impact on the overseas markets. The fear of avian influenza hurt broilers, especially dark meat and paw exports,” he said. “Domestic demand has struggled to keep up with increasing supply due to shrinking export markets.”
Tabler said if avian influenza remains in check, many of these markets should begin to open back up after the first of the year. Additionally, poultry has remained competitive with beef and pork prices.
“The industry will closely monitor production levels in the coming months. As the beef and pork folks work through issues that have plagued their industries recently, the possibility of an oversupply of meat in the marketplace may be a consideration, especially if export markets are slow to return,” he said.
Tabler said an added benefit in 2015 was the price of grain. “Grain prices remained favorable throughout the year, which helped keep production costs in line,” he said. “Feed is roughly 70 percent of the cost to produce chicken. If grain prices stay favorable, feed costs stay in line with expectations.”
The 2015 avian influenza outbreak made the state’s poultry industry increase its already significant biosecurity efforts, but the potential for another outbreak in 2016, especially in Mississippi, makes it hard to predict the state of the industry in the coming months.
“No one knows what will or will not happen. We are being vigilant, using good common sense and following strict biosecurity procedures, and that’s about all we can do at this point,” Tabler said. “Some things, such as where wild geese and ducks fly, are out of our control.”
Tabler said the poultry industry is always aware of biosecurity issues, but the highly pathogenic strain has taken growers’ efforts to the next level. “Instead of having shoes, hairnets or other protective clothing designated for one farm, we are recommending a different set for each poultry house on a farm,” Tabler said. “The biggest concern has been that when the migratory birds return South from last summer’s visits to infected nesting grounds, the chance for local outbreaks would increase, especially in the first months of 2016. We are not going to drop our guard.”
Tabler said absolutely no infected birds enter the food supply. “Once commercial birds are infected, they will be euthanized and buried on the farm or composted in-house. Any transportation of infected live or dead birds could spread the infection,” he said. “Infected houses undergo a more extensive cleaning and disinfecting than for a typical cleanout.”

Post Holdings completes Willamette Egg Farms acquisition

Post Holdings has completed its acquisition of Willamette Egg Farms, a producer, processor and wholesale distributor of eggs and egg products.
The company announced that the acquisition was completed on October 3, less than two weeks after Post Holdings revealed its intent to purchase Willamette Egg Farms. The deal, according to a St. Louis Business Journal report, was valued at $90 million, and the company had earlier stated that it planned to finance the purchase from cash on hand.
Post Holdings, which has been most widely known for its line of breakfast cereals, entered the egg business after it purchased Michael Foods in June 2014. Now that the Willamette Egg transaction is completed, Post Holdings will combine Willamette Egg with Michael Foods, the sixth largest egg company in the United States.
"This transaction nicely complements our portfolio and fits well into Michael Foods," said Rob Vitale, Post's president and CEO. "Willamette Egg will further increase our leadership as the country's largest provider of cage-free egg products and contributes to additional geographic flock diversification."
On a full year basis, Willamette Egg is expected to contribute approximately $80 million to net sales and approximately $15 million of Adjusted EBITDA to Post's results.

Iowa egg industry recovering after avian influenza

Together with their employees, families and communities, Iowa's egg farmers are looking toward the future and to fully resuming egg production in the state following the devastating avian influenza crisis that took place in the spring of 2015, the Iowa Poultry Association (IPA) reported.
The disease moved rapidly through the state's egg and poultry farms, resulting in a loss of about 40 percent of Iowa's egg laying flocks. Iowa, which ranks number one in the nation for egg production, had its first positive finding of avian influenza in April 2015 and to date has lost more than 30 million egg-laying hens and pullets.
"There is no doubt that this has been an unprecedented crisis for Iowa's egg farming community, and one that has taken a terrible emotional and financial toll on our farmers," said Randy Olson, IPA executive director. "The resilience of our farmers and their commitment to recovery cannot be understated - they are working tirelessly to fully and swiftly restore egg production in our state and to minimize continued disruption in the egg market."
IPA and its farmer-members welcomed news from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, which recently announced plans to lift the vast majority of control zones that were established around premises in Iowa infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Initial recovery actions

