The PoultrySite Digital - April 2011 - Issue 4 by 5m Publishing

Global Poultry Trends 2010

Global Poultry Trends

Avian Flu in US Would Cut Poultry Consumption

Regional News, Company News, Events in Your Area

Trends in Europe's egg processing sector

But a new survey says the effect would not be significant

Plus much, much more..!

Site

The

POULTRY Digital Expert Knowledge at your Fingertips April 2011 - Issue 4

Wide Spectrum of Nutrition Research Presented at International Science Forum Nutrition was the main theme in five sessions at the International Poultry Scientific Forum in Atlanta, USA, in January 2011. Jackie Linden, senior editor of ThePoultrySite, has summarised a selection of the papers to give a flavour of the variety of research work presented at the meeting. BROILER GUT MICROFLORA AND THE ROLE OF NUTRITION Environmental and nutritional challenges can significantly affect broiler performance and economics of poultry meat production. Possible negative changes in gut microflora associated with these challenges may accentuate further performance responses observed in broilers today, according to E. Pierson of Danisco Animal Nutrition presenting a paper on behalf of Professor E.T. Moran of Auburn University. The results of the work revealed that age and stocking density were the factors that most affected the gastrointestinal mucosal bacterial communities, with the low-density negative control

having a similar profile of microflora to the birds kept at high stocking density. A greater number of species of of intestinal microflora is associated with better health and performance, according to the researchers. A combination of Avizyme 1502 containing (minimum per kg diet) of Îą-amylase (300u), xylanase (400u) and protease (4000u) and Phyzyme XP age... Continued on page 4 1

April 2011 - Issue 4

Expert Knowledge at your Fingertips

Global Poultry Trends 01

2010

COVER FEATURE

ARTICLE

Wide Spectrum of Nutrition Research Presented at International Science Forum

More Egg Products But Fewer Processors in Europe

Nutrition was the main theme in five sessions at the International Poultry Scientific Forum in Atlanta, USA, in January 2011. Jackie Linden, senior editor of ThePoultrySite, has summarised a selection of the papers to give a flavour of the variety of research work presented at the meeting.

In the final part of his review of Europe's egg industry, Terry Evans focuses on the individual countries and their contribution to the egg processing industry.

Editorial

Avian Flu in US Would Cut Poultry Consumption â&#x20AC;&#x201C; But Not Much

Differential Immunological Gene Expression after Echerichia coli Infection in Chickens

A word from the Editor

Poultry meat consumption patterns would decrease to varying levels around the nation but not significantly overall if there were to be an outbreak of avian flu in the US, according to a consumer survey carried out by Kansas State University.

Gene expression in response to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infection was assessed for four genes that may be useful candidates for future research into breeding for resistance against this infection, according to Emma Balfanz and co-workers in Iowa State University's Animal Industry Report 2011.

20 24 26

Regional News The latest news from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania

Events

For Editorial Enquiries:

Keep up to date with what is happening in the global poultry industry.

Jackie Linden jackie.linden@5mpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1234 818180

Company News

For Advertising Enquiries:

News from our advertisers

Alex Guy Alex.guy@5mpublishing.com Tel: +44 (0) 1234 818180

Editorial Welcome to ThePoultrySite Digital Issue 4

Focus on Feeding With the relentless rise in feed prices, it seems like a good time for ThePoultrySite Digital to focus on feeding and nutrition as the theme of this month's issue, and offer a few tips to producers to get the very best out of the precious feed they buy.

Other articles in this issue cover the likely effect on poultry meat consumption in the US if there were to be an outbreak of avian flu in the country, and Iowa researchers have identified four genes that offer potential for the future control of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC).

With this on mind, we offer a flavour of the variety of research work presented at the International Poultry Scientific Forum in Atlanta in January. Nutrition was the main theme in no less than five sessions at that meeting, and we include reports on a range of topics from amino acid requirements and beating mycotoxins to feed additives that improve performance or control potential foodborne pathogens.

Jackie Linden ThePoultrySite.com Senior Editor

One paper from Brazil compared performance of commercial broilers fed diets differing in protein level.The results highlight the dilemma of producers today: the medium-protein diet was sufficient to maximise body weight at the end of the study, whereas feed conversion improved step-wise with the high-protein diet. However, using ingredient costs and meat market prices in Brazil in January 2009 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a time of high feed ingredient prices â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the best economic return was obtained with the lowprotein diet. The second feature in this issue covers the current trends in egg processing in the European Union. Around one-quarter of eggs are processed but while the industry is growing in both volume and product variety, mergers & acquisitions have reduced the number of companies involved in this business. Industry specialists offer an insight into the latest trends in this sector.

Feature Article Wide Spectrum of Nutrition Research Presented at International Science Forum Continued from front page...

