The PoultrySite Digital - December 2011 - Issue 12 by 5m Publishing

EXPERT KNOWLEDGE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS DECEMBER 2011 – ISSUE 12

Impacts on Health of Poultry and Humans of the EU Ban on Battery Cages With the imminent ban on conventional battery cages for laying hens in the European Union, a recent conference examined the likely impacts of alternative housing systems for laying hens and broilers on both poultry and human health issues. Jackie Linden, senior editor of ThePoultrySite, reports.

on the keeping of hens in conventional battery cages. Producers in many member states have invested in alternative housing systems for their hens, as we have already reported on ThePoultrySite but there has been little research into some important effects of these changes for producers.

From 1 January 2012, a ban comes into force in the EU This feature is continued on page 4

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November 2011– Issue 11

COVER STORY

Impacts on Health of Poultry and Humans of the EU Ban on Battery Cages

With the imminent ban on conventional battery cages for laying hens in the European Union, a recent conference examined the likely impacts of alternative housing systems for laying hens and broilers on both poultry and human health issues. Jackie Linden, senior editor of ThePoultrySite, reports.

Africa to Produce 4MT of Poultry in 2011 – P9

EDITORIAL

Africa is forecast to produce four million tonnes of chicken meat in 2011, according to seasoned industry watcher, Terry Evans, as he turns his attention to the trends in the broiler industries of Africa and Oceania. In Australia and New Zealand, annual growth in output is expected to continue but to be modest.

LATEST POULTRY INDUSTRY NEWS

Role of Infectious Challenges in Nutritional Diseases – P14 Infectious diseases result in important changes in nutrient absorption, metabolism and excretion, as well as exacerbating non-infectious diseases, according to Professor Kirk C. Klasing of the University of California, Davis.

Relationship Between the Incidence of Ascites and Ventilation in Broiler Chickens – P19 Researchers at Iran's Islamic Azad University observed fewer problems with ascites and respiratory diseases in broilers after they improved the ventilation in seven commercial poultry houses.

Health & Welfare Breeding & Genetics Biosecurity & Hygiene Feeding & Nutrition Housing & Equipment Incubation & Hatching Processing & Packaging

20 24 28 32 36 38 40

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Editorial Health & Disease is the theme of this issue of ThePoultrySite Digital - always an important topic for producers and veterinarians and one that impacts on so many other areas of production, as we will show.

Health & Disease Jackie Linden ThePoultrySite.com Senior Editor jackie.linden@5mpublishing.com

From 1 January 2012, conventional battery cages will be banned for egg production in the European Union. Improved welfare is the hoped-for outcome of this enrichment of the birds’ living conditions but what are the possible impacts of the change in housing system on the health of both the hens and consumers of eggs and egg products? We take a look at the implications by drawing together a number of presentations made at a recent conference entitled ‘Alternative Systems for Poultry – Health, Welfare and Productivity’. Experience presented from a number of countries shows the emergence of new poultry diseases or the re-emergence of ones that had dwindled since hens were brought into houses, a situation that applies particularly to freerange production. In terms of the human health implications of alternative housing systems, the evidence is mixed. While the risks of Salmonella contamination in eggs and chicken meat appear to be about the same, a review of published research indicates that free-range and organic flocks are more likely to be Campylobacter-positive at slaughter than birds kept indoors. Another of our features this month highlights the interaction between nutrition and health in a paper presented by Professor Kirk Klasing from the US at the meeting of the World’s Veterinary Poultry Association earlier this year. That a disease – ascites – was successfully reduced by better control of ventilation illustrates the link between health and environmental conditions in the poultry house. And finally, our series on Global Poultry Trends 2011 continues with industry watcher, Terry Evans, forecasting the likely trends in broiler production in Africa and Oceania in the coming years. Jackie Linden

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

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Impacts on Health of Poultry and Humans of the EU Ban on Battery Cages Continued from page 1 sible impacts on the health of both egg-laying and meat birds kept in alternative systems – which include furnished (colony) cages, barns and free-range – and also on possible foodborne pathogens. Several papers on these areas were presented at the symposium 'Alternative Systems for Poultry – Health, Welfare and Productivity' organised by the UK Branch of the WPSA in Glasgow, Scotland in September this year. EFFECTS OF ALTERNATIVE SYSTEMS ON DISEASE AND HEALTH OF POULTRY Poultry health management is a pivotal component of successful poultry production, said Stephen Lister of Crowshill Veterinary Service in the UK in the introduction to his paper, co-written with Bert van Nijhuis of Verbeek's Broederij en Opfokbedrijven in the Netherlands.

system of production. However, the clinical effects of those disease challenges and impacts on health, performance and welfare can be specific to a particular system. There have been several surveys of bird mortality to compare different production systems and most reveal an increasing trend in losses for the alternative systems, said Mr Lister. A recent paper from Denmark is typical and revealed the following mortality ranges: cages, 4.5 to 9.0 per cent; deep litter. 9.0 to 12 per cent; free-range, 6.0 to 11.0 per cent and organic flocks, 9.0 to 18 per cent. There is a need to address the variations revealed in this work, said Mr Lister – both between and within the different systems. One area with potential to have the most dramatic influence is the birds' environment and how they

"There is a need to address the variations both between and within the different systems." Stephen Lister

Disease and its effects on poultry health can damage productive performance and have an adverse effect on bird welfare and food safety. A whole host of factors can affect disease incidence and its impact on poultry health, he said. These include the prevalence and interaction of many pathogens, availability and use of vaccines and medicines, standards of husbandry and management and levels of stockmanship. The first major changes in the poultry industry tended to intensify production. As such systems became the norm, they have often been described as 'conventional'. Key drivers in poultry production have changed in recent years, including a re-evaluation of the welfare impact of such production systems for both egglaying and meat birds. Part of this has involved a move away from conventional systems and a re-introduction of more traditional systems or the development of novel alternative systems. The list of diseases that can affect poultry is the same, regardless of the

respond to it.This impact has been well known during the development of the poultry industry as it adapted to varying climates and market requirements.This involved considerable advances in technology and husbandry techniques. "It all depends on the pathogens, the challenge and how birds adapt to the bugs and the environment," Mr Lister stressed, taking three examples of important disease challenges relevant to changing poultry systems. Chicken respiratory disease is a multifactorial condition, involving several different pathogens and air quality, as well as underlying viruses that impact the immune system, such as Marek's disease, Gumboro and chicken anaemia virus. To prevent disease, it may be necessary to alter practices where the environment is harder to disinfect or when birds remain longer, Mr Lister said. Turning to the second example, he cited avian

FEATURE ARTICLE

influenza, which affects poultry in both high and low production intensities.The virus is likely to be introduced by wild birds, as in the outbreak in turkeys in the UK in 2007, which started near a lake but the infection soon impinged on nearby housed poultry.The best control method will depend on the intensity of poultry production and wild bird populations in the region. Brachyspira is a bacterial disease of poultry, which has re-emerged in recent years in free-range flocks, causing sudden egg drops and production 'wobbles' at any time from peak lay. It is a disease of the intestinal tract and results in frothy, yellow droppings. Mr Lister said it is unclear if the pathogen is the primary cause of the condition or if it is an opportunist when the general health of the birds is poor. Often, affected flocks are found to have access to poached or wet heavily used areas of the run, which may be the source of the pathogen.

After stressing the vital importance of good biosecurity to minimise the entry of pathogens, Mr Lister concluded that most important to address the challenges of disease in alternative poultry systems is to understand the health risks on each farm, to recognise sign of ill-health and to medicate when necessary. "Whatever the system, an effective Veterinary Health and Welfare Plans appropriate to each farm is crucial for disease prevention," concluded Mr Lister. ERYSIPELAS IN LAYING HENS IN DIFFERENT HOUSING SYSTEMS In a short paper, Helena Eriksson of Sweden's National Veterinary Institute described a study she carried out with researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The study found that the probability of an outbreak

Impacts on Health of Poultry and Humans of the EU Ban on Battery Cages of erysipelas is affected by the housing system, and serological investigations confirm that the probability of an outbreak is higher in free-range systems than where the birds were housed indoors on litter. Dr Eriksson explained that the Swedish Animal Welfare Act of 1988 ushered in the end of conventional battery cages for laying hens and by 2005, almost all flocks were housed either in furnished cages or in litter-based indoor housing systems, with or without outdoor access. The first outbreak of erysipelas (infection with the bacterium, Erysipelothrix rhusopathiae) was diagnosed in a free-range flock in 1998. Further outbreaks in succeeding years were associated with mortality up to 50 per cent and production losses. The study had been set up to examine possible links between the disease and housing system. So far, no flock housed in furnished cages has been diagnosed with the disease, added Dr Eriksson. EFFECTS OF OPEN WATER SOURCES ON DUCK HEALTH Ms G. Liste of Cambridge University in the UK explained that their study is part of a wider project investigating the provision of open water sources for commercial ducks kept in concrete-floored pens with straw bedding. It appeared that eye, nostril and foot condition were unaffected by treatment, in which water was provided in large or small troughs or pools.

PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR LAYING HENS AND BROILERS AND THE RISK OF HUMAN PATHOGENS It is the role of the UK's Health Protection Agency to check human diseases, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, explained Dr Frieda Jørgensen from the Agency in the introduction to her paper written with co-authors from Ghent University in Belgium. There is evidence that the type of production system used for laying hens and broilers can affect the likelihood of the chickens being colonised by human pathogens, she said. The most significant public health risk associated with layers is transmission of Salmonella to humans via eggs, she explained. Based on experimental and epidemiological data, however, it seems unlikely that the move from conventional cages to enriched cages and non-cage systems will result in an increased prevalence and/or shedding of Salmonella in laying flocks. Data in relation to broiler rearing system and the likelihood of birds being infected by other pathogens, including Salmonella, are scarce, said Dr Jørgensen. However, there is no evidence to suggest that organic and free-range broilers are more likely to be infected with Salmonella than are conventionally reared ones. Turning her attention to Campylobacter in broilers, she said studies suggest that free-range and organic flocks are significantly more likely to be positive for Campylobacter at slaughter than conventionally

"The replacement of cages is unlikely to increase Salmonella infection or shedding in layers" Dr Frieda Jørgensen

From the first two replicates, which were presented at the symposium, of a total of three replicates, feather hygiene and body weight were adversely affected with small troughs measuring 150×15×8cm. Weight and gait scores improved with age, as did feather hygiene and eye condition. Overall, the researchers commented that the ducks were in generally good health throughout, with low scores for poor health.

reared broilers. However, there is evidence suggesting antibiotic-resistant human pathogens are more commonly isolated from conventionally reared than from organic or free-range broilers, Dr Jørgensen added.

FEATURE ARTICLE

Global Poultry Trends

Africa to Produce 4MT of Poultry in 2011 Africa is forecast to produce four million tonnes of chicken meat in 2011, according to seasoned industry watcher, Terry Evans, as he turns his attention to the trends in the broiler industries of Africa and Oceania. In Australia and New Zealand, annual growth in output is expected to continue but to be modest.

Poultry meat production in Africa will likely exceed four million tonnes for the first time in 2011, which will equate with a chicken meat output of around 3.7 million tonnes, or about 93 per cent of the total. Since 2000, chicken meat production in this region has expanded by about one million tonnes, showing an average annual growth rate of some 2.6 per cent.The total currently represents just over four per cent of world production estimated at 90.5 million tonnes. For 2012, global chicken meat (table birds plus culled layers) will come close to 93 million tonnes. Although there are over 50 countries in the region, more than 40 produced less than 50,000 tonnes in 2009 (table 1).Thus it is clear that in common with the other regions covered by these reports, the bulk of production comes from just a handful of countries. In this case, in 2009, seven countries, each producing more than 100,000 tonnes a year account for some 77 per cent of total output, while the largest three â&#x20AC;&#x201C; South Africa, Egypt and Morocco â&#x20AC;&#x201C; supply some 57 per cent. While sadly, production has not grown over the past decade in 10 to 12 countries, a handful of the smaller nations have managed to double production since 2000. Estimates for 2011 point to the 'Big Three' accounting for possibly two-thirds of the total.

Africa to Produce 4MT of Poultry in 2011

Chicken meat production in selected countries in Africa and Oceania 4.0

3.5

million tonnes

3.0

2.5

2.0

2000 2005 2009

1.5

2011F 1.0

0.5

0.0

South Africa

Australia

Egypt

In South Africa, the poultry sector is the country's largest individual agricultural industry contributing almost 18 per cent to agriculture's gross domestic product. This is easily the leading producer with slaughterings in 2010 amounting to 969 million birds producing some 1.3 million tonnes of meat or four per cent more than the 931 million birds or 1.25 million tonnes yielded in 2009. However, for 2011, slaughterings are expected to rise by just one per cent to 980 million with output rising to almost 1.32 million tonnes. In 2009, the growth rate slowed to less than one per cent as a result of significantly higher production costs coupled with the impact of the economic recession on consumer demand. Fortunately, South Africa's economy recovered in 2010 and domestic demand for poultry products increased again. In addition to broiler output, slaughtering of breeders and culled layers boosted chicken meat output by some 24,500 tonnes and 28,670 tonnes respectively, bringing the total for chicken meat in 2010 to a little over 1.3 million tonnes. The broiler industry is dominated by two large concerns namely Rainbow (with a 24 per cent share) producing some 4.4 million birds a week and Astral

Morocco

OCEANIA

AFRICA

(22 per cent) averaging four million per week. The third largest, Country Bird, grows 1.3 million broilers a week taking seven per cent of the market. These three plus four other medium-sized companies, each with slaughterings of more than 800,000 birds per week, represent 73 per cent of total production. Prior to last year, increases in feed costs had not been offset by higher selling prices putting profit margins under pressure. However, lower maize and soya prices brought about a 10 per cent reduction in the cost of broiler rations in 2010. Production efficiency continues to improve such that birds now average 1.85kg live weight in 35 days compared with 1.79kg in 42 days back in 1998. On the disease front, recent years have witnessed greater emphasis on precautionary measures, disease surveillance and control. Furthermore, the poultry sector has funded a long-term disease reduction programme that should be rolled out during the next three years. One forecast indicates that between 2010 and 2015, the industry could expand by some 32 per cent.

FEATURE ARTICLE Table 1. Chicken meat production in Africa ('000 tonnes eviscerated weight) ('000 tonnes eviscerated weight)

(million tonnes)

2000

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010E

2011F

Algeria

240.0

253.0

254.0

0.3

Angola

7.8

8.6

7.7

7.9

8.0

8.2

Benin

12.2

15.4

16.0

16.6

17.1

17.9

8.8

4.8

5.4

5.6

6.6

6.8

26.5

30.9

31.9

33.0

33.8

35.4

5.8

6.8

6.9

7.0

Cameroon

21.2

30.0

30.9

30.8

30.0

31.4

Cape Verde

0.4

0.5

0.6

Central African Rep

3.2

4.4

5.0

5.2

5.0

Chad

4.7

4.9

5.0

5.1

5.2

Comoros

0.5

0.6

0.5

Congo

5.8

5.7

Congo Dem Rep

11.6

10.7

Cote d'Ivoire

22.1

22.5

22.4

22.6

23.0

23.7

Botswana Burkina Faso Burundi

Egypt

513.3

632.8

616.0

704.7

628.8

625.0

0.6

Equatorial Guinea

0.2

Eritrea

1.9

2.2

1.9

1.6

Ethiopia

37.7

42.6

45.2

46.2

48.6

50.9

Gabon

3.8

3.7

3.9

3.8

Gambia Ghana

1.0

1.1

1.2

19.5

28.8

31.5

41.7

44.5

48.0

0.1

Guinea

4.2

5.6

5.9

6.4

6.8

7.2

Guinea-Bissau

1.2

1.5

1.6

13.3

18.2

22.5

24.0

24.7

24.0

Lesotho

1.8

2.1

2.2

2.3

Liberia

6.4

8.5

9.0

9.5

10.0

10.4

Libyan Arab Jam

98.5

115.3

93.5

120.0

120.2

120.9

0.1

Madagascar

32.0

35.5

36.5

36.6

36.8

37.5

Malawi

15.3

15.9

15.3

16.5

15.5

18.1

Mali

36.0 4.4

37.1

38.3

39.4

40.6

Mauritania

29.2 4.1

Mauritius

21.0

33.0

4.5 36.2

4.5 40.2

4.5 42.2

4.5 44.2

Morocco

250.0

370.0

380.0

440.0

450.0

0.5

31.1

19.0

21.7

22.1

Kenya

Mozambique Namibia

8.6

9.5

9.7

9.8

10.0

11.0

11.7

10.5

10.7

10.6

Nigeria

160.0

218.8

232.1

243.3

256.5

0.3

Reunion

13.3

14.1

14.4

14.5

15.0

15.7

Rwanda

1.4

2.3

2.0

2.2

2.4

Sao Tome/Principe

0.6

0.7

23.2

29.0

31.7

37.0

41.1

45.7

Niger

Senegal Seychelles

1.0

0.8

0.7

10.5

11.3

11.6

11.8

11.9

3.2

3.7

3.6

816.9

948.8

971.3

974.2

975.6

966.4

1.3

1.4

26.0

30.5

25.0

26.0

27.0

30.0

3.5

7.4

4.9

Tanzania Un Rep

41.8

51.8

52.7

45.7

48.0

50.3

Togo

12.0

17.6

19.0

20.6

22.2

23.4

Tunisia

87.0

87.4

78.8

96.1

103.0

101.0

0.1

Uganda

44.1

38.2

26.0

31.2

31.9

33.4

Zambia

35.0

39.0

36.5

Zimbabwe

25.3

51.8

53.5

56.9

61.0

61.9

AFRICA

2,780.2

3,348.9

3,340.9

3,532.5

3,551.0

3,591.6

3.6

3.7

WORLD

58,971.8

70,450.9

72,343.9

76,061.3

79,372.8

82,983.8

87.8

90.5

Sierra Leone Somalia South Africa Sudan Swaziland

Africa to Produce 4MT of Poultry in 2011 However, America's Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) projects a more moderate near 18 per cent expansion as broiler output rises to exceed 1.5 million tonnes. Although Egypt is the second largest producer in the region, according to data (table 1) produced by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), output having expanded to top 700,000 tonnes in 2007, has since contracted to 625,000 tonnes in 2009 and, according to FAPRI estimates, 2010 witnessed a further decline to 548,000 tonnes, presumably as a result of outbreaks of avian influenza which first appeared in Egypt in 2006. Indeed, Egypt has been the most affected country by this disease outside of Asia. Now, a recovery appears to be underway with forecast production climbing towards 700,000 tonnes

