Pas Reform offers advice about managing chick production

In large-scale hatchery operations today, a single hatchery manager is rarely responsible for managing every aspect of chick production or for the maintenance of incubators. He or she no longer relies solely on their own experience and intuitive observations to achieve good quality chicks. In some cases, an incubationist has taken over more routine tasks, including fine-tuning incubation programs and performing egg analyses to solve incubation problems.
The hatchery manager is now responsible for overall hatchery organization, coordinating different teams to work on specific tasks, such as setting eggs or pulling chicks and writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the different tasks assigned to each team.
He or she must evaluate the output and quality of individual teams and of the combined results that they achieve together. Finally, whether at hatchery level or for a larger poultry integration, it is the manager’s role to report on all outputs to the company’s management team.
Many modern hatcheries are now organized on an industrial scale, requiring tools such as SOPs and Critical Control Points (CCP) in hazard analysis, combined with management tools like Key Performance Indicators (KPI), to manage such complex production businesses effectively.
SOPs should at least be available for the most critical steps in the production of good quality chicks, including:

1. quality control for eggs received
2. egg disinfection
3. egg setting and incubation programs
4. egg transfer
5. loading the hatchers and hatch programs
6. chick pulling and quality control
7. vaccination
8. chick transport

Critical Control Points are traditionally related to hazard analysis in food safety programs. However today, we increasingly see CCPs related not only to the production of food free of harmful contaminations (bacteria, fungi, etc.), but also to other quality-relevant factors.
In the hatchery, CCPs include temperature and RH in egg storage, for example, to prevent too high a loss of hatchability. The percentage of eggs set with a perfect shape and shell, or chicks with perfect navels or legs might also define CCPs. Often these critical control points represent a reference range of ‘normal’ value measurements (temperature or RH, for example). Measurements outside the CCP’s ‘normal’ range should alert the team responsible that action is required.
A Key Performance Indicator relates to the company’s performance, combining different aspects of management to achieve a common goal. A KPI is more likely to be a business target, for example, to achieve ’low numbers of second class chicks’, which requires all teams, including technical staff, involved in production to work together and be jointly responsible for achieving the KPI. The KPI therefore gives the manager a means of evaluating all teams against a common goal.
We can conclude, therefore, that the hatchery manager can effectively manage and evaluate his teams based on SOPs and defined CCPs created to achieve specific KPIs. Evaluation depends firstly on the quality of the data collected, either by instruments or individual teams. Secondly, collected data should be structured in a relational database, such that mean values and the relationships between those values can be analyzed within a reference range defined as accepted or normal.
Advice

• Describe Standard Operating Procedures for the separate steps needed to produce high percentage volumes of good quality chicks
• Define Critical Control Points for hazard analysis and quality control
• Define Key Performance Indicators at both hatchery and company levels
• Define protocols, including reference ranges for the measurement of data collected for each CCP and KPI
• Include proper data collection procedures for each SOP, based on defined CCP and KPI

Hain Celestial posts record first quarter earnings

Hain Celestial posted record net earnings for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, with much of its growth spurred by its Hain Pure Protein poultry segment.
The natural and organic product company earned a net income of $31.3 million, a 67 percent increase over the net income during the first quarter of fiscal year 2016. In terms of sales, Hain Celestial’s net sales of $687.2 million.
Irwin Simon, founder, president and CEO of Hain Celestial, stated that its poultry operation had a very successful quarter, and greatly contributed to the company’s financial achievements during the period.
“We began fiscal year 2016 with record first quarter net sales and earnings growth. Our diversified portfolio delivered strong growth with contribution from our Hain Pure Protein Corporation segment, with our FreeBird and Plainville Farms brands growing 27 percent, as well as our international businesses in Canada, Continental Europe and the United Kingdom in constant currency, which collectively grew 22 percent,” Simon said.
Simon said he is confident the diversified organic company will continue to do well through the remainder of 2016 and beyond.
“We expect to build momentum throughout the year across our global footprint through the strength of our diversified product portfolio and customer base while investing in our brands and gaining distribution in the important health and wellness category,” he said.