TPT (500 FTU phytase) were supplemented at two levels to corn-soy based formulations in male Ross 708 (Aviagen) broilers reared to 42 days of age at two densities (15 and 30 birds; 4.18 square metres). Essential nutrient requirements (NRC) were assured with the positive control (PC) formulations. Enzyme and bird density treatments were also compared when metabolisable energy (ME), available phosphorus and calcium were reduced in negative control diets (NC). All chicks received Coccivac-D (Schering-Plough) in lieu of a coccidiostat before placement on used litter; no antimicrobials were employed. At 42 days of age, higher bird density resulted in significantly lower gain (up to 6.2 per cent), lower feed consumption (up to 7.7 per cent) and higher mortality (up to three-times). At this age, NC birds had significantly lower body weight gain and greater mortality than PC. Supplementing NC diets with the combination of enzyme products increased body weight and provided relief from mortality to levels similar with the PC. A difference in live performance was not apparent when enzyme supplementation was decreased in half. Gastrointestinal tracts were sampled on days 1 and 42 for microbial community assay. Age and stocking density strongly influenced the gastrointestinal mucosal bacterial communities. Some treatment differences in these variables were also observed at each stocking density, say the researchers.

ARGININE REQUIREMENTS OF GROWING BROILERS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE An assessment of the digestible arginine (dArg):lysine (dLys) ratio of male broilers aged 28 to 42 days under an increasing temperature regimen was presented by Dr P. Tillman of Poultry Technical Nutrition Services LLC in work carried out with Mississippi State University and Ajinomoto Heartland LLC6. Under the conditions of this trial, the ratio of dArg:dLys appears to be no higher than 105 for broilers of this age, concluded Dr Tillman and his co-authors.

"The ratio of appears to b than 105 f aged betwee days"

Male Ross 708 broilers between 28 and 42 days of age were used. A pelleted control and seven pelleted exPoultry Technic perimental diets were fed during the trial, all based on corn, soybean meal, corn DDGS and Pro Plus. The control diet was formulated with minimum digestible essential amino acid ratios (dTSAA: 77, dThr:68, dVal:78, dIle:68. dTrp:16.5 and dArg:105) set relative to a 1.00 per cent dLys. Treatment diets were formulated with dEAA ratios set 0.5 points higher (except dArg:dLys) than the control diet, relative to a 0.95 per cent dLys. 'Low' and 'high' diets were blended to produce five intermediate treatments, set five ratio points apart. A standard declining temperature regimen was followed from days 0 to 27, at which time a

ring the summer when raising high-lean genotype broilers in close-sided houses during the latter phases. Birds were processed on day 42 and no significant treatment effects, linear or quadratic trends were noted for bodyweight gain, feed intake, or weight or yield of carcass, fat pad, or breast. Both dArg intake and dArg intake per unit of bodyweight showed a linear trend with increasing ratio.

f dArg:dLys e no higher or broilers en 28 and 42

Although no linear or quadratic trends were noted for feed utilization, the 100, 125 and 130 ratio were significantly different than the control.

Under the conditions of this trial, the ratio of dArg:dLys apcal Nutrition Services LLC pears to be no higher than 105 for broilers aged between 28 and 42 days, said Dr Tillman. Dr P. Tillman

LOW-PROTEIN DIETS GIVE BEST BROILER MARGINS WHEN FEED PRICES ARE HIGH S.L. Vieira, a scientist at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, with support from Novus International, presented an economic evaluation of feeding programme with different amino acid densities for Cobb Ă&#x2014; Cobb 500 male and female broilers5. He and his co-authors found that the physical performance of the broilers on the Medium-protein diets gave the highest bodyweight gains but that the diet with 12 per cent more digestible lysine improved feed conversion and reduced abdominal

improved feed conversion and reduced abdominal fat. However, the best returns, calculated at a time of high feed prices in Brazil, were achieved on the Low-protein diet. "It was not worthwhile increasing the protein level," said Dr Viera. In total, the researchers used 1,200 Cobb Ă&#x2014; Cobb 500 day-old chicks, 600 of each sex. Corn-soybean meal diets were formulated with energy and nutrient levels suggested by a group of nutritionists representative of the Brazilian broiler industry. A four-phase feeding programme was used: 1 to 7, 8 to 21, 22 to 35 and 36 to 40 days of age. Diets were formulated using the ideal protein concept with minimum ratios between AA and Lys as follow: SAA: 75 per cent; Thr: 65 per cent; Val: 75 per cent (1 to 21 d) and 78 per cent (22 to 40 d); Ile: 65 per cent (1 to 21 d) and 67 per cent (22 to 40 d); Arg: 105 per cent; Trp: 19 per cent. The suggested diet (medium) was used as a reference (22.5, 21.4, 20.3, 19.5 per cent CP and 1.25, 1.19, 1.09, 1.05 per cent digestible lysine, respectively, in the phases from 1 to 40 days) to formulate the High and Low protein diets, respectively with increases and decreases of 12 per cent in digestible lysine. Energy and further nutrients were the same within the dietary treatments. Males had an overall better live performance than females, whereas percentage yields of carcass and breast meat were higher for females. There were no interaction between sex and diet. The Medium diet was sufficient to maximise body weight at the end of the study, whereas the stepwise improvements in feed conversion (FC)

Feature Article Wide Spectrum of Nutrition Research Presented at International Science Forum

(FC) followed to the High diet.There were no differences in carcass yields for the diets. Using ingredient costs and meat market prices from Brazil in January 2009, the best economic return were obtained with the Low diet, followed by the Medium and then the High diet, said Dr Viera. FEED ADDITIVES PARTIALLY OVERCOME MYCOTOXIN EFFECTS IN TURKEYS The efficacy of feed additives to reduce the biological effect of naturally occurring mycotoxins fed to turkey hen poults reared to six weeks of age was reported by J.E. Nixon of North Carolina State University on behalf of colleagues there and at Ag ProVision LLC1.