again in the foreseeable future as demand is boosted by increases in the population and in gross domestic product (GDP per person). Morocco is the third largest producer output having grown steadily and is currently likely to be close to 500,000 tonnes, which means that the industry will have doubled production since 2000. Production in Oceania represents only a little more than one per cent of the global total (Table 3). Over the period 2000 to 2009, the annual rate of growth averaged around 3.5 per cent although, in 2008, output contracted slightly recovering to a record high in 2009 of almost 990,000 tonnes. Primarily as a result of the 2008 cut-back, expansion since 2005 has averaged only a little more than one per cent a year. Nevertheless, total production this year should exceed

Table 2. Chicken meat production ranking in Africa/Oceania in 2009 2009 (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;000 tonnes)

2009 (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;000 tonnes) South Africa

966.4

Liberia

10.4

Australia

832.5

Namibia

10.0

Egypt

625.0

Angola

8.2

Morocco

450.0

Guinea

7.2

Nigeria

256.6

Burundi

7.0

Algeria

254.0

Botswana

6.8

New Zealand

135.0

Papua New Guinea

5.9

Libyan Arab Jam.

120.9

Congo

5.7

Tunisia

101.0

Chad

5.2

Zimbabwe

61.9

Central African Rep.

5.0

Ethiopia

50.9

Swaziland

4.9

Tanzania Un. Rep.

50.3

Mauritania

4.5

Ghana

48.0

Gabon

3.8

Senegal

45.7

Somalia

3.6

Mauritius

44.2

Rwanda

2.4

Mali

40.6

Lesotho

2.3

Zambia

37.5

Eritrea

1.6

Burkina Faso

35.4

Guinea-Bissau

1.6

Uganda

33.4

Gambia

1.2

Cameroon

31.4

New Caledonia

1.0

Sudan

30.0

Sao Tome/Principe

0.7

Kenya

24.0

Seychelles

0.7

Cote d'Ivoire

23.7

Cape Verde

0.6

Togo

23.4

French Polynesia

0.6

Mozambique

22.1

Samoa

0.6

Malawi

18.1

Comoros

0.5

Benin

17.9

Kiribati

0.5

Reunion

15.7

Vanuatu

0.5

Sierra Leone

11.9

Solomon Isl.

0.3

Fiji

11.9

Tonga

0.3

Congo Dem. Rep.

10.7

Equatorial Guinea

0.2

Niger

10.6

Micronesia Fed. St.

0.1

FEATURE ARTICLE Table 3. Chicken meat production in Oceania ('000 tonnes eviscerated weight) ('000 tonnes eviscerated weight)

(million tonnes)

2000

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010E

Australia

610.0

760.0

772.6

811.6

802.4

832.5

0.9

Cook Isl

American Samoa

2011F

Fiji

8.1

12.1

13.6

14.4

11.9

French Polynesia

0.7

0.6

Kiribati

0.3

0.5

0.8

1.0

0.5

Micronesia Fed St Nauru

0.1

New Caledonia

0.7

1.0

0.9

1.0

104.9

157.0

149.0

147.3

145.5

135.0

0.2

Guam

New Zealand Niue

Papua New Guinea

5.4

5.7

5.9

Samoa

0.4

0.5

0.6

Solomon Isl

0.3

Tonga

0.3

Tuvalu

* 0.5

0.5 *

Tokelau

Vanuatu Wallis/Futuna Isl AFRICA

732.1

938.9

945.4

983.6

972.3

989.3

1.0

WORLD

58,971.8

70,450.9

72,343.9

76,061.3

79,372.8

82,983.8

87.8

90.5

one million tonnes. Developments in Oceania are almost totally dependent upon what happens in Australia, which accounts for some 84 per cent of the regional total. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has forecast that poultry meat production in Australia will expand by around 2.6 per cent a year in the near future, pushing the total to more than one million tonnes by 2015. On the assumption that chicken meat will continue to account for around 93 per cent of the total, it looks as though chicken output will climb towards to 950,000 tonnes by 2015. Two large fully-integrated companies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; namely Ingham's Enterprises and Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd â&#x20AC;&#x201C; supply almost 70 per cent of all broilers. A third company, Turi Foods, accounts for just under 10 per cent, the balance being shared among six mediumsize integrated processors each supplying between three and nine per cent of the market, and a number of small processors. Free-range production is estimated to account for between 15 to 20 per cent of the market, according to Greg Hargreave of Baiada Poultry. Although the average live weight at slaughter is around 2.5 to

2.7kg, production of conventional broilers is split between three weight ranges: small birds for the KFC market, birds for barbecuing of around 2.5kg, and larger 3.6-kg chickens used for deboning. The split in demand for these three sizes has lent itself to the growing of single-sex flocks. Having risen quite quickly from around 105,000 tonnes in 2000 to a peak of 157,000 tonnes, chicken meat production in New Zealand has since declined somewhat to around 135,000 tonnes in 2009. Last year, however, witnessed a small recovery back to around 145,000 tonnes. Looking ahead, it appears that growth is unlikely to exceed two per cent per year, pushing output to around 160,000 tonnes by 2015. In contrast to Australia, only a little over one per cent of chickens are grown on free range. Earlier this year, it was reported that Affinity Equity Partners with offices in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Seoul, Singapore and Sydney, had been given permission by New Zealand's Overseas Investment Office (OIO) to acquire Tegel Foods, the country's largest broiler producer with a market share of more than 50 per cent. The second largest player in the New Zealand poultry market is Ingham's Enterprises (NZ) Pty Ltd, a fully-integrated operation owned by Ingham's Australia.

Role of Infectious Challenges in Nutritional Diseases Infectious diseases result in important changes in nutrient absorption, metabolism and excretion, as well as exacerbating non-infectious diseases, according to Professor Kirk C. Klasing of the University of California, Davis. Speaking at the World Veterinary Poultry Association meeting in Cancun, Mexico in August, Professor Klasing said the net effect of a pathogen on the nutrient status of an animal is the sum of those direct effects resulting from local tissue damage and loss of tissue function plus the indirect effects that are secondary to the immune response. The nutritional status of an animal is impacted by in-

fectious diseases, stated Professor Klasing.Tissue specific pathology resulting from a pathogen can cause important functional changes that impact nutrient absorption, metabolism and excretion. For example, the negative effects of Eimeria acervulina on nutrient absorption can be severe. Even subclinical cases of coccidiosis or necrotic enteritis due to C. perfringens cause mild inflammatory damage to the intestinal mucosa leading to decreased digestion and absorption,

FEATURE ARTICLE reduced weight gain and poor feed conversion (Turk 1981; Elwinger, Schneitz et al. 1992; Waldenstedt, Elwinger et al. 2000; Tomar 2001; Annett, Viste et al. 2002;Van Immerseel, Rood et al. 2009). In addition to the local pathological changes, the immune response to the pathogen orchestrates systemic changes of nutritionally important processes, continued Professor Klasing. These changes are somewhat 'generic' in that they are similar regardless of the causative pathogen and differ mostly in magnitude. The reason for this similar response is that most infectious challenges initially engage phagocytic cells and eventually shift to lymphocyte-mediated adaptive responses. Phagocytes, including macrophages and neutrophils, initiate local and system inflammatory responses that are mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin 1, interleukin 6, gamma interferon, and interleukin 18. These cytokines can reach endocrine levels and reset the priority of virtually all physiological and developmental processes. These changes include the classical 'acute phase response' and include: decreased food intake; fever; hepatic production of acute phase proteins; impaired digestion and absorption of nutrients; changes in tissue priorities for uptake and use of nutrients; impairments in anabolic processes in skeletal muscle, bone, and many other tissues; diversion of nutrients to the tissues involved in immunity (Klasing 2005). The net effect of a pathogen on the nutrient status of an animal is the sum of those direct effects resulting from pathology and loss of tissue function plus the indirect effects that are secondary to the immune response. Several important illustrations of this are provided below. INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES IN THE INTESTINES NEGATIVELY IMPACT INTESTINAL INTEGRITY AND FUNCTION Inflammatory responses, when sufficiently vigorous and prolonged, negatively impact intestinal integrity, stated Professor Klasing. Jeurissen et al. (Jeurissen, Lewis et al. 2002), define intestinal integrity as 'the cells and products constituting the barrier against leakage or translocation of feed components, micro-