Poultry production in Barbados on road to recovery

Barbados looks likely to produce record numbers of poultry in 2015, according to James Paul, the CEO of the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS). He asserted to the association’s Annual General Assembly recently that the industry is on the rebound. For the first time, a million broiler chicks were placed in a single month and output has been rising throughout the last year, he said, according to a report from the Barbados Advocate.
Despite the strong performance, the industry remains concerned about imports – not only as a threat of cheaper competition but also because of the employment opportunities that the sector can offer to young Barbadians. The Sandals hotels group recently committed to purchasing local produce, and Paul called on others in the tourism sector to follow their example.
Data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Statistics Division, FAOSTAT indicate that Barbadian chicken meat production in 2013 – the most recent year for which statistics are available - was unchanged from the previous year at 15,354 metric tons. The most recent trade data – for 2012 – show the country does not participate in significant trade in chicken meat, importing just 39 metric tons and exporting 49 metric tons. For comparison, in 2000, 2,900 metric tons of chicken were imported into Barbados but the volumes have since followed a declining trend.
“I am therefore saying if they can do it, why can’t all of our existing local hoteliers demonstrate a concerted effort to work with the sector to increase their purchases of locally produced agricultural products? If there was ever a time that this is needed it is now because the economic challenges that we face demand it,” Paul said. “It would afford us the opportunity to maximise our tourism earnings by encouraging more expenditure on locally produced items.”

6 avian flu news updates for the week ending October 9

The global poultry industry remains highly concerned about avian influenza and its impact on poultry production and trade. Here are 6 news stories from the week ending October 9 concerning the virus:

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Year-ending US egg prices may return to normal levels

The number of table egg-laying hens in the U.S. might not fully recover from the losses stemming from the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in the Upper Midwest  until 2017, but don't expect the current run of high wholesale egg prices to last that long.

US poultry exports to Cuba resume

Cuba has resumed imports of U.S. chicken after a trade ban that lasted about two months. 

Avian flu cases continue in Taiwan, Vietnam and Nigeria

Avian influenza cases have been recently reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) by veterinary officials in Taiwan, Vietnam and Nigeria.

Northern Ireland government urges poultry registration

The Northern Ireland government is urging poultry owners to register its birds with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as part of a biosecurity measure to protect poultry from avian influenza.

Jamaica ag minister committed to keeping avian flu away

The Jamaican government has affirmed its commitment to the poultry industry, stressing that it is doing what it can to protect birds there from potential avian influenza outbreaks.

Ceva warns against rising risks of avian influenza

Dramatic changes in avian influenza (AI) are posing an increasing threat to animal welfare, the global economy and human health.

Allen Harim gets $11 million loan from State of Delaware

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has approved $11 million in state loans to Allen Harim Foods for its poultry processing operations in Harbeson, Delaware.
The state agency awarded the loan to the poultry producer and processor during an August 19 meeting, after giving the loans conditional approval at a meeting held previously, according to an Associated Press report in the Washington Times.
The company wants to draw about $8.3 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to upgrade and expand the wastewater plant at its Harbeson processing facility. Allen Harim also wants a $3.2 million loan for a wastewater reuse project.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control stated that a letter was sent to Allen Harim after the approval. The next step in the process is the closing of the loan.
According to the WATTAgNet Top Poultry Companies Database, Allen Harim Foods produced 5.96 million pounds of ready to cook poultry on a weekly basis during 2014 and is the 21st largest broiler company in the United States. It is currently planning to add to its capacity with the addition of a new poultry processing plant in Millsboro, Delaware. The site of the potential plant is a former Vlasic pickle plant.

Ag transparency key to good image, summit speakers say

Transparency is key to developing a positive public image, speakers at theAnimal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit said on May 7. 
“At Cooper Farms, we are opening up our barn doors more and more every day,” said Gary Cooper, COO ofCooper Farms. “It’s certainly a risk, but I feel that if you aren’t at least a little uncomfortable, you aren’t being truly transparent.”
Cooper’s message of more transparency was shared by Brad Scott, a fourth-generation dairy farmer whose operation appeared on a 2013 episode of the reality television show “Undercover Boss.”
“Every time you open your doors and go outside your comfort zone, the opportunities are endless,” said Scott.
During his remarks, Scott discussed the challenges and benefits of allowing a reality television crew to have full access to his family’s 1,000-cow dairy farm to film the episode, which featured the CEO ofMenchie’s Frozen Yogurt. Scott’s farm, Scott Brothers Dairy, supplies milk to Menchie’s. The CEO was able to witness the delivery of a calf during his visit, and said that his time on Scott’s farm was the most exciting part of his undercover excursion.
“After this experience, our farm and the Menchie’s marketing team have a much better connection and understanding,” Scott said. “When they have questions about animal handling, we’re the first people they call.”


Transparency during a crisis
Dr. Helen Wojcinski, science and sustainability manager atHybrid Turkeys, shared her advice for attendees in times of crisis based on her experience when an undercover video was released showing animal mistreatment.
“You have to have a strong record of animal care,” Dr. Wojcinski said. “Be open and public about your commitment to animal care every day, and make it a part of the culture among supervisors and employees.”
Dr. Wojcinski also shared tips for interacting with the media, including being proactive by being the first to break a story even if it’s negative.
“By facing the situation head-on and releasing our own press release first, we were able to achieve a more balanced story in the media,” she said.


