In a recent letter, the Farm Animal Welfare Coalition -- supported by the American Feed Industry Association -- questioned USDA Food and Nutrition Services’ policy on promoting vegan and vegetarian nutrition for publically-funded school luncheons.
The influence of the Vegetarian Resources Group is evident in the Healthy Meals Resource section of teen nutrition. The “Let’s Move Program,” in association with the USDA, is sponsoring a recipe contest for public school lunches which promotes whole grains, dark green and orange vegetables, dry beans and peas to the exclusion of dairy, meat and egg products.
Further information can be obtained from the FAWC coordinator at skopperud@polir.com or at +1.202.776.0071.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Alltech discusses modern animal production at seminar
 |
| From left: Pictured at Alltech’s Poultry Solutions Seminar, ‘Modern Animal Production – Turning Challenges into Opportunities,’ is Jon Ratcliff, F.A.C.S. Ltd. UK; Patrick Charlton, Alltech Regional director for Europe; and Patrick Wall, University College Dublin, Ireland. |
A six-person panel comprised of industry experts presented their views and answered questions on current issues. Topics included the global outlook for poultry production, changes in agriculture, legislation and the future of the European poultry industry. "Alltech's annual solution seminar series provides a unique forum for leading nutritionists, veterinarians and other industry experts to develop and share ideas on the future of our industry," said Alltech Europe Vice President Marc Larousse.
Delegates and speakers also participated in an electronic survey that asked questions regarding their opinions on the current state and future of the industry. Results revealed that 52% of respondents are concerned about the contamination of inorganic materials and 47% think chicken is the greenest meat (followed by fish, beef and pork). A large majority of attendees (72%) believe that research and development in the poultry industry is "vital for progress in the current market."
Monday, November 1, 2010
Cobb Germany conference held at new venue
Various Cobb executives spoke at the event, covering such topics as feed efficiency in chicken production, the global situation for the poultry market, profitability in broiler breeder production and auto vaccines. Cobb 500 performance results for Poland were also announced and Aneta and Pawel Tylka, the top flock owners, received a diploma and statue in acknowledgement.
October USDA corn, soybean estimates
The following tables present the October USDA estimates for the 2010 corn and soybean harvests and disposition of products. The major change is the 4% downward estimate in yield of corn which was reflected in a 15% increase in the CBT which soared over three trading sessions following release of the report. The corn harvest is however proceeding ahead of the level attained in the two preceding harvests. The lower production forecast and higher projected domestic use will sharply reduce ending stocks now projected at 902 million bushels. USDA estimates the season-average farm price at $4.60 to $5.40/bushel, approximately 60¢ up on both ends of the range.
The production of soybeans is forecast at 3,408 billion bushels and is down by 2.2% from the previous forecast based on lower harvested area and yield. The soybean price has risen probably in tandem with corn but the price also reflects international demand.The USDA October forecast is expected to be revised in November as the rise in the corn price represents serious financial implications for livestock producers marketing products into an economy in recession.
NSF International launches global food safety certification prep tool
NSF International has launched a free global food safety certification prep tool to help food companies determine whether they're ready for global food safety certification.
The online tool is a 21-question assessment that helps companies evaluate their facilities' readiness for compliance. The assessment is based on Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards. "This new tool provides a snapshot of a company's current food safety system and identifies where resources need to be allocated to bring its facilities into compliance with globally recognized food safety standards," said Director of Global Food Safety Certification for NSF International Robert Prevendar.
Participants receive a custom report that evaluates on a scale of 100, identifying specific areas that need to be addressed to successfully achieve certification.
The online tool is a 21-question assessment that helps companies evaluate their facilities' readiness for compliance. The assessment is based on Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards. "This new tool provides a snapshot of a company's current food safety system and identifies where resources need to be allocated to bring its facilities into compliance with globally recognized food safety standards," said Director of Global Food Safety Certification for NSF International Robert Prevendar.
Participants receive a custom report that evaluates on a scale of 100, identifying specific areas that need to be addressed to successfully achieve certification.
