Poultry Times July 18 Edition

Poultry Times PERIODICALS

Since 1954, the nation’s only poultry industry newspaper

July 16, 2012

Processing and Food SaFety

Poultry Times

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JULY 16, 2012 Volume 59, Number 15 www.poultrytimes.net

Tests reveal H7N3 flu in Mexican farm outbreak MINNEAPOLIS — Mexican veterinary authorities are intensifying avian influenza control efforts in a region that houses several large commercial farms after further tests determined that the strain responsible for more than 200,000 bird deaths at three farms is the highly pathogenic H7N3 subtype, according to a report from the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP).

The events represent the first highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in Mexican flocks since the country battled H5N2 in the mid 1990s.

In a follow-up report submitted

to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Mexican animal health officials said intravenous pathogenicity tests revealed the highly pathogenic H7N3 subtype.

The initial report on June 21 said preliminary tests suggested a lowpathogenic H7 subtype.

The outbreaks began at three large commercial farms in Jalisco state on June 13, causing clinical signs in the layer flocks that included gasping, lethargy, fever and death.

The disease sickened 587,160 of more than 1 million susceptible birds, killing 211,424 of them.

Based on the latest test results, authorities are sampling birds at

about 60 poultry farms near the outbreak area, and quarantine measures are under way in the region, which has about 500 production units.

Full gene sequencing and an epidemiologic investigation to determine the source of the virus are also in progress.

Jalisco state, in western Mexico, is the country’s top egg producer.

Officials have also limited poultry movements near the outbreak area and are testing birds at commercial farms, backyard flocks and poultry markets.

They are also assessing biosecurity practices and overseeing depopulation efforts at the affected farms,

according to the OIE report.

Dr. David A. Halvorson, an avian health expert at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul, told CIDRAP News that Mexico’s last high pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks occurred in 1994 and 1995 and involved H5N2.

He added that low-pathogenic H5N2 circulated in the country for several years.

He said that in some parts of Mexico, large populations of backyard poultry, live poultry markets and commercial farms exist without adequate separation between them.

Halvorson said U.S. poultry producers, especially those in Texas, are

always cautious about the potential for disease introduction from indirect contact with Mexican poultry.

He added Mexican workers support poultry farmers in the West and Midwest, which presents another reason for caution.

According to USDA background information, poultry imported from all countries except Canada must be quarantined for at least 30 days at a USDA Animal Import Center and be accompanied by import permits and veterinary health certificates.

Canadian poultry entering the U.S. must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued within 30 days of import date.

The Associated Press

spected. Flu was confirmed in birds at 24 of the sites, and tests continued on most of the rest.

The farms in question have been placed under quarantine, the department said in a July 3 press statement.

The outbreak has caused price increases in chicken and egg products in Mexico.

Mexico depopulates 1 million chickens MEXICO CITY — An outbreak of the H7N3 bird flu virus in western Mexico has infected about 2.5 million chickens and led authorities to destroy or dispose of almost a million birds, as of July 6.

The country’s Agriculture Department says that 129 farms in the western state of Jalisco have been in-

Wrights are 2012 AP&EA Farm Family

Special

Alabama Farm Family: Gary and Barbara Wright of Collinsville, Ala., have been selected as the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association’s Farm Family of the Year for 2012. The Wrights, front, note that they are happiest when surrounded by their family, which includes, left to right, Kevin and Ashley Wright, whose daughter Amelia is in Barbara’s lap; Clifton and Amanda Simpson, with son, Colton; and Anna and Drew Wright, with daughter Shelby, standing behind Barbara. (More on page 16)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Gary and Barbara Wright of Collinsville, Ala., breeder growers for Wayne Farms of Albertville, were recently announced as the 2012 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year at the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association’s annual “Evening of Fun.” At the grower seminar preceding the “Evening of Fun” concert, the Wrights received their award plaque and farm sign, recognizing

their family farm for its outstanding performance.

Later, they were presented to the concert audience, along with their three children, their spouses and three grandchildren.

The Wrights have been in the poultry business since 1985. In 1995, they started growing birds for Wayne Farms. Their Wayne Farm’s serviceman, Steve Rogen, nominated them for the honor.

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POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Higher food prices may be result of long drought The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — The drought that’s hitting much of the Midwest this summer will hit consumers in the pocketbook by next year, Purdue University agricultural experts said on July 5.

The persistent hot, dry weather has hit farm production in Indiana, the nation’s fifth-largest producer of corn, harder than any other major corn and soybean producing state, economist Chris Hurt said at a news conference in Indianapolis. The conditions have shrunk corn and soybean production and dried up pastures where cattle feed in summertime, Hurt said.

U.S. food prices tend to rise when production decreases in major farm

states and the drought is likely to affect production in other breadbasket states too, he said.

The USDA projects that food prices will rise by as much as 3.5 percent starting late this year and into 2013. Everything from meat, margarine and milk to baked goods, cereal and salad dressing will likely cost more, Hurt said.

And food prices were already high in 2011, agricultural economist Corinne Alexander said.

Beef prices could rise by as much as 10 percent through next year if ranchers lose many cattle to heat stress or sell off portions of their herds to avoid the high cost of feed, according to data produced by agricultural researchers at the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service.

Richard Volpe, a USDA research economist in Washington, D.C., said if herds shrink and overseas demand grows, beef prices are bound to go up.

Meat prices “We’re looking at much higher meat prices until at least 2014,” Alexander said.

Hurt said the impact on consumers will be even greater because incomes aren’t rising in line with food prices. “The difficulty is that (food) is one of the necessities of life,” Hurt said.

The Purdue research cooperative forecasts that if the drought continues through August — and it shows no sign of letting up — crop losses could be as great as they were during the 1988 drought, when corn and soybean production plummeted by about 30 percent.

Food prices jumped by more than 5 percent after the drought and by nearly 6 percent in 1989, according to figures provided by Volpe.

Another factor will be the ethanol industry, which is promised the first 5 billion bushels of corn produced every year under federal law, Hurt said. If production drops as much as expected, he said, “The issue we haven’t heard since 2008 is going to come back — food versus fuel.”

That could lead to a political battle in Washington, he added.

The thunderstorms that crossed Indiana recently didn’t do much to relieve the thirsty soil, and a sweltering heat wave has engulfed much of the state with temperatures climbing to 100 degrees or more.

The new U.S. Drought Monitor report released on July 5 showed nearly a quarter of Indiana is in extreme drought, mostly in the southwestern part, and listed 89 percent

of the state as in at least moderate drought after Indiana’s driest June on record..

Less than half of the normal amount of rain has fallen across much of the state since May 1. The parched conditions have been aggravated by a dry, mild winter and above-normal temperatures.

Much of the west, especially Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, also was in extreme drought, according to the map.

Every day without rain causes crop conditions to deteriorate, Purdue corn specialist Bob Nielsen said, and some damage is already irreversible. Four to 6 inches of precipitation through several weeks would be required to provide much relief, he said.

“These droughts are devilish things, and it’s hard to predict what’s going to break them,” Nielsen said.

Food safety tips for those recovering from fires WASHINGTON — Due to the potential threat from flames like those recently caused by the High Park wildfire in Colorado and the Whitewater-Baldy Complex wildfire in New Mexico, the USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service is issuing recommendations to minimize the likelihood of foodborne illness during the recovery or clean-up phase after a fire.

Each year, 2 million American homes and families experience losses from wildfires or flames sparked by accidental fires.

“Food safety is a critical public health issue, especially during times of emergency,” said USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen. “A fire in the home can expose foods to toxic fumes and chemicals, making them unsafe to eat. Loss of power can also create unsafe foods. Consumers can find more information about how to

be food safe after fires, power outages and other emergencies through FSIS’ AskKaren.gov.”

Steps to follow after a fire in your home or business:  Heat from a fire, smoke fumes and chemicals used to fight fire can compromise food.

Food in cans or jars may appear to be unaffected, but if they’ve been close to the heat of a fire, they may no longer be safe. Heat from a fire can activate food spoilage bacteria.

If a can ruptures as a result of a blaze, the food inside will be unsafe.  Toxic fumes, released from burning materials, can kill and they can also contaminate food. Any type of food stored in permeable packaging — cardboard, plastic wrap, etc.

— should be thrown away. Surprisingly, food stored in refrigerators or freezers can also become contaminated by fumes. The refrigerator seal isn’t airtight and fumes can get

inside. If food from your refrigera-

See Fire, Page 10

INDEX AEB Hotline.........................15 Business............................ 6-7 Calendar...............................8 Classified............................13 Viewpoint..............................4 A directory of Poultry Times advertisers appears on Page 15

To subscribe call 770-536-2476 or www.poultrytimes.net

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POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Summer receives GEC Golden Egg award ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — James Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, has been honored by the Georgia Egg Commission with the GEC Golden Egg award for 2012.

The award, presented by GEC board chairman Jerry Straughan during the annual meeting here of the Georgia Egg Association, was given in recognition of Sumner’s promotion of Georgia’s and the nation’s poultry and egg products worldwide.

As USAPEEC president, Sumner has presided over an increase in poultry exports from $700 million to more than $4 billion in recent years.

Sumner has been appointed by the past six U.S. secretaries of agriculture and the U.S. trade representative to serve on the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee and he continues to serve on the Agricul-

tural Policy Advisory Committee.

Under the Clinton administration, he was appointed to deal with U.S.Russian trade issues. Currently, he is the export advisor to the American Egg Board and is president of the USAPEEC International Poultry Development Program.

In 2005, Sumner was elected president of the International Poultry Council, which represents the poultry industries of more than 20 countries accounting for more than 90 percent of the world’s poultry meat products. He has since been re-elected twice.

This year he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Poultry & Food Distributors’ Association.

Straughan said Sumner has “acted as a beacon of positive light

See GEC, Page 13

Special

Golden Egg award: James Sumner, left, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, received the Georgia Egg Commission’s 2012 Golden Egg award in recognition of his promotion of poultry and egg products worldwide. Jerry Straughan, commission chairman, presented the award.

USDA to expand illegal residue testing WASHINGTON — A new method to test for chemical and drug residues in meat, poultry and egg products will be implemented later this summer by USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service. The new method will allow testing for dozens of residues from a single sample.