(1.51 vs 1.47 ± 0.01). Feeding the poults the mycotoxin feed resulted in decreased relative liver and heart weights and increased relative liver lipid, spleen, gizzard, pancreas and kidney weights. Relative bursa weight was not affected. Serum albumin, amino acid transferase, and titres to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) were reduced due to feeding the mycotoxin ration. The feed additives had little effect in the rations with the negative control diets ('without' rations). In the mycotoxin rations, the birds fed the additives had no change in bodyweight, reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion compared with the birds fed the mycotoxin feed without any feed additive.

"The best returns were achieved on the low protein diet"

The only observed physiS.L.Vieira ological effect of feeding Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul the additives was to Turkey hen poults were fed rations to six weeks of age, lessen the increase in relwith or without naturally occurring mycotoxins; ative kidney weight for the birds fed the mycocorn with aflatoxin (AF), wheat with deoxynitoxin feed. valenol (DON), and barley with zearalenone (ZEA), she explained. The control diet ('without') Feeding turkey poults naturally occurring mycocontained no AF, 1ppm DON and 0.5ppm ZEA. toxins at levels used in this study result in reThe test diet ('mycotoxin ration') contained duced performance, concluded J. Nixon.The feed 250ppb AF, 2ppm DON and 0.6ppm ZEA. additives used in this study alleviated the effect of dietary mycotoxins to some degree, she Within each ration treatment, there were four added. sub-treatments: the control ration plus one of three feed additives: Biomin BioFix (2lb/ton), TURKEY HENS CAN BE REARED WITHOUT Kemin Kallsil (4lb/ton) and Nutriad UNIKE ANTIBIOTICS (3lb/ton). R.M. Hulet of Pennsylvania State University preThe mycotoxin rations reduced poult BW (2.08 sented his results on turkey hen performance vs 2.31 ± 0.02 kg), reduced FI (3.11 vs 3.39 ± when fed diets containing a commercial control 0.004 kg/bd) and increased poult feed conversion diet with antibiotic-free (ABF) or the ABF diet

containing Actigen, a product similar to Bio-Mos (Alltech)2. With no disease or environmental challenges and under commercial densities and conditions, the turkey hens performed equally well when fed ABF or ABF-Actigen-supplemented diets as those fed commercial control diets, the researchers concluded. Commercial turkey hens are in need of efficient and effective diets to feed antibiotic free diets (ABF), said Dr Hulet, and the objective of this

study was to evaluate growth efficiency and performance of hen turkeys (Hybrid Converter) fed a commercial control diet (Control) containing antibiotics (Stafac 3g/ton from 0 to 6 weeks of age and 10g/ton from 6 to 12 weeks of age) compared with hens fed either an ABF diet or an ABF diet supplemented with Actigen (ABF+Actigen; 400g/ton 0 to 6 weeks of age and 200g/ton from 6 to 12 weeks of age). No significant difference was found in body weight, feed conversion or mortality in any period. Percent cumulative mortality (between 14 and 84 days of age) was 6.8, 2.2, and 3.1 per cent

Naturally ahead

Healthy gut strong chick! PoultryStar速 is a well - defined, multi-species synbiotic product that promotes a beneficial gut microflora through the combined action of probiotics and prebiotics. For the profitability of your chicks.

For more information, please visit:

www.poultrystar.biomin.net

info@biomin.net

Feature Article Wide Spectrum of Nutrition Research Presented at International Science Forum

acids in hops: the α-acids contribute the bitter flavour in beer, while the β-acids have a less bitter flavour but more antimicrobial activity. The researchers used freshly collected caeca contents collected from market-age broilers. These were pooled and placed in tubes with inoculated with C. jejuni and S. Typhimurium, with and without the hops extract and incubated for up to six hours at 40°C. Results of the present demonstrate that hop βacids added to broiler caecal contents can effectively reduce C. jejuni but not S. Typhimurium concentrations in vitro. Jackie Linden ThePoultrySite.com Senior Editor

or the Control, ABF and ABF+Actigen treatments, respectively. NATURAL ADDITIVES MAY HELP FIGHT FOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS The results of work on the effects of natural betaacids from hops on Campylobacter and Salmonella in vitro were presented by Dr N. Krueger of the USDA-ARS-SPARC Food and Feed Safety Research Unit at College Station, Texas3. Campylobacter and Salmonella are important foodborne pathogens that may colonize the gut of food producing animals, said Dr Krueger, and the objective of the experiment was to evaluate the effects of a hops β-acid solution at reducing C. jejuni and S.Typhimurium in a mixed population of market age broiler caeca bacteria. He explained that there are two groups of bitter 810