Olson said affected farms are making good progress toward resuming egg production, but that a full restoration of the industry in Iowa could take more than a year.  Initial work in the recovery process is well underway on the vast majority of the state's egg farms, with a specific focus on:
•Full cleaning and disinfection of farm buildings, equipment and housing;
•Ongoing engagement with federal and state agencies assisting with the recovery operations;
•Re-establishment and enhancement of robust on-farm biosecurity and disease prevention programs;
•Thorough testing of barns and the farm environment to assure no disease pathogens are present prior to reintroduction of birds to the farm; and
•Repopulation of flocks and the production of safe, high-quality, nutritious eggs.
"We are so appreciative of the prayers and support we have received in our community - from local elected leaders to volunteers, and from our employees to our families, everyone has played a role in helping us navigate this difficult time for our farms," said Bruce Dooyema, egg farmer, Dooyema and Sons.
"Disease prevention has never been more important for egg farming in Iowa, and we have an intensive focus on increasing biosecurity protocols to help keep [avian influenza] from reentering our farms," said Rich Hall, Chairman, Iowa Egg Council, and general manager, Southwest Iowa Egg Cooperative. "We'll do whatever is necessary to protect our flocks and to ensure our family can continue to produce wholesome safe eggs."

Full recovery over time

Egg production on commercial farms operates in phases based on the ages of egg-laying hens, to provide continuity in supply and to best manage flocks. Iowa egg farms will repopulate individual farms in stages, with some dependency on the availability of hatching chicks and pullets to stock barns.  Egg supplies are expected to increase gradually over the next 12 to 18 months as more barns are filled with new birds and to stagger the ages of new flocks.
"Restoring Iowa's egg industry to its pre-AI levels will take some time, but egg farmers are committed to maintaining an aggressive timeline toward full production, in cooperation with USDA and state officials," said Olson. "We appreciate the ongoing support of Iowa's elected leaders- including Iowa Governor Terry E. Branstad and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey - who stepped up in support of our industry and are laying the groundwork for our recovery."  Olson said egg farmers recognize their responsibility to put expanded and robust biosecurity measures in place on their farms, in anticipation of possible recurrence of avian influenza in the fall or next spring.
In all, the avian influenza outbreak nationwide has resulted in the loss of nearly 35 million laying hens and about six million pullets, or about 12 percent of all flocks.  

Hy-Line provides opening speaker at Egg Industry Leaderhip Forum

Hy-Line International, the world leader in layer poultry genetics, was pleased to provide the opening speaker for the second day of the Egg Industry Center’s 7th Annual Egg Industry Leadership Forum in April in Des Moines, Iowa.
Dr. Neil O’Sullivan, director of research and development for Hy-Line, shared about genetic improvement for alternative hen housing. The topics included Hy-Line’s decision process used in breeding hens, traits measured in egg layers, evaluation of hen performance in different environments, and the impact of new technology on breeding.
“Genetics loads the gun, environment pulls the trigger,” said Dr. O’Sullivan. “Our long-term goal is to ensure our birds respond well in complex environments.”

Hy-Line International breaks ground on new Iowa facility

• 

  Andrea Gantz

  Hy-Line International is constructing a new facility in Wilton, Iowa.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Egg layer genetics company Hy-Line International has started construction on a new facility in Wilton, Iowa. The company is investing an estimated $22 million in the project.
  The facility, according to Wilton Economic Development Executive Director Becky Allgood, will be located at the industrial park on the northwest side of the city. Hy-Line International purchased 25 acres within the park.
  Allgood told the Muscatine Journal that the company intends to hire employees and begin operations at the new plant by the beginning of 2016. Between 25 and 50 full-time workers are expected to be employed there.
  Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Hy-Line International focuses on developing superior genetic stock for the domestic and international egg industries. The company was formed in 1936 by Henry A. Wallace, and developed the world’s first hybrid egg laying chicken produced on a commercial scale, according to the company’s website.
  Hy-Line International has developed a distribution system that covers more than 120 countries worldwide. Hy-Line brand brown and white egg birds are sold in the northern and southern hemispheres through a network of national distributors, wholly owned subsidiaries and joint venture organizations.

