The PoultrySite Digital - May 2012 - Issue 17 by 5m Publishing

EXPERT KNOWLEDGE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS MAY 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ISSUE 17

Processing Automation to Increase Profitability The continued growth of the poultry market and the increased demand from retailers and food service operators for higher quality safe and wholesome products is placing more and more pressure on the processor, writes editor-in-chief, Chris Harris. The processing industry has also been driven by ever

increasing consolidation, which has seen more and more small and medium sized operations either merge or being swallowed up by larger companies. Larger companies and bigger operations are being met with demands from their customers for increased output with strict portion and quality control. This feature is continued on page 4

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May 2012 – Issue 17

COVER STORY

Welfare Considerations Can be Significant for Business – P6 From the time that birds arrive at the slaughterhouse to the time at which they have been slaughtered, there are several key welfare considerations, writes Paul Cook, director of RL Consulting.

Africa Outpaces Global Egg Growth – P9 Output continues to rise in Africa and Oceania, writes market watcher, Terry Evans, in his latest analysis of the egg industries in these two regions.

Processors Fighting the Battle against Pathogens – P15 Poultry processing companies are fighting a continual battle to ensure that the products they produce are wholesome and safe, ensuring that they are not contaminated with foodborne pathogens when they leave the plant, writes Chris Harris.

EDITORIAL

LATEST POULTRY INDUSTRY NEWS Health & Welfare Breeding & Genetics Biosecurity & Hygiene Feeding & Nutrition Housing & Equipment Incubation & Hatching Processing & Packaging

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INDUSTRY EVENTS BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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Poultry Drinking Water Primer – P18 The importance of water, factors affecting water consumption, water quality and management tips are reviewed by Brian D. Fairchild and Casey W. Ritz, Extension Poultry Scientists at the University of Georgia.

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Editorial In this issue, we turn our attention to the poultry processing sector, focusing especially on the two top issues of food safety and welfare. Continued growth of the poultry meat market and increased demand from retailers and food service operators for higher quality safe and wholesome products is placing more and more pressure on the processor. In our first feature, editor-in-chief, Chris Harris, explains how processing automation can improve profitability for the processor.

Processing Jackie Linden ThePoultrySite.com Senior Editor jackie.linden@5mpublishing.com

Moving on to welfare in the processing plant, consultant, Paul Cook, identifies key considerations for bird well-being between their arrival at the facility and slaughter. Our overview of processing is completed by a look at food safety in poultry meat and how companies have to fight a continual battle to ensure that their products are wholesome and safe. Information from past recalls of poultry products and research reveals that Listeria is a particular problem in this sector. Our series analysing the poultry industry by region continues as regular contributor, Terry Evans, examines the trends in the egg sectors in Africa and Oceania. The recent annual rate of growth in output in Africa has been 3.4 per cent, well ahead of the global average of 2.2 per cent and most countries have registered increases. New Zealand and Australia account for more than 90 per cent of the egg output from Oceania. While the latter dominates in the region, production has grown by 40 per cent in New Zealand over the last decade. Completing this issue is a practical guide on water for poultry farmers, covering the importance of this â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;forgotten nutrientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the birds, aspects of water quality and management tips from the University of Georgia.

Jackie Linden

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

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Processing Automation to Increase Profitability There are also new legislative and food safety demands being placed on the processor from authorities to meet new and ever tighter food safety and hygiene regulations. At the same time, the processor is also faced with a shrinking workforce that is less skilled. To achieve all these goals and to meet all these demand, the processor is turning to more and more automation on the processing line and in most cases, turnâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;key, complete line systems that can handle processing from the arrival of the live birds through to packaging and dispatch. The quality, appearance and marketability of the end product are affected at every stage of the poultry processing line and this starts at slaughtering. DELIVERING A CLEAN PRODUCT The slaughtering department has to deliver a clean product ready for evisceration and further processing and problems that are encountered in slaughtering will have a greater effect further down the line. At the start of the slaughter process, whether the stunning is by electric shock or through gas, the quality of the meat can be affected by the quality of the stunning process. When the stunning is conducted through electric shock, the head of the bird passes through a water bath and electrodes in the water bath and on the shackles complete the electric circuit. According to the Dutch poultry processing equipment company, Meyn, if a high frequency stunning system is applied, the current runs along the surface of the product, decreasing the haemorrhaging and reducing the damage to the carcase and improving meat quality. Birds may also be killed by exposure to appropriate anoxic gas mixtures for durations that ensure that they die before they are bled. Controlled atmosphere stunning works by starving the brain of oxygen, thereby resulting in death. The

permitted gas mixtures are designed to induce loss of consciousness without undue distress. Birds can, in some systems, be placed in the gas chamber whilst they are still in their crates, thus reducing the amount of handling stress. Moreover, they must be dead by the time they are shackled, preventing the discomfort of shackles and the distress of inversion on the poultry line. If the birds are electrically stunned, they can then travel through to an automatic neck incisor, where the killing takes place, on the same line on which they passed through the stunner. The advantage of an automatic process over previous hand slaughter methods are not only speed, but also that the incision on each bird can be precise to allow the correct bleeding, which again maintains the meat quality and also has animal welfare advantages. ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SPEEDS PROCESS TO DEBONING Following slaughter, many automatic slaughter lines electrically stimulate the carcase to speed up the maturation process to the stage where the carcase can be deboned.The carcase stimulation removes the need to keep the carcases in a chill room away from the processing line until they have matured for deboning. According to Meyn, a stimulation time of 32 seconds will produce a tender fillet within two hours and 45 minutes following slaughter. As the carcases remain on the line following electrical

FEATURE ARTICLE stimulation, they can then pass straight to the scald tanks to prepare them for defeathering and hock and feet cutting. In the past, the evisceration was a long, slow and labourâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;intensive process but with automation, the process has become fast and able to handle high capacity with little labour and at the same time, increase biosecurity and hygiene.The quality and speed of the evisceration of the birds can have a direct effect on the stages down the line where further value is added through cut-up and deboning, because it is the stage that provides the basic raw material for valueâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;added products. During the process, the carcases are prepared and cleaned and on some lines, washed and even disinfected to ensure a highly safe commodity product is presented for further processing. The ability of the machines at the various stages of the evisceration and cleaning process also to clean themselves prevents the possibility of cross contamination. The giblets can be harvested automatically for further use and processing and the automation also allows full traceability of batches of birds from the time they enter the plant through to further processing. Following the evisceration process, carcases can then be automatically rehung on a new line to take them through chilling in preparation for the cut up and deboning stage. GAINING MAXIMUM YIELD IN CUTâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;UP AND DEBONING

nine pieces, trimmed with fat cut off and dark meat separated in large quantities. The lines can portion product and debone everything from breast meat to legs and thighs and at the same time scan the products for particles of bone.

The systems also automatically reject product that might have bone fragments or might not meet the weight specifications helping to ensure complete quality control to achieve optimum yield. Automatic grading of product and data capture along the line give full traceability and modern logistics systems linked to the automatic processing can also identify and order specific product for specific customers. New and developing automated processing systems are now allowing companies to meet the growing and changing consumer demands for innovative products and at the same time increase their margins and profitability.