‘Reputation translates to financial success’
Kimberly Keller, senior director of reputation management at Charleston|Orwig. Keller shared that food brands are struggling in developing positive reputations, with fewer and fewer food-related brands faring well in studies measuring consumer trust.
“Reputation translates to financial success,” Keller said. “Your reputation has an impact on your business and your bottom line.”
The summit was held May 6-7 in Kansas City, Missouri. Next year’s Stakeholders Summit is set for May 4-5, 2016, at the Westin Arlington Gateway in Ballston, Virginia.

Value of US poultry production more than doubles over 14 years

The value of U.S. poultry production increased from $21.2 billion in 2000, to $44.1 billion in 2013.  In 2013, egg production accounted for 19.3 percent of the overall value of the U.S. poultry industry.
Those figures are available in the report, “Poultry Industry of the U.S.A: Dynamics, Patterns and Perspectives,” produced for the International Egg Commission (IEC) by Professor Hans-Wilhelm Windhorst of the University of Vechta in Germany. The study analyses the world’s leading poultry production country between 2000 and 2013 and examines the dynamics, patterns and perspective of this growing industry.
According to the report, in 2012, the U.S. ranked first in chicken meat with an 18.4 percent share of global production volume. The U.S. also ranked first in turkey meat production with 48.3 percent of global share, and was second only to China in egg production, contributing 8.2 percent.
The report analyses the regional poultry production areas within the United States and reviews how egg production has been affected by feed costs and feed production. Additionally, the report looks at the shift in egg production locations resulting from the banning of conventional cages in California.
The report also contains data on the export of eggs, broiler meat and turkey, and concludes with projections about the development of poultry meat and egg production in the U.S.A between 2013 and 2023.
This report is available to all IEC members.

CPF Group aims for big growth in next five years

Bangkok-based meat and animal feed producer Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) is striving to meet demand in fast-growing emerging markets, and aims to have foreign operations contribute three-quarters of revenue within five years. The company targets average annual growth at 10-15 percent.
CPF predicts rising incomes in Southeast Asia will increase demand for meat. The company plans to expand its feed and farm business in Vietnam, the Philippines, China, India and Russia.
"In the next five years, Asian demand for protein-rich food will increase as the emerging economies are growing, raising people's income," Chief Executive Adirek Sripratak said at the Reuters ASEAN Summit on March 28.
"Growth in emerging countries will surpass that of the domestic market. We have seen strong growth potential and that's why we have been aggressive in foreign investments in recent decades."
In Thailand, political unrest has slowed economic growth, but CPF expects foreign operations to cushion that impact. Domestic sales growth is likely to average 7-8 percent over the next five years compared with 15 percent abroad, Adirek said.
The company also plans to raise capacity at its feed, farm and food businesses over the next four years by investing 50 billion baht ($1.6 billion).
Last year, CPF's net profit hit a decade-low of 7 billion baht due to increased costs, weakened meat prices and the impact of a shrimp disease on its farm business. That is expected to turn around this year as swine and broiler prices have risen and corn feed prices have fallen.
Shares of CPF, valued at $6.7 billion, have fallen 13 percent in the past three months, compared with a 4 percent rise in the broader market.

Poultry grower advises, inspires next generation

With 12 chicken houses and 10 years of experience in the poultry business, Delean Robertson of McComb, Miss., knows the important role women play in agriculture.
When Robertson's husband, Donald, suggested starting a chicken farm in 2004 so he could quit his off-shore job and be home more often, Robertson said everything seemed to fall into place as if it were meant to be. The loan for Straight Arrow Farm was approved quickly. An auditor assistant, she transferred from Citizens Bank in Columbia to a closer branch in Magnolia.
"God seemed to be lining everything up for us," she said. "Little did we know that my husband's crew off-shore would be the ones that were killed when Deepwater Horizon blew up. God protected us by letting the plan for the farm work out before that happened."
Robertson grew up on a dairy farm, so she was no new-comer to the agriculture industry. When they first started their poultry farm, Robertson helped with everything from cleaning chicken houses to setting up the houses for baby chicks and driving tractors. Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2009 put an end to her intense physical labor in the farming venture. But she still handles the bookwork, runs farm errands and helps out if an emergency arises.
"I helped with all of it -- bookkeeping, running errands, driving tractors, cleaning the chicken houses, setting up the houses for baby chicks," she said. "The physical part of the business became too difficult for me once I was diagnosed, though."
Robertson and her husband expanded the farm from six houses to 12 in 2012, making their farm the largest square footage, single-owner farm in the McComb division of Sanderson Farms. They raise more than 2 million pounds of chicken every three months.
"The realization that we feed millions of people every year is the most rewarding experience," she said. "Growing up on a farm, I learned a lot of valuable lessons for life. It is a heritage that has been given to me by my parents, and I hope I will be able to give the same to my children and grandchildren."
When Robertson got involved with Mississippi Women for Agriculture in 2008, she gained practical tips for running a farm and found camaraderie with other women working in the agriculture industry. Robertson was on the first Mississippi Women for Agriculture board and has a lifetime membership.
"I believe for an ag business to be successful, it requires the owners to know all that they possibly can know about their industry," she said. "Women are often the behind-the-scenes support on the farm. Educating the younger generations seems to be a big role that women have in the ag industry. The children of today will be leaders of tomorrow, so it's essential they understand the importance of agriculture."
Sylvia Clark, Mississippi State University Extension Service agent for family and consumer sciences, served on the Mississippi Women for Agriculture board with Robertson and said her leadership has been appreciated in the poultry industry.
"Delean is a go-getter and has been a real leader in the poultry industry for years," Clark said. "Her extensive experience in all aspects of being a poultry grower can give others practical insight into making their businesses successful. She's mentoring the next generation of business women involved in poultry farming."