bial toxins, and microorganisms from the lumen to the body'. Integrity of the intestinal wall is primarily due to the continuous layer of epithelial cells that are tightly held together by adhesion molecules and by the layer of mucus on the apical surface of the epithelial cells. The amount Professor Kirk C. Klasing of adhesion between epithelial cells and the amount of mucin is affected by the microbial milieu of the intestines and the diet (Smirnov, Sklan et al. 2004; Smirnov, Perez et al. 2005). Epithelial damage and inflammation diminish intestinal integrity, which allows the influx more microorganisms, which may amplify the inflammatory response. Epithelial damage and inflammation decrease the digestive functions of the gut. Even mild infections of the intestinal epithelium result in marked impairment of nutrient digestion and absorption (Tomar 2001). This impairment is due to bolstered defensive processes, such as infiltration of lymphocytes into the epithelium, accelerated turn-over of epithelial cells, increased rate of peristalsis and profuse mucus secretion (Nusrat, Sitaraman et al. 2001; Tomar 2001; Schiffrin and Blum 2002). In general, the absorption of micronutrients, especially fat-soluble vitamins and iron, are impacted to a greater degree than that of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, or fat. Of the macronutrients, fat absorption is impacted most, according to Professor Klasing. Three general mechanisms mediate the malabsorption. First, diminished absorption can be a direct result of pathological changes in the integrity and function of the intestinal epithelium.This is especially the case with infections that inflict pathology to the absorptive regions of the small intestines, e.g. Eimeria species. Second, malabsorption can be due to an increase in the rate of passage of digesta through the intestines because high rates of transient diminish the time available for digestion and absorption.Third, the reduction in absorption of some nutrients is orchestrated by the immune response to the pathogen.

Role of Infectious Challenges in Nutritional Diseases The changes in nutrient absorption that are mediated by the immune system may have protective value for the host by depriving microbes of nutrients that they need for proliferation (e.g. iron) or for defences against the immune system's effector mechanisms, e.g. antioxidants such as vitamin E and carotenoids. Professor Klasing explained that the absorption of vitamin A and carotenoids are particularly decreased during enteric infections (Marusich, Ogrins et al. 1973; Allen 1992;West, Sijtsma et al. 1992).The magnitude of the decrease cannot be accounted for by a general decrease in lipid digestion and absorption. Diminished absorption of vitamin A and carotenoids is mediated by interleukin-1 and is a hallmark of the acute phase response to inflammation (Koutsos, Calvert et al. 2003). The absorption of iron is also markedly decreased during enteric infections. Some of this decrease is correlated with damage to ironabsorbing regions of the intestines (Turk 1981). However, pro-inflammatory cytokines mediate reduced iron absorption (Steele, Frazer et al. 2005) and are likely the primary mediator during many infections.

Decreased growth and egg production is a classic sign of most enteric challenges, including coccidiosis, necrotic enteritis, spirochaetosis, rotavirus infections campylobacteriosis, clostridial ulcerative enteritis and viral malabsorption syndrome (Saif 2008). Clearly, continued Professor Klasing, the reduced nutrient absorption caused by intestinal immune responses is responsible for much of the diminished performance. However, the acute phase response to intestinal inflammation also decreases performance especially because of its effect on appetite. The impact of intestinal inflammation is shown in Figure 1, where specific pathogen-free broiler chicks were fed corn-based or rye-based diets, with or without dextran, which causes focal inflammation along the intestines (Gewirtz, Collier-Hyams et al. 2002). Rye is very high in non-starch polysaccharides, which cause apoptosis of epithelial cells leading to diminished intestinal integrity (Teirlynck, Bjerrum et al. 2009). The combination of rye and dextran leads to infiltration of lymphocytes between the columnar absorptive cells of the intestinal epithelium and cause decreased growth in chicks lacking known pathogens.

Figure 1. Diet as a trigger of the immune response and poor growth (Klasing and Peng, unpublished)

intraepithelial lymphocytes un jejunum (%)

An bio c

0.1% dextran + Ab

1.0% dextran + Ab

Nega ve control

0.1% dextran

1% dextran

FEATURE ARTICLE

Teirlynck et al., (Teirlynck, Bjerrum et al. 2009) compared a maize-based diet to a wheat-rye diet for effects on broiler performance and intestinal morphology. Wheat-rye diet, presumably because of high non-start polysaccharides, caused villus fusion, a thinner tunica muscularis,T-lymphocyte infiltration into the epithelial layer, more and larger goblet cells, more apoptosis of epithelial cells in the mucosa and a shift in microbiota. Others have noted a thickening of the mucous layer and increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-γ. Non-starch polysaccharides induce proliferation of Clostridium perfringens (Annett, Viste et al. 2002), which induce epithelial cell damage and fusion of villi due to toxin production, and induce inflammation (Gholamiandehkordi, Timbermont et al. 2007). Furthermore, non-starch polysaccharides markedly increase the total microbial population (Choct, Hughes et al. 1996).

first pass priority for nutrients – are not usually the primary site of pathology due to malnutrition, nutritional deficiencies impair the development of lymphocytes, especially T cells, which can result in diminished intestinal defences and increased incidence of pathogen-induced pathology and food induced intolerances. Furthermore, impaired T lymphocyte development shifts the burden of cell-mediated defence to phagocytes, which are more inflammatory. A vicious cycle often ensues with enteric infections causing malabsorption, which exacerbates nutritional deficiencies, which further compromises immunity. In field cases of stunting, runting, and unthrifty syndromes the causal trigger can be micronutrient deficiencies that cause immunodeficiencies (Klasing, unpublished field experiences).

When chronic, impaired nutrient absorption increases the local inflammatory response, which further decreases nutrient absorption, said Professor Klasing. Although the intestines – by virtue of their

A variety of diseases of metabolic origin have emerged in the past few decades, stated Professor Klasing. Changes in genetics of poultry stock and their management are implicated in the increasing

METABOLIC DISEASES EXACERBATED BY INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Role of Infectious Challenges in Nutritional Diseases incidence of these problems. Intense selection of breeding populations for fast growth rates, high yield of edible products and efficient conversion of feed into body mass (especially skeletal muscle) has resulted in excellent productive characteristics of mod-

by decreased growth rates caused by the acute phase response and represents mobilisation of existing bone. The growth plate is also markedly affected as indicated by a five-fold increase in the incidence of TD three days after initiating an acute phase re-

"Birds that develop TD have better antibody responses to vaccination than those that do not." ern poultry. At the same time, physiological systems that support growth have not proportionally increased in size or capacity. In particular, the cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, and skeletal systems are undersized and vulnerable to pathology in modern poultry. In broiler chickens, sudden death syndrome (flip-over) and pulmonary hypertension syndrome, which results in ascites, have emerged as economically important problems of the cardiovascular system. Professor Klasing cited as examples ruptured aorta and cardiomyopathy, which cause sudden death and lead to high mortality in turkeys. Skeletal malformations, including tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), rickets and chondrodystrophy are also problems. The cellular and metabolic bases of many of these diseases have been described in detail but unfortunately, this understanding has not led to the eradication of metabolic diseases. The systemic stress response associated with infection or trauma is emerging as an important factor that contributes to, and may sometimes be the primary cause, of the expression of several metabolic diseases, he said. For example, bacterial lipopolysaccharide triggers pulmonary hypertension, characterised by an increase in pulmonary arterial pressure similar to that seen in field cases of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (Wideman, Bowen et al. 2009). Additionally, the acute phase response causes startling large changes in bone metabolism and TD in broiler chicks. Within 48 hours after initiating an acute phase response by injection of lipopolysaccharide, bone mass decreases by 10 per cent and breaking strength by 20 per cent. Similarly, bone ash and bone calcium content are diminished. The loss in bone mass is much larger than can be accounted for

sponse with lipopolysaccharide. The acute phase response also increases the severity of TD. Interestingly, birds that develop TD have better antibody responses to vaccination than those that do not, continued Professor Klasing. They also develop a greater febrile response following a challenge with lipopolysaccharide. Yet, the mortality due to an intense acute phase response is lower in birds that develop TD. Apparently, the balance of the immune response between an adaptive antibody response and a systemic acute phase response differs between birds that are predisposed to TD and those that are not. A chicken IL-1-like factor accelerates the rate of cartilage turnover, said Professor Klasing, citing his own research from 1994. This can be observed as an increase in proteoglycan release from cartilage taken from the growth plate of broiler chicks when incubated with chicken IL-1. IL-1 also activates osteoclasts and bone resorption. Presumably, the pro-inflammatory cytokines are responsible for the development of TD and loss of bone density and strength. The functional value of bone mobilisation and increased turnover of cartilage from the growth plate can only be speculated. Professor Klasing concluded that it may be that the remodelling of bone and the growth plate may be a necessary activity for immunesurveillance because these tissues are avascular and may be attractive areas for pathogens to reside and avoid immune defences. FURTHER READING For references used in this article and to find out more information on the diseases mentioned, click here.

FEATUREâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ARTICLE

Relationship Between the Incidence of Ascites and Ventilation in Broiler Chickens Researchers at Iran's Islamic Azad University observed fewer problems with ascites and respiratory diseases in broilers after they improved the ventilation in seven commercial poultry houses. In their paper published in International Journal of Poultry Science recently, Adel Feizi and Mehrdad Nazeri of the Islamic Azad University in Tabriz, Iran, explained that the main objective of their study was to determine the relationship between the incidence of ascites syndrome and ventilation factor in broiler chickens in the northwest region of Iran. They studied seven flocks that showed ascites syndrome. They observed unsuitable ventilation conditions in all seven poultry houses. Increasing the inlet area and ventilation rates, while also setting maximum venti-

lation rates for the summer and minimum rates for the winter, the incidence of ascites syndrome decreased to between one and 1.5 per cent from between 4.0 and 7.5 per cent previously in all seven poultry houses. Furthermore, Feizi and Nazeri report that the prevalence of chronic respiratory disease (CRD) complex also fell after the ventilation adjustment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from between five and eight per cent to no more than 3.5 per cent. The Tabriz researchers commented that their study confirms carbon dioxide and oxygen contribute significantly to the incidence of ascites under unsuitable ventilation and it is possible to decrease the incidence rate of ascites by correction of the poultry house conditions.

Poultry Industry News €214M EARMARKED TO PROTECT HUMAN & ANIMAL HEALTH EU - On 9 November, the EU earmarked more than €203 million to support programmes to eradicate, control and monitor animal diseases and zoonoses, aiming to further strengthen the protection of human and animal health in 2012. The decision was taken at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), where Member States also unanimously endorsed the Commission proposals to contribute €11.5 million for the emergency measures and vaccination plans taken to combat some animal diseases over the past four years. John Dalli, EU Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner, welcomed the support of the Member States. "It is rewarding to witness the tangible benefits of the EU's efforts, which have resulted in a significantly improved situation on TSE, Salmonella, Rabies, Bluetongue, Classical Swine fever, Avian Influenza, tuberculosis and... Read More...

IMPOSING ANIMAL TRANSPORT ENFORCEMENTS EU - Although EU regulations have led to improving the welfare of animals when transported, more can be done to tighten up on enforcements according to a European Commission report. The report looked at the effectiveness of Regulation (EC) 1/2005, implemented in January 2007, which ensures protection for animals during transport. Overall the Regulation has improved the welfare of animals transported, however the report highlighted that there are huge differences between Member States in the progress they have made in implementing the Regulation. With this in mind it recommends that the implementation, enforcement and infringement penalties within the EU should be harmonised... Read More...

Health & Welfare News

Voicing an Opinion: Battery Cages, the EU and Beyond GLOBAL - In just over six weeks, the conventional battery cage for egg production should be a thing of the past in the EU as the ban on this type of housing for laying hens comes into effect from 1 January 2012. Jackie Linden, senior editor of ThePoultrySite, voices some thoughts on what the ban means for the global egg industry. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 14 November, the European Commission warned member states of the negative consequences of non-compliance over the ban on conventional battery cages for laying hens, and reaffirmed its determination not to postpone the ban and to act firmly against cases of non-compliance. [Click here for more information] At the meeting, most delegations were reported once again to be in favour of strictly maintaining the deadline for implementing the directive on the protection of laying hens because they consider producers have made huge efforts on this important animal welfare issue and delaying implementation would be unfair on these farmers. Some other member states, where the directive has not yet been fully implemented, indicated that they will accelerate the process in order to comply with the directive. At previous meetings, member states had discussed practical solutions to prevent the illegal circulation of eggs not produced in compliance with the law, in order to avoid potential disruption of the egg market at the end of this year. It has been stated that eggs from battery cages after the 1 January deadline may only be sold on the domestic market. This is going to present huge challenges to member states effectively to implement the directive and prevent 'illegal' sales but governments, including that of the UK, are actively discussing the banning of battery egg imports. [Click here for more information] The situation is made more challenging by the in-

creasing proportion of eggs being processed and by the decision of the EU to maintain just one code for cage eggs, including those from the accepted colony cages (also known as furnished or enriched cages). In short, if your breakfast egg has the code '3' on it, how confident can you be come the New Year that it has come for a farm where the hens are kept in more welfare-friendly colony cages rather than barren battery cages? And how will the average consumer understand the distinction? So what will all this mean for egg supplies in the EU? Failing the miracle of all egg producers in the region converting their facilities to colony cages, barn or free-range by the end of 2011, the EU is facing a severe shortage of 'legal' eggs in the immediate future. That means prices of this basic food item and those processed foods that contain eggs will become even more expensive, just at a time of economic difficulties and uncertainty for so many EU residents. Can we prevent this situation arising now? It's hard to see how, at this late stage. Under other circumstances, global trade would take care of the problem but that is an unlikely solution this time. How many countries produce surplus eggs using alternative systems â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or could do so by the end of December? How about the leading poultry meat exporting countries like the US and Brazil? There is a relatively small market for non-cage eggs in the US, supplied by a small minority of producers who have opted for alternatives to battery cages. Whilst the leading egg producers' association, United Egg Producers, has agreed to increase the space allowance for hens, there is no short-term prospect of a ban on battery cages in the US, nor of 'alternative' egg exports to the EU from that country. In Latin America too, the battery cage is the system of choice for the great majority of egg producers,

Poultry Industry News reports Chris Wright, senior editor of El Sitio AvĂcola, sister publication of ThePoultrySite. He reports that floor systems are used only rarely and only then when producers cannot afford to invest in cages. The same applies to nearly all countries outside the EU, even in less developed and developing countries. Excluding village flocks and hobby poultry keepers, the overwhelming majority of the world's laying commercial egg flock is kept in battery cages of one type or another. One final point: ThePoultrySite has been contacted by an egg producer in Ghana who would like to expand his flock from 2,000 hens to 20,000 and is seeking used battery cages and other equipment to allow him to achieve his goal. There must surely be thousands of egg producers in the EU who would be happy to donate their battery cages to help entrepreneurs in Africa to support their families. Can anyone help?

BIRD FLU VIRUS FOUND IN POULTRY MARKETS CHINA - The bird flu virus, also known as H5N1, seems to exist widely in the poultry markets, particularly in South China, posing a tough challenge for the nation's epidemic intervention work, senior experts warned. Worse, a mutant strain of the virus called H5N12.3.2.1 was found spreading among live poultry, which the vaccine now in use cannot fully protect against, Guo Fusheng, technical adviser in animal health of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation, told China Daily on Tuesday, citing information and statistics from China's Ministry of Agriculture. With the arrival of autumn and winter, the country is facing an escalating risk of bird flu outbreaks among poultry as well as that of humans getting infected," he warned. Yu Kangzhen, the national chief veterinary officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, said previously that it would be hard to avert... Read More...

LOW PATHOGENIC BIRD FLU BREAKS OUT IN TAIWAN TAIWAN - The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification on 17 November. The causal agent was found to be H5N2 serotype. The affected population consists of 2,720 native chicken breeders and 3,280 native chickens, thereby bringing the number of susceptible birds to 6000. Out of this, 20 cases were identified. No deaths were recorded, and no birds were destroyed. The report states that the notifiable avian influenza (NAI) viral infection was detected on a native chicken breeder farm in the process of active surveillance and identified as H5N2 strain on 15 November 2011. Movement restriction was implemented on the infected farm immediately when the virus was detected. Read More...

ISRAEL REPORTS FIVE NEWCASTLE DISEASE OUTBREAKS ISRAEL - The Israeli veterinary authorities have reported five new outbreaks of Newcastle disease in Hazafon, Hamerkaz and also in the Jehuda and Samaria region. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received follow-up report no. 3 on 21 November. The affected population ranges from three to six week old broilers. In the case of 4-week-old broilers, the disease was diagnosed in two adjacent farms.The birds in the first farm were culled (38,000) and the birds in the second farm were culled on yesterday, 23 November. Regarding 6-week-old broilers, the OIE reports that they will be culled shortly. In the case of 5-week-old broilers divided in two pens, only one pen was affected. The two pens will be culled by today, 24 November. In Jehuda and Samaria, 6-week-old broilers were also affected. Read More...

Health & Welfare News WELFARE & PRODUCTION â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PRODUCER'S POINT OF VIEW

2015 CALL FOR EU ACTION ON ANTIMICROBIAL USE

INDIA - An overview of the difficulties of balancing animal welfare with meeting the growing demand for food by Dr T. Kotaiah, a poultry geneticist with Indbro Poultry.

EU - The European Commission has launched an action plan to fight against misuse of antibiotics detailing 12 concrete actions to be implemented in close cooperation with the Member States.

Welfare activists put forth their point of view legally and forced a change in the course of Animal production. There has been a complete U-turn in EU countries in the production systems. The movement is being spread to growing economies and developing countries. The issue is 'Food' â&#x20AC;&#x201C; its cost and efficiency of production. Changes in food prices affect the whole budget of the family and the financial lay out of the country.

European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli said: "We need to take swift and determined action if we do not want to lose antimicrobial medicines as essential treatment against bacterial infections in both humans and animals.

