Pilgrim’s to build new feed mill, expand poultry plant

Pilgrim's will construct a new feed mill facility in Pinckard, Ala., and renovate its poultry processing facility in Enterprise, Ala. The two projects, announced on August 28, equate to a $25 million investment in the state of Alabama.
"We are excited to announce our continued sommitment to Dale County, the communities of Enterprise and Pinckard, local family farmers, our customers and the Pilgrim's team members who work hard every day to make our business a success," said Jayson Penn, executive vice president of sales and operations for Pilgrim's. "This significant investment is consistent with our strategy of relentless pursuit of operational excellence and will improve our efficiencies, cost structure and competitiveness, while creating a safer work environment for our employees."
Pilgrim's will begin construction of the $15 million feed mill by late September, and the $10 million renovation of the existing processing facility by early 2014.
The Enterprise facility currently runs two shifts and employs more than 700 people, while processing more than a million birds a week. The new feed mill in Pinckard, Ala., will replace the existing mill in Enterprise and employ more than 25 people.
Penn expressed his appreciation to local government entities for their cooperation in the expansions. 

Volunteer soybeans put 2013 corn crop at risk of pests, diseases

One of the biggest threats to the emerging 2013 corn crop in Nebraska and South Dakota is the presence of volunteer soybeans, according to Chip Flory, ProFarmer editor and crop analyst. Flory shared that observation on August 27 during the Grain & Meat Outlook Webinar, hosted by WATT Global Media and Farm Journal. The webinar, the second in a series, remains available for online viewing.
Volunteer crops are not necessarily unusual, especially in farms where crops are rotated. But the presence of soybeans in corn fields is concerning to Flory.
"In a lot of those fields, there are some pretty good beans in there once you get the corn out of the way," Flory said.
However, the presence of soybeans in a corn field is a serious matter, Flory added, because it is a harbor for soybean diseases and pests that can harm the corn. It has also brought aphids to the corn crop.
Despite the problems brought on by the presence of volunteer soybeans in some corn fields, Flory said the 2013 corn crop looks "very clean" and is at minimal risk for mycotoxins. 

Buffalo Wild Wings to expand into the Philippines

Buffalo Wild Wings annnounced plans to expand into the Philippines.

Buffalo Wild Wings will expand to the Philippines as the restaurant chain specializing in chicken wings has signed a development agreement with one of the country's premier restaurant operators to open Buffalo Wild Wings locations later in 2013. The company revealed its initiative to move into the Philippines on August 28.
"We are thrilled to continue our international expansion to the Philippines with The Bistro Group, and bring our wings, beer and exciting sports experience to even more guests across the globe," said Sally Smith, CEO and president of Buffalo Wild Wings. "The Philippines have passionate sports fans, who we believe will love the great atmosphere at Buffalo Wild Wings, as well as enjoy a menu filled with our classic hot fresh wings and local favorites."
Construction on restaurants is scheduled to begin in 2013, with restaurants planned for Makati City and the Manila area.
"The Philippines is among the fastest growing economies in Asia, so it is a natural choice for Buffalo Wild Wings," said Matt Brokl, vice president of International Development at Buffalo Wild Wings. "The economy is growing faster than China's and with an expanding middle class, there is a lot of enthusiasm for casual dining."
The company's international push began in 2011 with restaurants in Canada, where it has grown to include 13 locations. Buffalo Wild Wings in 2012 announced expansion into Mexico and the Middle East, where the company expects to open the first of those restaurants this year. The company continues to explore opportunities in other markets across the world. 

Pilgrim’s gets $25 million poultry grower suit ruling overturned

A 2011 ruling where poultry processor Pilgrim's was ordered to award about $25 million to several dozen contract growers was overturned in a federal appeals court on August 27. Pilgrim's had been sued by the poultry growers in 2009, with the growers alleging the company violated antitrust laws by trying to manipulate poultry prices.
A panel of the 5^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans determined that a federal magistrate judge was wrong to find that Pilgrim's in 2009 closed its chicken processing plant in El Dorado, Ark., and end its relationship with the contract growers in an effort to manipulate the price of chicken. The appeals court ruled that shutting the El Dorado plant, along with other plants in Douglas, Ga., and Farmerville, La., was a necessary move for the company to become economically viable, according to news reports.
Pilgrim's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy around the time of the plant closures, but has since emerged from bankruptcy. The company is now majority-owned by Brazilian meat and poultry processor JBS. 

Feed conference calls for paper submission

The FIAAP Asia conference focuses on feed ingredients and additives.

Papers are now being accepted for FIAAP Asia. The fifth in a series of conferences focusing on the ingredients and additives used in animal feed, pet food and aquafeed, FIAAP Asia will be held April 9, 2014 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center in Thailand.
Presentations must deliver new information to the international feed industry and relate to advances in animal feed ingredients and additives. Topics must have practical applications and should fall into the following categories:

• Functional ingredients for animal health and growth, their environmental impact, the manipulation of finished animal products and the optimization of available raw materials
• Feed additives that optimize physical quality, food chain safety and environmental impact
• Regional feed markets and market directions
• Traditional and new sources of proteins or carbohydrates
• Diet design and nutrient requirements specifically for conditions in the Asia Pacific
The deadline for presentation submissions is September 30, 2013. Visit the conference website for conditions of acceptance and further details or email: info@feedconferences.com.

Register for WATT meat, poultry supply forecast webinar

Join Dr. Paul Aho, Poultry Perspective, Dr. Chris Hurt, Purdue University and Brett Stuart, Global AgriTrends to hear their analyses of supply and demand trends in red meat and poultry markets during the WATT Meat and Poultry Supply and Price Forecast webinar.
The webinar will take place Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Central. To register for the webinar, go to WATTAgNet.com.
Attendees will learn:

• Forecast for red meat and poultry supply for the remainder of 2013 and into 2014
• Expected wholesale prices for red meat and poultry
• What impact exports will have domestic supply and prices

WVPA Congress concludes with success in France

The World Veterinary Poultry Association's (WVPA) XVIIIth Congress that was held in Nantes, France from August 19-23 was a "triumph," according to WVPA global president, Dr. Trevor Bagust.
The theme of "viral and bacterial enteric diseases" was the focus for the Avian Pathology Lecture, presented by Professor Filip van Immersel of Belgium.
"The French organizing team did WVPA proud with a program of some 500 oral and poster presentations and their hospitality and social events were exceptional. Nobody can have left this Congress without a better understanding of key topical issues such as influenza, campylobacter, in ovo vaccination and antibiotic resistance," Bagust said.
The event's main industry supporters, Ceva, MSD Animal Health, Merial and Zoetis, also praised the quality of the papers and posters. Another event highlight was the induction of the first 52 members elected to the WVPA's new Hall of Honor. The Bart Rispens Award (supported by MSD Animal Health) and the WVPA-Zoetis Young Poultry Veterinarian Awards were also presented.
"Hosting WVPA's XVIIIth Congress was an honor, which was made all the more memorable because we had poultry health experts attending from 79 countries and we were particularly pleased to have had a good turnout from Asia," the French organizer, Nicolas Eterradossi, added.
In 2014 WVPA will be hosting Regional Meetings in Asia and Europe.