The greatest value to the chicken carcase is added in the cut-up and deboning stage of processing and it is at this stage that maximum yield has to be achieved. Both retailers and food service customers are now demanding specific cuts for specific products and the processor can now meet these high demands through automatic systems that precisely carry out the same cutting operation time after time, at high speed and with little need for highly skilled labour. Automated machines can meet the demands of food service operators that require a carcase in eight or

Welfare Considerations Can be Significant for Business

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The slaughter line can have significant effects on both the welfare of the birds and the quality of the finished carcaseâ&#x20AC;? Paul Cook, RL Consulting

Feature Article

Welfare Considerations Can be Significant for Business From the time that birds arrive at the slaughterhouse to the time at which they have been slaughtered, there are several key welfare considerations, writes Paul Cook, director of RL Consulting. On arrival at the slaughterhouse, the birds on the vehicle should be checked to ensure that there are no immediate signs of distress. Extreme weather conditions can cause particular problems. In hot weather, look out for birds that are panting excessively and for any incidences of Dead on Arrivals. In cold weather, look out for birds that are wet and huddled. Again, look out for any dead birds and, in any situation where you have a concern, it is essential to consult with the veterinary officer to review whether

the slaughter of the load should be prioritised. Birds will normally be held in the lairage whilst awaiting processing. It is good practice to check the birds on a regular basis whilst they are waiting in the lairage and also check that appropriate ventilation/cooling equipment is operational. If there are several holding areas in the lairage, it is useful to record in which position each load has been stored to analyse whether there are problem areas within the facility. Having been safely held in the lairage, the birds will then be moved to the hang-on point. Ensure that the baskets/modules are handled carefully and that all operations are completed smoothly. The hang-on point

FEATURE ARTICLE is critical to the birds' welfare.There must be enough staff available to ensure that the birds can be handled correctly. Staff must be trained to shackle birds with minimal force and ensure that both the bird's legs are located in the shackles. As part of the shackling process staff should be encouraged to momentarily calm each bird by placing a hand on the bird's back. Good shackling practice will not only reduce bird stress, but also minimise flapping that can cause haemorrhages in the breast muscle, so adversely affecting quality.The member of the hang-on team closest to the basket-wash should ensure that all baskets are empty before they are released. The line should be designed with a breast comforter, which is adjusted so that the bird's breast remains in constant contact with the comforter from hang-on to stun. It is good practice to take time to watch the line from hang to stun to ensure that there are no points at which the birds start to flap or vocalise. Pay particular attention to corners and work with the engineers to modify any points where problems are identified. The breast comforter may gradually be pushed backwards with time and may need re-adjusting periodically.

signs of regular breathing and more extreme reactions such as spontaneous blinking or vocalisation. Checks should be made on every batch processed to ensure that the stun is effective and consistent. The birds should move immediately to the neck cut. Once again, it is good practice to check the efficiency of the cut on a regular basis, especially if this is automatic. Back-up slaughtermen must always be in place to ensure that 100 per cent of the birds are stunned and bled effectively. In summary, the slaughter line can have significant effects on both the welfare of the birds and the quality of the finished carcase. It is a good investment to take time to look at the slaughter line in detail as the benefits to the bird and to your business can be significant.

Entry into the stunner is one of the most critical points along the line. The design should ensure that the birds enter into the water bath in one smooth movement. Once again, time needs to be spent observing the behaviour of the birds, looking out for flapping and vocalisation. If not designed and set correctly, birds can be seen to lift themselves in the shackles and 'fly' down the bath, once again compromising welfare and affecting product quality. Problems can occur due to many reasons, such as the entry ramp causing the birds to receive a pre-stun shock, poor ramp design or the bath not being correctly adjusted for the size of the birds. Once again, it is essential to work with your engineers to solve any issues. The final welfare checks should be made at the exit of the stunner. Firstly, ensure that all birds are stunned and there are no small birds that have missed the bath completely. These should not be caught on the farm and certainly should not be shackled. Check that the stun is effective by looking at the posture of the birds, nictitating eyelid reflex,

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Africa Outpaces Global Egg Growth

FEATURE ARTICLE

Global Poultry Trends

Africa Outpaces Global Egg Growth Output continues to rise in Africa and Oceania, writes market watcher,Terry Evans, in his latest analysis of the egg industries in these two regions. EGG PRODUCTION IN AFRICAN COUNTRIES Africa accounts for only a little over four per cent of world egg production (table 1). However, its rate of growth, averaging 3.4 per cent a year between 2000 and 2010, easily outstripped the global figure of 2.2 per cent (table 2). Looking ahead, production in this region will continue to increase with output reaching at least 2.8 million tonnes in 2012 and possibly topping three million tonnes by 2015. Global egg output should come close to 65 million tonnes in 2012 (table 1), of which, Africa could produce 2.8 million tonnes or 4.3 per cent. Just five countries, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria accounted for 1.83 million tonnes of eggs or 69 per cent of the regional total in 2010 (table 3). However, it is noteworthy that of the 53 countries in the region, only five failed to produce more eggs in 2010 than in 2000; one of these – Morocco – was in the top five. For most of these countries, the rate of growth has been moderate but increases of more than 50 per cent were recorded in nine (table 2). Among the smaller producing nations, Benin’s industry appears to have recorded a massive expansion of more than seven per cent a year, while in Guinea the increase was only a little less than this. It might be pertinent here to underline the point that in many developing countries around the world, a question mark hangs over the accuracy of the data, which is why the trend in production may be a better guide as to what is happening in an industry rather than paying too much attention to the output figures in any one year. Should the figures be important to your needs, it would be wise to examine more closely the source of the data and also to look to alternative assessments. After growing over the period 2000 to 2007, production in Morocco has since contracted such that the estimate of output in 2010 of 230,000 tonnes was some 5,000 tonnes less than 10 years earlier.

Africa Outpaces Global Egg Growth

Table 1. World egg production by region (million tonnes) Region

2000

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011F

2012F

1.9

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

Americas

10.4

11.6

12.2

12.4

12.6

12.7

12.9

Asia

29.1

32.8

33.2

34.8

36.3

37.0

37.5

38.1

38.7

9.5

9.9

10.1

10.0

10.3

10.5

10.3

10.2

Africa

Europe Oceania WORLD

0.2

0.3

51.2

56.7

58.1

59.7

61.8

62.7

63.6

64.3

64.9

Source to 2010: FAO

The leading producer in the region is Nigeria where output, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) data (table 2) expanded by some 56 per cent in the decade to 2010 to reach 623,000 tonnes or some 23 per cent of the total for Africa. It should be noted that the FAO-based production data in tables 1 to 3 relate to all hen eggs and includes output from backyard and hatchery flocks as well as commercial table egg operations. According to the FAO, the total number of layers in Nigeria exceeded 153 million in 2010. However, the representative from Nigeria at last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual meeting of the International Egg Commission (IEC) stated that the number of layers totalled just 90 million, though it is possible that this related just to the

commercial sector.Virtually all the eggs produced are brown and it is estimated that around 70 per cent are housed in cages, the remaining 30 per cent being kept in barns. South Africa is the second largest producer, annual output having risen by some 135,000 tonnes or 43 per cent between 2000 and 2010. IEC figures indicate that the commercial table egg flock in 2010 amounted to some 23 million producing almost 388,000 tonnes of eggs. In 2011, the flock is considered to have grown to 24 million with production up by 3.6 per cent to 19.2 million cases. Based on an average egg weight of a little over 58g, table egg production will have amounted to a record of almost 402,00 tonnes last year. The split between brown and white layers was

Figure 1. Egg production trends in Africa and selected African countries ('000 tonnes)

FEATURE ARTICLE Table 2. Hen egg production in Africa ('000 tonnes) Country

2000

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Algeria

101.0

175.0

178.5

195.7

184.4

185.0

189.0

Angola

4.3

5.2

4.3

4.5

4.9

4.5

Benin

6.9

7.2

10.1

10.9

13.8

13.1

14.0

Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi

3.2

4.2

4.8

5.0

4.5

4.3

4.5

39.4

45.1

46.3

47.5

48.7

51.1

52.0

3.0

3.1

3.0

3.1

2.8

3.0

Cameroon

12.6

14.5

14.9

15.0

Cape Verde

1.9

1.8

2.0

2.1

Central African Rep.