The new testing methods “will help protect consumers from illegal drug residues in meat products,” USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen said.

“By allowing us to test for more chemical compounds from each sample, these changes will enable USDA to identify and evaluate illegal drug residues more effectively and efficiently.”

One of the multi-residue methods being implemented for veterinary drugs will allow the agency to

screen for chemical compounds that include several types of legal and illegal drugs such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and growth promoters. In the past, FSIS would have collected 300 samples from 300 cows and looked for just one chemical at a time. Under the new system, one sample may be tested for as many as 55 pesticide chemicals, nine kinds of antibiotics, various metals and eventually more than 50 other chemicals. In all, FSIS will assess more compounds per sample using several multi-residue methods.

FSIS is also revamping its scheduled sampling program to increase the annual number of samples per slaughter class from 300 to 800.

If an establishment has samples containing illegal residue levels, FSIS will notify the Food & Drug

Administration, which may review practices of producers supplying the establishment with livestock or poultry, and FSIS may subject the establishment to increased testing and review.

Through its National Residue Program (NRP), FSIS tests for the presence of chemical compounds, including approved (legal) and unapproved (illegal) veterinary drugs, pesticides, hormones and environmental contaminants that may appear in meat, poultry and egg products. The new, modern, high-efficiency methods that FSIS has announced will conserve resources and provide useful and reliable results while enabling the agency to analyze each sample for

See Test, Page 13

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POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Viewpoint Compiled by Barbara Olejnik, Associate Editor 770-718-3440 bolejnik@poultrytimes.net

Farmers launch campaign to ‘stop the flood of regulation’

By Erin Anthony

Special to Poultry Times

The Great Rural America Paradox

By Bob Stallman

Special to Poultry Times

WASHINGTON — A wise man once said that rural America has become viewed by a growing number of Americans as having a higher quality of life, not because of what it has, but rather because of what it does not have, like traffic, crime and crowds. This sentiment can be seen in the growing num- Stallman ber of urban transplants that have made their way toward greener and more spacious pastures.

But, while many Americans equate living in the country with a simpler way of life, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The reality is that poverty in rural America is increasing, while opportunity continues to decline because of limited education, healthcare and broadband services. So, rural America being defined by what it does not have can also be a negative.

It’s the great rural America paradox.

Connecting Kids The lack of technology, infrastrucBob Stallman is president of the American Farm Bureau Federation with offices in Washington, D.C.

ture and even basic services present major challenges for rural citizens.

This is evident in rural classrooms, where nearly one in four U.S. kids attends school. Struggling rural school districts are grappling with teacher retention and lack of education technology that their urban counterparts take for granted, while seeing enrollment that is growing at a faster rate than anywhere else in America.

Top this off with increasing rural poverty that 41 percent of rural students live in daily, as well as an increasing number of students with special needs. There’s a misconception that rural America and schools are stable and financially secure.

But, they face every challenge that urban schools do, and more.

That’s why Farm Bureau is supporting the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act which is up for reauthorization. This law helps rural schools and communities that are affected by declining revenue from timber harvests. This year alone, rural communities stand to lose more than $346 million for improvements to public schools and other valuable infrastructure and stewardship projects. Failing to reauthorize this bill jeopardizes the economies and education systems of more than 780 already-struggling rural counties and school districts in 41 states.

See Stallman, Page 10

WASHINGTON — Growing up, we all needed guidance at times.

Don’t run with scissors. Don’t forget your jacket. Don’t eat yellow snow.

If you make that face one more time, it might get stuck like that.

But, as adults, not all guidance is helpful or benevolent. That is particularly true if the guidance is coming from a government regulatory agency. Take, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency’s effort to expand its regulatory reach under the Clean Water Act to nearly every drop of water, and some dry land, too.

Through what’s officially known as a “guidance document,” EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers are seeking to remove the word “navigable” from the Clean Water Act. That action would allow them to regulate even a roadside ditch that holds water for only a few hours after a big rain. Both agencies have been upfront about their intent to use the guidance process to increase their regulation of water bodies and lands that have been under the states’ regulatory authority.

Another issue is the way the agencies are going about it. They’re using a guidance document, rather than going through a proper rulemaking. Formal rule-making allows input from farmers, ranchers and other landowners — the people who would be flooded with an expensive slew of new regulations and permitting requirements should the guidance document be put in place.

Along with farmers, ranchers and other landowners, there are another 544 people EPA and the Corps are ignoring: 535 U.S. senators and repErin Anthony is assistant editor of FBNews, the official newspaper of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

resentatives and nine Supreme Court justices. The lawmakers who wrote the Clean Water Act never intended for the federal government to have the kind of control it is seeking over local bodies of water. Similarly, in two rulings, the Supreme Court affirmed important limitations of the federal government’s jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. Having to get another permit doesn’t sound like that big of a deal, but at $30,000 to well over $100,000

for some permits, these requirements sometimes force growers to avoid farming otherwise productive acreage just so they don’t trigger federal permit and extremely costly mitigation requirements. But in most parts of the country, it would be just about impossible to farm around every wet spot that EPA and the Corps want to regulate.

To dry up EPA’s effort, Farm Bu-

See Flood, Page 10

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POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Reference guide for solving poultry processing issues Special to Poultry Times

ATHENS, Ga. — To produce a quality poultry meat product from a live bird involves a series of efficiently-performed, specific tasks in a sanitary manner. Before broilers can be processed, they must be caught, cooped, transported and held, then unloaded at the processing plant.

Inside the processing plant, broilers are hung on shackles, stunned, bled, defeathered, eviscerated, inspected, chilled, graded, packaged and shipped. Because of the complexity of production and processing procedures, several factors may reduce carcass yield, carcass grade and the company’s overall profit margin.

Defects resulting in carcass downgrading and product losses are caused by diseases, damage to the bird before slaughter, or maladjusted equipment and manual errors during processing. This article focuses on those problems during processing and will assist management and supervisory personnel in reducing carcass downgrades.  Catching, Cooping and Transporting Live Broilers At the growout house, marketage broilers are caught by the live haul catch crew, loaded into coops and transported to the processing plant. During catching, minimize bruising because it results in carcass downgrading and yield loss. Ninety percent of bruising occurs within 12 to 24 hours before processing.

Areas most frequently bruised are the breast (42 percent), wings (33 Article was originally written by Julie K. Northcutt, formerly with the University of Georgia; recently reviewed by Dr. Brian Kiepper, assistant professor and Extension poultry scientist with the UGA Department of Poultry Science and Cooperative Extension Service in Athens, Ga.

percent) and legs (25 percent).

Good live haul procedures can reduce bruising and the number of birds that are dead-on-arrival (DOA’s) at the plant. The distance that broilers are transported before processing affects carcass contamination and yield. Broilers that are transported long distances (6 hours) have fewer bruises due to confinement, and the fatigue from traveling makes them less active during slaughter.

However, the stress associated with transporting slows digestive tract clearance and increases the live shrink (live weight loss).  Receiving, Holding and Unloading Live Broilers When birds arrive at the plant, they need adequate ventilation in the holding area to minimize mortality and excessive live shrink. Broilers should arrive at the plant and be scheduled for processing eight to 12 hours after their last feeding.

This decreases the amount of material that could potentially contaminate the carcass during processing by allowing adequate time for the bird’s gastrointestinal tract to become empty.

Birds that go without feed for long periods of time (greater than 13 to 14 hours) begin to lose the mucosal lining of their intestines and will have lower carcass yields at slaughter. When the intestinal lining is lost, fecal material in the bottom of the coops will have a reddish-orange appearance to it, and the resulting intestine will be much weaker and more easily broken during evisceration.

Be careful during the unloading and hanging steps to minimize carcass bruising, broken legs, broken wings and red wing tips. If the doors (hinged front flap) to the coops (modules) are not positioned correctly during unloading, they will cause leg and wing damage.

Bruising is minimal when coops are tilted in a smooth motion as opposed to bouncing the coop back and forth.

Clean empty coops properly before reloading to minimize cross contamination among broilers.

In the hanging area, use low levels of light to minimize the birds’ excitement once they are placed in the shackles. Blue or red light seems to be most effective at calming broilers.  Stunning, Slaughtering and Bleeding Stunning of broilers is commonly done in the range of 12 to 150 mA per bird (milliamps) of electrical current for a duration of 2 to 11 seconds. This practice is important, not only because it renders the bird unconscious, but also because it affects bleeding, feather release and overall meat quality.

When the stunning voltage is high, wing hemorrhages, red skin condition, poor feather removal, broken bones and blood splashes in the meat may result.

The main concern with stunning, slaughtering and bleeding is to minimize the number of birds that are improperly bled and to limit those that have not expired before they enter the scalder. The position of the bird’s head during the slaughter operation is critical for proper bleeding and depends upon the alignment of the toe and head guide bars.

If the bird’s head is not in the correct position for neck cutting, the trachea and esophagus will also be severed. When the trachea and esophagus are severed, it is difficult to remove the head and lungs. The USDA recommends a bleed time in the range of 55 seconds to 2 minutes and 13 seconds.  Scalding and Defeathering After bleeding, birds are scalded by immersion in a scald tank for 1.5 to 3.5 minutes, depending upon the water temperature. Scalding facilitates feather removal, but only if a uniform temperature is maintained throughout the scalder. When the scald temperature is too high, carcasses become discolored due to uneven moisture loss.

If the bird is alive when it enters the scald tank, the trachea, esophagus, lungs, crop, gizzard and air sacs may become contaminated with scald water. The resulting carcass will be red in appearance. Moreover, the lungs may collapse and be difficult to remove, or they may drip as the viscera is transported through the plant.

Carcasses leave the scalder and go through a series of pickers designed to remove feathers from the body, wing, hock and neck. Feather removal is most successful when the pickers are placed close to the scalder so that the bird’s body temperature remains high during picking.

The pickers can be a major source of carcass bruising, wing breakage

and broken hocks, especially if rubber fingers are worn or not positioned correctly.  Eviscerating During the evisceration process, carcasses can easily become contaminated with fecal material, especially if the vent opener and draw hand are misaligned or the intestines are unusually weak. If the body cavity of the bird appears convex, then the length of the feed withdrawal before processing was too short, and the bird’s intestines are full of fecal material. Full intestines are more easily cut or torn during evisceration, and the contents may leak on to the carcass during extraction.

