News

Poultry Tech Summit extends presentation submission deadline

The deadline to submit applications for The Poultry Tech Summit's i n n o va t i o n a n d te c h n o l o g y presentations has been extended to 12 May. Poultry Tech Summit 2021 has extended the deadline until May 12, for completed applications for both i n n o va t i o n a n d te c h n o l o g y presentations. Submissions of innovations and technology presentations applicable to any point in the poultry live production, processing or distribution supply chain are encouraged.

Poultry Tech Summit is scheduled as an in-person event on 31 October to 2

November 2021, at the Georgia Tech

Hotel & Conference Center in Atlanta,

Georgia, USA. Because of the pandemic’s impact on international travel, Poultry Tech Summit will consider submissions for virtual presentations, but preference will be given to presenters who can attend the in-person event.

Potential presenters are invited to submit abstracts on, but not limited, to

Ÿ Artificial Intelligence

Ÿ Robotics

Ÿ Blockchain

Ÿ Sensors

Ÿ Virtual Reality

Ÿ Vaccines

Ÿ Lighting

Don’t miss the opportunity to fast-

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forward your innovative idea into a new technological advancement for the poultry supply chain.

Brazil’ s BRF invests $ 5 4 m i l l i o n t o modernize poultry operations in Parana

Brazil's largest chicken processor, BRF SA, says it will invest 292 million reais ($54 million) to modernize certain facilities in Paraná state through 2022. Reuters reports that the company also said it will resume turkey production at its Francisco Beltrão unit, which received authorization in March to export products to Mexico. Francisco Beltrão, where BRF also produces chicken, will be expanded as part of the plan. The aim is to process an estimated 7,500 birds per day at the plant as of the second quarter of 2022. The expansion of that unit will also create more than 400 direct jobs, BRF said. The announcement was made earlier by BRF Chief Executive Lorival Luz, who addressed Paraná Governor Ratinho Júnior by video conference, the statement said. "BRF has the state's calling, which is to produce food to the world, " the governor was quoted as saying in the statement. Luz said BRF has a big presence in Paraná, where it directly employs 18,500 people. ($1 = 5.4370 reais)

South Africa records a s e c o n d b i r d fl u outbreak

The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has reported a second outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu at a broiler breeder farm outside Johannesburg. SAPA says that the farm is under quarantine and the exposed birds are being culled with help from the Department of Agriculture. The outbreak, at a farm on the East Rand of Johannesburg, is in the same location as the first outbreak. Testing suggests that that outbreak, which affected laying hens, was highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu. Poultry producers in South Africa remain on high alert in case the virus spreads. Existing biosecurity measures and import bans on South African poultry products are expected to remain in place. “The effects on the ongoing supply of broiler meat are minimal, and consumers are assured that broiler meat and eggs remain safe to eat provided proper cooking protocols are observed, with temperatures exceeding 60ºC achieved, ” a SAPA spokesperson said.

C r i s p y c h i c k e n sandwiches boost s a l e s r e s u l t s i n Restaurant Brands quarterly results

Restaurant Brands International Inc's quarterly results topped estimates on 30 April, as a reopening US economy and government stimulus checks boosted spending at the company's Burger King chain. Reuters reports that after a year of ordering in, more Americans have started to go back to restaurants as a

$1,400 stimulus payment from the government in March boosted spending, while the rollout of COVID19 vaccines lifted consumer confidence. Easing of dining room capacity restrictions and a warmer weather also led to a recovery in demand at Restaurant Brands' outlets and those of rival companies, many of which are struggling to hire new workers to keep up with the jump in sales. Burger King comparable sales rose 6.6% in the United States. However, the rise was smaller than the 13.6% jump posted by larger rival McDonald's Corp on 29 April. McDonald's sales surge was partly due to its new crispy chicken sandwiches that were rolled out earlier this year in the United States and compete directly with a similar offering from Restaurant Brands' Popeyes fast-food chain. US same-store sales at the Cajuninspired Popeyes rose just 1.5% in the first quarter as it struggled to repeat last year's explosive growth amid rising competition. Total revenue at Restaurant Brands, which also owns Canada's Tim Hortons, rose 2.9% to $1.26 billion in the first quarter ended March 31, beating analysts' average estimate of $1.25 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. Adjusted net income rose 13.2% to $257 million, or 55 cents per share, beating estimates of 50 cents per share.