1.4

1.7

1.8

1.9

Chad

3.6

3.7

3.8

3.9

4.0

Comoros

0.8

Congo

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

33.0

28.7

27.9

25.0

30.4

30.0

32.0

Cote d'Ivoire Dem. Rep. Congo

7.0

6.9

7.7

8.0

8.7

8.9

176.7

252.3

240.0

279.0

355.5

333.3

335.8

Equatorial Guinea

0.3

0.4

0.5

Eritrea

1.7

2.0

1.9

1.7

1.9

Ethiopia

28.6

35.0

37.5

36.0

34.0

30.9

35.1

Gabon

2.0

2.2

2.5

2.2

2.0

2.1

Gambia

0.7

0.6

0.8

0.9

Ghana

21.7

25.2

27.8

31.3

33.7

36.7

Guinea

12.2

18.6

19.7

20.9

22.2

23.5

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

Egypt

Guinea-Bissau Kenya

60.7

57.9

66.7

68.6

76.6

81.0

80.6

Lesotho

1.5

1.6

1.5

1.6

1.7

Liberia

4.2

3.6

4.5

5.0

5.8

5.0

5.2

Libya

60.0

63.1

64.6

60.0

62.2

62.5

Madagascar

14.9

16.7

15.3

15.5

15.8

16.2

16.1

Malawi

19.5

20.2

19.5

19.8

20.0

20.3

20.2

Mali

11.9

10.1

10.4

10.7

14.1

13.7

13.9

Mauritania

4.7

4.3

5.4

4.9

5.9

5.6

5.4

Mauritius

12.5

13.0

12.2

11.7

11.0

10.0

Morocco

235.0

225.1

244.0

259.4

192.4

200.0

230.0

12.4

14.6

14.1

14.3

13.5

13.6

14.5

Namibia

1.6

3.0

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

Niger

7.8

8.3

7.5

7.6

8.0

8.3

400.0

500.4

526.4

552.8

581.0

612.6

623.4

Reunion

5.1

6.0

6.1

6.2

6.5

5.9

6.7

Rwanda

2.2

2.7

2.5

2.6

2.8

2.9

Sao Tome/Principe

0.4

0.5

0.4

0.5

17.6

27.0

28.0

27.8

27.7

26.7

29.6

Seychelles

2.2

1.2

0.9

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.1

Sierra Leone

8.0

9.2

8.9

9.0

Somalia

2.5

2.7

2.5

2.3

2.1

2.4

318.0

365.5

414.0

438.0

473.0

450.0

453.0

45.0

49.8

50.9

52.4

53.6

54.8

55.9

Swaziland

1.1

1.3

1.1

1.2

1.1

1.2

Togo

6.3

8.0

7.3

8.1

8.7

9.3

9.4

Tunisia

82.0

84.0

83.0

87.0

89.0

88.0

90.8

Uganda

20.4

22.5

22.6

22.8

23.0

23.1

United Rep. Tanzania

33.8

36.3

36.6

36.9

37.0

37.4

37.7

Zambia

39.2

42.3

42.8

42.5

42.8

45.0

49.5

Zimbabwe

22.0

25.9

26.9

27.6

29.3

29.8

29.6

AFRICA

1,916.1

2,262.9

2,367.8

2,498.9

2,591.0

2,594.9

2,668.5

WORLD

51,213.8

56,681.7

58,074.9

59,702.1

61,793.2

62,732.7

63,571.5

Mozambique

Nigeria

Senegal

South Africa Sudan

Countries producing less than 50 tonnes have been excluded Source: FAO

Africa Outpaces Global Egg Growth 25:75, with some 86 per cent of the flock in cages the remainder being kept on free range.

Table 3. Egg production ranking in Africa in 2010 ('000 tonnes) Country Nigeria

623.4

South Africa

453.0

Egypt

335.8

Morocco

230.0

Algeria

189.0

Tunisia

90.8

Kenya

80.6

Libya

62.5

Sudan

55.9

Burkina Faso

52.0

Zambia

49.5

United Rep. Tanzania

37.7

Ghana

36.7

Ethiopia

35.1

Cote d'Ivoire

32.0

Zimbabwe

29.6

Senegal

29.6

Guinea

23.5

Uganda

23.1

Malawi

20.2

Madagascar

16.1

Cameroon

15.0

Mozambique

14.5

Benin

14.0

Mali

13.9

Mauritius

10.0

Togo

9.4

Sierra Leone

9.0

Dem. Rep. Congo

8.9

Niger

8.3

Reunion

6.7

Mauritania

5.4

Liberia

5.2

Botswana

4.5

Angola

4.5

Chad

4.0

Namibia

3.4

Burundi

3.0

Rwanda

2.9

Somalia

2.4

Gabon

2.1

Cape Verde

2.1

Eritrea

1.9

Central African Rep.

1.9

Lesotho

1.7

Congo

1.6

Guinea-Bissau

1.3

Swaziland

1.2

Seychelles

1.1

Gambia

0.9

Comoros

0.8

Sao Tome/Principe

0.5

Equatorial Guinea

0.5 Source: FAO

The Southern African Poultry Association (SAPA) is reviewing its Code of Practice to bring it into line with international standards and best practice. Recent years have seen great emphasis being put on animal health precautionary measures, disease surveillance and control, in order to reduce the incidence of disease and minimise the impact of outbreaks should they occur. As in most countries around the world, South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s egg industry is being affected by international factors, including rising feed ingredient costs.While production in South Africa has stagnated latterly, current lower prices for maize (corn), soybeans and day-old chicks when compared to 2011, are more than offsetting disappointing prices for table eggs.With this brighter outlook, profits should strengthen leading to an upward movement in egg production back towards the 2008 record. Although production in Egypt doubled between 2000 and 2008 to reach 356,000 tonnes, it has since declined a shade to 336,000 tonnes in 2010. It is considered that commercial units provide some 70 per cent of output, the remainder being classified as backyard or Balady operations. While commercial flocks produce between 240 and 270 eggs per year, Balady birds yield between 170 and 180 eggs.While the average egg weight in the commercial flocks is put at between 60 to 65g, Balady eggs usually average between 45 and 50g. Despite some growth to 2007, the egg industry in Morocco has been stable in the following years until 2010, when output at 230,000 tonnes was marginally below the 2000 level. A report issued last year indicated that the US Grains Council (USGC) had agreed to work with the Moroccan Poultry Association (FISA) to help promote eggs. OUTPUT OF OCEANIAâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;S EGG INDUSTRY Egg production in Oceania expanded by 2.4 per cent a year between 2000 and 2010 as output escalated from a little less than 200,000 tonnes to almost 254,000 tonnes although this still represented only 0.4 per cent of the world total.

FEATURE ARTICLE Table 4. Hen egg production in Oceania ('000 tonnes) Country

2000

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

Australia

143.0

138.6

171.3

161.7

160.0

159.3

174.0

Fiji

3.2

3.8

3.5

3.4

3.5

5.7

French Polynesia

1.4

2.4

2.3

2.5

2.7

3.0

Guam

0.8

1.0

0.8

0.9

Kiribati

0.2

0.3

Micronesia

0.2

New Caledonia

1.5

1.9

2.0

2.4

2.8

3.0

New Zealand

43.0

50.9

51.0

46.6

53.2

54.6

60.3

Papua New Guinea

4.5

4.8

4.5

Samoa

0.3

0.4

0.4 0.5 0.3

Solomon Isl.

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.5

0.6

0.5

Tonga

0.3

0.4

0.3

0.4

Vanuatu OCEANIA WORLD

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.4

199.4

205.3

238.3

223.9

229.4

230.8

253.8

51,213.8

56,681.7

58,074.9

59,702.1

61,793.2

62,732.7

63,571.5

Countries producing less than 50 tonnes have been excluded Source: FAO

Australia and New Zealand combined account for more than 92 per cent of the regional total, hence developments in these two countries are the key determinants of the overall trend. The rate of expansion in New Zealand has been almost double that recorded by Australia, so New Zealand’s share of the regional total has increased from 21.6 per cent in 2000 to 23.8 per cent in 2010, while Australia’s stake has slipped from 71.7 per cent to 68.6 per cent. Production in Australia, based on FAO statistics, rose by 22 per cent between 2000 and 2010 to reach 174,000 tonnes. However, the FAO statistics are well out of line with the data published by the Australian Egg Corporation Ltd (AECL).This organisation states that there were some 332 laying farms in the country with a total flock of some 16.4 million in 2010. Output came close to 263,000 tonnes of eggs. For 2011, AECL considers production to have been in the region of 280,000 tonnes. In 2010, 68 per cent of the flock was in cages, 25 per cent on free–range and seven per cent in barns. The free–range sector has expanded fairly rapidly and in 2010, it is considered to have accounted for 28 per cent of all the eggs sold retail. New Zealand’s industry managed to increase production by 40 per cent in the decade to 2010 as output climbed to exceed 60,000 tonnes. Data from the

Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand (EPF) indicates that production in 2010 topped one billion eggs for the first time.This is equivalent to an output of around 63,000 tonnes. Almost 87 per cent of the flock is in cages with 11 per cent on free range and 2.5 per cent in barn systems. An Animal Welfare (Layer Hens) Code has been drafted and is currently being considered by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC). After this organisation’s deliberations, the Code will go to the Minister of Primary Industries for consideration. Under the provisions of this new Code, conventional cages will be discontinued in favour of the enriched colony cage systems. The industry is asking for a 15–year transition period because of the extra costs involved in making the required changes although estimates of the actual time that may be given currently range from 10 to 15 years. While it is reasonable to assume that the egg industries in Oceania will continue to expand, the annual rate of growth will likely be less than two per cent pointing to an output in the range of 275,000 to 280,000 tonnes by 2015. Egg products account for around 10 per cent of the region's shell egg output; the bulk will be manufactured in Australia.

