poultry
Egg farms in Iowa move toward cage-free barns
Producers in Iowa, the No 1 egg state, "say they are looking to house more of their hens in cage-free barns to meet growing demand from big buyers like McDonald's," says the Omaha (Neb) World-Herald. Rembrandt Farms, based in Spirit Lake and one of the largest producers of processed egg products, will shift to an all cage-free model.
Vietnam accuses U.S. of dumping chicken meat
Chicken farmers in Vietnam say they will file an anti-dumping complaint with their nation's Competition Authority next month against imports of U.S. poultry meat, just days after the TPP trade accord was reached. "Vietnam’s Southeastern Livestock Association asserts the poultry is sold at prices lower than those in the United States," Bloomberg reported.
Bird-flu plan relies on speedy culling, vaccine on standby
After the "incredible scope" of the worst bird flu epidemic ever to hit the nation earlier this year, the USDA's plan for reducing the risk of an outbreak this fall includes swift culling of infected flocks with a bird-flu vaccine available "as a possible adjunct to, and not a replacement for, a future eradication effort." The usual response to discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza is to quarantine the affected farm and its surroundings and kill the infected flock to prevent spread of the virus.
Perdue buys antibiotic-free Niman Ranch
Family-owned Perdue Farms, one of the major U.S. poultry processors, is buying Niman Ranch, a producer of antibiotic-free meat and cage-free eggs, said Meating Place.
A chicken that doesn’t pass along bird flu … but it’s GMO
British researchers have genetically engineered a chicken that is less susceptible to bird flu than other chickens and that does not infect its flockmates. "But these promising chickens ... won't likely gate-crash their way into poultry production any time soon," says Reuters.
Holiday turkeys will cost more and may weigh less
Shoppers can expect "significantly higher" prices for their holiday turkey and the birds may weigh less than usual, all due to this year's avian influenza epidemic.
South Africa unfair to U.S. chicken and pork, say ag groups
Trade groups speaking for U.S. chicken and hog farmers asked the government to withdraw, or at a minimum restrict, trade benefits for South Africa until it provides more access for U.S. meat imports, reports Feedstuffs.
Turkey farm is first bird-flu site in Iowa to re-stock flock
Nearly three months after avian influenza was confirmed on Moline Farms near Manson, Iowa, the turkey farm is filling its barns with new birds.
Coming soon? Windrows of dead, composting poultry
State and federal officials said they are looking for better ways to kill poultry flocks rapidly if bird flu hits the United States again, and that millions of fowl could be turned into compost or buried on the farms where they die.
At TPP, Canada discusses allowing more dairy imports
At the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks in Hawaii, "Canada has begun discussions with the United States on allowing more foreign dairy products into the Canadian market – among the thorniest issues for Ottawa" in the negotiations, says the Toronto Globe and Mail.
Bird-flu epidemic raises questions about large-scale poultry farming
The bird-flu epidemic that claimed 48.1 million domesticated fowl on U.S. poultry farms "illustrates the scale of chicken farming in the United States," says the Guardian, asking if factory farming is viable.
Farms hit by bird flu could resume production this fall
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says poultry producers who lost flocks in the worst avian influenza epidemic ever to hit the United States could have birds back in the barn by fall, according to USA Today.
Stringent biosecurity crucial in preventing bird flu, says USDA
In an updated report on the worst-ever bird flu epidemic to infect U.S. poultry flocks, the government says "comprehensive and stringent biosecurity practices remain crucial to reducing the risk of HPAI [highly pathogenic avian influenza] infection."
Manage wildlife to reduce bird-flu risk, USDA tells producers
In a new flyer on biosecurity, the USDA tells poultry producers, "The addition of simple wildlife management practices around your farm" can enhance the biosecurity shield against avian influenza.
In trial, bird-flu vaccine is highly effective in chickens
A trial vaccine against the bird flu was "100 percent effective on chickens" and is now being tested on turkeys, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told lawmakers.
USDA sends poultry inspection rule to White House
The Agriculture Department is seeking White House approval of poultry inspection rules that would allow processors to speed up slaughter lines and direct USDA inspectors to devote more time to preventing meat contamination. Approval by the White House budget office would be one of the final steps before the proposal becomes official policy. Submission of the Poultry Inspection Modernization rule was reported by groups on both sides of the issue.
“Significant” risk of new wave of bird flu in fall or spring
A second wave of the devastating avian influenza could appear this fall or next spring, the chief USDA veterinarian told senators, adding, "We will be ready for that challenge."
The $1 billion elephant in Iowa’s caucus rooms
Iowa gets the first word on presidential nominees through its precinct caucuses, scheduled for Feb. 1, so the Hawkeye State is awash with candidates who are trying to build a bond with voters. "Yet for all their love for everyday Iowans, none of the candidates is getting anywhere near the biggest crisis to hit the state in years - one of the worst animal health emergencies in U.S. history," says Politico Magazine.
Reports of three new human cases of bird flu include California child
Arizona health officials said two workers employed at poultry farms have recovered from mild cases of bird flu while the public health agency in Marin County, north of San Francisco, said it was investigating a possible bird flu infection of a child. If confirmed by the CDC, the U.S. total for bird flu infections would rise to 61 people in eight states this year.