See Guide, Page 9

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6

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Business Compiled by David B. Strickland, Editor 770-718-3442 dstrickland@poultrytimes.net

CSES is starting its second phase of laying flock study KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Having reached the midpoint of its three-year study, the Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply is now entering the second phase of research.

The second of the two-flock study has recently been housed and will be studied throughout its laying cycle to complete the research.

Results from the first flock, raised in three different housing types on the same commercial farm, are currently being analyzed by researchers.

Preliminary observations will be shared with CSES members at the organization’s 2012 Annual Meeting in October.

The study will wrap up in 2014, with final results reported in early 2015.

The coalition notes that it is committed to having research results submitted to peer-reviewed journals for validation and publication.

Rather than focusing on a single element of sustainability, CSES is taking a holistic approach by simultaneously evaluating five different elements of sustainability.

That’s why organizations in the multi-stakeholder coalition are engaged in this commercial-scale study to evaluate various laying hen housing systems and their potential impacts on food safety, the environment, hen health and well-being, worker health and safety, and food affordability, the group added.

This research will help inform policy makers, food companies and consumers about the broader issues of sustainable egg production.

The first of its kind, conducted in houses built to commercial production scale and using genetics, equipment and management systems typical of the U.S., the CSES Laying Hen Housing Research Project is comparing cage-free aviary, enriched colony housing and conventional cages under the same environmental conditions.

“Early observations from the research suggest that each system offers different benefits. Which housing system will best meet the needs of an individual producer, retailer, foodservice provider or consumer may depend on their priorities and preferences,” said Charlie Arnot, CEO of the Center for Food Integrity, which is facilitating the CSES project.

“The CSES research project will help fill the current information void and provide the data to support informed decisions that are ethically grounded, scientifically verified, economically viable and aligned with the interests of consumers,” Arnot said.

More information can be obtained at www.sustainableeggcoalition. org.

Other Business News Zaxby’s opens its first site in La. ATHENS, Ga. — Zaxby’s, a Southeast favorite for chicken fingers and Buffalo wings, and one of the nation’s fastest growing restaurant chains, is spreading its wings to its 13th state.

The fast-casual restaurant opened its first location in Louisiana in West Monroe on July 2, and plans to have approximately 575 locations across its footprint in several states by the start of 2013.

“Louisiana residents are known for their passion for good food, unique flavor and enjoying it with family and friends,” said Zach McLeroy, Zaxby’s CEO and cofounder.

“That tradition aligns with Zaxby’s passion to serve the best food in a fun atmosphere; we are excited to bring our exceptional flavors to these food fanatics,” he added.

The West Monroe restaurant is a 3,400-square-foot location that seats 88 and offers drive-thru services to meet the needs of customers on the go, the company said.

With its first Louisiana location, the company has opened up additional markets for development across the state in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport, La., areas.

Co-founders, Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley, opened the first Zaxby’s restaurant in Statesboro, Ga., in 1990. Since then, the chain has progressively grown throughout the Southeast.

The company opened its first Texas location in March 2008, and expanded into Indiana with its first location in February 2010.

The Athens, Ga.-based chain now operates more than 550 locations in 13 states — Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

“Our fast casual concept appeals to people interested in a

prepared-at-order, delicious meal in a comfortable dining environment,” McLeroy said. “We have become a highly recognized brand with an innovative concept that has proven successful with our steady growth.”

Zaxby’s successes have been recently recognized in two national industry studies. The company ranked number seven in the Top 10 Excellent Large Fast-Food Chains With 500 Or More U.S. Units Quick-Track study conducted by Sandelman & Associates in 2011.

Zaxby’s also ranked number five in the nation for total sales in the 2012 Top 150 Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant Report published

by Technomic.

Zaxby’s most popular items are its hand-breaded chicken fingers, as well as Buffalo wings, the company notes.

More information can be obtained at www.zaxbys.com.

Diversified installs solar panels at HQ EATONTOWN, N.J. — In an effort to support renewable energy, Diversified Imports notes that it has installed solar panels as a primary power source for its headquarters.

In early February, Diversified Imports completed installation of 62,000-square-feet of solar panels to help provide energy for its offices in Eatontown.

“We want to be energy independent and to support sensible energy alternatives and clean air,” said Meir Toshav, Diversified Imports president.

“We feel it is important for our company to find ways to do business that have a positive effect on the environment. In the long run, it will help us manage our energy costs more effectively,” he added.

Solar power systems generate no air pollution during operation and reduce the strain on publicly provided energy, the company added.

More information can be obtained at www.diversifiedimports. com.

Neogen assay gets AOAC approval LANSING, Mich. — Neogen Corp. has received Performance Tested Methods Certification from the AOAC Research Institute for its new ANSR Salmonella assay, which is designed for rapid and definitive detection of salmonella in food and environmental samples.

Neogen recently introduced the ANSR rapid pathogen detection system in May 2012 with the salmonella assay.

The issuance of this certificate, No. 061203, from the AOAC Research Institute, independently confirms the performance of the assay as equivalent to that of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration or USDA reference methods for salmonella detection, the company said.

The ANSR system uses an isothermal DNA amplification process to amplify DNA to detectable levels and fluorescent molecular beacon technology for detection of the pathogen target.

Combined with ANSR’s single enrichment step, Neogen’s new pathogen detection method can provide DNA-definitive results for salmonella in as little as 10 hours from the time the sample is taken, the company added.

“ANSR is the solution for those customers who want fast and accurate results in an extremely easyto-use format, and this certification is a confirmation of the method and the technology used in the ANSR pathogen detection system,” said Gerry Broski, food safety marketing director for Neogen. “Moving forward, additional assays for the ANSR system are in development for Listeria spp., Listeria monocytogenes and non-O157 STECs. As (Continued on next page)

7

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012 (Continued from previous page)

these tests are developed we will seek relevant global approvals to address the needs of our customers.”

The AOAC approval covers the use of the ANSR system to detect salmonella in food matrices such as raw ground beef, raw ground turkey, chicken carcass rinse, hot dogs, oat cereal and sponge or swab samples from stainless steel, plastic, ceramic tile, sealed concrete and rubber environmental surfaces, Neogen said.

More information about the ANSR system can be obtained at www.neogen.com/ansr.

Perdue grant aids Ohio wellness ctr.

SALISBURY, Md. — Perdue Farms, through a $2,000 granted funded by the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, is helping the nonprofit Ohio County Family Wellness Center provide programs to help western Kentucky residents pursue healthy lifestyles.

“These generous funds from the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation allow us to take another huge step toward fulfilling our mission to promote wellness of mind, body and spirit, and provide a facility for education, recreation and physical fitness,” said Nick Whiteside, program coordinator of the Ohio Family Wellness Center. “Without the support of a company like Perdue, our health and fitness education programs would not be possible.”

Whiteside said the facility’s programs help educate the community on the importance of physical activity and healthy eating.

“We help participants manage their weight, decrease risk of injury and preventable diseases, such as heart disease and Type II diabetes,” he added.

Bill Hetherington, executive director of the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, said, “The Family Wellness Center makes their fitness and wellness services available to all residents of Ohio County and the surrounding area by offering free and reduced rate programs to low-

income families. We’re proud to support their effort to build healthy lifestyles for all members of the community.”

More information can be obtained at www.perdue.com.

Tractor Supply plans distrib. center in Ga. BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Co. has announced plans to open a regional distribution center in Macon, Ga. The new 650,000-plus squarefoot distribution center, expected to be in operation by the end of 2013, will serve stores in the southeastern United States.

The distribution center is expected to employ approximately 200 employees when fully operational and represents a capital investment of more than $50 million.

“We evaluated numerous sites in several states and chose Macon as the best location for this facility,” said Gregory A. Sandfort, president and COO of Tractor Supply. “We are especially pleased this new facility will be built in Georgia, where we have a substantial and growing presence.This new, state-of-the-art distribution center will replace a smaller, leased facility in Braselton that we have outgrown. This new facility will better support our growth requirements and enable us to continue to grow in Georgia.”

“We appreciate the hard work of the county and state officials who helped us through the process,” Sandfort added. “Macon’s central location offers many benefits to the company and our vendors, now and in the future. We anticipate a very productive business partnership with the community.”

Following the recent announcement, Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Chairman Cliffard Whitby of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority, Chairman Samuel F. Hart of the Bibb County Board of Commissioners and Tractor Supply executives broke ground for the new facility, which will be located in the I-75 Business Park at 1115 Frank

Amerson Jr. Parkway.

“We are pleased that Tractor Supply Company has decided to invest more than $50 million in this new facility in Georgia,” Cagle said.

“Georgia is proud to play a role in this significant project and looks forward to a continued partnership with Tractor Supply for years to come.”

“This decision by Tractor Supply Company to bring their Regional Distribution Center to Bibb County is greatly appreciated,” Hart said.

“They could have gone other places, but chose this area because of the available facilities, good workforce and the excellent support provided by our extended economic development team, from local to state level.

This is another example of how putting your best foot forward pays off in new jobs, new investments and new opportunities for businesses to be successful here.”

More information can be obtained at www.tractorsupply.com.

Reportlinker offers food safety report NEW YORK — Reportlinker. com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalog — “U.S. Food Safety Products Industry.”

U.S. demand for food safety products is forecast to reach $4.5 billion in 2016, the company noted.

Solid gains will be the result of increased public awareness, the enactment of more stringent government regulations and industry initiatives that will provide a strong impetus for companies to improve their food safety practices. Additionally, growth will be driven by challenges arising from the increasingly global nature of the food supply, which adds complexity and the potential for the introduction of new pathogens from different regions.

While healthy growth is projected in all segments, smart labels and tags are expected to experience the fastest gains, Reportlinker added.

Demand for smart labels and tags

Business will be boosted by increased emphasis on traceability in the food supply chain and expanded adoption of newer smart label technology in food packaging to reduce losses in perishable foods.

