New Products and Services for the Egg Industry

Feb 12, 2012

Following demonstrations at the IPE, Smart Motion Robotics will install a number of systems which integrate bar code labeling, product tracking and sorting. The system is capable of stacking seven pallet spaces and can operate in a space of under 1,000 ft² with 13 ft clear height. The Smart Stacker System has been reconfigured to operate in small spaces as a retrofit in existing plants.

Smart Motion Robotics is also supplying a robot to load and unload pallets into a Kuhl washer. The robot is self cleaning after every cycle. The system offers fully automated pallet washing with a cycle time exceeding 200 pallets per hour.

Probiotics to Help Suppress SE

Jan 12, 2012

Ross Wolfenden Ph.D. and Jillian Yarnell DVM.

Pacific Vet Group-USA of Fayetteville, AR is manufacturing and marketing two probiotic formulations which have proven to be beneficial in layer, broiler and turkey production.

Sporulin^® is a direct-feed microbial (DFM) added to diets to modify intestinal flora to help reduce colonization with Salmonella spp.
FloraMax-B11^® is a blend of specifically selected beneficial bacteria formulated to be administered via the drinking water. This product can be administered to flocks during critical production periods, after stress induced by disease and especially after administration of antibiotics which disturb the balance of beneficial microorganism in the intestinal tract.

Enrichable Housing – An Update

Dec 23, 2011

Recently EGG-CITE had the opportunity to review progress in the development and market acceptance of the Big Dutchman AVECH enrichable cages with Terry Pollard, VP Sales for North America.

EGG-CITE: How did the AVECH enrichable cage system develop for the U.S. Market?

Terry Pollard: The genesis of the AVECH system was passage of California Proposition #2. J.S. West Company demonstrated courage and leadership by purchasing and installing an enriched Big Dutchman system based on the extensive experience and application of the modular approach in the EU.

FSNS Emerges as a Leader in Laboratory Services for the Egg Industry

Dec 22, 2011

Food Safety Net Services, founded in 1995, offers a comprehensive range of laboratory services including microbiological assays and analysis for contaminants, auditing and educational programs. The United Egg Producers have accorded FSNS “preferred supplier” status based on an evaluation of procedures, competence, reliability and a commitment to service.

In addition to the corporate and main laboratory location in San Antonio TX., FSNS operates seven regional locations coast-to-coast (see block below) offering rapid results through 24/7 operation and electronic transmission of data.

SSF Enzyme Reduces Production Costs

Dec 20, 2011

Trials conducted at the University of Nebraska by Dr. Sheila Purdham have demonstrated the financial benefit of supplementing diets with Alltech Allzyme ® SSF enzyme when using high inclusion levels of DDGS.

A randomized complete block design was used to evaluate five levels of Dakota Gold® BAX™ DDGS represented by 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% or 40% inclusion rate. Allzyme® SSF was incorporated in diets at 0.02%. The enzyme has a broad range of substrate activities as indicated in Table 1. Diets not supplemented with enzyme were formulated to provide 2,875Kcal/kg, 16.75% crude protein, 0.88% lysine and 0.44% methionine. Diets supplemented with Alltech® SSF were reformulated to provide 2,800Kcal/kg with the same amino acid levels. For the purpose of reformulation, Allzyme® SSF enzyme was assigned an ME value of 75Kcal/kg and 0.1% calcium and 0.1% available phosphorous.

Butyrate Supplement Reduces Wet Droppings

Nov 15, 2011

A commercial sodium butyrate additive, Adimix 30 (“Ultramix”) included at the rate of ½ lb per ton of feed has been shown to reduce wet droppings in commercial hens especially when excess crude protein is incorporated in diets. According to Dr. Pim Langhout, Poultry Global Business Development Manager, for Nutriad, an imbalance of amino acids or high levels of crude protein will lead to proteolytic fermentation in the distal intestinal tract.

Smart Motion Robotics completes Installations

Nov 15, 2011

David Voell Senior Vice President for Smart Motion Robotics has announced a number of new installations confirming the acceptance of robotic handling in egg-processing plants.

The Maricopa AZ. Plant owned by Hickman’s Family Farms now has a complete complement of robots. These include four SmartPackers, on overwrap machine and one palletizer. It is anticipated that Smart Motions Robotics will supply additional robot equipment for plants for this progressive producer at their Buckeye, AZ. Operation.
Midwest Poultry Services has just commissioned robots in their automated egg-packing plant in Manchester IN which is equipped with six SMR SmartPackers. According to Management the installation exceeded expectations having achieved 99% run time and contributing to increased throughput and a favorable return on investment.

DSM Receives Award for Maxichick™

Nov 8, 2011

DSM Nutritional Products received the 2011 Innov’Space Award at the 25^th SPACE trade Fair in Rennes France.

The award recognizes the contribution of Rovimix, Maxichick™, a combination of Rovimix® Hy-D® and Carophyll® canthaxanthin pigment.