Processors Fighting the Battle against Pathogens

FEATURE ARTICLE

Feature Article

Processors Fighting the Battle against Pathogens Poultry processing companies are fighting a continual battle to ensure that the products they produce are wholesome and safe, ensuring that they are not contaminated with foodborne pathogens when they leave the plant, writes Chris Harris.

The introduction of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) systems in the manufacturing process help to reduce the potential for incidents of food poisoning. However, despite strong hygiene regimes and the strictest food safety practices, incidents of food poisoning still occur. And these incidents are not only a danger to consumers producing illness and sometimes death, they are also highly costly to the company. According the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), food-borne illnesses in the US cause about 300,000 cases where people have to be taken to hospital and 5,000 deaths every year in the United States. Food recalls cost food companies dearly each year in loss of production and also loss of reputation. In some cases, the loss to the company can be so great that it is forced out of business. RECALLS COST US $7 BILLION In the US, the economy haemorrhages about $7 billion every year due to these recalls and the foodborne illnesses. The recall costs, which include getting food off shelves, handling lawsuits, revamping plants and repairing public relations, can be huge for companies. On top of this, the company has to rebuild its reputation and rebuild sales.

Processors Fighting the Battle against Pathogens

In the last quarter of 2011, food recalls across the United States increased by 50 per cent and affected more than 80 per cent more companies and plants compared to the previous three-month period, according to the quarterly ExpertRecall index published by Stericycle ExpertRecall. The most common pathogens that lead to food recalls around the world are Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli and Listeria. In August last year, a Salmonella outbreak caused Cargill to voluntarily recall 36 million pounds of ground turkey. Cargill initiated the recall after learning that the US Centers for Disease Control had detected an outbreak of Salmonella-related illnesses. LISTERIA: PARTICULAR PROBLEM FOR POULTRY PROCESSORS Listeria has been discovered to be a particular problem in poultry processing and further processing plants.

The most disruptive recalls in the last decade have been at Maple Leaf Foods in Canada and at Pilgrims' Pride in the US although more recently, there have been serious foodborne illness outbreaks related to Listeria in other products including cantaloupe melons from a California farm and from bean sprouts distributed in Germany. The outbreak at Maple Leaf Foods' Bartor Road Plant led to the recall of 191 products in 2008. The outbreak led to severe illness and loss of life among those who had eaten the products. Maple Leaf was forced to close the plant for a period and it forced the introduction of a completely new protocol for handling product. The measures the company had to take includes taking more than 1,000 swabs for testing, disassembling and sanitising all the company's slicing machines and retraining staff in food safety. Recent studies in the US have shown that poultry

FEATUREâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ARTICLE processing plants can be reservoirs for Listeria in particular. Research by the USDA Agricultural Research Service at the Russell Research Center in Georgia looked at the potential sources of Listeria monocytogenes in a newly built chicken further processing plant. To discover the colonisation of Listeria in the plant, the research team took samples from floor drains after a production shift and after wash down over 21 months. By testing a brand-new commercial cooking facility before and after processing began, the research team was able to track sources of contamination. The researchers, led by ARS microbiologist Mark Berrang of the Bacterial Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Research Unit at the agency's Richard B. Russell Research Center in Athens, Georgia, found that there was no Listeria contamination in the plant before production was started. However, the team had pinpointed potential sources of L. monocytogenes to the plant including incoming raw meat, incoming fresh air and personnel. Nearby environment and community samples were also examined. All L. monocytogenes detected were subjected to DNA sequence-based subtyping.

had been introduced from some outside source. No L. monocytogenes was recovered from any floor samples in the plant entryways, locker room or cafeteria. Likewise, the organism was not detected on air vent filters during the survey. The only tested source found to be consistently positive for L. monocytogenes was incoming raw poultry meat. Quality assurance in the test plant was exceptional and included an extensive proactive sampling plan to assure food safety. L. monocytogenes can become prevalent in food processing environments; sanitation, biosafety and product sampling protocols are in place in these facilities to prevent shipping contaminated product. One subtype of L. monocytogenes was detected in a natural stream near the plant. However, this subtype was never detected inside the plant. Eight subtypes of L. monocytogenes were detected in raw meat staged for further processing; one of the raw meat subtypes was indistinguishable from a persistent drain subtype recovered after cleaning on eight occasions in four different drains. The research finding concluded that poultry further processing plants are likely to become colonised with L. monocytogenes and that the raw product is an important source of the organism to the plant.

RAW POULTRY MEAT SOURCE OF LISTERIA IN PROCESSING PLANTS Potential sources of L. monocytogenes were tested by taking samples of soil and water around and near the facility exterior, and by testing heavily travelled floor surfaces following personnel shift changes. Samples were also collected and tested from incoming air from air vent filters and from monthly swabs of incoming raw meat. Floor drains in the facility were sampled approximately monthly to determine at what point the plant would become colonised with the bacteria. Within four months of operation, L. monocytogenes was detected in floor drains, indicating that the organism

Laying Hens go Undercover to Improve Production

Feature Article

Poultry Drinking Water Primer The importance of water, factors affecting water consumption, water quality and management tips are reviewed by Brian D. Fairchild and Casey W. Ritz, Extension Poultry Scientists at the University of Georgia. Water is a critical nutrient that receives little attention until a problem arises. Not only should producers make an effort to provide water in adequate quantity, they should also know what is in the water that will be flowing through the water lines to be used in evaporative cooling systems and consumed by the birds. WATER FUNCTIONS Water is needed for bird consumption, reducing air

temperature (including evaporative cooling pad and fogging systems) and facility sanitation. Broilers consume approximately 1.6 to 2.0 times as much water as feed on a weight basis. Water is a critical nutrient in bird metabolism and nutrition. From a physiology perspective, water consumed by the bird is used for nutrient transportation, enzymatic and chemical reactions in the body, body temperature regulation and lubrication of joints and organs. There is a strong relationship between feed and water consumption, therefore, water can be used to monitor flock performance. Many of the electronic controllers in poultry houses have the ability to monitor daily water consumption and have inputs for multiple water meters. This would allow a water meter to be installed separately on the lines supplying water to

FEATURE ARTICLE

to the front and rear of the house. Bird uniformity between the front and back of the house can be monitored using water consumption.Water consumption will be greater in the area of the house that has more birds.When birds are not distributed evenly between the front and back of the house it increases the competition for feed and water space.This, combined with the extra heat from excessive numbers of birds, can reduce bird performance. FACTORS AFFECTING WATER CONSUMPTION There are several factors that affect water consumption: Bird age: Water consumption increases with age but decreases as a percentage of body weight. Environmental temperature/heat stress: Birds consume more water as temperature increases. One of the main ways birds regulate body temperature is by evaporating water through the respiratory system during panting. As birds pant, water is lost and needs

to be replaced in order to maintain body-water balance. Water consumption can double and even triple during periods of heat stress. Water consumption in broilers increases approximately seven per cent for each degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature. A study at the University of Georgia examined the relationship of feed consumption to water consumption of seven consecutive flocks on a commercial broiler farm. As temperatures increased, the water consumed per pound of feed consumed also increased (Table 1). Table 1. Water consumption response to different weather conditions Lb of water per pound of feed Cold weather

1.55

Mild weather

1.65

Hot weather

1.75

Water temperature: Several studies have examined the effects of providing cool water to birds dur-