Opportunities will also exist in the livestock market as large cattle and pig farms seek ways to speed animal transfer and processing at feed lots and slaughterhouses and to improve the traceability of animals to their point of origin. The latter is crucial in the event of animal disease outbreaks. While demand for barcode labels and tags will lag the segment average due to market maturity, the implementation of standardized barcodes in the produce industry for improved traceability will stimulate gains.

Diagnostic products will post above average growth, benefiting from increased government testing requirements along with heightened emphasis on testing for possible contamination following recent high profile recalls due to outbreaks of foodborne illness. Also driving growth for food safety diagnostic testing will be the continued migration toward rapid diagnostic tests, which are more expensive.

Food processing plants represent by far the largest market for food safety products, accounting for 60 percent of the total in 2011, the company said. Overall demand growth in this market is expected to be in line with the industry average, reflecting the continued industry focus on food safety as a primary concern. While all submarkets will log healthy gains, the fastest growth is expected in the seafood, fresh prepared food and beverage segments.

Additional market-specific factors will propel demand in various submarkets.

For instance, trends toward convenience-oriented refrigerated food options will support rapid gains in fresh prepared food applications.

Through 2016, the farm market

will be the fastest growing application for food safety products, the group noted. Crop and produce uses will outpace those of livestock due to increased pathogen testing of produce at the farm level.

More information can be obtained at www.reportlinker.com.

First station selling E15 fuel is in Kan. LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The nation’s first E15 (15 percent ethanol/85 percent gasoline) gallons are being sold at the Zarco 66 “Oasis” station in Lawrence, Kan., the Renewable Fuels Association reports.

Plans to offer a second station selling the E15 fuel at a Zarco 66 location in Ottawa, Kan., are nearly complete, the group also noted.

A grand opening for the station will be held on July 18.

On June 8, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave final approval for the sale and use of E15 ethanol blends in light duty vehicles made since 2001, RFA noted.

“Alternatives to gasoline are critically important to our nation’s energy future and Americans deserve to have a choice of cost-competitive fuel at the pump,” said Scott Zaremba, owner of Zarco 66 stations.

“With the help of the Kansas Corn Commission, East Kansas Agri-Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association, we are pleased to be the first to offer consumers real choice at the pump in the form of E15 ethanol fuel.”

“E15 has been the most vigorously tested fuel to be approved by the EPA,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dineen. “Ethanol has long proven itself to be a safe and effective fuel for consumers, and E15 will be no exception.”

More information can be obtained from the RFA at www.ethanolrfa. org.

8

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Calendar Compiled by Barbara Olejnik, Associate Editor 770-718-3440 bolejnik@poultrytimes.net

JUL 16-17 — INFORMATION SYSTEMS SMNR., Doubletree Hotel, Nashville, Tenn.

Contact: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, 1530 Cooledge Road, Tucker, Ga. 30084-7303, Ph: 770-493-9401; info@ uspoultry.org; http://www.uspoultry.org, JUL 19-22 — CFIA SUMMER CONV., Embassy Suites, Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Contact: Bonnie Holloman, Carolina Feed Industry Association, P.O. Box 58220, Raleigh, N.C. 27658. Ph: 919607-1370; bonnie.holloman@yahoo. com; http://www.carolinafeed.com.

JUL 23-24 — AP&EA ANNUAL MTNG., Hilton Sandestin Beach, Fla. Contact: Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, P.O. Box 240, Montgomery, Ala. 36101. Ph: 334-2652732; http://www.alabamapoultry.org.

AUG 5-9 — WORLD’S POULTRY CONGRESS, Bahia Convention Center, Salvador, Brazil. Contact: World Poultry Science Association, Brazilian Branch. Ph: +55 19 3243-6555; Fax: +55 19 3243-8542; wpsa.br@facta.org. br; http://www.wpsa2012.com.

AUG 8-9 — NCPF ANNUAL MTNG., Grandover Resort, Greensboro, N.C. Contact: North Carolina Poultry Federation, 4020 Barrett Drive, Suite 102, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.

Ph: 919-783-8218; rlford@ncpoultry.org; http://www.nncpoultry.org.

AUG 16-17 — WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP CONF., Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort & Spa, Destin, Fla. Contact: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, 1530 Cooledge Road, Tucker, Ga. 30084-7303, Ph: 770-493-9401; info@uspoultry.org; http://www.uspoultry.org, AUG 20 — UEP AREA MTNG., Atlanta, Ga.

AUG

AUG

AUG

AUG

AUG

SEP

Contact: United Egg Producers, 1720 Windward Concourse, Suite 230, Alpharetta, Ga. 30005. Ph: 770-360-9220; gene@unitedegg. com; http://www.unitedegg.com.

22 — UEP AREA MTNG., Philadelphia, Pa. Contact: United Egg Producers, 1720 Windward Concourse, Suite 230, Alpharetta, Ga. 30005. Ph: 770-360-9220; gene@unitedegg. com; http://www.unitedegg.com.

23 — UEP AREA MTNG., Columbus, Ohio. Contact: United Egg Producers, 1720 Windward Concourse, Suite 230, Alpharetta, Ga. 30005. Ph: 770-360-9220; gene@unitedegg. com; http://www.unitedegg.com.

28 — UEP AREA MTNG., Des Moines, Iowa. Contact: United Egg Producers, 1720 Windward Concourse, Suite 230, Alpharetta, Ga. 30005. Ph: 770-360-9220; gene@unitedegg. com; http://www.unitedegg.com.

29 — UEP AREA MTNG., Ontario, Calif.

Contact: United Egg Producers, 1720 Windward Concourse, Suite 230, Alpharetta, Ga. 30005. Ph: 770-360-9220; gene@unitedegg. com; http://www.unitedegg.com.

30 — UEP AREA MTNG., Seattle, Wash.

Contact: United Egg Producers, 1720 Windward Concourse, Suite 230, Alpharetta, Ga. 30005. Ph: 770-360-9220; gene@unitedegg. com; http://www.unitedegg.com.

4-6 —ARKANSAS NUTRITION CONF. Contact: Poultry Federation, P.O. Box 1446, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Ph: 501-375-8131;

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SEP 9-13 — IEC MARKETING & PRODUCTION CONF., London, England. Contact: International Egg Commission, Second Floor, 89 Charterhouse St., London EC1M 6HR, England. Ph: 44-0207490-3493; info@internationalegg. com; http://www.internationalegg.com.

SEP 12-14 — AFIA LIQUID FEED SYMPM., Grand Hyatt, Denver, Colo. Contact: American Feed Industry Association, 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 916. Arlington, Va. 22201. Ph: 703-524-0810; afia@afia.org; http://www.afia.org.

SEP 13-14 — CPF ANNUAL MTNG. & CONF., Monterey Plaza Hotel, Monterey, Calif.

Contact: California Poultry Federation, 4640 Spyres Way, Suite 4, Modesto, Calif. 95356. Ph: 209-576-6355; califpoultry@cs.com; http://www.cpif.org.

SEP 13-16 — MPA ANNUAL CONV., Hilton Sandestin Beach Hotel, Destin, Fla. Contact: Mississippi Poultry Association, 110 Airport Road, Suite C, Pearl, Miss. 39208. Ph: 601932-7560; beard!mspoultry.org.

SEP 17-19 — NAT’L. MTNG. POULTRY HEALTH & PROCESSING, Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel, Ocean City, Md. Contact: Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc., 16686 County Seat Hwy., Georgetown, Del. 19947-4881.

Ph: 302-856-9037; dpi@dpichicken. com; http://www.dpichicken.org.

SEP 21-22 — PF TURKEY COMMITTEE MTNG. Contact: Poultry Federation, P.O. Box 1446, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Ph: 501-375-8131; http:// w w w. t h e p o u l t r y f e d e r a t i o n . c o m .

SEP 15-16 — POULTRY PRODUCTION & HEALTH SMNR., The Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, Ala. Contact: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, 1530 Cooledge Road, Tucker, Ga. 300847303, Ph: 770-493-9401; info@uspoultry.org; http://www.uspoultry.org, OCT 3-4 — PF PROCESSORS WKSHP. Contact: Poultry Federation, P.O. Box 1446, Little Rock, Ark. 72203. Ph: 501-375-8131; http://www.thepoultryfederation.com.

OCT 4-5 — POULTRY PROTEIN & FAT SMNR., Doubletree Hotel, Nashville, Tenn.

Contact: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, 1530 Cooledge Road, Tucker, Ga. 30084-7303, Ph: 770-493-9401; info@ uspoultry.org; http://www.uspoultry.org, OCT 4-7 — NPFDA FALL MTNG., San Diego, Calif.

National Poultry & Food Distributors Association, 2014 Osborne Road, St. Marys, Ga. 31558, 770-535-9901, kkm@npfda.org, http://www.npfda.org.

OCT 9-12 — UEP ANNUAL BOARD MTNG. & EXECUTIVE CONF., Loews Coronado Bay, San Diego, Calif. Contact: United Egg Producers, 1720 Windward Concourse, Suite 230, Alpharetta, Ga. 30005.

Ph: 770-360-9220; gene@unitedegg. com; http://www.unitedegg.com.

OCT 10-11 — NCC FALL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MTNG., & ANNUAL CONF., The Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C. Contact: National Chicken Council, 1015 15th St., N.W., Suite 930, Washington, D.C. 20005. Ph: 202-296-2622; http://www.nationalchickencouncil. cm; http://www.eatchicken.com.

OCT 16-18 — SUNBELT AG EXPO., Moultrie, Ga. Contact: Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition, 290-G Harper Blvd., Moultrie, Ga. 31788. Ph: 229-985-1968,

ext. 28; http://www.sunbeltexpo.com.

OCT 17-24 — USAHA ANNUAL MTNG., Greensboro, N.C. Contact: U.S. Animal Health Association, 4221 Mitchell Ave., St. Joseph, Mo. 64507. Ph: 816-671-1144; usaha@ usaha.org; http://www.usaha.org.

NOV 7 — GRAIN FORECAST & ECONOMIC OUTLOOK, Airport Hilton Hotel, Atlanta, Ga. Contact: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, 1530 Cooledge Road, Tucker, Ga. 30084-7303, Ph: 770-493-9401; info@ uspoultry.org; http://www.uspoultry.org, NOV 7-9 — AEB MTNG., Austin, Texas.