Hens Stop Laying Eggs After Eating Feed, Pune Poultry Farmer Goes to Police

No FIR is registered as the manufacturer concerned has agreed to pay the compensation to owners of three to four poultry farms who also faced this issue. A poultry farmer from Maharashtra's Pune district has approached the police claiming that hens at his farm have stopped laying eggs after consuming the feed manufactured by a particular firm, an official said on Wednesday. No FIR is registered as the manufacturer concerned has agreed to pay the compensation to owners of three to four poultry farms who also faced this issue. "The complainant is a poultry farm owner. He and at least four other poultry farm owners in his area also faced the same issue, following which he submitted a complaint to us," said Rajendra Mokashi, senior police inspector, Loni Kalbhor police station. The complainant stated he had purchased the poultry feed from a company based in the neighbouring Ahmednagar district of the state. "He mentioned in the application that after consuming that feed, hens at his farm have stopped laying eggs," Mr Mokashi said. He said the police consulted the block level animal husbandry officer in Ahmednagar over this issue. "The official told us that it is a common phenomenon that sometimes a particular feed does not suit hens and they stop laying eggs after consuming it," said Mr Mokashi. Citing the official, Mr Mokashi said such instances of hens not laying eggs after they were given a new feed had occurred in the past. Once hens are fed the old feed, they started laying eggs again, he said. "We also spoke to the poultry farm manufacturer concerned who told us to have received similar complaints about the feed from some other customers as well. The manufacturer assured us they would take back the feed and offer the compensation to the affected farmers for their losses," Mr Mokashi said. T h e p o l i c e of fi c e r s a i d t h e complainants used to buy poultry feed from a reputed manufacturer based in Pune but chose the Ahmednagarbased company as the former increased rates.

Poultry hub Ajmer hit hard as eateries, shops remain shut

JAIPUR: With Covid curfew shuttering restaurants, the demand for broiler chicken has crashed up to 70%. The forced closure of retail shops selling raw chicken by police despite the home department’s guidelines remaining silent on it is also not helping the poultry farmers. In Ajmer that has over 10,000 poultry

farms and supplies about 40% of the 50 lakh broiler chickens per day to the state and neighboring states, the impact has been unsettling. The district also accounts for 75% layer poultry farming for egg production in the state. Rajasthan Poultry Farmers Society president Rajkumar Jaipal said, “Besides meeting the needs of the state, we used to cater to markets like Delhi, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Because of corona restrictions, we have lost businesses everywhere resulting in 70% decline in offtake.” Jaipal said that during summers the egg consumption in Rajasthan falls sharply requiring the farmers to tap other markets outside the state. “About 75% of the 40 lakh eggs produced in the state are from Ajmer. Because of the hot weather, the consumption in Rajasthan declines substantially. During this time, we start supplying to other markets in neighboring states. Given the current restrictions much of the production is getting wasted because egg is a perishable product,” added Jaipal. He said the ex-farm egg prices have come down to Rs 3.50 per piece. It used to be Rs 5.50. The government’s current guidelines are not clear about retail shops selling raw meat or chicken. While shops selling essential productions are allowed to open for ve hours, the meat and chicken retailers are forced to close the shops by the police. “The police don’t allow us to open the shop. We don’t know about the home department guidelines,” said Rajesh, a shop owner in Malviya Nagar. Rajesh said that the government needs to look at the guidelines and correct the anomaly because non-veg is also an essential product for many. He said the industry in Ajmer engages about 50,000 people and over a lakh in the state. Their source of livelihood would be at stake if the industry continues to suffer like this. Farmers have invested lakhs of rupees in these farms. Adding to the woes is the increase in bird feed prices as soya cake and maize prices have increased by 25%, he said

Antibiotic free: what does it mean and what to deal with coccidiosis in Poultry?

The meaning of antibiotic free products can cause some confusion, mainly because there is no official or international accepted description of what it is and how to classify different types of “antibiotic-free” products or production. Further complications come with anticoccidials for prevention of coccidiosis in poultry. In fact, in some countries they are classified as antimicrobials and as such they have to be withdrawn from “antibiotic-free” productions. To support producers, Hipra have built an Eimeria Prevention resource library featuring videos, blogs, vaccines and dose calculator.

P o l a n d r e c o r d s largest-ever bird flu outbreak

Over six million birds have been culled in the EU’s largest poultry producer as bird flu cases top 260. Poland is currently contending with 262 outbreaks of bird flu, the country’s highest recorded number of infections. Reporting from Notes from Poland explains that over six million birds have been culled to stem the spread of the disease. Though poultry farmers can claim compensation for their losses, the hit to the country ’s poultry industry, which produces 20% of the EU’s poultry meat, has been immense. Animal health authorities believe that the outbreaks are due to the high concentration of poultry farms in certain locations. Poland’s chief veterinarian is calling on the government to update regulations to ensure greater biosecurity measures and that there is sufficient space between poultry farms. “This is the first time we are facing such a great crisis,” Andrzej Danielak, from the Polish Association of Poultry Breeders and Producers said. “Until now, 65 outbreaks was the largest [annual] number, and here we have already exceeded 200.” Prices for eggs and poultry meat in Poland have already increased 65% since November, and many economists expect the price hikes to continue. However, there could be some relief as theweatherbecomeswarmer.

More retailers and producersareembracing cage-freeeggs

Egg producers and grocery retailers are keen to supply cage-free eggs to consumers in Asian markets, with analysts predicting that cage-free eggs could become an industry standard in the region by 2025. Research from Singapore food consultancy Global Food Partners suggests that cage-free eggs could become the standard egg variety in Asia by 2025 as animal welfare and sustainability begin to factor into consumer choices. Global Food Partners CEO, Elissa Lane