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Extent of Hard Cooked Egg Recall | Feb 20, 2012 |
Reference to the CDC website <www.cdc.gov> confirms the extent of the recall of hard cooked peeled eggs and egg salad products. To date, 30 food establishments have recalled product in 35 states following the recognition of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Fortunately there have been no reports of either morbidity or mortality as a result of the contamination from the product which was reportedly manufactured by the Wakefield NE plant operated by Michael Foods. |
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Help Sought for Haitian Egg Farms | Feb 20, 2012 |
EcoWorks International (EWI), a 501(c3) non-profit philanthropic organization is attempting to establish an egg production farm to house 20,000 layers in Ganthier in the vicinity of Port au Prince. EcoWorks International <www.ecoworksinternational.org> has been active in Haiti since 2009, designing and implementing projects contributing to improved education, health care, the environment and agriculture. The mission of the organization is to break the cycle of poverty through integrated sustainable programs with socioeconomic benefits.
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2012 IPE Attendance | Feb 20, 2012 |
USPOULTRY has announced that the 2012 International Poultry Expo drew 20,651 poultry and feed industry attendees. The annual premier poultry-related event in the World is jointly sponsored by U.S. Poultry and Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA). In analyzing attendance figures USPOULTRY confirmed that there were 4,142 international visitors from 100 nations.
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Midwest Conference Fast Approaching | Feb 20, 2012 |
The Midwest Poultry Federation convention is set for March 13th-15th in Saint Paul., MN. Preregistration can be arranged by contacting the program director, Lara Durben <lara@midwestpoultry.com>. Online registration is also available.
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Egg Exports | Feb 20, 2012 |
According to data released by the USDA, table egg exports for calendar 2011 attained 82.8 million dozen valued at $77 million, corresponding to a unit price of 92.9 cents per dozen. The 20 cent per dozen increase compared to calendar 2010 represented a rise of 27.4%. The corresponding volume and values for 2010 shell egg exports were 74.1 million dozen valued at $60.4 million. During 2011 Hong Kong was the largest importer with 42% of total volume followed by Canada (27%), the U.A.E (9.4%) and Japan (4.1%).
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AAAP Supports H.R. 3798 | Feb 17, 2012 |
The American Association of Avian Pathologist (AAAP) will support H.R. 3798 which will enforce the details of the agreement between the HSUS and UEP. The welfare requirements mandated by the agreement and incorporated in legislation include policies on molting, housing systems including floor space and egg branding to indicate housing system.
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“Ping-Pong” Eggs from China | Feb 17, 2012 |
Just when we thought nothing new could emanate from the Peoples Republic of China, media reports describe “rubber eggs” also referred to as “ping-pong eggs”. The unlikely explanation according to the Xinhua News Agency is that inclusion of high levels of cottonseed meal containing gossypol is responsible for the change in the composition of the albumen. Gossypol will result in discoloration of the yolk and at high levels will suppress egg production hence skepticism as to the stated “cause” of the problem.
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Animal Agriculture Alliance Security Recommendations | Feb 17, 2012 |
Kay Johnson of Animal Agriculture Alliance has reissued a 2008 review of security recommendations which relate directly to intrusion by animal activists resulting in either adverse publicity or vandalism.
The four-page document reviews necessary installations which will require capital investment, and expenditure for additional operational procedures and preemptive action.
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Walmart Launches Nutrition Initiative | Feb 13, 2012 |
The Walmart Grateful You nutrition initiative launched on February 7th is aimed at highlighting food products with acceptable nutrient profiles. Eggs are included in the program based on their competitively superior protein and vitamin content and value compared to many other food.
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Restaurant Performance Index Rises | Feb 13, 2012 |
The National Restaurant Association (“The other NRA!”) prepares a monthly performance index based on responses from members. The Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) comprises two components the Current Situation Index and the Expectations Index which measure same-store traffic, sales, labor and capital expenditure. The two components are averaged to produce the Restaurant Performance Index.
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DON Levels in Midwest Corn | Feb 13, 2012 |
Ethanol producers are rejecting corn with high levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) commonly known as “vomitoxin”. The problem is of special concern with late harvested corn which was subject to heavy rain. This promoted proliferation Giberella zeae (“ear rot fungus”) which elaborates DON. The process of fermentation to produce alcohol results in a threefold concentration of DON in DDGS compared to the feed-stock corn. Some consignments have been assayed at 20 to 25 ppm.
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Health Claims on Food Packaging Confusing | Feb 13, 2012 |
An international study conducted by Nielsen involving 25,000 internet respondents in 56 nations confirms a high level of confusion among consumers concerning label claims on food packaging. The report documented that 59% of consumers have difficulty interpreting labels. Over 7% of the respondents claim that they did not understand nutritional labels at all. The survey also showed that half of the respondents consider themselves to be overweight and 78% are trying to lose weight through dieting.
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HSI Calling for Phase-out of Battery Cages | Feb 13, 2012 |
In a January 2012 posting, the Humane Society International of Canada is calling for a phasing- out of (presumably) conventional battery cages. The National Farm Animal Care Council will update the Code of Practice for egg laying hens at the request of Egg Farmers of Canada in 2012. It is estimated that more than 95% of the 27 million hens producing table eggs in Canada are housed in conventional cages.
