New chicken breed may result from Japan/Brazil agreement

A new breed of chicken could be the result of an agreement between Japan’s Eco Heads Corp. Ltd. and the Brazilian research organization Embrapa Suínos e Aves.
Following a visit of Eco Heads’ president and director Tadeshi Shimizu to Embrapa’s facilities the possibility of mixing Japanese Jidori genetics with Brazilian genetics is being explored. “In Japan, there is a species called Jidori," said Analyst Marcio Saatkamp. "They want to use 50 percent of the lineage of this product with 50 percent of the genetic material of Embrapa to create a new species.”
Following the earthquake and tsunami that occurred in March 2011, chicken production has been affected and prices have been rising. "They are experiencing shortages and high prices, so they decided to look outside of Japan for some help in improving production and opted for Brazil as it is such a major chicken exporter," said Saatkamp.

Quality Technoogy Calsporin supply unaffected by Japan disaster

Quality Technology International Inc., the North American distributor of direct-fed microbial Calsporin has released a statement assuring North American clients that there are no concerns about providing continuous supplies of Calsporin to the poultry and animal markets. 
"We have, at a minimum, a six-month supply of Calsporin in the United States," said Troy Lohrmann, QTI vice president. "Assessments in Japan are still ongoing, but the Calpis plant that produces Calsporin was unaffected by the earthquake and tsunami. In addition, the Calsporin production facility is over 100 miles away from the nuclear power plant that is experiencing problems at this time, and is also to the southwest, out of the prevailing wind patterns.”
While production has been briefly interrupted, the company said they expect no long-term issues. "The Calpis facilities have been impacted by reductions in electricity, but these interruptions are expected to be resolved very soon and production will be back to normal shortly," said Lohnmann. "Remember, we're set for six months, and with only a short term interruption expected, we're sure to be able to bring in new supplies long before we make a dent in our current surplus."

USA Poultry & Egg Export Council donates $25,000 to Japanese Chicken Association

The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council's International Poultry Development Program has pledged $25,000 to the Japanese Chicken Association to aid and assist its members in rebuilding efforts after the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami.
“The Japanese poultry industry has been hard hit by the disaster, and this is our industry’s way of reaching out to them,” said Eric Joiner, chairman of the UIPDP and a founder of AJC International, an Atlanta trading company and poultry exporter. “The UIPDP board believes this is a worthwhile project that will be truly appreciated by a segment of the Japanese industry that affected.” He said the contribution would also be used to assist employees of the companies affected by the disaster.
USAPEEC President Jim Sumner, who also serves as president of the UIPDP, said that the funds could help the Japanese industry in areas of greatest need. “It’s great that we have an organization like the UIPDP to support the USAPEEC’s goals and initiatives,” he said. “We believe that going directly to the Japanese Chicken Association will ensure that the funds will be put to good use.”
Sumner said that the USAPEEC would also serve as the focal point for collecting direct financial contributions from private companies, especially its member companies, which may be interested in providing support to the Japanese industry.

Japan to consider resumption of Thai poultry imports

Japan should end its import ban on Thai fresh chicken products because Thailand has not had an H5N1 influenza case in more than a year, Thai Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut told his Japanese counterpart, Hirotaka Akamatsu, in a recent meeting.
The Thai News Agency reported that Akamatsu said his country would make a decision after sending inspectors to Thailand to evaluate disease control measures among poultry.
Japan halted Thai fresh chicken imports in 2004 during an avian influenza outbreak in Thailand that eventually killed 17 people.