Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has released a brochure on the control and prevention of aspergillosis, a common and aggressive fungal contamination that causes poultry producers significant trouble.
According to experts, some contamination is almost inevitable, since it takes so little for Aspergillus spores to spread. "The Trojan horse for the contamination can be eggs from the breeder farm, dust from the feed mill or the field or hatchery waste," said Dr. Charlie Broussard, U.S. poultry technical service director for Intervet/Schering-Plough. "A single egg can shower the hatchery and ventilation system with the Aspergillus spores, which are very difficult to eliminate once they colonize."
If not controlled, outbreaks can result in higher embryo mortality, early chick and growth period mortality, poor weight gain in broilers, increased treatment costs and loss of grower confidence in chicks. "In the case of aspergillosis, an ounce of prevention is worth considerably more than a pound of cure," said Broussard. "In the brochure, we show how proper sanitation, in ovo vaccination, egg transportation, biosecurity and hatchery design contribute to preventing and controlling aspergillosis."
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Aviagen Italia invites customer to tour UK operations
Aviagen Italia invited long-time customer La Pellegrina to visit its UK operations in Scotland for a behind-the-scenes facilities tour.
The visit allowed the two companies to discuss the latest in research and development and Italian poultry industry challenges. For example, "in Italy, ventilation, especially in winter, is a big issue," said Aviagen Italia General Manager Claudio Ambrogio. "With such warm summers, weather variations can be extreme which means balancing the right levels of ventilation over the year is difficult. We were able to demonstrate some of the solutions used in Scotland for effective winter management."
Attendees said they hope to take what they learned and apply it to their own operations.
The visit allowed the two companies to discuss the latest in research and development and Italian poultry industry challenges. For example, "in Italy, ventilation, especially in winter, is a big issue," said Aviagen Italia General Manager Claudio Ambrogio. "With such warm summers, weather variations can be extreme which means balancing the right levels of ventilation over the year is difficult. We were able to demonstrate some of the solutions used in Scotland for effective winter management."
Attendees said they hope to take what they learned and apply it to their own operations.
Demand for Christmas turkeys leads to UK market growth
Consumer confidence in the United Kingdom's turkey market has resulted in increased poult sales for 2010, according to Kelly Turkeys.
"Our poult sales are up 5.2% this year," said Managing Director Paul Kelly. "More and more farmers are starting to realize that there is a steadily growing demand for the very best turkeys at Christmas – as long as it is genuinely better." The general trend is that customers are willing to pay for good quality birds. "There will always be cheaper turkeys on the market," said Kelly. "But trying to compete with these on price is not a viable option for the smaller producer who is rearing birds to maturity and then dry plucking and hanging to enhance the quality."
Overall, Kelly Turkeys expects to be able to expand its business as a result of the numbers it's seeing.
"Our poult sales are up 5.2% this year," said Managing Director Paul Kelly. "More and more farmers are starting to realize that there is a steadily growing demand for the very best turkeys at Christmas – as long as it is genuinely better." The general trend is that customers are willing to pay for good quality birds. "There will always be cheaper turkeys on the market," said Kelly. "But trying to compete with these on price is not a viable option for the smaller producer who is rearing birds to maturity and then dry plucking and hanging to enhance the quality."
Overall, Kelly Turkeys expects to be able to expand its business as a result of the numbers it's seeing.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
California company recalls 1 million pounds of contaminated beef
Valley Meat Company is recalling one million pounds of ground beef patties and bulk ground beef due to possible contamination by the e.coli 0157:H7 bacteria.
According to reports, the meat, which was produced from October 2, 2009 to January 12, was linked to seven illnesses. The beef was distributed to retail and food service firms in California, Texas, Oregon, Arizona and internationally. The products have the establishment number "EST. 8268" and production codes 27509 through 01210.
According to reports, the meat, which was produced from October 2, 2009 to January 12, was linked to seven illnesses. The beef was distributed to retail and food service firms in California, Texas, Oregon, Arizona and internationally. The products have the establishment number "EST. 8268" and production codes 27509 through 01210.
Pork cutbacks in Europe
The latest update from Eurostat on the pig population for the 27 member countries of the European Union at the end of 2009 reveals a fall of more than one million or 0.7% from the previous year, to an EU-27 total in 2009 of just under 152 million pigs, according to BPEX.
However, the picture for pigmeat production raises more serious concerns. Overall, pigmeat production in the EU-27 was just under 21.3 million metric tons last year – a fall of almost 6% compared to 2008. According to BPEX, this somewhat modest average fall masks massive declines in output in some countries, especially the new Member States of cental/east Europe.
However, the picture for pigmeat production raises more serious concerns. Overall, pigmeat production in the EU-27 was just under 21.3 million metric tons last year – a fall of almost 6% compared to 2008. According to BPEX, this somewhat modest average fall masks massive declines in output in some countries, especially the new Member States of cental/east Europe.
Poultry Production & Health Seminar to focus on antibiotics
The 2010 Poultry Production & Health Seminar will focus largely on antibiotic use in the poultry industry, according to the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
Organizers of the annual conference, which will be held September 21 and 22 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn., chose the topic in response to the widespread scrutiny the poultry industry has been under. "Antibiotics play an important role in maintaining healthy birds," said Frank Halpin, program chairman. "The United States Department of Agriculture is questioning the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture, suggesting that they may cause antimicrobial resistance. This year's seminar will examine the impact proposed restrictions will have on live production and the challenges live production managers and service representatives may face in the future."
The program will also hold presentations on the latest industry innovations and strategies for maintaining healthy flocks.
Organizers of the annual conference, which will be held September 21 and 22 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn., chose the topic in response to the widespread scrutiny the poultry industry has been under. "Antibiotics play an important role in maintaining healthy birds," said Frank Halpin, program chairman. "The United States Department of Agriculture is questioning the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture, suggesting that they may cause antimicrobial resistance. This year's seminar will examine the impact proposed restrictions will have on live production and the challenges live production managers and service representatives may face in the future."
The program will also hold presentations on the latest industry innovations and strategies for maintaining healthy flocks.
German broiler producers look to increase presence in European market
Over 200 people attended two seminars focusing on Germany's growth in the European broiler market, according to Cobb-Vantress Inc., the company hosting the events.
The talks presented information designed to set up German companies for success in the competitive market. Topics included the development of breeding companies, gut physiology, the importance of feed and water quality on broiler growth and essential good brooding techniques.
The talks presented information designed to set up German companies for success in the competitive market. Topics included the development of breeding companies, gut physiology, the importance of feed and water quality on broiler growth and essential good brooding techniques.
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