References All papers were presented at the 2011 International Poultry Scientific Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, US on 24 to 25 January 2011. 1) Grimes J.L., M.D. Koci, C.R. Stark, T.F. Middleton, P.K. Nighot and J.E. Nixon. 2011. Efficacy of feed additives to reduce the biological effect of naturally occurring mycotoxins fed to turkey hen poults reared to six weeks of age. 2) Hulet R.M. and T.L. Cravener. 2011. Turkey hen performance when fed diets containing a commercial control diet with antibiotic-free (ABF) or ABF containing Actigen diets. 3) Krueger N.A., J.A. Byrd, M.D. Flythe, R.C. Anderson and D.J. Nisbet. 2011. Effects of natural beta-acids from hops on Campylobacter and Salmonella in vitro. 4) Moran E.T., G.R. Siragusa, E.E.M. Pierson, J.A. Benson, J.C. Remus and M. Hruby. 2011. Effect of nutritional and environmental challenge on broiler performance and gut microflora changes. 5) Taschetto D., S.L.Vieira, A. Favero, J.E.P. Martinez, M. Mayorga and J.A. Meira. 2011.An economic evaluation of feeding programs with different amino acid densities for Cobb × Cobb 500 male and female broilers. 6) Tillman P.B., L. Mejia, A. Corzo and R.B. Shirley. 2011. Assessment of the digestible arginine:lysine ratio of 28 to 42 day of age male broilers under an increasing temperature regimen.

Feature Article

Global Poultry Trends More Egg Products But Fewer Processors in Europe Within the EU, around one-quarter of eggs are processed, according to industry watcher, Terry Evans, in the final part of his review of Europe's egg industry exclusively for ThePoultrySite.The industry is growing in both volume and product variety although mergers & acquisitions have slowed the increase in the number of companies involved in this business.

Global Poultry Trends is a series of articles exclusively prepared by industry watcher, Terry Evans, for ThePoultrySite

Global production of egg products is estimated to be in the region of 4.8 million tonnes as shell egg equivalent. It is difficult to assess the levels at which plants are operating but for Europe as a whole, there is the potential to produce almost 2.0 million tonnes of product, of which EU member countries could be responsible for some 1.8 million tonnes. Hence, within the EU, approximately one in four eggs could be diverted to egg processors.

life of both fresh and liquid products. Most manufacturers are certified according to ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) and BRC (British Retail Consortium) standards.

In Europe over the past 10 years, most of the larger egg product producers have expanded while some of the smaller operations have been taken over or merged to establish new modern facilities. Filiep Van Bosstraeten the CEO of Ovobel Ltd (Filiepsr@ovobel.com) kindly supplied the following appraisal of the European Union egg products industry. Because of strict EU regulations and the exacting requirements of the food industry egg processing in the EU is considered to be among, if not, the best in the world. Equipment is constantly being improved not only to higher capacities but also to stricter hygiene standards, and to extend to shelf 10

Global Poultry Trends 2010

Besides the normal growth for industrial use, a considerable and increasing quantity of egg products is being made for the catering industry. Several manufacturers are producing furtherprocessed products with added value, such as cooked and peeled eggs, poached eggs, French and Spanish omelettes, waffles, scrambled egg mixes, quiches, egg mayonnaise, custard cream and sport drinks. Further growth is anticipated in this sector of the market. The EU is self-sufficient in egg products and although imports from outside the Community grow in periods of high shell egg prices, the quantities remain relatively small. Because of a high level of consumption of egg yolk, the EU exports some dried egg albumen, mainly to the Far East. The eventual imposition of World Trade Organisation regulations, coupled with further cuts in ,

tariff protection resulting from bilateral agreements, will make the egg products business in the EU vulnerable. The cost of eggs in the EU has increased considerably because of welfare regulations that do not exist in most third countries and where producers may have the additional advantage of lower feed costs. Other legislation, such as the Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control Directive and salmonella control requirements have also had adverse impacts on the EU egg products industry's competitiveness. Within the EU, Eurovo (Italy) with plants in Italy, France, Poland and Spain remains the largest overall egg products manufacturer, while Igreca (France) is the biggest in spray-dried products.The Sanovo Group (Denmark) with factories in Denmark, Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic, and

the Weko Group (Netherlands) with plants in the Netherlands, Austria, Spain and Portugal are also in the top five egg products manufacturers in the EU. EUROPE'S LEADING EGG PROCESSORS Austria - The industry has not changed much in the past 10 years. The companies Amering, Falzberger, Pro-Ovo (owned by Weko-Netherlands) and Hessel Eier make products primarily for the local market. Ovoprot is the most important producer of powdered products. There are several trading companies specialising in the transit trade of products from third countries. In the past, these products were mainly from Eastern Bloc countries, Canada and the US, but nowadays they come mostly from South America and India.

