Maryland allows farmers to burn fallen chicken houses

Maryland regulators have granted a 30-day waiver to allow farmers to burn the state’s approximately 50 chicken houses that collapsed in recent snowstorms, reported WBOC-TV, based in Salisbury, Md.
A Maryland senator says burning the houses will save farmers up to $60,000 in hauling and landfilling costs.

Tenn. residents file suit against odorous chicken farm

A class-action lawsuit by homeowners in Morrison, Tenn., has been filed against seven defendants, including Tyson, according to reports. The residents are angered about the odor emitted from the chicken facility that houses 400,000 birds.
The suit contends the plant generates “noxious gases, smoke, dust, fumes and odors” that nauseate neighbors and force them to stay indoors away from the stench.
In all, 65 residents are part of the class-action lawsuit.

Air-conditioned poultry houses make inroads in Vietnam

Air-conditioned poultry houses with control systems are gaining popularity in Vietnam, a news report said. According to the Provincial Department of Animal Health of Dong Nai Province, there are more than 100 such farms in the province which, with 1.2 million chickens, make up for 20% of the province's output.
Forecasts are that poultry from such farms could double by the end of the year. Many of the farmers operating air-conditioned houses have also entered into contracts with major livestock companies including Charoen Popkand, Emivet and Jappa.
Tong Van Huong, chairman of the Minh Hoa Commune Farmers Association in Binh Duong Province, said the long-term cost-effectiveness of air-conditioned farms makes up for the high investment. While a conventional poultry shed costs between $11-18,000, a 1,000 square meter air-conditioned chicken house would cost $58,000.

Pilgrim’s signs agreement to sell Farmerville complex

Pilgrim's Pride Corp. announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its chicken complex in Farmerville, La., to Foster Farms for $80 million, subject to a price adjustment for associated inventory and other reimbursements.
Completion of the transaction is contingent upon customary closing conditions, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott Rodino Improvements Act and approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The transaction is also subject to Foster Farms' receipt of $40 million from the state of Louisiana in order to fund a portion of the purchase price. The sale is expected to be completed within 30 days.
The Louisiana legislature voted on May 7, 2009, to approve the use of government funds to subsidize the purchase of the Farmerville complex by Foster. The agreement between Foster and the state call for Louisiana to provide $40 million toward the purchase of the complex and $10 million, which will be matched by Foster, for capital improvements.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved procedures for the sale of the Farmerville complex assets. The sale will be completed via an auction in accordance with Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Court set 12 p.m. CST, May 15, 2009, as the deadline for the submission of qualified bid packages and scheduled an auction for 10 a.m., May 18. At that time, the company will sell its assets to Foster Farms or another qualified bidder, if such bidder makes the highest and best offer for the assets. A hearing to approve the sale has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m., May 19.
The Farmerville complex includes a processing facility, a cook plant, two hatcheries, a feed mill, a protein conversion plant and any associated inventory.