Allen Harim reveals new branding initiative

Allen Harim Foods, a leading poultry company based in Seaford, Del., has launched a rebranding initiative that includes a new logo and color palette, as well as a vision, mission and values statement that reflects the evolution of the company.
Purchased out of bankruptcy by the Harim Group of South Korea in 2011, Allen Harim has spent the last two years rebuilding the company with facilities in Delaware, North Carolina and Maryland. Its focus has been on growing its customer base, expanding its product line, and more recently hiring a new CEO, industry veteran Steven A. Evans.
"Our new logo is a visual representation of the commitment and forward motion of this company," said Evans. "We look forward to rolling out the new look over the coming weeks and months in every aspect of our marketing, packaging and across our facilities. We want our customers, consumers, employees and the communities in which we operate to know that Allen Harim is here for the long haul."
New logo and color palette celebrate history and future
According to Dr. Key Lee, director of sales and marketing at Allen Harim, the new logo "celebrates the company's history as Allen's Family Foods, its future with Harim, and our complete commitment to the objective of continuous improvement throughout the company."
To accomplish this, the new logo marries the traditional scripted Allen's and its iconic rooster with Harim's clean, crisp typography. The flowing ribbon that encircles the company name represents its focus on service, integrity, quality and safety through its "continuous improvement" programs.
The color palette incorporates Allen's historic blue and Harim's golden yellow. Lee explained that the color blue signifies the water vital to the success of the growth of its products, as well as a sense of calm, health and well-being. The yellow refers to the sunshine also needed to grow successful products and a sense of freshness and warmth. The rebranding also included the development of a new mission statement - "Improve the Quality of Life and Share Happiness."
"Our mission includes every aspect of our business, from the customer and consumer to our employees and communities," said Evans. "We want to make the lives of everyone we touch a little better and a little happier each time. Our values of service, integrity, quality and safety are what we strive to excel at every day."
He continued, "Our company's vision of 'Global 1^st Productivity' means maximizing our skills in everything we do, in every aspect of the business, so that everyone, from the hatchery to growout, packaging to customer service, is an expert in their field. That kind of focus on productivity is what will drive our company forward with the best products and services in the industry."

Tips for conserving propane in poultry operations

Due to record cold temperatures and unprecedented winter storms, many producers had to increase heating needs for their homes and outbuildings this winter. This winter is a strong reminder that implementing energy saving practices year round can help protect producers from unpredictable weather conditions.
"The propane industry is working very hard to get fuel to all the farms and homes that depend upon it for so many vital operations," Mark Leitman, director of business and marketing for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), said. "Fuel conservation strategies can help keep farm operations running smoothly, while reducing fuel usage and cost."
Together with leading ag heating manufacturer, L.B. White, PERC compiled the following tips for conserving propane for poultry operations.
Tips for Poultry Operations