Global Poultry Trends 2010 More Egg Products But Fewer Processors in Europe Belgium - The production of eggs and egg products has fallen markedly. Belovo decided to halt egg-breaking in Belgium, transferring production outside the EU to China, India and South America, and to concentrate its activities on the production of fine chemicals extracted from egg whites and yolks. Other Belgian processors such as Anseeuw, Hulstaert, LEC and Lodewijckx have made up for some of the loss in throughput, arising from the bankruptcy of Dion Vande Wiele but a large portion of this business has been taken over by processors from the Netherlands and France.

VIV Russia 2011 May 17 - 19, 2011

r Register now fo FREE entrance

Opening the gates to the Russian Feed to Meat trade

Bulgaria - The country has no commercial egg processing facilities. Czech Republic - Framagro with plants in Jicin and Prerov is a joint venture by the French group, Glon. Denmark - Sanovo Foods Ltd, part of the Sanovo Group is a major player in Europe, which through its own trading company, exports to Japan and the Far East. Sanovo has fully owned plants and important share-holdings in processing facilities in Denmark, Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic and the Far East. While Danegg Ltd's main activities are in shell eggs, it is also developing its egg products division with more added-value items. This company is also a major shareholder in Sweden's Kronägg. The production activities of Honum Ltd have been transferred to Hedegaard Ltd's own factory. Estonia - Eesti Munatooded – owned by Scanegg Suomi OY (Finland) – markets a wide range of products. Finland - Scanegg Suomi OY is now a daughter company of Munakunta,This company dominates the national market and has owned Estonia's A/S Eesti Munatooded since July 2006.The other Finish processor, Farmimuna OY, is a vertically integrated family-run business.

Moscow, Russia Feedtech-Croptech Russia 2011 5866,$

The dedicated event for the Russian Milling industries

France - Products output has shown continuous growth such that today they account for at least 25 per cent of egg consumption or more than 200,000 tonnes of shell egg equivalent.The trend towards greater concentration has continued.Although some 60 plants are listed, it is estimated that currently only about 30 are in operation, and larger groups control some of these.

Igreca is the biggest and most important processor of powdered products. Glon owns Trois Vallées, Lecam and Ovoland. With the recent acquisition of France Ponte-Inovo, Glon has the most diversified range of egg-based products for the catering industry. The Liot plant has been taken over by Italy's Eurovo, who already own Ovonor and the Caradec Group.The cooperative, Cecab, has reduced the production capacity at ABCD.While Cecab has halted output in Ovociel, it has increased capacity at PEP, which is exclusively dedicated to products of added value for the catering industry. Geslin has continued with its modernisation and expansion programme to become the second largest producer in France. Ferme du Pré has expanded capacity and is specialised in the production of extended shelf-life items, cooked and peeled eggs and poached eggs. Samo has increased production and added shelf life products to its range. Sovimo is now owned by Carlier. Among the independent egg products manufacturers that have exhibited considerable growth in recent years are Agrodoubs, Atlantic Ovo, Blanchard, Epi Bretagne. Lorandel, Soc.

Normande d'Ovoproduits, Ovoservice and Socovo. Valoroeuf (owned by Veos of Belgium) is a specialist in spray-drying technical egg products. Germany - The leading player is Ovobest followed by Eipro and Juchem. Sanovo (Denmark) remains active in the production facility in Zeven but has sold its interests in Rex Emsland to Ovobest. Other manufacturers include Bonner egg products, Cewo, Ei-Quick, Eisa, Ehlego and Rädler. Greece - Sovimo-Hellas, now owned by Greek egg producers and traders, has added cooked and peeled eggs and omelettes to its production. Zouras Farm has completed a new plant with facilities for making egg powders that will start up at the end of 2010. Another installation due for completion at the end of 2010 is owned by Ovo Fresco. Hungary - Egg production has fallen by more than 50 per cent since 2000 and only mediumsized processors such as Capriovus, Babolna and Pasteur are operating, mainly to serve the local

Global Poultry Trends 2010 More Egg Products But Fewer Processors in Europe market. Gyermelyi, an important noodle factory, has its own modern egg processing plant. Ireland - Ready Egg (previously Erne Eggs) producing extended shelf-life products and hardboiled eggs dominates the sector. Smaller operators include Thompsons, Glenshane and Andrews. Italy - Egg products represent about 40 per cent of the total consumption of eggs. Production capacity has further increased. This country continues to be a big consumer of egg yolk, much of which is imported, while it exports egg white in liquid and powdered forms. Eurovo, the largest processor, has increased its capacity in its own plants and expanded via acquisitions. New farms with in-line breaking have been added, and the production of egg powders increased. Monaldi has acquired Uovador, and together with its production facilities in Albania and Romania, it has become the second biggest in Italy. AIA has further modernised its production, while Parmovo has added drying facilities. GF Ovodry is specialised in spray-drying without having breaking facilities. Other operators include Cascina Italia, Ferraris and Novelli. Latvia - Balticovo, a key processor with 1.5 million layers, is expanding its facilities for liquid and powdered products. Lithuania - Vievio EMT is the number one products manufacturer. Netherlands - A major producer and trader of egg products with 20 registered plants. In a short time, the Weko Group has become one of the most important egg processors in Europe. Along with several acquisitions in the Netherlands,Weko 14