Contact: American Egg Board, 1460 Renaissance Drive, Park Ridge, Ill. 60068. Ph: 847-296-7043; aeb@ aeb.org; http://www.aeb.org.

NOV 26-28 — ITF WINTER CONV., Marriott Hotel, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Contact: Iowa Turkey Federation, 535 E. Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa 50010.

Ph: 515-232-7492; info@iowaturkey.org; http://www.iowaturkey.org.

2013 JAN 29-31 — INTERNATIONAL POULTRY EXPO INTERNATIONAL FEED EXPO, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga. Contact: U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, 1530 Cooledge Road, Tucker, Ga. 300847303, Ph: 770-493-9401, seminar@ uspoultry.org, http://www.poultryegginstitute.org; or American Feed Industry Association, 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 916, Arlington, Va. 22201, 703-5240810, afia@afia.org, http://www.afia.org.

FEB 25-March 17 — HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO, Houston, Texas. Contact: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, P.O. Box 20070, Houston, Texas 77225-0070.

Ph: 832-667-1000; questions@rodeohouston.com; http://www.hlrs.com.

FEB 20-21 — NPI ANNUAL CONV., Norfolk Lodge & Suites, Divots Conference Center, Norfolk, Neb. Contact: Nebraska Poultry Industries Inc., University of Nebraska, 102 Mussehl Hall, P.O. Box 830721, Lincoln, Neb. 68583-0721. Ph: 402-472-2051; egg-turkey@unl.edu.

MAR 11-15 — AFIA SPRING COMMITTEE MTNGS./ PURCHASING & INGREDIENT SUPPLIERS CONF., Omni Fort Worth Hotel, Fort Worth, Texas. Contact: American Feed Industry Association, 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 916. Arlington, Va. 22201. Ph: 703-5240810; afia@afia.org; http://www.afia.org.

JUN 19-21 — GEA ANNUAL MTNG., King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons Island, Ga. Contact: Jewell Hutto, Georgia Egg Assocation, P.O. Box 2929, Suwanee, Ga. 30024. Ph: 770-932-4622; goodeggs@bellsouth. net; http://www.georgiaeggs.org.

JUL 21-23 — NCC & NPFDA CHICKEN MARKETING SMNR., Coeur d’Alene Resort, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Contact: National Chicken Council, 1015 15th St., N.W., Suite 930, Washington, D.C. 20005, 202-296-2622, http://www.nationalchickencouncil.com, http://www. eatchicken.com; or National Poultry & Food Distributors Association, 2014 Osborne Road, St. Marys, Ga. 31558, 770-535-9901, kkm@npfda.org; http:// nwww/npfda.org.http://www.npfda.org.

Safety app now in Spanish

WASHINGTON — A new Spanish-language food safety app is available to consumers around the clock on their mobile devices, the USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service has announced.

“Mobile Pregúntele a Karen” is the Spanish-language version of Mobile Ask Karen, the virtual expert who answers smartphone users’ questions about properly handling, storing and preparing food to prevent illness. The English version of Mobile Ask Karen was launched in May 2011.

“Expanding our food safety information to multiple languages means we are reaching a wider audience and preventing more foodborne illness,” said USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen. “As consumers become familiar with these user-friendly mobile applications, they will develop good food safety habits and have instant access to reliable food safety information.”

Both Mobile Pregúntele a Karen, which is optimized for iOS and Android devices, and the desktop-based Pregúntele a Karen are available 24 hours a day at m.PregunteleaKaren. gov or PregunteleaKaren.gov, with more than 1,200 food safety answers searchable by topic and by product.

Consumers can also e-mail, chat with a live representative, or call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline directly from the app. To use these features on the app, choose “Contact Us” from the menu.

The live chat option and the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 888-MPHotline (888-6746854), are available in Spanish and English from l0 a.m.-4 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Friday.

More information on food safety can also be obtained at www.foodsafety.gov.

9

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

•Guide (Continued from page 5)

On the other hand, when birds go without feed for too long before processing (greater than 14 hours), then the intestinal lining is lost and intestines may break during extraction.

Carcass, gizzard and liver contamination with bile are also related to an extended feed withdrawal time.

Contaminated surfaces on the carcass have to be washed, trimmed or vacuumed at a reprocessing station, and this process is expensive and time consuming.  Chilling and Packaging The chilling operation decreases the carcass temperature to 40 degrees F within four hours of slaughter and inhibits microbial spoilage.

Rapid chilling limits the growth of pathogenic bacteria on the carcass and increases the products’ shelflife, especially when an appropriate amount of chlorine (20 to 50 ppm) is used in the chiller water.

Depending upon the extent of their attachment, bacteria present on the carcass as it enters the chiller are frequently removed during the chilling operation.

After chilling, carcasses are hung on a drip line generally for 2.5 to 4 minutes to control the amount of moisture pick-up.

Although most of the moisture from chilling is retained in the skin, the amount of cutting during evisceration will have a significant effect on carcass water retention. Carcass temperature on exit from the chiller must be 40 degrees F or less to comply with the USDA regulations.

In the packaging area, whole carcasses or parts must have an internal product temperature of 40 degrees F or less.

This temperatures should be maintained throughout storage and shipment. Also place emphasis on minimizing recontamination of the product with proper equipment sanitation and good manufacturing practices.

Summary Poultry is processed primarily

to convert the bird’s muscles into meat, to remove the unwanted components of the bird (blood, feathers, viscera, feet and head), and to keep microbiological contamination at a minimum.

The ultimate quality of the final product depends not only on the condition of the birds when they arrive at the plant, but also on how the bird is handled during processing.

Bruising, broken bones, missing parts and high carcass reprocessing numbers can cause significant economic losses.

Unloading, stunning, slaughter, scalding, picking, eviscerating, chilling and packaging poultry are some of the processing steps that can result in product defects. Thus, these steps must be continuously monitored and precisely controlled.

The following can serve as a quick reference guide for problems observed during processing (Benoff, et. al., 1982).

Problems & Solutions Uploading broilers through picking room  Wing damage Causes — Wings caught on coop door; hangers too rough; toe guard out of line; pickers not properly adjusted; picker fingers missing; field causes.

Corrective action — Make sure doors on coop at proper angle for dumping; hangers shouldn’t pick up birds by the wings; adjust toe guard; adjust pickers; replace missing or worn fingers daily; checks for field bruises/broken bones.  Carcass bruising Causes — Stunning voltage too high; picker not properly adjusted; field causes.

Corrective action — Check

voltage; adjust pickers daily; check flock placement density in growout house.  Poor bleed-out, “red birds,” “red wing tips” Causes — Improper setting for neck cutting; bleed time too short; back-up personnel in killing area; birds not properly stunned; overscalding.

Corrective action — Do not sever the spinal cord, trachea or esophagus during neck cutting; adjust killing machine and sharpen knife; check with the back-up personnel; make sure the bleed time is at least 55 seconds; allow birds time to calm down before stunning; check the stunner; check scald temperature (124 degrees F to 138 degrees F).  Dead birds on line (cadavers) Causes — Hangers too rough; neck cutting malfunctioned; live birds entered scalder.

Corrective action — Check hanging; killing areas.  Shattered bones, disintegrated hearts and livers, pooled blood in the body cavity, blood splashes or blood spots in meat.

Causes — Stunning voltage too high.

Corrective action — Adjust stunner and stunning conditions.  Mis-cut or broken hocks Causes — Improper setting on hock cutters; worn equipment; birds not hung correctly; bird size variation; weak bones.

Corrective action — Check hock cutters with each bird flock; adjust properly; check foot unloader; check with growout manager and nutritionist if you suspect weak bones.  Breast blisters Causes — Field causes related to litter condition.

Corrective action — Alert grow-

out manager of increase in breast blisters.  Underpicking Causes — Scald temperatures too low or not uniform; pickers misaligned.

Corrective action — Check scald temperature and adjust, if necessary; check picker.

During poultry evisceration  Carcass contamination Causes — Broilers off feed too short or too long before processing; intestines are cut or torn.

Corrective action — Check with growout manager and adjust feed withdrawal time to 8-12 hours; adjust vent opener.  Oily birds Causes — Nutritional imbalance; high scald temperature; pickers too close together.

Corrective action — Check with nutritionist; check and adjust scald temperature, if necessary; adjust pickers, if necessary; may be related to seasonal weather.  Abnormal condition of intestines Causes — Weak intestines; watery fecal material; possible disease condition.

Corrective action — Check length of feed withdrawal; check for possible disease conditions in the field.  Carcasses contaminated with bile Causes — Feed withdrawal time too long; draw spoon needs adjusting.

Corrective action — Check to see if gall bladders on eviscerated broilers are enlarged; large gall bladders indicate feed withdrawal is too long; check evisceration equipment.

During chilling and packaging  Carcass/parts moisture too low or too high Causes — Improper time in chiller; improper temperature sequence of chillers; cuts, tears, excessive loose skin.

Corrective action — Notify chiller operator; check vent opening and pickers.  Bird temperature too high or too low Causes — Improper temperature in chiller.

Corrective action — Adjust temperature of chiller; discuss problem with chiller operator.  Stated weight is not the same as actual weight.

Causes — Scale is off; improper moisture pick-up.

Corrective action — Check tare weight; check scales daily.  Excessive short weights Causes — Moisture too high; product is warming during transportation.

Corrective action — Check moisture pick-up records; check packages for excessive purge; check truck loading and unloading procedures.  Product returns for offodors Causes — Product is warming during storage or transportation; contact with contaminated surfaces or other contaminated products.

Corrective action — Check product storage temperature, outgoing product temperature and chiller temperature; check chlorine levels in chiller; have QC check equipment sanitation procedures, and check for spoilage organisms on the product.

10

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Raeford faces new water pollution charges McClatchy Newspapers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Federal authorities are reviving an environmental crimes case against House of Raeford Farms, a North Carolina-based poultry processor accused of flushing turkey remains into a municipal sewage treatment plant.

Earlier this year, a federal judge dismissed the case because prosecutors failed to bring it to a speedy trial. But the judge allowed prosecutors to resurrect the case.

In a new indictment filed on June 26, a grand jury again charged that the North Carolina-based company sent untreated wastewater — contaminated with blood and body parts from slaughtered turkeys — to a municipal treatment plant in Raeford, N.C., on 14 occasions

from 2005 to August 2006.