The Need to Supplement Layer Diets for Adequate Yolk Color

Nov 7, 2011

Recent studies conducted by an independent laboratory using the DSM yolk color comparison fan and the Orka Egg Quality instrument confirmed the seasonal variation in intensity of yolk color. Most of the xanthophylls pigments in feed are supplied by corn and its derivative DDGS. New-crop corn is generally adequate in xanthophyll pigments to achieve acceptable yolk color for generic eggs. Prolonged storage, especially under conditions which promote oxidative degradation of these compounds will reduce the xanthophyll content of diets and hence intensity of yolk color.

Alltech Mycotoxin Binder Patent

Oct 18, 2011

Alltech has received confirmation from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office confirming the validity of U.S. patent number 6,045,834 C1. This relates to technology to bind and inactivate mycotoxins in animal feed. The patent remains in force through April 2019.

KESTREL Environmental Instrument

Oct 10, 2011

The Kestrel 3000 instrument is a valuable management aid in numerous areas of poultry production. Neilsen-Kellerman of Boothwyn, PA. manufactures a range of instruments to measure environmental variables for professional, recreational and industrial applications.

Over a period of years the Kestrel Model 3000 has demonstrated value as an aid in managing ventilation systems in hatcheries, poultry houses and in egg packing plants.

DSM Promotes Vitamin D

Sep 23, 2011

DSM the world’s largest manufacturer of vitamins is promoting vitamin D₃ to raise the content of this nutrient in eggs and to enhance production efficiency. It is possible to raise the egg yolk content of vitamin D₃ seven- fold by nutritional supplementation. One egg from hens receiving additional vitamin D₃ can supply up to 50% of daily requirement.

Farmer Automatic — Evaluation of In-House Manure Composting

Aug 31, 2011

Introduction

In-house manure composting has been shown to be technically and financially feasible for high-rise units. Advantages include positive control of mice, suppression of flies and the production of a more manageable and saleable product.

Since the introduction of the FDA Final Rule on Preventing SE in Eggs the control of rodents is a critical component of compliance. Based on experience it is axiomatic to accept that mice and flies will always be a risk factor for SE in conventional high-rise units in which pits accumulate manure for up to a year.

In-house composting provides an interim solution to the problem of manure handling until houses are eventually closed for obsolescence or converted to enrichable-belt manure systems.

The logistic of the process, capital and operating costs and return on in-house composting are provided as a guide for the U.S. Egg Production Industry.

FSNS Offers Comprehensive Lab Services

Aug 15, 2011

Food Safety Net Services (FSNS), established in 1994, comprises a national network of ISO/IEC accredited laboratories to provide a range of microbiological testing and analytical services.

FSNS is headquartered in San Antonio TX, with laboratory installations in Dallas TX, Phoenix AZ, Los Angeles CA, Fresno CA, Columbus OH and Atlanta GA, to provide 24-365 service for the livestock, pharmaceutical and food industries.

Insect Electrocuter

Aug 1, 2011

Gardner Products of Wisconsin have introduced the Model EG-3030 module specially designed for inside use in poultry houses, packing plants and work areas. The unit has been design with low profile to operate in areas with low ceiling height. The EG-3030 emits 30 watts of UV light as an attractant.

Elector® PSP Available to treat Mite Infestation

Aug 1, 2011

Elanco Animal Health is now offering Elector® PSP to treat pullets and hens for mites (Ornithonyssus spp). These ectoparasites remain on the hen for their entire lifecycle which can be completed within three days from egg to adult. The economic impact of mite infestation varies according to the health status of the flock including immunocompetence but it is generally accepted that production may be reduced by at least 2%. There is an adverse effect on feed efficiency due to the blood meals taken by the nymph adult stages.

Bayer Animal Health Release Credo D

Jun 30, 2011

Bayer Animal Health has released Credo® D incoporating D Star™ adjuvant. The active ingredient is imidaclopid in a formulation specifically developed to control darkling beetles (Alphitobius diaperinus).

ORKA Instruments Measure Egg Quality

Jun 21, 2011

Instruments manufactured by ORKA Food Technology are gaining world market share based on their versatility, cost and reliability.

The current range comprises:

The Egg Analyzer; this instrument determines the weight of eggs, albumen height, Haugh units, yolk color and USDA grade for routine quality control and regulatory compliance
The Egg Force Reader; this device measures the force required to crush a shell and is a direct measure of marketability
The Egg Shell Thickness Gauge; this instrument uses ultrasound to measure the thickness of shells for quality control and research applications.

Bossar Pouch Machine

May 15, 2011

Bossar has released the BMK 2600 Pouch Machine.

The spout is attached at a 35° angle to facilitate product filling. The system was unveiled at Interpack Expo in Germany and can be integrated with a Rovema BRL-1200 Robot Loader Econo-Pak tray erector.

This system is suitable for liquid egg products.

For further details on this packaging, visit the Bossar website at www.bossar.com

Rodent Exclusion

May 2, 2011

Global Material Technology markets a range of products under the Xcluder™ brand to fill possible routes of entry by rodents into poultry housing.

Excluder strips and blocks of specially formulated stainless steel and synthetic fiber can be used to block holes around electrical conduit and pipes passing through walls and to patch openings.

This combination of materials is more durable and rodent-resistant than polyurethane foam. Xcluder™ is available in strips and blocks in a variety of packs.

For further information access the company website www.getxcluder.com