Ovo), a factory in Poland (Weko-Polska), and more recently acquired the Nive plant with its trading companies in Germany (Agrovo and Hamegg), and the company is currently installing a new facility to the egg farm it owns in Spain. Adriaan Goede BV has markedly increased its capacity for powdered products and has also acquired Eiproma, a manufacturer of extended shelf-life liquid egg items. Bouwhuis has expanded through the addition of a new spray-dryer. Frisian Egg Products (Stuiver) has completed a new plant and established a joint-venture for egg products manufacturing in Egypt. Wulro Egg Products has modernised and expanded. The Lemmers Group has built a new plant and entered into a co-operation with EPO. Several smaller producers such as Verstappen serve the local market while the technical egg products business is dominated by Schaffelaarbos. Norway - Although not a member of the EU, it has strong trade relations with the member countries. About 17 per cent of output is turned into products. The biggest manufacturer is Prior which having modernised its plant has changed its name to Nortura. A smaller player is Ek G책rdspakkeri AS. Poland - Ovopol is the most important manufacturer. Ovovita has added an egg products line to its egg farms. Other EU processors that have invested in plants in Poland include Weko (Netherlands) and Eurovo (Italy). Portugal - Derivados de ovos (DDO Ovoprodutos), the only egg products manufacturer, has managed considerable growth mainly through exports to Spain. Some 50 per cent of output is exported. It has acquired Induovo (Spain) which includes a recently built plant in Asturias with egg

powder facilities. Romania - Processing is on a small scale with only two concerns processing surplus table eggs Avicola Buftea and Agricola International Bacau. Monaldi (Italy) owns the largest egg farm, and has recently added a processing facility. Spain - The industry has grown rapidly. Pascual, the leader has added a line for Spanish omelettes (tortilla). Induovo has been acquired by the Portugese DDO, which also has a co-operation agreement with Dervo. Hibramer, a leading egg producer, has built a processing facility. Other processors include ACE, Procasa, Nutme, Ovosec and Copain has increased its capacity.

Both Daylay (Noble) and Framptons have extended shelf-life products marketed in small packs. Griffiths (Oakland) has added an in-line breaking facility to its farm. Oasters have installed a line for mayonnaise and salads. Worldwide Egg Products (Manton Group) has modernised existing plants and increased capacity, as have Bumblehole Eggs, Lowrie and D. Wise Ltd. You can view other articles in our series Global Poultry Trends by clicking here.

Sweden - This country has two processors K채llbergs (owned by Denmark's Danegg), which specialises in dried items, while Svenska Lant채gg is oriented towards liquid products. Switzerland - Although not a EU member it is an important buyer of eggs and products from the EU. Some 39 per cent of total egg consumption is egg products, of which 95 per cent are imported. There are several relatively small processors of which Luchinger+Schmidt AG in Kloten is the biggest. This company markets 1,500 different items. Eier Hungerb체hler in Flawil is probably the second largest producer. United Kingdom - Several companies have gone out of business or been taken over n the past 10 years.The UK is an egg-importing country, buying products mainly from other EU states.After merging with Stonegate Farms, Dean Foods changed its name to Noble Foods. Framptons the leading independent, non-integrated processor has sold its share in AEP Holdings Ltd called Quality Egg Products in Northern Ireland, to Ready Egg (Ireland). 15

Feature Article

Avian Flu in US Would Cut Poultry Consumption â&#x20AC;&#x201C; But Not Much Poultry meat consumption patterns would decrease to varying levels around the nation but not significantly overall if there were to be an outbreak of avian flu in the US, according to a consumer survey carried out by Kansas State University. The prospect of what would happen to the poultry industry economically if an avian flu outbreak occurred in the United States is a hypothetical situation that no one wants to put to the test in real life. But if it did happen, the results of a survey indicate that poultry consumption patterns would decrease at varying levels around the nation. "Overall, only a very small proportion of the people said they would stop consuming poultry," said Sean Fox, a professor of agricultural economics at Kansas State University who researched the impact of an outbreak in a Food Safety Consortiumsupported project. "You do have your 15 to 20 per cent saying they would stop consuming poultry. This is what people say they would do. What they would actually do is probably very different." Professor Fox bases that prediction on what happened in 2003 when the discovery case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States led to South Korea cutting off US beef imports until 2008. Professor Fox surveyed the public to find out people's plans for beef consumption. Respondents to his 2004 research inquiry showed that 15 to 30 per cent said they would stop consuming beef if additional cases of BSE were discovered.

After an honours degree in Agriculture and a qualification as well as practical experience in pig husbandry, Jackie spent 20 years in the animal feed industry.

Jackie Lindon Senior Editor

ports until 2008. Professor Fox surveyed the public to find out people's plans for beef consumption. Respondents to his 2004 research inquiry showed that 15 to 30 per cent said they would stop consuming beef if additional cases of BSE were discovered. More cases were reported in later years, but beef consumption did not drop.