Poultry Drinking Water Primer during hot weather. In most of these studies, water temperature has improved the performance of broilers and layers. Any water temperature below the body temperature of the bird will be beneficial. The water consumed will help dissipate body heat and aid the bird in body temperature regulation. However, it is very difficult to cool the water significantly when moving the water hundreds of feet down a house. Electrolytes: During periods of potential heat stress, many producers supplement drinking water with electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals that can be found in the blood and are important for normal cell function and growth. Electrolytes, as the name implies, help regulate nerve and muscle function by conducting electrical signals from nerves to muscles. Electrolytes are also important for the acid-base balance of the blood and fluid retention. Some of the electrolytes found in blood plasma include sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), chlorine (Cl), bicarbonate (HCO3) and sulphate (SO4). The addition of the electrolytes not only replenishes those depleted during heat stress, but also stimulates water consumption. When the results of these are added together (electrolyte intake and increased water consumption), the mortality due to heat stress can be reduced. Lighting programmes: Light is another environmental factor that can influence bird water consumption. Birds will not drink if they are not eating and vice versa. During dark periods, the birds rest and as a result do not consume water.The exception is long dark periods. In dark periods exceeding eight hours, it is not unusual to see some water consumption register on the water meter. In operations that utilise lighting programmes, two distinct water consumption peaks can be observed. The first peak is just after the lights come on (dawn) and the second is just prior to lights turning off (dusk). The correlation of water consumption with feed intake and many environmental factors indicate its importance in bird metabolism and body function. Efforts should be made in all poultry operations to ensure that adequate and unlimited access to water is provided. Failure to do so will result in reduced

feed intake, poor egg production, reduced growth and reduced feed efficiency. WATER QUALITY While water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen molecules (H2O), it is a universal solvent and as a result can contain many minerals and compounds. The only sure way to get pure water is to use distillation or other treatment methods to remove dissolved minerals and compounds.This can be expensive considering the volume of water a typical broiler farm consisting of four or more houses would consume. Water treatment should be done based on the results of water quality analysis.While poultry drinking water does not have to be pure, heavily contaminated water is undesirable. Water composition varies with geographical region as the nature of the geological makeup changes. Water contamination can occur if surface water drains into the well. All farms should submit water samples to a qualified laboratory for testing to establish a baseline for water quality.This will help producers determine if and what water treatment might be warranted. Water quality should be of concern to all poultry operations. Poor water quality may interfere with digestion and subsequent bird performance. The effectiveness of vaccines and medications administered through the water lines could be reduced when water quality is poor.Water contaminants could create equipment problems that would either restrict the amount of water available for consumption or the effectiveness of the evaporative cooling and fogging systems. Reduced water consumption or cooling capacity may have detrimental effects on both growth and reproduction. Poor water quality could also result in leaky water nipples inside the house, which will wet litter and lead to increased ammonia production. Poor litter quality and high ammonia can result in reduced performance and livability. Standards for water quality should include factors that affect taste, solid buildup within water systems and toxicity. Factors that should be observed for poultry production include, but are not limited to those listed in Tables 2 and 3.

FEATURE ARTICLE Table 2. Drinking water quality characteristics Color

Water is colourless and any colour in the water may indicate an increased contamination level.

Turbidity

Particles such as clay, silt, sand or organic material in suspension can cause the water to appear cloudy or muddy. Turbid water can cause leaky nipples and clog fogging nozzles.

Hardness

Calcium and magnesium salts cause the water to be “hard” and can lead to scale and sludge buildup within water lines. Hardness reduces the effectiveness of soaps, disinfectants and the administration of some medications.

Iron (Fe)

Iron will stain almost everything it contacts, and it is a common water quality issue. Recent studies indicate that Fe in the water does not appear to affect poultry health. However, some of the Fe may form solid particulates such as iron oxide, which can lead to equipment problems. These small particles can lead to leaky nipples and block fogging nozzle openings. Either of these conditions can have negative impacts on poultry production. Iron bacteria are more likely to thrive in water with high Fe concentrations. As a result, biofilm build-up can occur, which can obstruct nipple drinkers and promote pathogen proliferation.

Manganese (Mg)

While Mg itself does not cause a negative effect on poultry health, like iron, it can form solid particulates that can result in leaky nipples and stop up foggers.

Nitrate (N)

Elevated N concentrations are indicative of decaying organic material and have been correlated with poor oxygen utilization in animals, but recent studies observed no differences in broiler performance with nitrate levels as high as 600 ppm. Presence of nitrate is a good indicator that water should be checked for bacteria.

The pH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. A scale from 0 to 14 is used to measure pH. A value of 7.0 is neutral, values less than 7.0 are acidic and values greater than 7.0 are basic. A pH of 6.0 to 6.8 is preferred for broiler production; however, birds can tolerate a pH range of 4 to 8. A pH greater than 8 could result in reduced water consumption.

Alkalinity

Alkalinity is caused by calcium carbonate, bicarbonate or sulphate. High alkalinity increases the buffering capacity of water.

Total solids

Total solids represent the total amount of solid material in both suspension and solution. Total solids are not directly linked to any poultry health issues. However, equipment function and water delivery could be negatively affected by the presence of total solids, which could influence bird performance.

Toxic compounds

The amount will vary depending on the compound; however, elements such as lead, selenium and arsenic should be kept below 1.0 ppm to prevent bird health problems and residues.

Dissolved oxygen

Normal ground water concentrations have little or no dissolved oxygen. Concentrations greater than zero are indicative of possible surface water influence.

Bacteria

Bacteria levels should be kept to a minimum (see Table 3.)

Many of the water quality standards for poultry drinking water were originally developed from those for human drinking water. Few of the standards recommended today are based on research utilizing broiler or layers. Recently, a series of studies has been conducted examining the effects of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nitrates (NO3) and pH levels in drinking water on poultry performance. The results of these studies have found that very high levels of Fe, Mn and NO3 do not impact broiler health. In those studies no differences in performance were noted due to 600ppm of Fe, 600ppm of NO3 and 20ppm of Mn. It should be noted that the water lines were thoroughly flushed between studies and that particulates that result from high Fe and Mn levels can lead to equipment problems such as leaky nipples and clogged fogging nozzles. Broiler performance is more likely to be affected by improper equipment function rather than bird health due to high concentrations

of these substances. Poor water quality can lead to increased microbial growth (such as iron bacteria) and biofilm build-up. Table 3. The following table may be used as a guide for drinking water quality for poultry Bacteria Total Heterotrophic Bacteria Coliform Bacteria

100 CFU/100 ml 50 CFU/100 ml

6.0 – 8.0

Hardness

110 ppm

Naturally Occurring Compounds Calcium Chloride Copper Iron* Magnesium Manganese** Nitrate*** Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Sulphate

500 ppm 250 ppm 0.6 ppm 0.03 ppm 125 ppm 0.05 ppm 25 ppm 0.1 ppm 500 ppm 50 ppm 250 ppm

* Iron as high as 600ppm has been shown to not affect bird health, but will have detrimental effects on water lines and fogging systems (Fairchild et al., 2005). ** Manganese as high as 20 ppm has been reported to not affect bird health, but can have negative effects on water lines and fogging systems (Batal et al., 2005). *** Nitrates as high as 600 ppm have been shown to not affect bird health (unpublished data).

Poultry Drinking Water Primer WATER MANAGEMENT TIPS

REFERENCES

Conduct water tests

Batal, A.B., B.D. Fairchild, C.W. Ritz and P.F. Vendrell, 2005. The effect of water manganese on broiler growth performance. Poultry Sci. 84 (Suppl. 1.).

Each farm should have its well water tested. Water quality can change during periods of heavy rain or drought and additional water tests during these periods will ensure that water lines continue to deliver adequate water volume for both the birds and the cooling systems. County agents can provide more information on the tests available, provide information on fees for testing and submit samples to the Agricultural and Environmental Services Laboratory at the University of Georgia. Change filters regularly Sediment and other particulates can cause leaky water nipples that can have negative effects on litter quality. Clogged filters restrict water flow to the drinker and cooling systems. In some cases, simple cartridge filters may not be adequate, such as for water with high iron. In those cases other water treatments will need to be considered. Flush water lines regularly A high pressure flush should be performed on water lines between each flock and after adding supplements through the medicator, e.g. vaccines, medications, vitamins, electrolytes, etc. Plan ahead before treating water Before implementing water treatment or sanitation programmes, consult your county agent to ensure that contaminants in your water will not react negatively and cause the water system to become clogged.

Bell, D.B., 2002. Consumption and quality of water. In: Commercial Chicken Meat and Egg Production. D.D. Bell and W.D. Weaver, eds. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell, MA. p411-430. Carter,T.A. and R.E. Sneed, 1987. Drinking water quality for poultry. PS&T Guide No. 42, Extension Poultry Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Dozier, D.A., M. Czarick, M.P. Lacy, and B.D. Fairchild, 2002. Monitoring water consumption on commercial broiler farms: Evaluation tool to assess flock performance. Poultry Sci. 80:154 (Suppl. 1.). Fairchild, B.D., A.B. Batal, C.W. Ritz and P.F. Vendrell, 2006. Effect of drinking water iron concentration on broiler performance. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 15:511-517. May, J.D., B.D. Lott and J.D. Simmons, 1997.Water consumption by broilers in high cyclic temperatures: Bell versus nipple waterers. Poultry Sci. 76:944-947. Pesti, G.M., S.V. Amato and L.R. Minear, 1985. Water consumption of broiler chickens under commercial conditions. Poultry Sci. 64:803-808. Schwartz, D.L. Water Quality. VSE, 81c., Penn. State Univ. (mimeographed) Waggoner, R., R. Good and R. Good, 1984. Water Quality and Poultry Performance. Proceedings AVMA Annual Conference, July.