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USPOULTRY Environmental Seminar | Feb 12, 2012 |
USPOULTRY will present the 2012 Environmental Management Seminar on March 7th/8th at the Double Tree Hotel in Nashville TN.
The program will include Regulatory and Legal Updates; Sustainability-Overview and Implementation and New Technology for Environmental Management. The program will be of interest to egg producers although the primary focus is the broiler industry. For further information contact the U.S.Poultry and Egg Association <www.uspoultry.org>.
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New Methionine Restriction for Organic Production | Feb 12, 2012 |
The National Organic Program administered by the USDA will soon publish a rule that will reduce the addition rate of synthetic methionine in organic feeds to 2 pounds per ton, presumably the active form of the amino acid.
There is absolutely no scientific justification for this action which reflects a stone-age mentality at best or blatant venality at worst on the part of purists that wish to confine organic production to small-scale family units. Reducing the quantity of synthetic methionine in diets will degrade production efficiency and would actually be contrary to the principle of sustainability.
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Change of Leadership at UEP | Feb 12, 2012 |
The February 3rd edition of the UEP newsletter United Voices confirms that Gene Gregory who has served as the UEP President for five years and has been associated with the organization for 40 years will retire at the end of 2012. The Board of Directors has appointed Chad Gregory to succeed Gene as President. This decision will result in “a seamless leadership transition that will benefit our industry and our members”, according to the UEP Chairman. Chad Gregory has worked for UEP since 1998 and has most recently been involved in the negotiation with the HSUS leading to the 2011 Agreement.
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AFBF Opposes Restriction on Antibiotics | Feb 12, 2012 |
The American Farm Bureau Federation is lobbying Congress to oppose legislation that will restrict the use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry feeds. In their letter the organization stated “the Farm Bureau and its members use antibiotics carefully, judicially and according to label instructions to treat, prevent and control disease in their flocks and herds.” Although there is a case for Veterinarians to administer antibiotics applying appropriate professional and ethical considerations, there is little support in Congress to retain antibiotics to promote growth or for preventive purposes.
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Missouri Opposition to HSUS and PETA | Feb 12, 2012 |
According to a note in AgClips edited by Dr. Carolyn Orr, <bovinevetonline.com> has reported on the investigative activities of the Missouri Farmers Care Group. The organization has analyzed the funding received by a group the “Your Vote Counts” attempting to place a proposition before voters in the state. The MFCG has ascertained that the ASPCA and HSUS contributed respectively $50,000 and $87,000 in funding to the lobbying group. At issue is a citizens-backed initiative to place on a statewide ballot in November a constitutional measure requiring a three fourths majority vote in both the House and Senate to repeal certain laws.
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Humane for Pets.com Solicits Attorneys | Feb 12, 2012 |
The Humane Society for Sheltered Pets has sent a circular letter to 12,000 estate attorneys aimed at cutting off bequest to HSUS. According to public records, in 2010 the HSUS apparently collected more than $26 million from this source of funding. Many of the donors anticipated that their bequests would support local pet shelters based on deceptive advertising and confusion over names. Recently the Seattle Humane Society stated “we have had issues with people who intend to name us in their will, but actually named the Humane Society of the United States.” A recent call indicated that 71% of US citizens are under the impression that HSUS is a national “umbrella group” for pet shelters.
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Alltech Appoints New Vice President for the EU | Feb 12, 2012 |
Alltech Inc. has announced the promotion of Patrick Charlton to the position of Vice President, Europe, succeeding Mark Larousse who has assumed the title of Vice President, Business Development. Charlton is a 21 year veteran of Alltech and has worked in Africa, the Middle East and was previously responsible for BioPlex organic mineral product.
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UK Disease Report | Feb 6, 2012 |
The Annual Report of diseases and related conditions prepared by DEFRA (analogous to the USDA) of the United Kingdom did not reveal any significant outbreaks or problems. Backyard flocks and range-housed commercial operations have reported intestinal infections including spirochaetosis caused by Brachyspira spp. Marek’s disease was diagnosed in backyard hens possibly attributed to deficiencies in vaccination and lapses in biosecurity during the brooding period.
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Alltech’s 28th Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium | Feb 6, 2012 |
The Alltech International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium for 2012 will take place in Lexington, Kentucky from Monday 21st May through Wednesday 23rd May. The theme of the symposium will be the “SMART Revolution” encompassing nutritional solutions, innovation and the use and conservation of resources. Over a hundred speakers will present the latest information and their opinions on a variety of topics concentrating on individual segments of the food anuimal, companion species and pet food industries.
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Alltech Promotional Breakfast | Feb 6, 2012 |
Dr. T Pearse Lyons Founder and President of Alltech Inc served as host and principal speaker at the Alltech Breakfast on Wednesday 25th January during the International Poultry Exposition in Atlanta.
In reviewing innovation he cited Henry Ford saying “if I had asked people what they wanted in the way of transport they would have said faster horses”.
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