Top UK pig producer wins national award
 |
| Meryl Ward is presented with the latest David Black Award for services to the British pig industry by UK farm minister Jim Paice (at right) and BPEX chairman Stewart Houston. |
Meryl Ward received the 50th David Black Award at a ceremony in London. With her husband, Ward runs a combined pigs and arable business in eastern England that includes a breeding/finishing unit of 2,200 sows on which electronic feeding has been used in group gestation yards for the past 20 years. The enterprise also has a farm shop and conference center. She is on the board of the British Pig Executive (BPEX) and a member of the Farm Animal Welfare Council. Ward was also instrumental in establishing Agskills as a national training/scheme for pig-unit personnel.
USDA announces awards to fight hunger
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced 27 awards that will be given to various organizations to help fight hunger.
Funds for the awards come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). "The Community Food Projects grants give low-income communities the tools and resources they need to become self-sufficient in meeting their food needs while also responding to the nutritional issues of the community."
The recipients of the awards are:
* Chugachmiut, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, $25,000
* Community Serviced Unlimited, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., $299,375
* California State University, Monterey Bay, Calif., $250,000
* Common Good City Farm, Washington, D.C., $170,000
* Athens Land Trust, Athens, Ga., $287,690
* Our School at Blair Grocery, New Orleans, La., $299,600
* Angelic Organics Learning Center, Rockford, Ill., $299,184
* Four Directions Development Corporation, Bangor, Maine, $30,000
* Community Teamwork, Inc., Lowell, Mass., $45,543
* Community Action Duluth, Duluth, Minn., $19,805
* Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., $299,410
* Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources, Hattiesburg, Miss., $299,693
* National Center for Appropriate Technology, Butte, Mont., $297,757
* YMCA of Central New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M., $180,342
* Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, Ithaca, N.Y., $24,997
* Why Hunger, New York, N.Y., $250,000
* Myrtle Ave Commercial Revitalization and Development, New York, N.Y., $212,280
* New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Rochester, N.Y., $25,000
* Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties, Dayton, Nev., $300,000
* Corvallis Environmental Center, Corvallis, Ore., $25,000
* Adelante Mujeres, Forest Grove, Ore., $20,185
* Community Food Security Coalition, Portland, Ore., $250,000
* Southside Community Land Trust, Providence, R.I., $25,000
* Northwest Indian College, Bellingham, Wash., $25,000
* FareStart, Seattle, Wash., $299,545
* Fondy Food Center, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisc., $289,594
* Growing Power, Milwaukee, Wisc., $250,000
Funds for the awards come from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). "The Community Food Projects grants give low-income communities the tools and resources they need to become self-sufficient in meeting their food needs while also responding to the nutritional issues of the community."
The recipients of the awards are:
* Chugachmiut, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska, $25,000
* Community Serviced Unlimited, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., $299,375
* California State University, Monterey Bay, Calif., $250,000
* Common Good City Farm, Washington, D.C., $170,000
* Athens Land Trust, Athens, Ga., $287,690
* Our School at Blair Grocery, New Orleans, La., $299,600
* Angelic Organics Learning Center, Rockford, Ill., $299,184
* Four Directions Development Corporation, Bangor, Maine, $30,000
* Community Teamwork, Inc., Lowell, Mass., $45,543
* Community Action Duluth, Duluth, Minn., $19,805
* Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn., $299,410
* Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources, Hattiesburg, Miss., $299,693
* National Center for Appropriate Technology, Butte, Mont., $297,757
* YMCA of Central New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M., $180,342
* Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, Ithaca, N.Y., $24,997
* Why Hunger, New York, N.Y., $250,000
* Myrtle Ave Commercial Revitalization and Development, New York, N.Y., $212,280
* New York Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Rochester, N.Y., $25,000
* Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties, Dayton, Nev., $300,000
* Corvallis Environmental Center, Corvallis, Ore., $25,000
* Adelante Mujeres, Forest Grove, Ore., $20,185
* Community Food Security Coalition, Portland, Ore., $250,000
* Southside Community Land Trust, Providence, R.I., $25,000
* Northwest Indian College, Bellingham, Wash., $25,000
* FareStart, Seattle, Wash., $299,545
* Fondy Food Center, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisc., $289,594
* Growing Power, Milwaukee, Wisc., $250,000
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