Longtime egg industry leader Don Bell dies

Egg industry leader Donald Dean “Don” Bell died October 17 at a California hospital. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. November 1 at the Calvary Presbyterian Church, Riverside, California.
Bell was serving as a Poultry Extension Specialist Emeritus for the University of California – Davis, and had served the industry in that capacity for more than 50 years.
Bell received his bachelor’s degree in animal science from UC Davis in 1955 and his master’s in avian science from Colorado State University in 1972. He served as the California state poultry specialist as well as an economic advisor to the United Egg Producers (UEP).
Bell was nationally regarded as a true visionary with a genuine passion for the egg industry. His significant awards include the United States Department of Agriculture's Superior Service Award, Poultry Science Association Extension Teaching Award, the U.S. Poultry Hall of Fame Award and the 2013 USPOULTRY Lamplighter Award. He served as president of the Poultry Science Association and as a member of the Egg Industry Center advisory board.
In addition, he was co-editor and author of Commercial Chicken Meat and Egg Production as well as miscellaneous chapters in several books, professional scientific journals, industry periodicals, university publications and monthly industry newsletters, according to the UEP.
Bell’s work set a standard that others in the industry will long remember, the Egg Industry Center at Iowa State University said in a statement.
“Don took great pride in sharing his immense love for extension and outreach and this love has been, and will continue to be, embodied in the mission of the Egg Industry Center.”
Bell and his wife Lucy, have two adult children, Warren and Sharon.

Golden Egg Award presented to the happy egg co.

Noble Foods’ the happy egg co. has been named the winner of the International Egg Committee’s (IEC) 2014 Golden Egg Award for marketing excellence. The Golden Egg Award is given each year for the best marketing and promotional campaign submitted by a country egg association, egg producer, egg packer or egg processing company.
The award was announced and presented to the brand at IEC's annual Gala Banquet, part of the 50th International Egg Commission Conference held in Edinburgh, Scotland from September 8-11.
“Noble Foods’ the happy egg co. was able to showcase their bold and courageous marketing efforts by entering a new market and generating significant growth for their happy eggs brand,” said the IEC in a statement. “We are proud to recognize their efforts with the Golden Egg Award for marketing eggsellence in 2014.”
Entries in the award competition were submitted from across the world, including Turkey, the UK, China, Canada, Scotland, Australia and Brazil.
With the mission of making free range eggs available to everyone at an affordable price, the happy egg co. set out to raise awareness and shake up the free-range egg category upon launching in the U.S. market in October 2012. Backed by research and focus groups to shape the brand’s strategy, simple messaging combined with unique packaging to allow happy eggs to stand out in the egg aisle. The company has achieved a brand value milestone of $10 million in 2014, with a target of $50 million by 2017. In the U.K., the happy egg co. is the No. 1 egg brand with sales exceeding $100 million.
“We really did our research before launching the happy egg brand in the U.S. nearly two years ago,” said David Wagstaff, CEO at the happy egg co. “At the time, 95 percent of production in the U.S. was caged, there was very low free range penetration, the market lacked brands and terminology, and in-store offerings were generally regarded as confusing and bland. We left no details to chance, researching everything all the way down to what areas of the country offered the best climate for our free to roam hens.”
Packaged in a sunshine-yellow carton made of 100 percent recycled and compostable material, and now available in six-, 10- and 12-packs, happy eggs stand out for their color and clarity in the egg aisle. Free Range eggs from the happy egg co. will be available at over 4,000 grocery stores across the country next month following recent increases in distribution.