The indictment also names plant manager Gregory Steenblock.

Municipal plants are designed to treat household waste, not raw industrial waste. For that reason, most industries are required to pretreat their wastewater before piping it to a municipal plant for final treatment.

House of Raeford said in a statement that any problems were unintentional and were fixed years ago.

“The government has never prosecuted another case like it, and it should not prosecute this one again, either,” the company said.

“There were no crimes here.”

Whatever went into the sewer was effectively treated by the city’s sewage treatment plant, House of Raeford said.

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The company also said that it solved the problems by completing a $1.4 million upgrade to its pretreatment facility in September 2006.

House of Raeford appealed the previous case as far as the U.S. Supreme Court, but the high court denied the company’s request.

The company had argued in its appeals that it already paid nearly $1 million in fines to the city of Raeford and shouldn’t be punished twice.

The case could head to trial as soon as Aug. 13.

•Flood -reau has launched the “Stop the Flood of Regulation” campaign.

As part of the campaign, farmers and ranchers are asking their senators and representatives to support the Preserve the Waters of the U.S. Act (S. 2245 and H.R. 4965), which would prevent EPA from taking action through this guidance document.They also will be sharing their stories of regulatory inundation through social media platforms.

Look for the #stoptheflood hashtag

on Twitter. And a Facebook page will give farm and ranch families a platform for sharing how this guidance effort might affect them.

Without action, a flood of federal regulations appears imminent. Many of our nation’s farms and ranches could find themselves awash in new, expensive and unwarranted regulations — even if the cause of those regulations is an inch-deep puddle following a downpour. Long after the puddle dries, the effect of the regulations could linger.

Many states across the nation are addressing rural technology challenges. One program in particular that is being utilized by many states is Connected Nation, a broadband adoption project to create connected communities.

This program trains regional leaders how to work with their communities to secure more Internet access and connect more people.

They make up community planning teams that help groups engage in teaching computer classes, mentor older adults and help with online job searches.

It is Connected Nation’s philosophy that rural communities benefit through assessment, planning and self help, while citizens benefit

through expanded access to relevant technology.

Importantly, the private sector benefits from a more investmentfriendly environment and increasingly tech-savvy consumers.

So, while rural America remains for many an idyllic land of open spaces and simpler ways of life, those who live there know the real deal.

Access to basic services continues to be essential for rural communities and the competitiveness of our nation.

Rural residents and their children shouldn’t be kept at a disadvantage by inadequate education, healthcare and business opportunities. It’s time to get past the paradox.

to firefighting chemicals should be thrown away.

This includes food stored at room temperature, as well as foods stored in permeable containers like cardboard and screw-topped jars and bottles.

Canned goods and cookware exposed to chemicals can be de-

contaminated by washing items in a strong detergent and then dipping them in a bleach solution composed of 1 tablespoon unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water for 15 minutes. And also, when in doubt, throw it out!

More information can be obtained at www.fsis.usda.gov.

(Continued from page 4)

•Stallman (Continued from page 4)

Connected Nation Teachers aren’t going to remain in rural areas without access to basic technology and services and neither will healthcare professionals and small business owners. Access to broadband plays a huge role in whether rural communities survive and flourish or wither and die.

As the number of rural doctors continues to decline, so do rural businesses. According to Inc. Magazine, 70 percent of business owners in rural America will need to transition their businesses to new owners by 2020. That is a staggering figure.

And, by all counts, it appears that broadband access is a major component of the economic engine.

•Fire (Continued from page 2)

-tor has an off-flavor or odor, throw it away.  Chemicals used to fight fires contain toxic materials and can contaminate food and cookware.

The chemicals cannot be washed off of food. Foods that are exposed

11

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

USDA offers safety tips for aftermath of storm WASHINGTON — USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service is issuing food safety recommendations for affected residents recovering from a devastating storm that has left millions without power in states stretching from as far west as Ohio through Virginia and West Virginia to New Jersey. “In the wake of this past weekend’s storms we want to make sure that those without power are taking the necessary precautions to avoid foodborne illness,� USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen said. “Consumers without power or access to a computer can get good food safety tips on their smartphones using our Mobile Ask Karen app.�

Steps to follow to prepare for a possible weather emergency:  Keep an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer to help determine if food is safe during power outages. The refrigerator temperature should be 40 degrees F or lower and the freezer should be zero degrees F or lower.  Store food on shelves that will be safely out of the way of contaminated water in case of flooding.  Group food together in the freezer — this helps the food stay cold longer.  Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately — this helps keep them

at a safe temperature longer. ď‚— Purchase or make ice and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers. ď‚— Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased. ď‚— Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerator food cold if the power will be out for more than four hours.

Steps to follow if the power goes out: ď‚— Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. ď‚— A refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if you keep the door closed. ď‚— A full freezer will keep its temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if half-full). ď‚— If the power is out for an extended period of time, buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep a fully-stocked 18-cubic-feet freezer cold for two days.

Steps to follow after a weather emergency: ď‚— Check the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer. If the thermometer reads 40 degrees F or below, the food is safe. ď‚— If no thermometer was used in the freezer, check each package.

If food still contains ice crystals or

is at 40 degrees F or below when checked with a food thermometer, it may be safely refrozen. ď‚— Discard any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items) that have been kept in a refrigerator or freezer above 40 degrees F for two hours or more. ď‚— Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water. Containers that are not waterproof include those with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops and crimped caps. Discard wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers. ď‚— Thoroughly wash all metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils that came in contact with flood water with hot soapy water and sanitize by boiling them in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of one tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water. ď‚— Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in all-metal cans and retort pouches (for example, flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches) can be saved. Follow the Steps to Salvage All-Metal Cans and Retort Pouches in the publication “Keeping Food Safe During an Emergencyâ€? at: www.fsis.usda.gov/ Fact_Sheets/Keeping_Food_Safe_ During_an_Emergency/index.asp ď‚— Use bottled water that has not

Ohio hatchery investigating salmonella reports The Associated Press

MOUNT HEALTHY, Ohio — A mail-order hatchery in southwest Ohio says it’s working closely with health officials investigating a new salmonella outbreak being traced back to their chicks.

A statement issued by Mount Healthy Hatcheries, located just

north of Cincinnati, says the company is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state officials. They also say they’re working with their suppliers of hatching eggs and chicks.

The CDC says nearly 100 people have been sickened in 23 states since March. Investigators interviewed

dozens of patients and most said they had touched chicks or ducklings before they got sick.

State regulators have repeatedly visited the hatchery, which was tied to a salmonella outbreak last year.

Officials say the place is very clean, and the company has done what the state asked.

been exposed to flood waters. If bottled water is not available, tap water can be boiled for safety. ď‚— Never taste food to determine its safety!

When in Doubt, throw it Out! An FSIS Public Service Announcement (PSA) illustrating practical food safety recommendations for handling and consuming foods stored in refrigerators and freezers during and after a power outage is available in 30- and 60second versions at www.fsis.usda. gov/news/Food_Safety_PSA. Videos about food safety during power outages are available in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language on the FSIS YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/USDAFoodSafety. Podcasts regarding

food safety during severe weather, power outages and flooding are available in English and Spanish on the FSIS website at www.fsis. usda.gov/News_&_Events/Food_ Safety_at_Home_Podcasts.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,� the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at www.AskKaren.gov or m.AskKaren.gov on a smartphone. Mobile Ask Karen can also be downloaded from the Android app store. Consumers can email, chat with a live representative, or call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline directly from the app.

The toll-free Meat and Poultry Hotline, 888-674-6854, is available l0 a.m.-4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

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12

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Pre-harvest safety issues that can carry to plant

By Dr. Scott M. Russell Special to Poultry Times

ATHENS, Ga. — When a poultry company exceeds the salmonella standard set by the USDA, the initial reaction is to place blame on the plant employees. Various companies have spent enormous amounts of time and money attempting to reduce salmonella levels on finished carcasses by making changes in the plant.

Unfortunately, this is not always successful. Numerous factors during breeding, hatching, growout and transportation (chick and broiler) can directly impact the level of salmonella on the finished product.

Examples The following is an example of how these factors, which have nothing to do with processing, can significantly influence carcass salmonella results.

In one instance, a processing plant had a salmonella prevalence of 17.5 percent. Another processing plant owned by the same company had a salmonella prevalence of 6.7 percent. The company suspected that the plant that had 6.7 percent prevalence was doing an excellent job with processing, but had a problem with flocks that were “hot” with salmonella.

When the source of birds for the two plants was switched, instantly, the salmonella prevalence for the first plant went from 17.5 percent to 25 percent. The salmonella prevalence for the second plant fell from 6.7 percent to 1.6 percent. This effect held up over a few months.

These data clearly demonstrate that just by manipulating the flocks that go into a plant, the prevalence of salmonella within that plant may be significantly impacted. In the case of the first plant, the salmonella level was acceptable and within USDA specification at 17.5 percent. However, by processing more contami-

nated flocks (25 percent), the level exceeded the USDA limits.

In this example, the company failed the USDA salmonella testing series and spent an enormous amount of money and effort to clean up the plant even though it was in excellent condition. In another instance, a company had a very similar situation that led to finger pointing between processing and production.

The processing management knew that the plant was clean and that all efforts were being made to reduce salmonella in the plant. The production people felt that “this is a processing problem” and did not want to get involved. In actuality, it is a “company” problem, and cooperation between processing and production is essential to identify and solve situations such as this.

‘Hot’ houses Another major problem is that growout houses can become “hot” with high salmonella populations without warning and may stay “hot” for a long period of time. This may vary due to weather conditions, insect or vermin infestation, problems with salmonella cross-contamination at the hatchery, or season.

Although the processing plant employees have the regulatory responsibility to ensure that the product meets or exceeds the salmonella regulation, they have absolutely no control over these production factors. Management within a company must work together to identify and solve problems.

The breeder chickens have been a cause of concern for the poultry industry for many years with regard to salmonella. Salmonella may be transferred on the surface of the egg shell due to fecal contamination during laying, or it may be encased within the egg. Cox and others found that salmonella could be found in the reproductive tracts of roosters and in hen sperm storage tubules.