• Maintain building control temperature setpoints. Adjust temperature to a level that keeps poultry comfortable but not over- or under-heated. Keep leaks repaired and seal cracks around doors, windows and other openings to reduce drastic swings in temperature and reduce overall fuel consumption. 
• Adjust ventilation to control moisture. Though underventilating will affect air quality, overventilating by just 20 percent can increase propane use by 50 percent. Monitor the number of fans in use, and fan speed, to ensure enough air is being provided. If overventilation occurs, turn off fans or reduce overall fan speed.
• Make seasonal adjustments to the manual variable-rate gas valve to reduce fuel consumption. If your ag heater is so equipped, manually adjust the degree of fuel being used. Some L.B. White heaters, for example, can be manually adjusted to reduce maximum fuel consumption. 
• Keep ag heaters running smoothly with regular maintenance. Clean burner orifices and heater components on a regular basis per the instructions in your heater's maintenance manual. Performing seasonal maintenance checks will keep your ag heaters running smoothly and efficiently. 
• Make sure thermostats and temperature sensors are located away from drafts. Incorrect placement of thermostats near leaks or drafts may cause improper temperature readings and lead to building overheating.
• Maintain proper gas pressure. Check your gas pressure often and make sure it is set according to the heater data plate specifications.
"Heating management mistakes often cause temperature overshoot, where the ventilation system compensates by sending heat out of the building," said Marcus Schmitz, marketing manager for L.B. White Company, Inc. "This results in significant and costly temperature swings. We recommend producers contact a poultry building ventilation and heating expert to ensure proper setup for maximum fuel efficiency."
Propane Farm Incentive Programs
Producers can earn up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a new L.B. White ag heater through the PERC Propane Farm Incentive Program, a research and demonstration initiative. To qualify, farmers are asked to provide feedback on equipment performance and efficiency during the growing season, which is used to help PERC develop new propane-powered farm technologies. Purchase incentives are also available for other propane-powered ag equipment, including irrigation engines, heaters, flame weeding technology, and more. 

New National Chicken Council website opens the door on poultry production

The National Chicken Council (NCC) has launched a new "Chicken Roost" website, which features information on issues such as animal welfare, food safety, environmental stewardship, antibiotic use and the modern partnership between farmers and chicken companies.
The site was developed as a follow-up to last year's inaugural Chicken Media Summit hosted by NCC and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, where 30 members of mainstream, social and trade media toured every aspect of how chicken is produced and processed today, from the hatchery to the feed mill, farm and processing plant.
"We heard from folks at the summit about what their readers and listeners were interested in hearing and learning about - the health of the chickens, the family farm, what labels mean, where their chicken comes from and how it is raised," said NCC President Mike Brown. "We had overwhelmingly positive response by not only explaining, but showing, what it is we do and why we do it.  We want to build off of that by continuing to tell our story online, being more transparent and addressing consumer concerns that go beyond the product."
The website features a "Day in the Life" video on a chicken farm.
The new site also allows consumers to share and access content via social media including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. The goal is to form a better dialogue with consumers, get them more involved in food production and answer their questions about chicken production and chicken products.
"More than ever, consumers want to know exactly what they're eating, where it came from and how it was made. We're thrilled that Americans are taking an interest in agriculture and are excited to show them how the industry has evolved," Brown said.
In addition to featuring farm-to-fork details about chicken production, food safety and animal welfare, the site also focuses on nutrition, citing chicken as the cornerstone of a healthy and balanced diet, as well as a Kids Zone section with quizzes, trivia and other information.
According to Brown, the site will also feature information for members of the press covering issues related to food and agriculture. He said that NCC hears frequently from reporters with questions about farming practices and hopes this site will provide them with the information they need.
"We hope that in time, consumers will come to think of this site in much the same way they think about chicken-reliable, accessible and a good addition to their day."

Genomics to help meet future world food needs

More than two-thirds of the extra food needed to feed the world's expanding population will need to come through advances in technology, Jerry Moye, president of Cobb-Vantress, told leaders of the UK farming industry. Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference, he said to meet the doubling in food supply estimated to be required in 2050 improved efficiency would have to contribute some 70 percent along with additional farmland and increased cropping.
The poultry industry has an important role to play through increasing the efficiency of broiler production.  "Broiler genetics have made great strides and still have huge potential for improvement," he said.
Moye took the example of improved feed conversion. Over the 10 years to 2010 the improvement of 0.145 meant that 17.4 million metric tons less feed are now required to produce the 60 billion broilers consumed around the world each year.
With maize making up 55 percent of the diet, 9.57 million fewer metric tons are needed each year - equivalent to cropping 2.66 million fewer acres (1.08 fewer hectares) of maize.
"Everyone in agriculture has a responsibility to produce safe food," said Moye. "Animal breeding must develop animals that are fit for use in agriculture. Genetics and agriculture must develop products that meet the needs of all consumers.
"Consumer interest movements should be broadminded enough to understand their potential impact outside of their respective market places."
Moye said that use of a genomic strategy in continuing the advances in poultry breeding would help sustainable intensification through increasing food production from existing farmland while minimizing pressure on the environment.
"We are serving our customers through use of innovative research and technology to make protein healthy and affordable for everyone," he said.