Sparboe Farms celebrates 60th anniversary

U.S. egg producer and marketer Sparboe Farms is observing its 60th anniversary.
The company originated in 1954, when Robert “Bob” Sparboe founded the Sparboe Chick Company and was a baby chick producer and distributor in central Minnesota. Since that time, it has grown into one of the largest egg producing companies in the United States, with six chicken farms, five processing plants and an egg further processing plant operated by Sparboe Foods.
Today, Sparboe Farms is a third-generation, family owned business with facilities in Minnesota, Iowa and Colorado. Sparboe Farms provides fresh shell eggs and egg products to grocery, food service and industrial customers in the United States and around the world, while caring for the hens and the land. Sparboe Farms is part of a portfolio of companies owned by Minnesota-based Sparboe companies.
“We never stop thinking about eggs. It’s why everyone loves our eggs so much,” the company stated on its website. “We value the opportunity to consult with our customers and achieve growth solutions that fit their business strategies.”
In honor of the anniversary, the company and its employees have participated in dozens of community events throughout the summer, according to a report in the Mason City Globe Gazette. In addition, Sparboe Farms hosted employee appreciation events to celebrate employees at all of its locations.

Cooper Farms buys egg, pullet cooperative Fort Recovery Equity

Cooper Farms has completed its acquisition of Fort Recovery Equity, a chicken egg-layer and pullet cooperative based in Fort Recovery, Ohio. The purchase allows Cooper Farms to grow its egg division and branch into value-added egg products.
“Our Cooper family stockholders are very excited about creating a much more viable egg division for our company,” said Gary Cooper, Cooper Farms chief operating officer. “We have big plans for our future in eggs and value-added egg products.”
Cooper Farms has based its success upon a value-added business model, in which the company creates products that provide consumers with quick and easy meal options.
“Value-added products are something that we focus on throughout our company,” said Cooper. “For example, with meat, we provide turkey burgers, cooked deli meat and sliced meat.”
The company plans to use this way of thinking in its egg division as well. In addition to the specialty egg portion of the business, Cooper Farms wants to also focus on other value-added products.
“We see great potential in providing liquid eggs and cooked egg products,” said Cooper. “We are working on a partnership with an Ohio-based company to purchase a new egg-breaking plant which will add to our value added egg product line.”
Acquisition gives Cooper Farms 2 million more layers
The purchase will give Cooper Farms an additional 2 million chicken egg-layers and the ability to raise up to 6 million pullets, for its own needs and for outside customers. These birds are raised by more than 40 farmers, who will be joining Cooper Farms as contract growers.
“We are especially interested in the variety of specialty egg layers we are gaining,” said Cooper. “We see an opportunity to expand those numbers as we gain more niche customers”
Feed mill part of Fort Recovery Equity purchase
Cooper Farms will also acquire a feed mill, Cooper Farms’ fourth, which will produce approximately 400,000 tons of feed in 2015. This mill will offer the ability to create specialty feeds and accept specialty grains.
Fort Recovery Equity employees to remain on board
The equity’s 75 team members have been asked to stay on as members of the Cooper Farms team. With these individuals, Cooper Farms will employ nearly 1,700 people total throughout northwest and west central Ohio.
“We are gaining a wonderful group of people with this acquisition,” said Cooper. “They have a lot of years of experience and dedication to the company, which will prove instrumental in this transition and as we work to create value-added egg products.”

California shell egg advisory committee members sought

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Egg Safety and Quality Management (ESQM) program is announcing two vacancies on the Shell Egg Advisory Committee (SEAC). SEAC makes recommendations to the Secretary of CDFA on all matters pertaining to quality standards for shell eggs, uniformity of inspection, adjustment of fees for administration and enforcement, and the annual budget.
ESQM monitors egg quality at production, wholesale, and retail levels. The goal is to provide California consumers with eggs that are wholesome, properly labeled, refrigerated, and of established quality, while maintaining fair and equitable marketing standards in the California egg industry.
The term of office for a member of SEAC is three years. Members of the committee receive no compensation, but are entitled to reimbursement for per diem expenses such as the mileage, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses.
The vacancies are for two industry members. One member is to be a company representative whose principal business is located out‐of‐state and is registered with the CDFA. The other member is to be a citizen or resident of the state of California and employed by a California egg company that is a registered California egg handler whose entire layer population is under 50,000. Individuals interested in being considered for the SEAC appointment should state the vacancy of preference and send a brief resume to: ESQM Program Supervisor Anthony Herrera, California Department of Food& Agriculture, 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. The deadline to submit resumes is July 31.