Poultry Industry News EU WELFARE REGULATIONS AND THE LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES EU â&#x20AC;&#x201C; EU regulations banning battery cages for laying hens and sow stalls have much to commend them but the impacts on the market may have been overlooked or underestimated, writes senior editor, Jackie Linden. Just four months after the battery cage ban, EU egg production is reported to be down by between 10 and 15 per cent and there has been much disruption in the market, including in some unexpected areas. A partial ban on sow stalls is due to come into force in January 2013 so what can we expect for the pig sector? At a meeting on the new EU animal welfare strategy in Brussels at the end of February, jointly organised by the European Commission and the Danish Presidency of the EU, the stated aim was to drive forward an integrated approach to animal welfare. Read More...

LIVING UNDER THE SHADOW OF PESTICIDES AND ANTIBIOTICS EU - In the livestock sectors, there has been great concern recently over the use of antibiotics both as therapeutic measures and also as growth promoters, writes Chris Harris. The concerns arise out of the fears over a build-up of antibiotic resistance in humans to a number of pathogens being passed on through residues of the antibiotics in meat, fish, eggs and dairy produce. In the EU, the use of antibiotics as growth promoters has long been banned but in other countries it is still common practice. In the US, where antibiotics are used for therapeutic measures, precautionary measures and as growth promoters, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken the first steps to control their use. Read More...

Health & Welfare News EU HEN WELFARE TOPS AGENDA AT UK NFU

NEW TARGET FOR REDUCTION OF SALMONELLA IN TURKEYS

EU - The Welfare of Laying Hens Directive remained top of the agenda when poultry board vice chairman Duncan Priestner made his report at a council meeting of England's National Farmers Union.

EU - Of the 5.4 million cases of human salmonellosis in 2010, 2.6 per cent of these cases were attributed to turkeys.

The Commission had estimated 2.5 per cent drop in egg production across the EU due to a cut-back in chick placings following a period of over supply. However, the Welfare of Laying Hens Directive has had a much bigger impact, with total EU production estimated to be down by 10-15 per cent, with a 20 per cent drop in Spanish production, he said. As a result wholesale rates have increased substantially, ending 18 months of “horrendous” prices. However, Mr Priestner noted that demand has slackened in recent weeks and the free-range sector continued to have a “tough time”, picking up only small gains on the back of the wholesale market.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) scientific opinion estimates the public health impact of setting a new target for the reduction of Salmonella in turkeys. Specifically, EFSA was asked to indicate and rank the Salmonella serovars with public health significance, to assess the impact of a reduction of the prevalence of Salmonella in breeding flocks of turkeys on the prevalence of Salmonella in flocks of fattening turkeys and to assess the relative public health impact if a new target for reduction of Salmonella is set in turkeys being one per cent or less of flocks remaining positive for all Salmonella serovars with public health significance, compared to (1) the theoretical prevalence at the end of the transitional period...

Health & Welfare News EU DRAWS UP ANIMAL CLONING OPTIONS

JOINT EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ANIMAL WELFARE

EU - The EU has begun a process to draw up new rules to govern the cloning of farm animals.

GLOBAL - FAO recently convened the First Global Multi-stakeholder Forum on Animal Welfare, with participants representing the food industry, farmers, the civil society, inter-governmental organizations, governmental authorities and the academia, reflecting the growing conviction that animal welfare is an issue of widespread interest.

The Commission has drawn up five policy options, the most extreme of which would suspend the use of clones and their offspring and prohibit the use of food from clones, offspring and their descendants. The Commission is also considering labelling products that come from a descendent of a clone and introducing strict traceability requirements for imports. However, it acknowledged this would be difficult and costly to put in place and could have significant consequences for trade. A final option would be to maintain the current rules where the creation of cloned animals and embryos is not permitted in the EU, but the progeny of animals cloned abroad may be imported. A legislative proposal on animal cloning is expected in Spring 2013. Read More...

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According to FAO, the Forum was organized with the support of the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Commission. The meeting was a stocktaking experience convened to share and scale-up best ideas, practices and innovative solutions to the complex animal welfare challenges. It provided a comprehensive overview on activities addressing animal welfare and on the variety of stakeholders providing them. Read More...

GLOBAL PETITION TO IMPROVE TREATMENT OF FARM ANIMALS GLOBAL - At the United Nations, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) handed nearly 110,000 signatures on its global petition to improve the treatment of farm animals, to the Executive Coordinators of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), Elizabeth Thompson and Brice Lalonde. The petition represents the significant and growing worldwide support for Pawprint â&#x20AC;&#x201C; WSPA's campaign to put farm animal welfare on the agenda at Rio+20 in June. Every day, billions of animals suffer on industrial farms. Pigs, chickens and cows are unable to move freely, breathe fresh air or even feel the sunlight. Not only is this one of the worst animal abuses in the world, it also has negative effects on the environment, poverty and human health. Through Pawprint, people from every corner of the globe have asked world leaders to include animal welfare as part of the discussions at Rio+20.

AVIAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE IN ACTION AROUND THE WORLD GLOBAL - The last few months have been extremely busy for Aviagen’s technical teams and specialists who have been giving presentations at customer events around the world. Events such as seminars, roadshows and workshops play an important part in knowledge transfer and education and also provide a great opportunity for the company’s customers to share experiences with each other, meet the wider Aviagen team and to provide feed-back to our breeding programme.

Aviagen, the world’s leading poultry breeding company, supplies day-old grandparent and parent stock chicks to customers in 130 countries worldwide under the Arbor Acres, Ross and Indian River brand names.

www.aviagen.com For Aviagen, understanding its customers’ businesses and their needs is of paramount importance and they enjoy the opportunities to spend time with customers and their customers. A whistle–stop tour of Aviagen events over the past few months includes... Read More...

Poultry Industry News HELPING KEEP TRACK OF QUEENSLAND'S LIVESTOCK QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA - Biosecurity Queensland Industry Liaison Officer Fiona Thompson said property registration plays a crucial role in managing the risks of animal diseases. "Property owners can help Biosecurity Queensland keep track of livestock by simply registering their property and keeping their details up to date," Ms Thompson said. "Current information allows Biosecurity Queensland to work with livestock owners and the community to respond quickly and minimise the impact of animal diseases. "Property registration should be completed within 14 days of obtaining livestock for the first time." Owners can register their property online or by phone on 13 25 23. Read More...

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GUIDANCE FOR POULTRY FARMERS ON REDUCTION OF BIRD FLU INCIDENCE INDIA - Timely vaccination of birds and animals, access to standard laboratories and maintaining bio-security are among the measures required to curb the sporadic outbreak of bird flu in India’s northeast, says a team of international and Indian experts touring the region. According to Health.india.com, citing IANS, experts of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and India, who are on a five-day visit to Tripura to probe the causes of frequent bird flu outbreaks, have asked the northeastern states to maintain stipulated protocols to stop the contagious disease from resurfacing. “The FAO and Indian experts have also suggested reaching out to common people with scientific methods of protection of... Read More...

FOSSILSHIELD KEEPS POULTRY MITE-FREE UK - FOSSILSHIELD is a non-toxic diatomaceous powder. As the mite attempt to remove FOSSILSHIELD from their skin, the powder begins to scratch away their waxy outer layer, exposing the fatty tissue underneath.The powder then dries this tissue, killing the insect naturally. The unique FOSSIL SHIELD + PCS professional onsite electrostatic application, charges the powder, allowing for a robust and long-term coverage of different surfaces. A treatment should take place after clean out and prior to bird placement and should typically last for up to 40 weeks. However 85 per cent of PCS customer farms require no further treatment throughout the laying period. Read More...