These findings indicate that roosters may be infecting hen’s reproductive tracts during insemination. Thus, to prevent vertical transmission of salmonella, many companies have instituted a vaccination program.

These programs are showing positive benefits in decreasing salmonella populations within the breeder chickens.

In some European countries, all breeder flocks are tested for salmonella. If the flock is positive, it is slaughtered and the eggs are not used. This has dramatically reduced salmonella populations in the broiler chickens. However, due to the sheer scale of the industry in the U.S., this approach is seriously impractical.

Another approach that many European countries use is competitive exclusion. The idea is that by feeding the chickens populations of “good bacteria,” these good bacteria will colonize the intestines of the chicken and fill up all of the parking spaces. Then, when salmonella is ingested it: does not have anywhere to park, and bacteriocins produced by the good bacteria will kill the salmonella.

The cultures used in these countries are generally undefined. That is to say that the bacterial species in the culture are not defined and identified. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will not allow these cultures to be used in the U.S. Thus, very few cultures are used and sold in the U.S. These cultures have not been widely accepted by the industry. In Europe however, the undefined cultures have been demonstrated to be successful at reducing salmonella.

Strategies To reduce the prevalence of salmonella on poultry carcasses during processing, intervention strategies should be implemented during the hatching phase of poultry production. Salmonella spp. may be found in the nest box of breeder chickens,

cold egg-storage rooms at the farm, on the hatchery truck, or in the hatchery environment (Cox et al., 2000). These bacteria may then be spread to fertilized hatching eggs on the shell, or in some cases, may penetrate the shell and reside just beneath the surface of the eggshell.

Research has demonstrated that contamination of raw poultry products with Salmonella spp. may be attributable to cross-contamination in the hatchery from salmonella infected eggs or surfaces to uninfected baby chicks during the hatching process. Cox et al. (1990 and 1991) reported that broiler and breeder hatcheries were highly contaminated with Salmonella spp. Within the broiler hatchery, 71 percent of eggshell fragments, 80 percent of chick conveyor belts swabs and 74 percent of pad samples placed under newly hatched chicks contained Salmonella spp. (Cox et al., 1990).

Cason et al. (1994) reported that, although fertile hatching eggs were contaminated with high levels of Salmonella typhimurium, they were still able to hatch. The authors stated that paratyphoid salmonellae do not cause adverse health affects in the developing and hatching chick. During the hatching process, Salmonella spp. is readily spread throughout the hatching cabinet due to rapid air movement by circulation fans. When eggs were inoculated with a marker strain of salmonella during hatching, greater than 80 percent of the chicks in the trays above and below the inoculated eggs were contaminated (Cason et al., 1994).

In an earlier study, Cason et al.

(1993) demonstrated that salmonellae on the exterior of eggs or in eggshell membranes could be transmitted to baby chicks during pipping. Thus, proper disinfection of the hatchery environment and fertile hatching eggs is essential for reducing salmonella on ready-to-

cook carcasses.

Suggestions for elimination of salmonella in the hatchery include:  Install a disinfectant fogging system or electrostatic spraying system in the hatchery plenum, setters and hatchers that are linked to a timer system.  Spray disinfectant every 30 minutes during setting and hatching to prevent cross-contamination.  Thoroughly clean and sanitize setters and hatchers regularly using documented sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP’s).  Regularly monitor eggshell fragments, chick paper pads and chick dander from the bottom of the hatching cabinet for salmonella.

Salmonella in the crops of chickens that have consumed litter may be spread from carcass to carcass during the crop removal process (Hargis et al., 1995, and Barnhart et al., 1999.

Suggestions for elimination of salmonella in the crop prior to processing are as follows:  Apply lactic acid to drinking water of the chickens before the feed withdrawal period.  Begin by applying small amounts and gradually increase levels until they reach 0.5 percent (0.64 oz. of lactic acid/gallon of water).  Occasionally have the QA employees check the pH of the crops of birds at the plant to insure that they are being acidified.

Another popular method for reducing salmonella in broiler chickens is to spray the chicks with a live vaccine in the hatchery. Using vaccines, companies have observed salmonella reductions of 20 percent to 50 percent. Using these methods, companies have been able to significantly reduce pre-harvest salmonella prevalence.

Dr. Scott M. Russell is a professor of poultry processing and products microbiology and an Extension poultry scientist with the University of Georgia’s Department of Poultry Science in Athens, Ga.

CMYK

13

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

•GEC

•Test

(Continued from page 3)

(Continued from page 3)

for Georgia and America’s poultry and egg industry, acing on our behalf throughout the world.�

GEA officers The Georgia Egg Association also elected new officers for the coming year. Danny Beckham of Cal-Maine Foods of Shady Dale, Ga., was reelected to serve another term as president of the association.

Also elected for an-

other year during the association’s recent annual meeting here were Brent Booker, Country Charm Eggs, Gillsville, first vice president; Dennis Hughes, United Egg Marketers, Blackshear, second vice president; and Gijs Schimmel, Centurion Poultry, Lexington, treasurer.

Three year directors elected for the 2012-13 year are Dyke Addis, HyLine International; Nick Evans, FACCO USA;

Two year directors are: K.Y. Hendrix, Rose Acre Farms; Jim Hull, American Egg Products; Shannon Burasco, CWT Farms International; Tom Oliver, Chestnut Mountain Egg Farm; and Jack Watford, J-Wat Enterprises.

One year directors are: Beckham Jerry Thompson, Falcon Packaging; Tim Floyd, Mike Cullum, Rose Acre Lathem Farms; Larry Farms; Mark Ankerich, Thomason, Thomason’s Rose Acre Farms; Ed Ou- Farm Fresh Eggs; David sley, DOLCO Packaging. Lathem, Lathem Farms;

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The new testing regimen is expected to take place 30 days after the Federal Register notice is published, which was scheduled for July 6.

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In the past two years, FSIS has announced several new measures.This has included performance standards for poultry establishments for continued reductions in the occurrence of pathogens.

After two years of enforcing the new standards, FSIS estimates that approximately 20,000 illnesses will be prevented under the revised salmonella standards each year.

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Dr. Bruce Webster, University of Georgia Extension Poultry Science Department and Dr. Mike Lacy, head of the Poultry Science Department at the University Georgia, will continue as advisors for the group.

The association will hold its next annual meeting again on St. Simons Island on June 19-21, 2013, at the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort.

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POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Markets Compiled by David B. Strickland, Editor 770-718-3442 dstrickland@poultrytimes.net

Nat’l. Turkey Market:

was light to moderate for deferred deliveries. Offerings were generally moderate on hens and light to moderate on 16-24 lb. toms. Frozen Grade A basted equivalent offering prices on a national basis for hens was $1.02-$1.10 f.ob. and 16-24

(Jul. 10): The market on hens and 16-24 lb. toms was steady. Demand was very light for current shipments. Open priced fresh demand

lb. toms were $1.03-$1.10 f.o.b. for current deliveries. The market on white meat was steady, however, some spot unsettledness was being reported on fresh tom breast meat.

Demand was light to instances moderate. Offerings were uneven ranging light to mostly moderate. The market on tom bulk parts was generally steady. The undertone on tom necks was generally steady with some continuing to find spot weakness. Demand was light to moderate, mostly light. Offerings were light to moderate. The market on thigh meat was steady with a steady to firm undertone. The mechanically separated turkey market was steady.

Demand and offerings were light to moderate. Trading was light.

For turkey exports­­: trading was light. The market was mostly steady,

instances firm in response to tom two-joint wing trading at higher trending prices into select export channels. Demand was light to moderate, instances good. Offerings range light to mostly moderate and held with various degrees of confidence.

F owl: Jul. 6: Live spent heavy fowl

Final prices at Farm Buyer Loading (per pound): range 9½-21¢

P arts: Georgia:

The f.o.b. dock quoted prices on ice-pack parts based on truckload and pool truckload lots for the week of Jul. 9: line run tenders $2.07½; skinless/boneless

The following chart provides an annual high and a comparison of recent activity of major poultry company stocks.

USDA Shell Eggs AMS weekly combined region shell egg prices Average prices on sales to volume buyers, Grade A or better, White eggs in cartons, delivered warehouse, cents per dozen.

Annual High

Cal-Maine 42.40 Campbell Soup 35.02 ConAgra 27.34 Hormel 30.70 Pilgrim’s Pride 8.68 Sanderson Farms 55.87 Seaboard 2705.00 Tyson 21.06

Jun. 26

Jul. 10

37.44 38.70 32.24 32.61 25.23 25.45 29.07 28.93 7.11 5.99 47.01 42.88 2090.85 2153.00 18.58 17.07

Jul. 6

Extra Large Regions: Northeast 104.50 Southeast 100.50 Midwest 93.50 South Central 109.50 Combined 102.35

Large

Medium

98.00 98.50 91.50 101.50 97.55

71.00 71.00 66.50 72.50 70.34

Computed from simple weekly averages weighted by regional area populations

USDA Composite Weighted Average

Turkey Markets

OHIO COUNTRY ELEV. Jun. 26 Jul. 5 Jul. 10 No. 2 Yellow Corn/bu. $6.46 $6.99 $7.52 Soybeans/bu. $14.56 $15.10 $15.83 (Courtesy: Prospect Farmers Exchange, Prospect, Ohio)

Weighted avg. prices for frozen whole young turkeys Weighted average (cents/lb.) F.O.B. shipper dock

Broiler Eggs Set/Chicks Placed in 19 States Ala Ark

Ca,Tn,Wv

Del Fla Ga Ky La Md Miss Mo. N.C. Okla Pa S.C. Tex Va

19 States Total Prev. year % Prev. yr.

EGGS SET (Thousands)

CHICKS PLACED (Thousands)

Jun. 9

Jun. 16

Jun. 23

Jun. 30

Jun. 9

Jun. 16

Jun. 23

Jun. 30

28,292 21,492 10,589 3,547 1,350 32,466 7,714 3,439 7,194 18,181 8,023 19,844 7,024 3,789 5,558 14,790 6,325

27,872 21,354 10,736 3,519 1,351 32,496 7,676 3,409 7,483 17,404 7,635 19,508 6,600 3,781 5,066 14,550 6,252

27,279 20,870 10,947 3,557 1,353 31,982 7,442 3,303 7,456 17,938 7,196 19,494 6,473 3,651 5,299 14,563 6,219

27,938 20,765 11,091 3,570 1,352 31,697 7,418 3,440 7,401 17,823 7,774 19,559 6,550 3,667 5,559 14,270 6,340

20,717 20,656 10,856 4,333 1,175 27,682 6,213 3,077 5,864 15,208 5,408 16,345 4,430 3,023 4,937 12,083 5,264

20,257 20,394 10,514 4,764 1,260 28,166 6,571 3,240 5,801 15,594 6,084 16,154 3,636 3,054 4,676 12,322 4,922

20,419 19,950 10,683 5,003 1,058 28,024 6,269 3,327 6,164 15,432 5,727 16,322 4,749 3,092 4,803 12,145 4,526

20,806 19,902 9,487 3,787 1,079 27,179 6,536 3,066 6,947 15,520 5,954 15,485 4,527 3,149 5,077 12,303 4,900

199,617 204,659

196,692 199,826

195,022 198,340

196,214 197,158

167,271 169,855

167,409 168,765

167,693 168,554

165,704 168,718

98

98

98

100

98

99

99

98

1/Current week as percent of same week last year.

for week ending Jul. 8 is 146,268,000.