"My reading o bers is that the very minimal demand."

Professor Fox sent a mail survey to 800 residents each in Wichita, Kansas, and Los Angeles and received responses from 346 in Wichita and 139 in Los Angeles. About half the respondents in each city said they were unconcerned about getting sick from bird flu. In Los Angeles, 28 per cent were concerned about getting the disease compared to 15 per cent in Wichita.

As to poultry consumption habits upon the hypothetical discovery of bird flu in the United States, 70 per cent of Wichita respondents and 50 per cent of Los Angeles respondents said their consumption levels would remain the same. In Los Angeles, 14.6 per cent said they would stop consuming poultry while 7.8 per cent of

those in Wichita said they would do so. Two versions of the survey were distributed with some including a statement that proper cooking would kill any bird flu virus in poultry, but the inclusion of that information had no effect on respondents' attitude toward whether their consumption habits would change. "This suggests a limited ability for the industry to effectively reassure consumers in the event the disease is discovered in the United States," Professor Fox said. He noted that there are similarities between this survey and the one he sent to consumers in 2004 asking what they would do if more BSE cases were discovered.

"The evidence that we had suggested that those greatly exaggerated of the num- numbers what happened in the marketere will be a place when those scenarios actually did play out," Professor Fox effect on said. "My reading of the numbers that we got here is that if we do find a case of avian flu in the Professor Sean Fox United States that there will be a Kansas State University very minimal effect on demand." Professor Fox said the research did not indicate how long a boycott of poultry would go on among people who cease buying the product, but he believed it would not last long. He recalled that during the 2004 BSE situation, the drop in domestic consumption of beef was short lived and that later in the year, the demand bounced back to a stronger level than in the previous year. You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.

Feature Article

Differential Immunological Gene Expression after Escherichia coli Infection in Chickens Gene expression in response to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) infection was assessed for four genes that may be useful candidates for future research into breeding for resistance against this infection, according to Emma Balfanz and coworkers in Iowa State University's Animal Industry Report 2011. SUMMARY AND IMPLICATIONS Chickens infected with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) have reduced production and livability. Gene expression in response to APEC infection was assessed in four genes; interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10 and Granzyme A (Gzm A). Differences in expression were deduced between challenged and non-challenged birds, and between birds with a mild and severe response to infection. These genes may be useful candidates for future research into breeding for resistance against APEC. INTRODUCTION APEC causes millions of US dollars in lost production every year. Current methods of control include utilising good biosecurity practices and treating birds with antibiotics. Concern over antibiotic use in food animals has led to a greater push to increase disease resistance through genetics and breeding. Birds with differing responses to infection exhibit differences in their expression of immunological genes. Interleukins are signaling 18

After an honours degree in Agriculture and a qualification as well as practical experience in pig husbandry, Jackie spent 20 years in the animal feed industry.

Jackie Lindon Senior Editor

molecules that are produced by, and act on white blood cells. Granzyme A is a protease that helps trigger programmed cell death in infected cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS Commercial male broiler chicks were purchased at one day of age. At four weeks of age, non-vaccinated birds were either challenged with APEC or given a control treatment. Necropsy took place at two timepoints – one and five days postchallenge. At necropsy, internal lesion scores were assessed to determine pathology of challenged birds, mild or severe infection. This created six unique groups; non-challenged on day 1, non-challenged on day 5, mild challenge on day 1, mild challenge on day 5, severe challenge on day 1, and severe challenge on day 5. Spleen samples were collected and RNA isolated from four replicates of the six groups, 24 samples in total. Gene expression was assessed by quantitative PCR using SYBR Green and 28s ribosomal RNA as a housekeeping gene. A standard

curve was generated using a serial dilution for each gene. Observed C(t) values were adjusted to correct for the starting amount of RNA and reaction efficiency. Two models were used in this study, one utilizing all samples to assess challenge, and one utilising only challenged samples to assess pathology. Replicate was included as a random effect. Tests were performed using the Fit Model procedure in JMP. Interactions with p-value less than 0.10 were excluded.

with severe pathology higher at day 1 and mild pathology higher at day 5.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

You can view other reports in Iowa State University's Animal Industry Report 2011 by clicking here

Challenged birds had a significant increase in expression of IL-1β and IL-6, indicative of an increased pro-inflammatory response due to infection. Birds with severe pathology had significantly higher levels of expression of IL-6 and IL10 than birds with mild pathology. Gene expression on day 1 was higher than on day 5 for both IL-6 and IL-10 in the challenge model. This trend was also seen in IL-6 and IL-10 in the pathology model. The only significant interaction was between pathology and day for Gzm A, with

Increased knowledge about gene expression patterns in response to infection allows for more detailed research into breeding for disease resistance. These results demonstrate differences in expression can be detected between mild and severe pathology groups in a commercial population.

