Simon M. Shane*(290 million hens in production less specialty and breaking flocks)From the Author - Page 5HomeCautious optimism at USPOULTRY conferenceEconomic experts at the Grains Forecast and Economic Outlook Conference, organized by the U. S. Poultry and Egg Association, were cautiously optimistic in their assessment of grain prices and the economy. Dr. Don Ratacjczak presented an economic forecast for 2011. Acknowledging that the financial sector is still weak, Ratacjczak forecast a 2% growth for the U.S. economy in the first half of 2011 rising to 4% in the last two quarters of the year.Egg ProductionThe US egg industry and the Salmonella recallThe US egg industry was exposed to extremely adverse publicity following the mid-August 2010 egg recall due to Salmonella enteritidis. The immediate effect of media attention was a precipitous drop in prices due to an immediate decline in consumption, mirroring the UK’s late 1980s “Eggwina” episode, when a Junior Health Minister’s warnings over infected eggs lead to a rapid decline in egg sales.Egg ProductionIndustry to emerge stronger in 2011We have witnessed a gratifying restoration in the UB price from early November onwards. There are a number of reasons for this welcome circumstance. These include a reduction in the frequency and intensity of press releases by the FDA.Egg ProductionRedefining organic eggsThe production of organic eggs administered by the USDA-National Organic Program has shown double digit increases in sales from inception of the program through to the onset of the recession. Although there are indications of improvement in sales volume, the favorable trend may be altered by a radical revision of the ground rules for production.HomeVaccination against pasteurellosis indicated for some floor-housed flocksDr. Andy McRee of Lohmann Animal Health commented on protection of flocks against Pasteurella infection by vaccination. Long regarded as an essential measure in the broiler industry, it is becoming more common to administer Pasteurella vaccine to pullets reared on litter before transfer to a floor laying system.HomeDo we really have to create issues for PETA?A recent press release by PETA and consequential national publicity in the print and social media highlighted the practice of disposing of depleted flocks by grinding hens alive. We have faced this issue with cockerel chicks and received criticism as an industry.HomeEgg prices level out after recall, but industry now facing new challengesWell, we appear to be back to the UB price projected before the August SE recall. This is due in part to the shifting of media reports from SE to the November midterm elections, the absence of additional recalls (other than a single small event announced on November 5), the sharp decline in incident cases reducing the frequency of releases by the FDA, positive publicity by the AEB and the depletion of possibly 4 to 5 million hens.HomeNovus reviews acquisition of IQF GroupGiovanni Gasperoni is the Executive Vice President for Marketing and Sales, Novus International Inc. Recently, the company announced acquisition of the IQF Group in Spain and a related joint venture in Mexico.Egg ProductionRobotics makes a breakthrough in egg packingSmart Motion Robotics (SMR) of Sycamore, Ill., hosted a two-day event to demonstrate its range of robotic technology especially developed for shell-egg plants. Established in 2000 by Scott Gilmore, the company has expanded to develop custom robotic applications for the food and pharmaceutical industries for over a decade.HomeExperts review current poultry issues at 2010 NECADA number of issues of current interest to the U.S. egg industry were considered at the 82nd Northeastern Conference on Avian Diseases held from September 22-23 at the Conference Center, Pennsylvania State University. Presentations were made by Dr. Carrie Walk, of AB Vista; Dr. Billy Hargis, of the University of Arkansas; Dr. Andrew Yersin, of Kemin Agri-Foods; and Dr. Randy Chick, of Danisco Animal Nutrition.HomeFDA to commence inspections under Final RuleThe FDA announced its inspections under the Final Rule will commence in the Northeast and Midwest regions during October. The program of inspecting up to 600 farms will take at least a year.HomeCongressional hearings on the SE recall reveal little informationThe long-awaited, delayed SE hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee yielded little in the way of facts relating to the outbreak involving 1,500 diagnosed cases in consumers during May through July prompting a recall of up to 0.5 billion eggs in mid-August. Jack DeCoster was evasive and rambling in his responses to direct questions which were not answered to the satisfaction of the committee.Previous PagePage 5 of 21Next Page