Simon M. Shane*(290 million hens in production less specialty and breaking flocks)From the Author - Page 4Egg Production2011 IPE focuses on colony cage systemsThere is no question that colony cages were the focus of attention among prospective purchasers at the 2011 International Poultry Expo. This article is intended to outline the characteristics of available models for both retrofit and original installations.Egg ProductionNew products, services highlighted at the 2011 IPEAmong the products and services offered by the 900 exhibitors at the 2011 International Poultry Expo in Atlanta, a number of categories and items stood out as potentially beneficial for egg producers. Highlights are noted for our readership.Egg ProductionInnovations, competition at the 2011 IPEThe U.S. Poultry and Egg Association are to be commended on their fine organization and execution of what must be regarded as the premier world poultry event. Combining floor displays with a complementary educational program, the annual IPE is a one-stop occasion to acquire knowledge, contact prospective suppliers and customers and renew acquaintances with colleagues.Egg Production2011 IPE unveils innovations in grading, egg handlingA number of new products and grading systems were unveiled at the 2011 International Poultry Exposition in Atlanta. Over the past two decades, Diamond has dominated the grader market in North America, progressively increasing the capacity of installations to 500 cases per hour and introducing refinements and innovations to improve efficiency.HomeTransgenic chickens developed for AI resistanceA multidisciplinary team of molecular biologists and veterinarians in the UK have developed a transgenic chicken which expresses RNA which inhibits and blocks the polymerase enzyme of the influenza virus, which is critical to replication. On exposure, transgenic birds were fully susceptible to challenge but subsequent shedding of virus to conventional contacts was prevented.Egg ProductionHSUS stretches claims for cage-free mandatesOver the past two years, the Humane Society of the United States has widely publicized the apparent conversion by chain restaurants from purchasing eggs from caged flocks to non-confined housing. The latest case in point involved the Sonic Corporation.Egg ProductionSodexo sues United Egg Producers, five companiesSodexo Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the multinational Sodexo based in France, has brought suit against the United Egg Producers and five major U.S. producers alleging collusion in pricing. The allegation is similar to the previous lawsuit that alleges that the UEP Certified Welfare Program, which reduced stocking density, was effectively a measure to reduce production and thereby increase selling prices.HomeCooperation between FDA and USDAWhen a tarantula and a scorpion are enclosed in a bottle they either have to cooperate to survive and possibly escape or fight, which proves disastrous for one or both of the combatants. Perhaps there is an analogy to the two regulatory agencies that have the greatest impact on livestock production. During 2010, both the FDA and the FSIS have evidenced their traditional competition for precedence and jurisdiction or in Beltway parlance “turf.”Egg ProductionScientific evaluation of organic egg production systemsThe recent proposal by the National Organic Program to impose extensive outside access requirements on producers does not appear to have any scientific basis. There is a perception that the proposal to require an as yet undefined area of outside access is a thinly veiled attempt to restrict marketing of NOP certified eggs to small flocksEgg Production2011 Midwest Poultry Federation Convention previewThe 2011 Midwest Poultry Federation Convention will take place from March 16-17 at the Saint Paul, Minn., RiverCenter. The annual “Midwest” is a must-attend event as it is generally acknowledged to be the most informative program for egg producers.Hen Housing SystemsThe impact of welfareDecisions made in 2011 will influence production techniques, marketing and profitabilityEgg ProductionThe welfare issueThis edition of Egg Industry is devoted to the poorly defined concept of “welfare.” The term has a different meaning depending on the perceptions and outlook of the observer.Previous PagePage 4 of 21Next Page