Moark donates 15,200 eggs to help hungry in Ozarks

Egg producer Moark is helping foodinsecure people in the Ozarks by donating 15,200 eggs to the regional food bank, Ozarks Food Harvest (OFH). The 2014 donation from area egg farmers is more than double the size of the 2013 gift of 72,000 eggs.
The Moark egg donation will help families across OFH's 28-county service area struggle to put food on the table. About 170,000 people are served by OFH's 200 pantries and programs each year, according to KSPR. 

Five states join Missouri lawsuit challenging California egg restrictions

Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska and Oklahoma, through their representatives, have joined the Missouri Attorney General's federal lawsuit asking the court to declare invalid and enjoin enforcement of California statutes that would allow the state to enforce Proposition 2 provisions on all eggs sold in California. The lawsuit was brought because the representatives of these state maintain that the California statutes (AB1437 and 3CA ADC) violate the commerce and supremacy clauses of the U.S. Constitution.
In the amended lawsuit, the representatives for these six states say egg producers face a difficult choice regarding California AB1437:
"Either they can incur massive capital improvement costs to build larger habitats for some or all of their egg-laying hens, or they can walk away from the largest egg market in the country. For example, Missouri farmers - who export one-third of their eggs to California each year - must now decide whether to invest over $120 million in new hen houses or stop selling in California. The first option will raise the cost of eggs in Missouri and make them too expensive to export to any state other than California. The second option will flood Missouri's own markets with a half-billion surplus eggs that would otherwise have been exported to California, causing Missouri prices to fall and potentially forcing some Missouri farmers out of business."
California, the most populous state in the nation, is the largest single egg market in the U.S. According to the lawsuit, Californians consume 9 billion eggs per year, with 4 billion of those eggs coming from other states. The lawsuit claims that nearly 30 percent of the eggs imported into California come from Iowa, around 1.07 billion eggs per year. Missouri sends one-third of its total egg production to California, and this represents 13 percent of the eggs imported into California.
Proposition 2 is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2015, for all eggs produced in California. California AB1437 was enacted to protect California egg producers from competition from egg producers outside the state who would not have to comply with Proposition 2. The lawsuit contends that the public health aspects of AB1437 are not the real reason for the legislation and the legislation's impact of restricted interstate commerce should invalidate it.

Egg packaging pioneer Richard Reifers dies at age 95

Richard Reifers who, in addition to his pioneering work with egg cartons, invented the button lock used on all paper and Styrofoam cartons today including Pactiv, Hartmann, Dolco, Omni Pak and many others, died February 22. He had patents on egg trays, meat trays, McDonald's beverage carriers, and on manufacturing and drying molded pulp cartons and trays. He is the inventor of the Pillow Post carton for better egg protection and the Super View carton for better egg visibility and refrigeration. He designed denesting ledges for cartons and trays to improve machineability. He also had patents on child-proof closers for Calmar, a plastics division of Diamond. He was awarded additional patents on closers in the past few years.
Reifers retired as group vice president of Diamond International, responsible for all the egg carton operation in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. He also was responsible for Manchester Machine in Ohio, Calmar in California and Diamond Systems in Michigan.
"Reifers is the single most influential person in the egg packaging industry to develop a carton that would protect the egg, allow maximum refrigeration in less time and operate efficiently on automated graders from 1957 forward, with reliable denesting, dating and carton closing that has been imitated and copied all over the world," said Jim Nield, former president, Diamond International.
Reifers, who was born in Indiana in 1919 and died in New Canaan, Connecticut. He is survived by five children and six grandchildren.

Cal-Maine Foods announces agreement to acquire remaining interests in Delta Egg Farm

Cal-Maine Foods announced on February 17 that it has reached an agreement to acquire 50 percent of the membership interests of Delta Egg Farm from Sunbest Foods of Iowa, Inc., a Moark affiliate. Cal-Maine Foods currently owns the remaining 50 percent of Delta Egg Farm, so Delta Egg Farm will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Cal-Maine Foods.
Pursuant to this agreement, Cal-Maine Foods will purchase the membership interests for a total of $17 million. Delta Egg Farm owns and operates a feed mill and egg production complex with capacity for approximately 1.2 million laying hens, located near Delta, Utah, and an organic egg production complex with a capacity for approximately 400,000 laying hens located near Chase, Kan. The transaction is expected to close on March 1.
Commenting on the announcement, Dolph Baker, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., said, "While we have enjoyed a long-term working relationship with Moark and Sunbest Foods of Iowa, we are excited about the opportunity to take over the ownership and management of Delta Egg Farm, LLC. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to expand our business and provide greater value for our shareholders."