Poultry Industry News REDUCE LAMENESS LOSSES THROUGH PROBIOTICS US - A team led by researchers at the University of Arkansas has developed a wire-flooring model that reliably induces lameness in broilers at levels sufficient to allow in-depth study of the condition. The team published the results of their study in the April issue of Poultry Science, a journal published by the Poultry Science Association (PSA). (See R.F.Wideman et al., A wire-flooring model for inducing lameness in broilers: Evaluation of probiotics as a prophylactic treatment. Poult Sci 2012 91:870-883.) Year in and year out, lameness is one of the leading causes of mortality in broilers, making the condition a significant economic concern for the poultry industry. But because the incidence rate of lameness is low in research flocks, the phenomenon has been difficult to study, which has hampered efforts to develop measures that may help producers. Read More...

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Feeding & Nutrition EXCENTIAL BUTYCOAT IN POULTRY NUTRITION

SURVEY REVEALS GLOBAL PREVALENCE OF MYCOTOXINS

NETHERLANDS - Slow-release sodium butyrate has potential as an alternative to or in combination with antibiotic growth promoters, says Excential, part of Orffa International Holding BV.

GLOBAL - Biomin has published the results of its Mycotoxin Survey Program for 2011. The comprehensive survey documents the occurrence of mycotoxins in samples taken throughout 2011 in different regions. One thing is clear: the global prevalence of mycotoxins in a range of common feed commodities underscores the need for quality feed management strategies.

Since the EU ban on the use of in-feed antibiotics (AGPs) in livestock, organics acids (OA) have been found as valuable alternative. Among the OA, particularly important are short chain fatty acids (SCFA). Butyrate has a strong bactericidal effect and stimulates villus growth while inhibiting apoptosis. Non– protected OA are absorbed in the upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), inhibiting their action.

Since 2005, Biomin has been conducting extensive studies documenting the occurrence of mycotoxins worldwide. The Biomin Mycotoxin Survey Program 2011 details the distribution of mycotoxins according to their region of origin and commodity type.

Excential Butycoat’s microencapsulation addresses the release and bioactivity of butyrate throughout the whole GIT, modulating micro flora and targeting Salmonella. Proper micro–encapsulation ensures safe gastric passage.

More than 4,300 samples were collected from various countries over a 12–month period from January to December and 13,854 analyses were carried out to investigate...

Poultry Industry News NOVUS CELEBRATES RECORD YEAR OF HMTBA PRODUCTION

FEED COMPANY MERGER IN PROSPECT IN INDONESIA

US - Confirming what commercial partners and animal nutritionists have known for decades, Novus is continuing to harness the full value of the HMTBa molecule in several species.

INDONESIA - Two producers of animal feed and processed foods, PT Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk (JPFA) and PT Multibreeder Adirama Indonesia Tbk (Mbai), have agreed to merge.

The growth in demand for the HMTBa molecule is nearly half of the global methionine market. A boost in demand for HMTBa, in both liquid and dry forms, is a result of targeted market expansion beyond poultry into swine diet formulations, ruminant rations in dairy and beef applications, as well as the ever-growing needs of the aquaculture segment.

The merger aims to strengthen the business and corporate capital structure, according to Media Indonesia.

As corn and soy feed ingredients have experienced increased price volatility, the cost savings associated with maximizing the use of methionine activity in animals’ diets have increased. Nutrition experts seeking to improve feed efficiency and reduce feed cost routinely turn to HMTBa as their solution.

JPFA Director, Herry Wibowo, said that the merger would provide four key benefits for the company: acceleration of operational and business strategies, better financial efficiency, improved streamlining of the corporate structure and avoiding duplication in compliance in capital and stock markets.

The information was disclosed to the Indonesia Stock Exchange on on 12 April, following the signing of a Letter of Intent.

VIET NAM'S MIDDLE CLASS LIFTS FOOD, FEED DEMAND

AFBF ANALYSIS SEES SOYBEANS AS NEW MARKET DRIVER

VIET NAM - The growth in China has garnered a lot of attention lately, but China's neighbour - Viet Nam - is another emerging market that is building our global middle class and increasing grain demand, writes Sarah Mikesell, senior editor.

US - A new report on world agricultural supply and demand estimates issued by the Agriculture Department is setting up what could be an interesting new crop market dynamic, according to economic analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation.

By 2020, 600 million households, primarily in the developing world, are going to join in the global middle class, said Thomas Dorr, US Grains Council president and CEO, at the Commodity Classic in early March. These new markets, in terms of sheer size and dollar value, will exceed existing middle class markets in the US, Europe and Japan within the next decade.

The WASDE report issued today was largely unchanged on the corn and feedgrain side and was generally viewed as neutral, but on the soybean side, supply estimates were reduced and US exports increased to help make up for smaller South American crops, according to AFBF Economist Todd Davis.

VIET NAM EMERGES IN A NEW WAY Viet Nam is one of the emerging new markets. With a population of nearly 90 million, it is larger than any European country. Read More...

“We are looking at a situation where soybeans, rather than corn, could very well become the market leader in the US grain and oilseed complex,” Dr Davis said. “Typically, corn prices usually help drive the market prices for the other grain and oilseed commodities, but given what we now know, soybeans are ready to move to the forefront.” Read More...

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Poultry Industry News VEGETABLE PROTEIN KEY FOR FUTURE PROTEIN SUPPLIES UK - Scientists at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) are playing their part in addressing the UK protein deficit through a five–year research project valued at £2.15 million. As consumers increasingly switch from largely vegetable based diets to consumption of more meat and dairy, global demand for animal protein is predicted to rise by 85 per cent by 2050 driven by population growth and increasing affluence in developing countries.

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is a new Alpha-galactosidase enzyme complex designed to target the soybean fraction of broiler poultry rations where it nullifies the anti-nutritional effects associated with this and other leguminous protein supplements.

increases dietary ME and reduces the incidence of nutritionally based wet litter by breaking down the

As a result, demand for vegetable proteins as animal feedstock has risen, and the UK currently faces a shortfall in domestic vegetable protein production capability. Increasing reliance on imports poses potentially significant supply and economic risks to the UK due to the combined effects of... Read More...

ARSENIC AND OTHER COMPOUNDS NOT FED TO CHICKENS US - The National Chicken Council released a statement in response to a New York Times opinion piece, "Arsenic in our chicken." The National Chicken Council refuted the findings of recent studies that claim to have found chemical and antimicrobial residues in chicken feather meal: "As the study's authors point out, this study looked only at feathers, not meat. If consumers were to take away one message from the findings, it should be from the researchers themselves: 'We haven't found anything that is an immediate health concern.' "The top priority for America's chicken farmers and processors is to raise healthy, top quality birds, because doing so is not only an ethical obligation, it is the foundation of a safe and wholesome chicken supply. Read More...

complex structural carbohydrates responsible and converting them to readily available energy.

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For more information please contact Kerry Animal and Pet Nutrition: Dr Clive Girdler - Market Director EMEA clivve.girdler@kerry g @ y y.com or Dr Sara Llamas Moya - Technical Manager sarra.llamasmoya@ y @ @kerry.com y

AB VISTA LAUNCHES NEW INTUITIVE WEBSITE UK - AB Vista is springing into action this April with a freshly designed, more intuitive website – introducing a platform for new generation services for customers across the feed industry. As well as giving www.abvista.com a fresh look and feel, the integrated supplier of micro-ingredients has designed their new website with responsive design technology meaning that the site will automatically reconfigure itself for optimal viewing on any screen size. Navigation to the AB Vista product information and associated services is easy and efficient with supporting materials available for download or viewing direct from the site. The AB Vista website offers links to the following services for its distributors and customers: The Corn Quality Service uses near infra-red (NIR) spectroscopy to analyse... Read More...

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Poultry Industry News RESEARCHERS EXAMINE VARIATION IN LITTER USE FOR HENS US - Litter use depended on the times and pen, according to researchers at Iowa State University. Litter use by hens was investigated by recording the number of hens moving to and from the litter in an aviary housing system, according to according to Jessica D. Jenkins, Rebecca L. Parsons, Morgan Hayes, Hongwei Xin and Suzanne Millman of Iowa State University in the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Animal Industry Report 2012. Findings showed a difference in litter use between different times and pens.These findings are being contributed as one component of a comprehensive assessment of an aviary laying hen housing system. The US egg industry is anticipating a change from conventional cage to cage-free housing systems. Aviary housing is a cage-free system that allows hens access to litter-floors, nest boxes and perches. Read More...

