Simon M. Shane*(290 million hens in production less specialty and breaking flocks)From the Author - Page 2HomeWhat is the real value of audits?The recent recall of eggs, representing approximately 2% of national production involving Wright County Eggs and Hillandale of Iowa functioning as an integral unit, has raised the question of the value of audits. Phillip Brasher writing in the Des Moines Register cites concern at Costco Wholesale Corp. since its auditors failed to detect the apparent deficiencies in the facilities operated by its egg supplier.HomeFeeding 10 billion people: the challengeGlobal dialogue is required to establish principles, criteria and indicators relating to sustainable beef production. A comprehensive presentation at the Sustainability Conference provided a broad overview of the challenges facing beef production. In a thought-provoking review of challenges facing the world, Bryan Weech, director for livestock agriculture for the World Wildlife Fund, discussed meat production with limited resources.HomeIs the WHO over-extended?Following the advent of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Asia during the early 2000s, the WHO emerged as the lead agency in the attempted eradication and control of the infection. Based on the dire predictions of an imminent human influenza pandemic, WHO “experts” first mandated an eradication policy. When this proved ineffective, the advisors to national governments accepted the inevitability of endemnicity with control by biosecurity and vaccination.HomeThe SE recall: Inevitable or accidental?It was considered prudent to refrain from commenting on the August recall following the SE traceback to Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms of Iowa until more facts emerged. As a cynical observation, the HSUS was not as restrained since its publicity immediately implicated intensive cage housing with an unjustified and unsubstantiated epidemiological relationship between SE infection in consumers and commercial production systems — but I digress.Egg ProductionAnti-confinement initiative proposed in Washington stateThree competing ballot initiatives have been pre-filed in the state of Washington over the use of cages to confine hens, with the intention of selecting one to be presented to voters at the November 2011 election. At this stage, the proponents of three measures have yet to collect the required 400,000 signatures, but following the precedent set in California in 2008, it is anticipated the electorate will be confronted with a ballot proposition, which will have profound implications for egg production in the state of Washington.Egg ProductionFDA proposes amendment to labeling regulationsThe Food and Drug Administration has proposed amending labeling regulations to allow producers to place the statutory safety directives under the lid of egg cartons. The FDA has stipulated that the statement “Keep Refrigerated” must still appear on the top or side panel of the carton.HomeChloramphenicol contamination of EU premixesAccording to a press release issued by a leading multinational producer of vitamins and premixes, residues of chloramphenicol, an antibiotic, were found in a competitor’s premix prepared in Germany from raw materials sourced presumably from Asia. Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic with intracellular proteolytic activity, which makes it extremely effective against both Gram positive and negative bacteria.Diseases & HealthExotic Newcastle disease reported in MexicoThe Mexican SENASICA (equivalent to the USDA-APHIS) has reported an outbreak of Exotic Newcastle disease (velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease) in the state of Baja California. The report dated January 26 indicated that mortality occurred in a flock of approximately 21,000 mature chickens which suffered 40% mortality within a few days before diagnosis followed by depletion of the survivors.Nutrition & FeedNuWest Milling: excellence in design and operationNuWest Milling of Hughson, Calif., recently celebrated their 10th year of operation. The facility supplies egg-production feed to the three founding partners in addition to providing specialty diets to outside clients.Poultry Nutrition & FormulationFeed additives represent major innovations at the 2011 IFEFeed additives for monogastric species represented the major innovations at the 2011 IPE. The major product categories represented included enzymes, prebiotics and probiotics all of which have the potential to enhance production efficiency in poultry and hog production.HomeWhat can we expect in 2011?A review of trends and events in 2010 provides some indication of how 2011 will play out. Of the seven major topics which will influence profitability for intensive livestock and poultry production and hence the feed industry during the year, five are either directly or indirectly influenced by Congress and the policies of the current Administration.Egg Production2010 Egg Industry Survey: Flock size to hold steadyEgg Industry conducts an annual opinion survey to assess the level of confidence among producers and to discern short-term future trends. These are influenced by regulatory, cost and market factors which will affect profitability in the coming year. The 2011 survey represented a cross section of production volumes, shell egg and breaking operations and geographic spread.Previous PagePage 2 of 21Next Page