Actual slaughter for the week ending Jul. 1 was 157,815,000.

Heavy-type hen: Estimated slaughter for the week ending Jul. 8 is 1,641,000.

Actual slaughter for the week ending Jul. 1 was 1,726,000.

Light-type hen: Estimated slaughter for the week ending Jul. 8 is 979,000. Actual slaughter for the week ending Jul. 1 was 1,590,000.

Total: Week of Jul. 8: 148,888,000.

Week of Jul. 1: 161,131,000.

For week of: Jul. 9 83.36¢ For week of: Jul. 2 82.47¢ Chi.-Del.-Ga.-L.A.-Miss.-N.Y.--S.F.-South. States For delivery week of: Jun. 25 Jul. 9 Chicago majority 65--79¢ 72--81¢ Mississippi majority 80--85¢ 82--86¢ New York majority 82--85¢ 80--83¢ For delivery week of: Jun. 26 Jul. 10 Delmarva weighted average 66¢--$1.02 62¢--$1.03 Georgia f.o.b. dock offering 94.50¢ 94.75¢ Los Angeles majority price $1.04 $1.04 San Francisco majority price $1.04½ $1.04½ Southern States f.o.b. average 65.46¢ 64.12¢

Grain Prices

(Courtesy: A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc.)

N ational Slaughter: Broiler: Estimated slaughter

Broiler/Fryer Markets

Industry Stock Report

Company

breasts $1.61; whole breasts $1.01; boneless/skinless thigh meat $1.31; thighs 74¢; drumsticks 74¢; leg quarters 52¢; wings $1.84½.

Week ending Jul. 6 Hens (8-16 lbs.)

Toms (16-24 lbs.)

National

Week ending Jun. 29 Hens (8-16 lbs.)

Toms (16-24 lbs.)

106.50 108.00

Last year 104.00 103.17

106.50 106.70

Jun. avg.

106.00 106.51

Egg Markets USDA quotations New York cartoned del. store-door: Jun. 26 Jul. 10 Extra large, no change $1.05--$1.09 $1.05--$1.09 Large, no change $1.03--$1.07 $1.03--$1.07 Medium, no change 77--81¢ 77--81¢ Southeast Regional del. warehouse: Jun. 26 Jul. 10 Extra large, no change 97½¢--$1.07 97½¢--$1.10¼ Large, no change 96¢--$1.03 96¢--$1.03 Medium, no change 68½--76¢ 68½--76¢

15

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

AMERICAN EGG BOARD HOTLINE AEB Hotline appears regularly in Poultry Times and provides an update on programs and services provided for egg producers by the American Egg Board. Details on any item mentioned may be obtained by contacting AEB at 1460 Renaissance Dr., Park Ridge, Ill. 60068. Phone: 847296-7043.  AEB teamed up with NBC 5 to create a 4.5-minute foodie segment that will air in nine major markets on NBC 5’s nonstop channels in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and San Diego. Filmed in June in Chicago, incredible spokesman Chef Jeffrey Saad and Pearl Valley Eggs’ Ben Thompson joined together to bring home the message about the health benefits of eggs and how eggs are produce. Jeffrey introduces the segment showing consumers how to make AEB’s Coffee Cup Scramble.

The segment then transitions into Ben’s insights about the eggs’ journey from his farm to the dinner plate; he discusses what it takes to have healthy hens and produce quality eggs.

Filming took place inside the hen house as well as outside the barns. The segment ends with Jeffery in the kitchen discussing another quick-and-easy egg breakfast that he cooks while delivering AEB’s key messages on cholesterol and vitamin D. These placements will run up to 400-plus times, depending upon the market, over several weeks.

Additionally, in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas, a custom content piece — pre-recorded one-minute segments — will air multiple times.

To drive home the local message, a local egg farmer appears in this one-minute segment.

New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas will also incorporate a food bank donation and footage filmed at the donation site. Tweets and Facebook posts will drive consumers to IncredibleEgg.org and Incredible Edible Egg on Facebook page and enhance the key messages provided by the TV content. With a potential reach of 11 million, AEB is thrilled with this program.  The European Egg Processors Association (EEPA) has contacted the USAPoultry & Egg Export Council to help EEPA’s members find U.S. suppliers of egg products and breaking stock.

Because of the European Union (EU) directive banning egg production from hens housed in battery cages, which took effect on Jan. 1, prices for eggs and egg products on the continent have dramatically increased. The EU price for breaking stock is now 10 percent to 20 percent higher than the price for table eggs. Currently, all processed egg products, such as liquid, dried and frozen, are eligible for export to the EU. AEB members who are interested in selling breaking stock to the EU should contact USAPEEC (Jennifer Geck, 770413-0006, jgeck@usapeec.org)

Ordinary chickens may be extraordinary in fighting cancer COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The common barnyard chicken could provide some very un-common clues for fighting off diseases and might even offer new ways to attack cancer, according to a team of international researchers that includes a Texas A&M University professor.

James Womack, Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, is co-author of a paper detailing the team’s work that appears in the current issue of PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Scientists).

Womack and the team, comprised mostly of scientists from the Seoul National University in Korea, examined 62 White Leghorn and 53 Cornish chickens for diversity in NK-lysin, an antibacterial substance that occurs naturally in animals and

is used as a method of fighting off diseases.

They were able to obtain two genetic variations of NK-lysin and the results offered two unexpected shockers: both showed abilities to fight off bacterial infections and other diseases, while one showed it could successfully fight cancer cells as well.

“It took all of us by surprise,” Womack says of the findings.

“One of the genetic variations shows it has the ability to fight against cancer cells much more aggressively than the other variation.

We certainly were not looking at the cancer side of this, but there it was.”

Womack says the team selected the two breeds because Cornish and White Leghorn chickens, found throughout most of the world, have relatively diverse genetic origins.

After conducting a DNAsequence

of the chickens, the team found two variations of the genes that offered clues as to their protective ability to ward off infections.

“One form appears to be more potent in killing off cancer cells than the other, and that’s the one that naturally caught our eye,” Womack adds.

“This could lead to other steps to fight cancer or in developing ways to prevent certain infections or even diseases. It’s another door that has been opened up. We are looking at similar studies right now to see if this is possible with cattle.

“The next step is to work with other animals and see if similar variants exist. We need to look for any genetic similarities to the chicken variants and then determine if these variants affect the health of the animal, but this is an exciting first step in this direction.”

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16

POULTRY TIMES, July 16, 2012

Groups add comments on antibiotics report on usage in production ARLINGTON, Va. — The Animal Agriculture Alliance joined 15 other agricultural organizations on July 5 in submitting a letter to Congress in response to the recent Consumers Union report on the use of antibiotics in animal production.

“We strongly believe consumers deserve a choice when it comes to their meat and poultry purchases,” the coalition wrote. “However, consumers can make an informed choice through balanced information about the challenges, benefits and realities of the various approaches to raising and processing livestock and poultry. We do not believe it serves the consumer to stigmatize certain production systems to boost others.”

Other organizations that signed on to the letter include the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners, American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Meat Institute, American Veterinary Medical Association, Animal Health Institute, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Chicken Council, National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, North American Meat Association and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.

The alliance previously addressed the Consumers Union report in a blog post dated June 26.

Additional resources explaining the role that antibiotics and other animal health products play in producing safe food can be found on the alliance’s website — www. animalagalliance.org. Additionally, on July 5, the alliance sent a letter

“ ‘The claim that 80 percent of antibiotics are used on farm animals is unsubstantiated.’

Kay Johnson Smith

Animal Agriculture Alliance

to the editor in response to a July 1 Washington Post editorial that oversimplified the complex problem of antibiotic resistance.

Animal Agriculture Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith wrote, “Calling for “Meat Without Drugs” to eliminate the use of antibiotics in farm animals may sound like a good idea, but the very title is misleading and inflammatory. Our meat and poultry supply is already “without drugs.” When farm animals are sometimes treated to prevent or control disease, a strict withdrawal period is followed to ensure that the end products are safe.

“The claim that 80 percent of antibiotics are used on farm animals is unsubstantiated. Fully 40 percent of animal antibiotics are compounds not used in human medicine. FDA has initiated a process ensuring that all medically-important antibiotics will be administered under the supervision of a veterinarian and only for therapeutic purposes.”

The alliance also notes that it supports the responsible use of antibiotics by farmers and ranchers in order to maintain the health of their animals and to continue to provide consumers with high-quality food products.

Special

Ala. farm family awarded: (top photo) Alabama Poultry & Egg Association President Spence Jarnagin recently presented the 2012 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year award to Gary and Barbara Wright of Collinsville, during the group’s annual Evening of Fun event in Birmingham. Joining them are AP&EA Grower Committee Chairman Kenneth Sanders and AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams. (bottom photo) The Wrights also accepted a farm sign recognizing them as this year’s award winners. They are joined by Adams; Sanders; and AP&EA Membership Director Ray Hilburn.