Basically, the animal producers are following the systems developed not with an intention to hurt the animals. In fact, the animal producers go with an understanding that healthy animals give better returns. Read More...

FDA DENIES PLEAS TO BAN ANTIBIOTIC USE US - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has denied a pair of long-pending petitions from consumer and other groups to limit the use of several antibiotics in farm animals, saying a voluntary approach the agency proposed last year will lead to more 'judicious use' of the drugs in agriculture. According to CIDRAP, the petitions were filed in 1999 and 2005 by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) along with several environmental and medical organisations. They asked the FDA to cancel its approval of the 'herdwide and flockwide' uses of several classes of antibiotics for promoting growth and preventing disease (in the absence of existing disease) in chickens, swine and beef cattle, out of concern that such use will spur resistance and reduce the drugs' effectiveness in humans. The petitioners have voiced disappointment with the FDA action, saying the agency's voluntary approach will not work. Read More...

"The 12 concrete actions for the next five years could help limit the spread of anti-microbial resistance and help develop new anti-microbial treatment. Their success requires joined efforts from the EU, the Member States, healthcare professionals, industry, farmers and many others." Read More...

GERMANY RAISES CONCERNS OVER ANTIBIOTIC USE GERMANY - The German Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) has launched a package of measures to gain better control of the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. The way data is collected and processed will be changed to make the use of antibiotics more transparent and to develop ways to fight resistance. Data about the use of antibiotics in poultry production will now also be collected. "The use of antibiotics will be better monitored and the use of data will be newly regulated by a targeted package of measures by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection," the agriculture ministry said. The move comes at a time when the EU has launched a number of measures to crack down on improper use of antibiotics and when concerns over their misuse have been rising in Germany. Read More...

Poultry Industry News GROUND-BREAKING AT PEDIGREE HATCHERY

HY-LINE'S

US - Hy-Line International celebrated a groundbreaking of the Perry Pedigree Hatchery being built in Perry, Iowa, in September. The new facility will be used to produce pedigree and grandparent stock used in Hy-Line's advanced genetic development programme. Dr Doug Grieve, President, explained: "We are dedicating this independent hatchery for our pedigree and higher level generations to ensure the strictest biosecurity standards of the industry are met.This investment will advance Hy-Line International’s commitment for delivering the highest quality breeding stock to our customers." Perry Mayor Jay Pattee and Rich Jones of Perry Industries also spoke of the impressive cooperation between the city of Perry, Dallas County, State of Iowa and utility development officials in developing the plans for the project, which is slated to be completed by February 2012.

AGREEMENT ON STAR DUCK BREED DISTRIBUTION AUSTRALIA - The French company Grimaud Freres Selection, a world leader in duck genetic selection and breeding, has reached an exclusive agreement to supply Pepe's Ducks with the Grimaud STAR duck breed in the Australian market for 10 years. The agreement follows the successful placement of the Grand Parent STAR 53 duck at Pepe's Ducks’ operations at Windsor in Sydney’s north-west in 2010. The 10-year agreement reflects the strong ties between Grimaud Freres Selection and Pepe's Ducks that began in 2003, reflecting the commitment of both companies to the better development of local duck meat production and consumption in Australia. Read More...

Breeding & Genetics TOP GRANDPARENT AWARD GOES TO COBB SOUTH AFRICA

SOMETHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR: REAL TURKEYS MAKE A COMEBACK

GERMANY - More than 60 delegates from Cobb franchise distributors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa took part in a week-long technical seminar organised by Cobb Europe at Berlin, Germany.

US- A Thanksgiving story: American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) has teamed up with Slow Food USA to encourage the growth of the heritage turkey population – and achieved some success by boosting the heritage turkey breeder population 10-fold.

Keynote speaker for the opening evening was NanDirk Mulder of Rabobank International who outlined prospects for the poultry industry, set to benefit from increasing demand by the growing global population. He spoke of the potential of Argentina, now the fastest growing poultry industry in the world and becoming ‘a serious alternative’ to Brazil for importers. The evening was also the occasion for presenting the Cobb grandparent awards with the best overall performance over the past two years going to Cobb South Africa and Cobb Germany the runner-up. The seminar provided the opportunity to compare performance data across the integrated chain and to discuss technical aspects of production.

In 1997, ALBC took a turkey census. For about half a century, nearly every turkey farm in the US had been raising a breed known as the Broad Breasted White. This cost-efficient, big-breasted bird has a lifespan of only 18 weeks and can neither fly, nor reproduce without artificial insemination. So when the ALBC went looking for other, older breeds of turkey, what they found was startling: they counted only 1,300 turkeys not bred for industrial purposes – in the whole country, reports Grist. As Emily Anne Vaughn, of Slow Food USA, puts it, the efficiency associated with the new bird “came with a great loss of diversity”. Read More...

BREEDING STOCK FOR MEGA POULTRY PLANT ARRIVES NAMIBIA - The first batch of breeding stock for Namiba's first large-scale commercial poultry plant has arrived at the plant at Klein Okapuka Farm on the outskirts of Windhoek. It is now a wait of 43 weeks before the first batch of eggs is produced. The chickens will be sold live to consumers at 63 weeks of age. General Manager of Namibia Poultry Industries, Gys White, said the target is to have the first batch of chicken on the market by March next year. "We are extremely excited. When the first parent stock arrived, we knew history in the food production industry just started," explained Mr White. Read More...

Poultry Industry News ROSS SEMINAR & FLOCK AWARDS BIG HIT WITH CUSTOMERS

ISRAELI SCIENTISTS BREED FEATHERLESS CHICKEN

RUSSIA - The annual Ross Russian Technical Seminar and Flock Awards Ceremony recently took place in the Tsargrad Resort, located in the southern Moscow region. Over 100 delegates attended the event and were given presentations and the opportunity to visit Aviagen’s Yasnogorsk hatchery.

ISRAEL - Israeli scientists have bred a featherless chicken. Although featherless chickens look quite terrifying, poultry farm owners in many countries have shown keen interest in the birds because they will not need to be plucked.

Yark Osterndorff, Business Development Manager, opened the event and delegates were given a series of commercial updates and technical presentations. Eduard Taktarov, Sales Manager, reviewed Aviagen’s business in Russia, highlighting the local supply and support available to customers. Artyom Bolshakov, Technical Manager, spoke about the value added by different hatchery processes, Consultant Microbiologist Colin Russell explained why implementing consistent sampling methods is so important in modern poultry management and Barrie Fleming, Veterinary Consultant, updated the audience on the different types of Infectious Bronchitis ... Read More...

According to the scientists who have bred the new species, these birds cause no harm to people’s heath. Moreover, they grow faster, and their meat is low fat. According to the head of the project, Professor Avigdor Cahaner, at the Agricultural Institute in Rehvot, Israel, such birds have more advantages because there will be no need to install air conditioners for them in warmer countries. However, the genetic scientist admits that the new species of chickens are unlikely to adapt to cold climates. Consequently, breeding bald chicken in Scandinavian countries or Russia would be quite difficult. The opponents of the new species have accused the Israeli scientists of having created a genetically modified chicken, reports The Voice of Russia. Read More...

ARKALYK POULTRY PLANT AIMS TO BE AMONG LEADERS KAZAKHSTAN - The Arkalyk poultry plant is going to become the largest in the country with a projected production output of 300 million eggs per year. Before the end of 2011, it will reach its intended capacity. Now, this major investment project in the Torgai region has become a powerful source of tax payments. According to Caspio Net, the plant’s cost of three and a half billion tenge is almost used up completely and the result is obvious.The plant has 450,000 birds with 300,000 of them being hens. Every day, the company produces up to 280 thousand eggs. Now, it is expecting more chicks to be delivered to the facility. Read More...

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Poultry Industry News SYSTEM PRODUCES HYPOCHLOROUS ACID ON DEMAND US - Terriss Consolidated Industries offers a system that produces hypochlorous acid for disinfection and alga/scale prevention on site and on demand. Hypochlorous acid has the saved the lives of millions of people in the past 100 years, according to Terriss Consolidated Industries. Hypochlorous acid is still the most effective and least expensive disinfecting agent in the world and it is one of Nature's most important infection-fighters. Generated on site with a NEF Hypo Generator, hypochlorous acid presents virtually no danger to products or people. The system uses Electro Chemical Activation, which works on site and on demand to produce safe solutions for disinfection, using technology that is more than 100 years old. Hypochlorite/hypochlorous acid can be produced on site for less then the cost of purchasing the material in bulk, says the company. Read More...

NZ POULTRY INDUSTRIES ENDORSE FARMSONLINE NEW ZEALAND - The FarmsOnline national rural property database, launched by MAF in April 2011 to help ensure a quick and efficient response in the event of a serious biosecurity outbreak or natural disaster, has received a significant endorsement from the industry bodies representing the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poultry meat and egg producers. The Poultry Industry Association (PIANZ) and the Egg Producers Federation (EPF) recently urged their memberships to sign up for FarmsOnLine and to update their farm data regularly. "As the producers of New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite sources of dietary protein, we think FarmsOnline is a very worthwhile thing," says Michael Brooks, Executive Director of PIANZ and EPF. Read More...