Optimistic outlook for global poultry production in 2014

The outlook for the global poultry industry in 2014 is generally bullish, driven by the tailwind of sharply lower feed costs and tight supplies of pork and beef, says the latest report from Rabobank.
Rabobank analyst Nan-Dirk Mulder comments: "Global poultry fundamentals for 2014 look positive, with cost relief coming from lower feed costs, high prices of competing proteins and recently improved export volumes, but supply growth discipline will be the key element between profitable and non-profitable industries under these bullish market fundamentals."
Bucking a five year trend, producers in the Western Hemisphere outperformed their counterparts in the East during the third quarter and through most of 2013.
Regional variation
The robust profitability in the Americans of the last few quarters is expected to continue in 2014, with poultry pricing benefitting from tight supplies of pork and beef, although the recent slowdown of Asian demand may cause a new challenge for the industry.
For Europe, the latest projections for 2014 indicate growth of 0.6 percent, which is estimated to be in line with EU demand. Under such circumstances, the industry should be able to benefit from favorable market conditions with tight pork and beef markets and lower feed prices.
Conditions in Russia are improving after a tough year, and the country will benefit from price support from the local government.
In South Africa, the outlook is mixed. While the poultry industry will enjoy new safeguards from Brazilian imports, the country will experience large and growing imports from the EU.
Mulder comments: "Despite the broadly positive global outlook, the challenge remains to keep markets balanced. Key Asian markets of China and India are in the midst of a supply glut because of weak demand following food safety and animal disease issues in the former and slower economic growth in the latter. Early indicators for 2014 reflect better conditions for both markets as supply levels tighten but, in the case of Thailand, a big concern will once again be oversupply."
In Mexico, the industry is rebuilding domestic supply but there is a lingering risk that bird flu will reappear this winter as temperatures fall.

Indian River aims for further growth in Asia, Middle East and Africa

Indian River, an Aviagen brand, is looking for further growth in the Asian and the Middle East and Africa (TMEA) market, following the success of a recent Indian River Technical Association (IRTA) meeting held in Malaysia.
Indian River has been recognized as one of the fastest growing brands in a market which is still expanding. Now a regular fixture, this was the third IRTA meeting to be held and provide a platform for all Indian River customers to get the latest advice from key staff and share their own experiences.
It was also a chance to spend time with the members of the growing customer service and the wider Aviagen team.
Fred Kao, Business Manager, said:
"Indian River is proving to be a bird that really delivers in the market. We are seeing popularity increase and as a result, have invested heavily in ensuring that our team and support network is able to grow along with our customer base.
"Our technical association meeting is another demonstration of that. A significant portion of time was given over to hearing from different countries and customers on the latest situations, issues and of course successes they had experienced before we looked at some of the other agenda points."
The three day event saw customers including Bounty Fresh Foods and ACOLID address the 53 strong audience. This was then followed by a number of technical presentations, including one from Japfa Indonesia, on topics such as the rationale for feeding into lay and the importance of uniformity in breeders.
The second day looked very much at flock management, including lighting techniques, problem solving and biosecurity. The final day allowed for a bit of fun with a team building exercise and a shopping trip to the Gurney Plaza shopping mall.
Aziz Haque from Nilsagor of Bangladesh said: "This is the most productive meeting I had attended with good emphasis in both the broiler and breeder topics. It will be great if we can do this on a yearly basis so the exchange of information will continue to flow."
Other attendees added: "The Indian River technical meeting is very good. I have a lot of good impressions about the program. The approach is very practical and leads to useful application in the field".
"The team problem solving was very good and interesting and was educational as well as fun. Well done for preparing a good scenario for everyone to get involved."

Poultry producer Case Farms awards student scholarships

Poultry producer, Case Farms recently awarded three $2,500 scholarships to children of Case Farms employees during the company's annual Service Awards Dinner.
Established in 2005 by Case Farms founder Thomas Shelton, the J. Leroy Cook Memorial Scholarship Program honors long-time Case Farms employee Leroy Cook, a former senior vice president of operations at the company. To date, Case Farms has given away more than $42,500 in college scholarships to children of Case Farms employees.
"The employees at Case Farms are dedicated individuals and it is a privilege for us to be able to support them and their families," said Kevin Phillips, president and chief operating officer at Case Foods Inc. "We are proud to provide these students with an opportunity to further their education and relieve some of the financial stresses associated with attending school."
The recipients of the 2013 J. Leroy Cook Memorial Scholarship are Danielle N. Dillane, Kristen D. Halloran and Christopher A. Nichols. Dillane will continue her education at North Carolina State University where she is majoring in meteorology. She is the daughter of Vincent Dillane, who works in receiving at the Case Farms feed mill in Goldsboro, N.C. Halloran will attend Mount Vernon Nazarene University and plans to major in early childhood education. She is the daughter of David Halloran, flock supervisor at the Case Farms complex in Winesburg, Ohio. Nichols will continue his studies at Methodist University, where he is majoring in secondary education. He is the son of Allen Nichols, garage manager at the Case Farms facility in Goldsboro.
Applicants underwent a competitive process, completing a questionnaire that was evaluated by three judges. 