POULTRY FARMER BENEFITS FROM THE SUN UK - Poultry farmers are benefiting from solar power and the higher feed-in tariff rate, following the installation of PV panels before the 12th December deadline. SERS Renewables has installed 200kWp of solar PV across four farms in Herefordshire, in just four months. The installations were carried out prior to the change in tariffs in December, meaning the owners will benefit from the higher feed in tariff rate. It is estimated that the payback period will be just seven and a half years. With an annual output of 42,143kWh, one system is expected to generate an annual feed-in tariff of over ÂŁ13,000; well over a quarter of a million in its lifetime. : Read More...

Housing & Equipment NEW DISTRIBUTION IN AUSTRALIA

AUSTRALIA - Termotecnica Pericoli will be expanding their Asian sales and marketing activities during the upcoming PIX Exhibition on the Gold Coast, QLD from 20-23 May 2012 with the announcement of the appointment of a distribution network in the Australian market. The company will then be in a position to supply and service the industry with locally available inventory as well as technical support and service to back the sales of their full range of equipment and systems for climate control and ventilation in the poultry industry.

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In addition to show casing their extensive range of equipment and system they will be focusing on their new and improved efficient: - EOS/EWS 53â&#x20AC;? Fan range. In particular their unique and patented EWS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Centrifugal Shutter Mechanismâ&#x20AC;? with its extended...

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AGRILAMP SUCCESS AT LONDON ONTARIO SHOW www.agrilamp.com 8 t 11 ac nt 547 Co 332 1 0) 4( +4

UK & CANADA - London Ontario Show Canada proves to be yet again a great show for Agrilamp.This year the Master Distributors Davian USA and Vencomatic Canada had three new local distributors at the show and orders for 2000 Agrilamp were placed during the event

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Sales in North America were expected to grow by 200 per cent in 2012 however with the current rate of success it is likely to double that. While at the Show John Matcham took the time to visit Gray Ridge Farms one of Canada's largest egg producers who have recently installed Agrilamp into their new Farmer Automatic rearing system and will install Agrilamp into the their New Logia Layer System in the next few weeks.

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Read More... ÂŠ Copyright Copyright Greengage Greengage Lighting Lighting Ltd Ltd 2012. All rrights ights rreserved. eserved.

Poultry Industry News PRINZEN INTRODUCES OVOSET NETHERLANDS - The OVOSET is a most affordable solution for setting hatching eggs onto setter trays by a machine. The incoming flow of eggs is carefully aligned and positioned points down. The setter trays are manually positioned by the operator, where the OVOSET will automatically gently place the eggs onto the tray. The manual handling of setter trays, in combination with the automatic points down setting of the OVOSET, gives high efficiency. An accurate points down setting of hatching eggs onto setter trays, can provide high returns for hatcheries, by means of improved hatchability and chick quality. Every 1 per cent of wrongly (point up) placed hatching eggs reduces the output of viable chicks with 0.2 per cent.he OVOSET uses the proven Prinzen egg points down principle, which assures a points down setting of 99.7 per cent, and is also integrated in the high end solutions of the Prinzen Setter Line. Read More...

PETERSIME EXPANDS SALES AND MARKETING TEAM BELGIUM - Petersime, the world leader in incubation and hatchery equipment, has appointed Rudy Verhelst to join the Sales and Marketing Department as Product Manager. As of 16 April, Rudy Verhelst (33) will be coordinating Petersime’s product management as well as its marketing and communication activities. His challenge will be to successfully position Petersime’s products and services in the market and further strengthen the company’s ability to meet the needs of its customers. Dr Verhelst has a PhD in Engineering. He joined Petersime in 2010 in the R&D department, where he developed and designed incubation equipment, carried out research and coordinated Petersime’s collaboration with the University of Leuven. Read More...

Incubation & Hatching PAS REFORM GRANTED EXCLUSIVE USE OF MICROBAN IN HATCHERIES

FIJI'S POULTRY INDUSTRY STRIVES FOR SELF-SUFFICIENCY

NETHERLANDS - Microban antibacterial technology is finding new applications in the hatchery sector, through an Agreement that gives leading Dutch hatchery technology company Pas Reform sole use worldwide.

FIJI - Fiji's poultry industry has been identified as an important industry because of its economic and social contribution to the development of the country's economy.

Well-established as a leading innovator of incubation technologies, Pas Reform has incorporated Microban into the polymer used to manufacture setter trays, hatcher baskets and other hygiene-critical hatchery consumables. “Pas Reform’s use of Microban technology represents an important development in minimising contamination by bacteria and pathogens in hatcheries”, explains Gerd de Lange, Senior Poultry Specialist of Pas Reform. Read More...

NEW STAND FOR ORKA’S EGGSHELL THICKNESS GAUGE

According to the Fiji Times, this was revealed by the Minister for Agriculture, Joketani Cokanasiga. While opening the 'Awesome Chicks Supplies Hatchery' in Ba on Friday, Mr Cokanasiga said the industry had successfully moved towards becoming self sufficient compared to other industries like dairy and beef. "Currently, around 80 to 85 per cent of poultry meats are being produced locally by major producers and other emerging enterprises," he said. Mr Cokanasiga said a project such as Awesome Chicks Supplies Hatchery was another example of the industry's commitment... Read More...

GLOBAL - EggTester.com (better known as ORKA Food Technology) has developed a new stand for its Eggshell Thickness Gauge (ESTG). The Egg Shell Thickness Gauge is an ultrasonic instrument to measure the thickness at various points on the shell without resorting to the traditional and time–consuming method of breaking the egg and measuring individual segments. Thickness can be measured over a range of 0.15mm to 25mm with a sensitivity of 0.001mm. The instrument has a serial output to export data to a PC. The Egg Thickness Gauge is powered by batteries and is field deployable with the instrument and accessories housed in a foam-lined carrying case. The new stand is extremely easy to use, provides faster and more accurate reading, and there is no need for training, says ORKA. Read More...

Poultry Industry News IS MODERNISING INSPECTION A RISK? US - The USDA decided to extend the consultation time on the new proposals for poultry meat inspection in processing plants, writes editor-in-chief, Chris Harris. The proposals are designed to modernise the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) approach to young chicken and turkey slaughter inspection by focusing FSIS inspection resources on the areas of the poultry production system that pose the greatest risk to food safety. At present, some FSIS workers in poultry plants perform a variety of activities unrelated to improving food safety, such as identifying relatively superficial defects on birds, such as bruising. The new proposals are designed to ensure that all FSIS inspection activities will focus on critical food safety tasks to ensure that agency resources are tied directly to protecting public health and reducing foodborne illnesses. Read More...

NCC RESPONDS TO NEWS REPORT ON PROPOSED POULTRY INSPECTION SYSTEM US - The National Chicken Council released the following statement in response to an ABC News Report on the proposed poultry inspection system. According to Ashley Peterson, PhD, National Chicken Council vice president of science and technology: "The proposed inspection system will better protect the public from foodborne illnesses by reducing reliance on old-fashioned visual and sensory inspection and moving to prevention-oriented inspection systems based on actual risk to consumers. Studies by the National Academy of Sciences, the General Accounting Office and by USDA have established the need to modernize the poultry inspection program and this proposed rule does that. Read More...

Processing & Packaging DELAY TO POULTRY INSPECTION PROPOSALS

PACKAGING WITH SMART FUNCTIONS

US - The US Food Safety and Inspection Service is to extend the comment period for a proposed rule to modernise the way young chickens and turkeys are inspected at slaughter.

NORWAY - Researchers believe that the packaging of the future will contain substances that will get rid of unwanted bacteria. Or it could be made from food waste.

The original deadline to submit comments was 26 April.

Fat, vitamins and pigments in food are broken down to a greater or lesser extent by oxygen, temperature and light. Some foods cannot tolerate oxygen, while others thrive on it. Foods must be packaged differently because they decompose differently. Many vegetables need oxygen to maintain their quality, for example, and dairy products must be protected from light.

The new deadline to receive comments is 30 days after the notice announcing the extension publishes in the Federal Register. The request to extend the comment period was made by constituents and the Agency agreed. The notice clarifies answers to questions from several groups; the posting of those answers ensures that the groups and the public have access to the same information. The notice also specifies that FSIS is seeking information and data on potential impacts of line speed on worker safety.

The food packaging researchers at the Nofima food research institute have many issues to work on in this area. The institute has its own food packaging programme, which is supported by the Foundation for Research Levy on Agricultural Products (FFL). Read More...