Biosecurity & Hygiene BIOSECURITY LEVY MOVES CLOSER TO COMPLETION

A SALMONELLA CONTROL PROGRAMME

SOUTH AUSTRALIA - The State Government's Biosecurity Fee is a step closer to passing through Parliament with the Liberal Party unwilling to rule out its support.

A combination of all measurements were taken by CID Lines to reduce the risk of Salmonella introduction and spread.

Malcolm Sutton for StockJournal reports that, rather than join the Independents in blocking a section of the Draft Livestock Bill 2011 that proposes a weekly $1 Animal Health Biosecurity Fee for farmers, the opposition will instead move to have the levy scrutinised by a committee. Opposition Agriculture spokesperson Adrian Pederick said the party wanted the draft bill put before the Environmental Resources and Development Committee.

Over the last decade there was a dramatic increase of human cases of salmonellosis and Campylobacteriosis in most Western Countries. Figures of epidemiological research indicate that about 10 per cent of human salmonellosis and nearly all Campylobacteriosis cases are caused by consumption of contaminated poultry meat.

"We want to research why the government wants to put this further impost on farmers," he said.

There are more than 2500 Salmonella serovars recorded but the European commission observed flock prevalence for the five most reported serovars, which are S. enteritidis (10.9 per cent), S. typhimurium (0.5 per cent), S.infantis (2.2 per cent), S.mbandaka (0.4 per cent)...

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Poultry Industry News FOSSILSHIELD: POULTRY FREE FROM RED MITE MISERY

SETTING HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS FOR THE WORLD

UK - FOSSILSHIELD is a non-toxic natural diatomaceous earth derived from fossilised plankton.

International standards for food safety and animal health and welfare can be and often are contentious issues, writes ThePoultrySite Editor in Chief, Chris Harris.

When insects come into contact with FOSSILSHIELD, the powder damages the skin and absorbs the fats, drying and killing the insect naturally. FOSSILSHIELD is unique in its ability to accept an electrostatic charge due to its high resistance to moisture. The electrostatic charge allows the powder to grip and wrap around different surfaces and materials, vertical or horizontal, and provides an easier treatment solution to areas that are awkward to reach by hand. With a 95 per cent customer return rate PCS Poultry Services provide the application...

Exporting countries feel that the standards and regulations are too restrictive, while importing countries are calling for the maximum protection. Arguments over the way international standards are implemented have at times led to trade disputes and even trade wars. At the centre of the argument often stands the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which is responsible for setting and monitoring the standards. Speaking at the recent World Pork Conference in Bonn Germany, Dr Alejandro Thiermann...

Biosecurity & Hygiene SOUTH WEST FARMERS URGED TO IMPROVE SLURRY STORAGE UK - Farmers in the South West are being reminded that time is running out if they need to enlarge their slurry storage to become compliant in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). With less than six weeks left to comply with the 1 January 2012 deadline for new regulations, farmers are being told: "itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not too late to act." Under the regulations, dairy and livestock farmers within a NVZ must have at least five months slurry storage and pig and poultry farmers must have six months storage. Those who fail to comply will put their Single Payment at risk, and may face prosecution.

REVIEW OF BIOSECURITY-BASED INTERVENTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CAMPYLOBACTER ON THE POULTRY FARM UK - Enhanced biosecurity on conventional broiler farms should contribute to the reduction of flock colonisation but a major international review concludes that complementary approaches are also needed to minimise Campylobacter-positive flocks at the farm level.

"Farmers still have several weeks to comply with the NVZ regulations. Equipment suppliers are reporting a rush of enquiries and orders from farmers everywhere, even outside NVZs.

The prevention and control of Campylobacter colonisation of poultry flocks is an important public health strategy in the control of human campylobacteriosis. A critical review of the literature on interventions to control Campylobacter in poultry on farms has been undertaken using a systematic approach, report D.G. Newell from the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in Addlestone, UK, and a multinational group of researchers in a paper published in the journal, Applied Environmental Microbiology.

Poultry Industry News ACQUISITION OF KOROFRANCE BY CARGILL CLEARED EU - The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the French company KoroFrance, the holding company of the animal feed Provimi Group, by the US based company Cargill. The Commission concluded that the proposed transaction would not raise competition concerns as the merged entity would continue to be constrained by a number of other players. The Commission particularly examined the competitive effects of the proposed acquisition in the markets for the supply of compound feed and feed mixes, as well as on crude and refined seed oil. The investigation showed that the horizontal overlaps between the activities of Cargill and KoroFrance in animal compound feed and feed mixes would not raise competition concerns given the relatively limited combined market... Read More...

AXTRA XAP CONTINUES TO COUNTER RISING BROILER FEED COSTS UK - Axtra速 XAP is the new generation feed enzyme product that brings radical feed cost saving opportunities to the broiler industry. The unique enzyme combination is specifically designed to enable higher inclusions of lower cost feed ingredients such as Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS). While DDGS is potentially a cost-effective and valuable feed ingredient for the broiler industry, its use is often limited by the high content of fibrous anti-nutrients such as arabinoxylans, and the low and variable digestibility of amino acids and other nutrients. As DDGS inclusion is increased in a diet, significant changes occur to the fibre composition of the diet. As an example, a 10 per cent increase in DDGS inclusion results in around... Read More...

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Poultry Industry News BIOMIN ROMANIA AT INTERNATIONAL FAIR IN BUCHAREST

NEW TURKEY FEED HELPS PRODUCERS GOBBLE UP PROFITS

ROMANIA - Between 19 and 23 October 2011, Biomin Romania has participated in the biggest and most important annual, international fair in the country, INDAGRA 2011.

MISSOURI, US - As feed prices have risen in recent years, feeding turkeys has become more costly than many producers can bear. Satisfying turkeys' hunger accounts for 70 per cent of the cost of producing turkey meat. Now, a researcher at the University of Missouri has produced a cheaper turkey feed, which could fill turkeys' guts and producers' pockets.

The 16th edition of the INDAGRA International Fair for equipment and products in agriculture, horticulture, viticulture and animal husbandry opened its gates for 373 companies from 21 countries. Held this year, under the patronage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the fair brought together manufacturers and distributors of agricultural machinery, feed, seeds and fertilizers, animal and bird breeding technologies and reunited them with the beneficiaries of those products – the farmers.

"Cost reduction is a critical concern in the industry," said Jeff Firman, a professor in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. "High feed costs pose long-term problems to the industry and make it difficult to maintain a competitive edge against other sources of protein, such as pork and chicken."

The five days of the exhibition proved to be, this year again, a great success and offered...

The new feed, known as the Missouri Ideal Turkey Diet, has the same nutritional qualities as typical pellet feed, but at a cost of $13 to $25 per ton less, a reduction of eight to...

WORKSHOP ON RELEVANCE OF NUTRITION RESEARCH

DSM'S GLOBAL PREMIX OFFERING EXPANDS

AUSTRALIA - Dr Mingan Choct comments on the recent workshop at the University of Sydney examining the relevance of nutrition research to industry best practice.

COLOMBIA & ECUADOR - DSM Nutritional Products’ global premix offering has been expanded yet further by major new investments in Colombia and Ecuador.

In the new edition of eChook News, Poultry CRC CEO, Dr Mingan Choct, talks about the delicate balance between discovery of new knowledge and the industry relevance of that new knowledge. It is often difficult to assess the impact of research outcomes on industry, despite attempts to link research outcomes to economic measures.

Last week saw the opening of two new premix sites in Tocancipá, Colombia, and Amaguaña, Ecuador, which together are the most modern premix facilities in Latin America.

For applied nutrition research, the credibility of the result hinges on its relevance to practice. This was a key point of discussion recently at a nutrition workshop organised jointly by Australian Egg Corporation Limited (AECL) and the Rural Industries R&D Corporation. Read More...

"Our new premix plant in Tocancipá will strengthen the entire nutrition sector in Latin America," commented Rick Greubel, President Human Nutrition & Health, DSM Nutritional Products. "It offers the highest levels of product quality, reliability and traceability, accompanied by state-of-the art safety and sustainability standards. Tocancipá will be a beacon of good manufacturing practice for the region."

Feeding & Nutrition SMART POULTRY FEED MILL CUTS CARBON EMISSION

AB VISTA GROWTH HELPS AB AGRI TO RECORD PROFITS

ALABAMA, US - A newly expanded Aviagen poultry feed mill in Athens, Alabama, is producing 30 per cent more feed while consuming far less energy, reducing its carbon emissions by hundreds of tons, and cutting its annual utility expenses by more than $160,000.

UK - AB Vista has again made a significant contribution to the success of parent company AB Agri Ltd, part of Associated British Foods plc (ABF).The annual results, released on 8 November, showed record operating profits for AB Agri, highlighting its importance as a key player in the global feed market.