Mobile app improving poultry management released

LifeLearn Inc., in collaboration with Veterinarians Without Borders and the Canadian International Development and Research Center, announced that it released a mobile application with the objective of improving poultry management for smallholder farmers in the project villages of Xanthany District, central Laos. LifeLearn, an education and communication technology company, provided both instructional design and technical development services for the consortium.
Vets Without Borders (with local partner National University of Laos) initiated the Laos project in 2008 to develop veterinary capacity to improve the health of farm animals and, by extension, provide food security and create better lives for the people of Laos.
The mobile application will provide primary animal health workers with information on poultry housing, reproduction and selection, nutrition and brooding using text, photos and videos. With access to these resources, the animal health workers can teach farmers in their village about proper poultry management; knowledge which will hopefully contribute to the enhancement of poultry production and livelihood.
"Mobile phones, and now smartphones, are changing the way we access and use information, and the impact of these devices in the third world is going to be immense," said Dr. Mark Stephenson, chief development officer of LifeLearn. "Two years ago, we made the decision to donate a portion of our resources to develop a mobile app that would help Vets Without Borders reach their objectives of truly driving change and building veterinary capacity."
After completing the application, Vicky Cansino, a project manager with LifeLearn, recently traveled to Laos to train 25 primary animal health workers on the use of the app, and perform certain evaluations as part of the ongoing Vets Without Borders research project.
"There is tremendous opportunity for mobile technology in furthering education in remote areas of the world as cellular technology becomes more mainstream," said Stephenson. "LifeLearn will be seeking any opportunity to be an educational and technology development partner for government and non-governmental organizations as part of its One Health initiative."

USPOULTRY updates Carbon Footprint Estimation Toolkit

United States Poultry & Egg Association recently updated its Carbon Footprint Estimation Toolkit. The association released its Carbon Footprint Estimation Toolkit in the summer of 2011 to assist its members with adhering to the Environmental Protection Agency's greenhouse gas reporting requirement and to reduce the burden of performing greenhouse gas emission calculations.
The Carbon Footprint Toolkit has been updated with a narrated tutorial to make the emission calculation and record keeping process more efficient. A tool to calculate the greenhouse emissions from mobile sources has also been added. This tool allows facilities to calculate emissions generated from its fleet of product delivery vehicles, as well as company automobiles and the personal automobiles of its employees.
This program is available to U.S. Poultry & Egg Association members, free of charge. Please contact Paul Bredwell or Marjorie Maul for information on this and other programs. 

Poultry production school celebrates 50th year

Thirty one poultry production management personnel from 20 countries will gather in Huntsville, Ala. for the 50th Production Management School, hosted by Aviagen, a poultry breeding company.
The month-long school offers Aviagen customers a chance to gain hands-on experience in many facets of poultry production. More than 1,500 poultry professionals from 62 countries have completed the program since 1967, when it was founded in Connecticut as the Arbor Acres Production Management School.
The 2013 school curriculum will feature 17 field trips and workshops focusing on fertility, ventilation, gut health, feed formulation and more. Classes and hands-on sessions will be taught by 50 instructors and experts, from Aviagen employees to professors from local and international universities.
"For the 50th time, the best and brightest people in the poultry industry will gather to immerse themselves in the latest science and best practices that define the finest in poultry production management," said Randall Ennis, CEO at Aviagen.
"While the content taught in the Aviagen Production Management School has evolved considerably since 1967, the goal remains the same: to ensure that every graduate returns home with a firm, end-to-end understanding of broiler breeding and the vital issues that surround it, from best production practices to animal welfare and biosecurity. We're happy to welcome these 31 students to continue this important legacy of achievement, innovation and education."
When the inaugural class graduated in 1967, the broiler breeding industry was concentrated in Connecticut. Jet transportation was becoming widespread, and with it came an opportunity for poultry companies like Arbor Acres to introduce their brands and products into new markets. But the company realized that for globalization to be successful, the same standards and practices employed in the United States had to be followed worldwide. The Arbor Acres Production Management School was born.
In the early years, students from all over the world would live at the school for up to three months. Students would spend half their day in the classroom and the other half learning what it takes to breed broilers, to clean poultry houses and select birds and to handle and sanitize eggs. In addition to teaching, the school created networks of colleagues who not only transferred their knowledge to one another, but they also took that knowledge back home.
"Much of the modern poultry industry came about because of this school," said president of Valo Biomedia, Neal Scanlon, who oversaw the school from 2004 to 2012. "It really helped create generations of industry leaders. These are people who were expected to move up in their companies, and they're hand-picked to attend. And when they return home and share those best practices with others, it elevates their entire company, even the poultry industry in their entire region."
"Over the years we have evolved the school agenda and design to encourage students to not only learn from the eminent line-up of presenters from academia and industry, but also from each other," said Mark Wright, director of the Aviagen Production Management School since 2012. "This environment fosters business relationships and friendships that last throughout a career as well as a lifetime."
Attendees to the Aviagen Production Management School must be nominated by an Aviagen Sales or Technical Representative. 