United Egg Producers officially ends efforts to pass Egg Bill

Chad Gregory, president, United Egg Producers (UEP), announced on February 14 that UEP no longer will seek passage of the national hen housing and welfare legislation known as the Egg Bill.
In a statement to UEP members, Gregory said: "Members should feel proud of the tremendous efforts over the past two years with our endeavors to pass the Egg Bill. With the farm bill now concluded, UEP can confirm that it has ceased efforts to pass the Egg Bill. UEP is now focused on exploring a range of options with the objective of delivering much-needed business certainty to America's egg farmers."
"Enriched colony housing represents the future of this vibrant industry and we are encouraged to see these contemporary houses being constructed throughout the United States. We remain dedicated to partnering with members, allies and other stakeholders in hope of achieving a workable solution of transitioning the industry towards enriched colony facilities in a manner and timeframe that best suits our egg farmer members."
Gregory also said UEP and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have agreed not to extend their memorandum of understanding (MOU) or any formal connection that existed up until now. The end of the MOU doesn't mean that UEP and HSUS will quit talking, Gregory said. He said that UEP will continue to work with all stakeholders, including HSUS, to find common ground.
Production of eggs for the California market after the implementation of Proposition 2 on January 1, 2015, continues to concern Gregory. He said the uncertainty over the outcome of the Missouri attorney general's lawsuit and other possible litigation leaves egg producers guessing as to what type of housing and housing density will be acceptable to the marketplace and the courts. This uncertainty increases the prospect of egg shortages in California next year.

Environmental footprint of the US egg industry has fallen sharply over the past 50 years

According to the results of a new study published in Poultry Science, the U.S. egg industry's introduction of new technologies and production practices over the last 50 years has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the industry's environmental footprint, even given today's higher levels of egg production. 
The study quantified the environmental footprint of the U.S. egg industry's egg production supply chains in 2010 versus those in 1960.  The researchers looked at changes in what they term "foreground" (e.g. hen performance) and "background" (e.g. fertilizer production) variables that contribute to the industry's environmental impact.  Their findings provide strong validation for the effectiveness of modern egg production techniques in reducing the industry's impact on the environment.
On a per-kilogram of eggs produced basis, the environmental footprint of the U.S. egg industry in 2010, versus 1960, was: 

• 71 percent lower in greenhouse gas emissions
• 71 percent lower in eutrophying emissions
• 65 percent lower in acidifying emissions
While table egg production was 30 percent higher in 2010 than 50 years prior, the study found that the same key environmental impact factors were still sharply lower in 2010, even on an absolute basis.  Specifically, the U.S. egg industry in 2010, as compared with 1960, had a total environmental footprint that was:

• 63 percent lower in greenhouse gas emissions
• 63 percent lower in eutrophying emissions
• 54 percent lower in acidifying emissions
The researchers determined that improvements in three key areas were responsible for the above reductions: feed efficiency, feed composition, and manure management.
The study was conducted by researchers at Global Ecologic Environmental Consulting and Management Services and at the Egg Industry Center at Iowa State University.  They have summarized their findings in an article appearing in the upcoming February issue of Poultry Science, a journal published by the Poultry Science Association   (PSA).
"The advances in the egg industry that this work revealed were, from an ecological perspective, really extraordinary.  In essence, we found that the industry can produce a dozen eggs today with one-third or less of the environmental impact it had 50 years ago," said Dr. Hongwei Xin, the corresponding author of the study and a professor at Iowa State University.
Life Cycle Assessment - Identifying Areas for Future Improvements
To quantify their comparisons, the researchers used an approach called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), an analytical framework for characterizing material and energy flows and emissions along product supply chains.   The LCA methodology has been standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
"One of LCA's key strengths, for our purposes, is that it facilitates the identification of opportunities for mitigating key drivers of different kinds of environmental impacts.  Based on our LCA analysis, we believe that continued genetic improvement and improved management - of housing types, manure management, etc. - will enable the industry to continue reducing its impact on the environment," said Xin.
Xin will be discussing some of the study's findings at an IPPE symposium, "Eggs and the World Food Challenge," on January 29 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Egg producers Michael Foods, Eggland’s Best form partnership