The experience of the Aviagen mill offers an example of how new technology and sustainable practices can benefit both the environment and the bottom line. Aviagen, the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading poultry breeding company, completed a multi-million dollar expansion of its feed mill in June of 2010. The expansion added production capacity with new equipment and procedures that ensure the biosecurity of pelletized and crumbled feed for Aviagenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pedigree operation in Tennessee and to 115 Aviagen poultry farms in Alabama.

AB Vista grew its market share in the core enzyme market, increasing revenue growth by 30 per cent in the year ending September 2011. And next year, AB Vista promises an even more exciting development. Working with its strategic supply and development partners such as AB Enzymes, ROAL and AB Mauri, AB Vista has enjoyed unprecedented demand over the last year for all categories of its feed micro-ingredient products, recording revenue increases across all regions, helping establish what has now become a major feed ingredients platform.

AWARD FOR HIGH-TECH EQUIPMENT FIRM MINNESOTA, US - Nova-Tech Engineering of Willmar, which designs, manufactures and services precision-processing equipment for poultry hatcheries around the globe, was named the advanced-manufacturing award recipient at the 2011 Tekne Awards last week by the Minnesota High Tech Association. The association presented 14 Tekne Awards to the 'best and brightest' in development, commercialisation and management of state-based technology, including for small and growing businesses (less than $50 million) and established businesses (annual revenues of $50 million or more), reports Star Tribune. Nova-Tech's patented 'microwave claw processor' uses microwave technology to isolate and treat the claw-development tissue... Read More...

Housing & Equipment INFLUENCE OF NEST-FLOOR SLOPE ON CHOICE OF LAYERS

PERICOLI RE-INTRODUCES FLAME BLOWER/HEATERS

SWITZERLAND - Group nests in alternative housing systems for laying hens primarily fulfil the hen's needs for seclusion and protection according to a research report from the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office.

ITALY - A great product just got better, says Termotecnica Pericoli.

The researchers, Karin Stämpfli, Beatrice A. Roth, Theres Buchwalder and Ernst K.F. Fröhlich say that commercial nests used in Switzerland are built according to the provisions of the Swiss Animal Welfare Legislation. However, nest types can differ in aspects, such as floor slope, that could have an impact on egg-laying behaviour. Floor slope has to be designed so that eggs roll away without breaking and so that hens feel comfortable laying their eggs.

DIRECT

Not often in today's competitive climate can one find a product that is truly a great product that has just got better. However, Termotecnica Pericoli just achieved this with the re-introduction of their range of new agriTERM livestock direct flame blower/heaters. There are four power options (16, 45, 74 and 100Kw) to service a wide range of heating applications from small livestock housing to larger pig and poultry facilities. The new agriTERM incorporates: - four per cent improved combustion – now 99.5 per cent

VENTILATION RATE CAN BE SET BY CO2 BALANCE SPAIN - Carbon dioxide (CO2) balance may be used to determine daily average ventilation flows on broiler farms, according to recently published research from the University of Valencia. Due to variation in bird activity, there were large differences in the balance, depending on the light level in the house. Scientists based in Valencia have concluded that carbon dioxide balances are robust tools for determining the daily average ventilation flows on broiler farms. These balances could also be applied at more frequent intervals but in this case, particular care is necessary after light status changes because of discrepancies between animal activity and carbon dioxide production. Carbon dioxide balances are useful in determining ventilation rates in livestock buildings, according to S. Calvet of the Universitat Politècnica of Valencia in Spain and co-authors there... Read More...

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Poultry Industry News NEXT-GENERATION HATCHERY HVAC GOES ONLINE NETHERLANDS - Pas Reform has introduced enhanced operation for HVAC systems throughout the hatchery, with a dedicated Siemens HVAC web server that provides fully remote control and monitoring via the internet. The Siemens HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) web server is a compact device that can be integrated directly into Pas Reform's SmartCenterTM climate control systems or configured to operate independently. Easy to install using USB and Ethernet connections, a full visualisation of the hatchery's complete HVAC lay-out is displayed in a browser window, making the full range of HVAC systems information and functionality, including alarms, systems alerts and maintenance instructions available via SmartCenter, PC, laptop, iPad or any mobile device that supports a web browser. Read More...

IN-OVO VACCINATION: BENEFITS FOR SMALL HATCHERIES US - The advantages of in-ovo vaccination are explained by Pfizer Animal Health Global Poultry, following the announcement of the company's new Embrex Inovoject m machine for smaller hatcheries. The first commercial in-ovo vaccination system was launched by Pfizer Animal Health Global Poultry (formerly Embrex) in 1992 and the company has led the development of this technology ever since with its Embrex-line of devices. In-ovo vaccination has a number of biological and commercial advantages over subcutaneous vaccination on day of hatch: - Immunity against disease is generated as early as possible and with minimal interference from maternally derived antibodies. Read More...

Incubation & Hatching PETERSIME EXPANDS MANAGEMENT TEAM

ORKA INSTRUMENTS MEASURE EGG QUALITY

BELGIUM - In order to support its worldwide growth and to strengthen its customer relationships, leading incubator supplier Petersime has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Hugo De Ruyck as International Sales and Marketing Manager.

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

Hugo De Ruyck has worked in the international livestock industry for over 20 years, 15 of which in the poultry equipment market. He has an all-round international experience in sales management. Mr De Ruyck will take the responsibility of international sales and marketing management at Petersime with the main objective to expand, structure and manage the company’s worldwide sales network. In this role, he also becomes a member of the management team, thereby contributing to the development and the execution of Petersime’s growth strategy. Read More...

AVIAGEN PUTS HATCHERY WORK INTO SHARP FOCUS

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

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MALAYSIA - Practical problem-solving was one of the key topics at the third annual meeting of Aviagen's Hatchery Support Working Group held in Kuala Lumpur recently.

EggAnalyzer It measures weight, yolk colo orr, albumen height, Haugh unitss and USDA Grade in 17 second ds!

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The meeting was organised by Aviagen's incubation specialist team, Dinah Nicholson, Nick French, Eddy van Lierde and Steve Tullett. It was attended by representatives of the company's production and technical teams from across the globe. This year saw 29 people from across Aviagen's business regions come together to share information on hatchery issues, with the aim of increasing knowledge, sharing common problems and refining solutions. Dr Dinah Nicholson, Global Manager, Hatchery Development climates and Support said: "As a small hatchery specialist team... Read More...

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Poultry Industry News CCTV ENCOURAGED IN SLAUGHTERHOUSES UK - The British Food Standards Agency (FSA) is to encourage slaughterhouses to use CCTV to monitor animal welfare in their plants. A paper to be presented to the FSA Board next week encourages CCTV as part of a range of safeguards to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare. The FSA says it continues to work with businesses and meat industry representatives to encourage voluntary installation of CCTV as best practice. In addition, the FSA is currently gathering a body of evidence from a range of sources, including those businesses that already use CCTV, to determine the benefits of CCTV. The FSA said that it is encouraged though that the number of businesses with CCTV in place for animal welfare has more than doubled since June 2010. Read More...

TYSON REPORTS DROP IN INCOME US - Tyson Foods has reported net income for the year down by $32 million to $733 million from $765 million in 2010, on the back of rising sales of $3.266 billion in 2011 compared to $28.43 billion last year. Tyson also had record sales of $8.4 billion in the fourth quarter, up 12.9 per cent compared to last year with an overall operating margin was two per cent in the quarter. However, net income for the quarter fell to $95 million compared to $208 million for the fourth quarter of 2010. The chicken sector showed an operating loss of $82 million, while the beef sector has an operating income of $118 million, or 3.4 per cent of sales. The pork sector had an operating income $113 million, or 7.9 per cent of sales and prepared foods had an operating income... Read More...

Processing & Packaging HKSCAN SEES SALES GROW FINLAND - Finnish pig and poultry meat processor HK Scan's group net sales grew in the third quarter of the year by 16.2 per cent and were €618.1 million compared to €532.4 million last year. EBIT came in at € 14.0 million compared to €18.8 million a year ago. In Finland, profitability improved clearly compared with the early part of the year. EBIT stood at €4.8 million compared to €6.8 million a year ago. In Sweden, EBIT was €5.4 million compared to € 6.6 million. EBIT from operations was better than last year, when non-recurring items for the comparison year are taken into account. In Denmark, profitability fell short of the targets and EBIT was in the negation at -€1.3 million. In Denmark, performance in the period was eroded by the business development programme.

MP CHALKS OUT PIG AND POULTRY EXPANSION PLANS KERALA, INDIA - The State-owned Meat Products of India (MPI) has chalked out various expansion initiatives, which includes setting up an automated poultry processing plant, a bio-waste disposal facility, a chilling and freezing plant and a modern pig rearing farm at a combined cost of nearly Rs 25 million. The new poultry processing plant will be the most sophisticated in the State with a capacity to process 250 birds an hour, The Hindu Business Line reports. The unit, which is ready for commissioning by the end of the month, will cost around Rs 450,000. MARKETING PLANS According to officials, the company had also proposed to enter into an agreement with Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation (Supplyco) for selling its range of meat products and ready-to-eat chicken curry through the chain of Supplyco stores in the State.