Sanderson Farms ramping up production as year progresses

Sanderson Farms plans to increase production during the remainder of its 2013 fiscal year, returning to processing at full capacity. After processing less fresh chicken during the first half of the year, the company looks to process 2.9 percent more poultry in 2013 than it did in 2012.
Joe Sanderson Jr., chairman and CEO of Sanderson Farms, and Lampkin Butts, chief operating officer, spoke of the company's plans for increased production during a quarterly conference call with shareholders on May 30.
Returning to full capacity
Since the fall of 2012, Sanderson Farms has been running at 6 percent below capacity at all plants in response to the high cost of feed. With better feed supplies anticipated, Sanderson said the company will soon resume running at capacity.
Sanderson Farms is keeping its eye on factors "beyond our control" that affect the poultry industry, Sanderson said, including not only the corn and soybean crops, but also fears of avian influenza in China and macroeconomic conditions that influence people's purchasing decisions. Once it is satisfied those factors will not be a hindrance to production and profitability, the company will resume full production.
Processing to pick up each quarter of 2013
Butts believes Sanderson Farms will process about 3.05 billion pounds of fresh chicken this fiscal year, a year-over-year increase of about 2.9 percent. An estimated 794.7 million pounds will be processed in the third fiscal quarter, and about 813.7 million pounds are expected to be processed during the fourth fiscal quarter. These estimates could be impacted by weather, bird performance and other factors, Butts cautioned.
The company's second quarter of 2013 saw 705.8 million pounds of chicken processed, a 2.8 percent decrease from the 726.3 million pounds recorded in the same quarter the previous year. However, Butts said Sanderson Farms still exceeded its expectations for the quarter, which ended April 30.
"We previously projected we would process 704.4 million pounds during the quarter," said Butts. "While we actually processed slightly fewer head than we projected, that miss was offset by higher live weights and yields than we expected. These numbers reflect the additional pounds processed at our Kingston, N.C., plant, offset by the 6 percent production cut at all our plants we announced last fall."
Sanderson said the company was not yet ready to offer projections for fiscal year 2014.
Demand poses challenges with bird weights
The size of the birds processed will offer one challenge in attaining Sanderson Farms' goal of increased production. Weights may have been a little higher than Butts expected in the second quarter, but they have still been lower than the company would like. Sanderson believes this problem is impacting both his company and the greater industry. The consumer demand for chicken has prompted processors to produce as much meat as possible, which means some birds are slaughtered before they reach optimum weights.
"Processors were running all-out," Sanderson said. "Our weights were a little light, frankly. We've been short all month, and we needed to put some age on our chickens, particularly our big birds or deboning birds. My guess is other processors may be in the same boat. I would not be surprised if weights may not be as heavy in May as they were in April because processors were running all out to keep up with this demand we've had."
Heat can also prevent chickens from reaching the desired live weight, but Sanderson does not consider that a big factor for April and May. Sanderson said during the conference call that temperatures had not yet reached 90 degrees at Laurel, Miss., where the company is headquartered. However, heat could be more of a factor in June and July, he added.
Plans for new plant progressing
Sanderson Farms' overall production will increase once a proposed processing facility in Palestine, Texas, is built. The company has not yet said when construction will begin, but that announcement could come in the not-too-distant future.
"The timing of that new project is subject to the health of our balance sheet, the quality of our performance at our existing plants, this year's grain crop and final approval from our board of directors," said Sanderson. "We have made progress paying down our debt, and I expect to continue that this summer. I'm satisfied our balance sheet is in good shape. We will watch the progress of the grain crops and talk with our board later this summer, regarding the start date."
The company had earlier stated it is also considering options to build in North Carolina once the Palestine plant is running. While Sanderson did not address plans beyond Palestine during the conference call, he did say they want to continue to expand.
"Our appetite is to build processing plants," he said.