U.S. egg producers Michael Foods and Eggland's Best have formed a partnership to produce boxed liquid egg whites and other value-added products for foodservice and food manufacturing. Under the agreement, Michael Foods will be the exclusive licensee of Eggland's Best 100% Liquid Egg Whites products.
Michael Foods already produces its own liquid egg white product, called AllWhites Egg Whites under the Crystal Farms banner. According to news reports, the financial terms of the agreement between Michael Foods and Eggland's Best were not disclosed.

Discrimination lawsuit against former egg producer DeCoster settled

A lawsuit that accused former egg producer Austin "Jack" DeCoster of discriminating workers based on age, race and national origin has been settled. The terms of the settlement were not released.
Homero Ramirez, a former egg plant manager who was born in Mexico, claimed DeCoster ordered him to hire Mexican-Americans at a Maine facility because they were willing to do dangerous and demeaning work. Ramirez also alleged DeCoster forced him to do humiliating and dangerous tasks and discouraged him from receiving medical care. Additionally, Ramirez claimed DeCoster violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the federal Family Medical Leave Act, according to an Associated Press report.
DeCoster is no longer active in the egg industry. 

Hatchers need to check data, says poultry clinic

"Make sure you are inspecting what you expect," said Joe Steed, hatchery manager for Perdue Farms, at United States Egg & Poultry Association's 2013 Hatchery-Breeder Clinic held in Birmingham, Ala. The clinic gathered hatchery and breeder managers from the poultry and egg industry to discuss issues impacting the industry.
Steed emphasized the importance of checking the data and numbers generated for the setter, hatcher hall and hatcher rooms in his presentation, Monitoring Pull Times and Temperatures for Optimum Hatchability and Chick Quality. "Do not assume people know how to use the tools provided. Check the data that you have. Check your numbers," he said.
Dale Simpkins, breeder manager for Longenecker's Hatchery, gave a presentation on optimum brooding conditions and house set-up. He said the first three days is the most critical time in a chick's life. During this time, it is import to allow for yolk sac absorption, maternal antibodies absorption and the utilization of nutrients and vitamins. Chicks have to eat and drink for these changes to occur.
Simpkins continued that water is the most important factor in chickens getting an optimum start Producers need to watch and listen to the chicks and communicate regularly with growers. "The better the breeder chick starts, the better the breeder flock," he said.
In his presentation on egg hatching, Scott Martin, hatchery specialist with Cobb-Vantress, emphasized the importance of gathering eggs properly and not wetting the eggs. Martin addressed the optimum conditions needed for proper sanitation, handling and storage of hatching eggs.
Paul Bredwell, vice president of environmental programs for the U.S. Egg & Poultry Association, gave an update on the environmental concerns for hatcheries and breeder farms. He discussed existing litigation involving the industry and reviewed new information collection efforts, the estimation of emissions from farms, adoption of numeric nutrient criteria and increased regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Wisconsin egg processing plant burns in nine-alarm fire

A Wisconsin egg processing plant caught fire Wednesday, January 30, leaving 300 workers without a job.
The fire at Echo Lake Farms Produce Company in Burlington, Wis., began in the 25,000-square-foot production area known as the breaking room, where workers separate eggs from their shells.
Firefighters from 93 departments in Wisconsin and northern Illinois responded to the nine-alarm fire. Employees on the second shift were working at the time in the 70,000-square-foot Echo Lake Farms' facility, but no one was injured.
“We hope to rebuild and reopen as soon as possible,” said Burlington mayor, Bob Miller. “We want them to rebuild and put people back to work.”