Acknowledgement Research supported by NRI USDA grant no. 2008-35604-18805. E. Sandford supported by USDA National Needs Fellowship grant no. 2007-38420-17767. E. Balfanz supported by NSF-REU. Reference Balfanz E., E. Sandford, M.G. Kaiser and S.J. Lamont. 2011. Differential immunological gene expression after Escherichia coli infection in chickens. Iowa State University's Animal Industry Report 2011. A.S. Leaflet R2618.

Table 1. Effect of challenge and day on spleen gene expression (p-values) using challenged and non-challenged samples.

IL-1β

IL-6

IL-10

Gzm A

Challenge

0.006

0.003

0.117

0.319

Day

0.169

0.004

0.017

0.267

Rep (Random)

0.182

0.280

0.756

0.797

Table 2. Effect of level of pathology and day on spleen gene expression (p-values) using 16 challenged samples.

IL-1β

IL-6

IL-10

Gzm A

Pathology

0.249

0.031

0.018

0.785

Day

0.432

0.003

0.011

0.231

Rep (Random)

0.036

0.124

0.073

0.623 19

Regional News Americas

USDA Proposes New Requirement for Meat Products US - USDA has announced a proposed 'Test and Hold' requirement for meat and poultry products, which it says will enhance existing procedures and help to reduce foodborne illnesses. The US Department of Agriculture is proposing a new requirement for the meat and poultry industry that, once enacted, will reduce the amount of unsafe food that reaches store shelves. With the proposed requirement, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) would be able to hold products from commerce until FSIS test results for harmful substances are received. Currently, when FSIS collects a sample for testing, the sampled products are requested but not required to be held until test results are known. FSIS believes that this requirement will substantially reduce serious recalls for meat and poultry products. Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, said: "While many establishments have similar policies already in place, this proposed requirement will allow government to provide an additional safeguard to ensure food safety. Meat and poultry products will

be prevented from reaching consumers until our inspectors have the opportunity to thoroughly evaluate test results. This approach will help us enhance protection of the food supply, reduce recalls, and ensure that all consumers are getting the safest food possible." FSIS inspects billions of pounds of meat, poultry and processed egg products annually. FSIS believes that 44 of the most serious recalls between 2007 and 2009 could have been prevented if this procedure had been in place. Read More...

Saudi Arabia: Top Market for Brazilian Poultry

Plant Buffer Strips Cut Run-Off of Vet Products

SAUDI ARABIA & BRAZIL - Saudi Arabia imports much more than it produces and needs foreign suppliers; Brazil is strong in some sectors, like chicken.

US - Field tests by University of Missouri scientists have backed up laboratory research showing that buffer strips of grass and other plants can reduce the amount of herbicide and veterinary antibiotics in surface run-off from farm plots.

Saudi Arabia buys around US$10 billion in food and beverages abroad, reports Brazil-Arab News Agency. Read More...

Vegetative buffer strips have already proven effective in limiting erosion as well as reducing sediment and nutrients in run-off. Read More...

Europe

BSAS/WPSA 2011: Meeting Focuses on Food Security UK - 'Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities for Animal Science' was the theme of this year's joint meeting of the British Society of Animal Science (BSAS), BBSRC Animal Science Forum, UK branch of the World's Poultry Science Association (WPSA) and the Association for Veterinary Teaching and Research Work, writes Jackie Linden, senior editor of ThePoultrySite. One of the first day’s highlights was the presentation of the Hammond Memorial Lecture by Professor Sir John Beddington, the UK Government's Chief Scientific Advisor, who spoke on the topic, 'Food Security in the 21st Century' to a packed lecture theatre. In a thought-provoking presentation, he followed up on a recently published Foresight Report on Global Food and Farming Futures, in which a broad range of experts described areas that need to be covered to feed a growing world population healthily, equitably and sustainably as well as the role of agriculture in climate change. Current food systems are failing for the point of view of sustainability, Sir John said, and there is a need to develop what he called 'climate-smart' agriculture for both livestock and crop production in future.

As part of the WPSA meeting, the 28th Annual Robert Fraser Gordon Memorial Lecture was presented by Professor Marian Dawkins of the University of Oxford, who spoke on 'Commercial-Scale Assessment of Poultry Welfare', which she said was necessary for both research and auditing purposes. Using examples from her own work, she highlighted the potential benefits and pitfalls of small-scale and commercial scale trials for the assessment of animal welfare. Professor Dawkins went on to describe an innovative solution to the monitoring of one measure of broiler welfare – that of gait score – using optical flow data from a camera system. She and her team have found the method to give a very good overall assessment of gait score of broilers on a commercial scale, inexpensively and reliably. Read More...

Omega-Acids Could Reduce Bone Breakage in Laying Hens

New Method Can Distinguish Organic & Regular Eggs

UK - Researchers at the University of Bristol funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council have found that adding the right combination of fatty acids to the diets of laying hens can significantly reduce bone breakage during lay.

NETHERLANDS - RIKILT, part of Wageningen UR, has developed a method for verifying whether an egg is organic with the help of analytical techniques looking at the egg's carotenoid content.

The research, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)...

The method works by reading a 'fingerprint' of components of the egg. The fingerprints of authentic organic products are compared...