Simon M. Shane*(290 million hens in production less specialty and breaking flocks)From the Author - Page 3HomeMerck and Sanofi abandon merger, industry will be better servedIn a joint release dated March 22, 2011, Merck Inc. and Sanofi-Aventis announced the “mutual termination of their agreement to form a new animal health joint venture.” It was proposed that Merck would merge their Intervet and Schering-Plough companies with 2010 U.S. revenue of $2.9 billion with the Merial subsidiary of Sanofi-Aventis, which generated $2.6 billion in the U.S. during the same year.HomeRepeal of the VEETC?Repeal of the VEETC? Simon M. Shane Senators Tom Coburn, R-OK, and Ben Cardin, D-MD, have introduced legislation into the Senate that would revoke the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, or VEETC. Currently blenders receive 45 cents for each gallon of ethanol incorporated into gasoline.HomeA perspective on “food hormones”Considerable concern is expressed by both consumer advocacy groups and some regulatory bodies relating to allegations of “hormones” being present in foods. Estrogenic compounds occur naturally in many grains and contribute to low and continual intake by consumers.Egg Production2011 Midwest Poultry Federation Convention concentrates on enrichable cagesThe annual Midwest Poultry Federation Convention incorporates both educational programs and a trade show attended by most of the equipment manufacturers and suppliers of services directed to the egg industry. Exhibits are common to the International Poultry Exposition in Atlanta that features egg equipment in alternate years. Concentration on the egg industry is more evident at the MFP Show, and a review of products is facilitated by the proximity of booths located in the single hall.Egg ProductionAdverse climatic conditions result in xanthophyll additive shortageIt is evident that adverse climatic conditions affecting the major areas producing marigold petals, the source of xanthophyll pigment, has affected the supply of commercial products.Transition from an El Niño to a La Niña has resulted in droughts in many regions, including Southern China and Peru, which are the major producing areas.Egg ProductionAssessing the FDA Final Rule on SENow that the FDA Regulation to Prevent SE in Shell Eggs during Production, Storage and Transportation (the “Final Rule”) has been in effect for eight months it is appropriate to review the impact on our industry. At the outset I would risk being considered a heretic by stating that the Final Rule has been beneficial and in retrospect will eventually be viewed favorably by producers.HomeDemand for GE corn for ethanol on the riseThe U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced full deregulation of “Enogen,” a GM corn cultivar developed by Syngenta. The strain produces the enzyme amylase, enhancing production of ethanol.Egg ProductionCan the 'nanny state' approach reduce obesity?There is no question that obesity is a serious problem among a wide range of demographics in the U.S. The economic implications of childhood obesity leading to subsequent diabetes and metabolic dysfunction are well documented.Egg ProductionHighlights from the 2011 International Poultry Scientific ForumAlthough the International Poultry Scientific Forum held immediately preceding the International Poultry Expo has an emphasis on broiler production, some of the 159 platform presentations and 100 posters related to aspects of the nutrition and health of flocks producing shell eggs. The significant categories and individual presentations are reviewed here.HomeHighlights from the 2011 International Feed ExpoA number of new and improved products and services from U.S. and international suppliers were displayed at the 2011 International Feed Exposition in Atlanta. Readers are urged to review company websites for additional information.HomeEurope experiences dioxin contaminationAccording to recent press reports from the first of the year onwards, up to 5,000 small and intermediate scale poultry and hog farms in the states of Lower Saxony and adjacent North Rhine Westphalia have been affected by feed contaminated with dioxins. The preliminary investigations carried out by state and federal officials in cooperation with the German Farmer’s Union, approximately 500 tons of feed manufactured by Harles and Jentzsch GmbH located in Uetersen was affected.HomeUS agricultural subsidies questionedThe New York Times published an editorial on January 15, 2011, questioning the continued value of agriculture subsidies. Given the need to reduce the Federal deficient, the commentator suggested that the 112th Congress should seriously question the $10 to $30 billion annually to support aspects of agriculture.Previous PagePage 3 of 21Next Page