Simon M. Shane*(290 million hens in production less specialty and breaking flocks)From the Author - Page 6Egg ProductionExamining events of the SE recallThe entire U.S. egg industry has been dominated by the fallout from the extensive egg recall associated with the DeCoster-owned Wright County Egg Complex and the associated operation of Hillandale Farms of Iowa. The commentary “The SE recall: Inevitable or accidental?” outlined the facts as known and raised questions which must be answered if the industry is to aggressively respond to maintain consumer confidence, support the UB price, which has crashed and prevented SE being the “new cholesterol” of the current decade.Nutrition & FeedIs feed a vehicle of SE transmission?Recent press reports have implicated feed as a vehicle of transmission in the Iowa SE outbreak and recall. Reports have indicated recovery of SE from the environment of the feed mill, from feed and from byproducts in the mill supplying affected flocks.Poultry FeedAdvances in nutritionPresentations at the 2010 Poultry Science Association meeting in Denver, Colo., documented advances and trends in feeding U.S. flocks producing table eggs. Interpretive reviews of significant papers are provided dealing with the benefits of additives, supplements and new ingredients.Poultry FeedDietary additives for egg-producing flocksA wide range of supplements are added to the diets of rearing pullets and commercial egg production flocks. These compounds are included in diets at low volume, frequently at less than 0.5% of the diet.HomeSpurious claims for SE suppressionPublication of the FDA Final Rule has stimulated a number of claims for water and feed additives that can inhibit or assist in suppressing SE infection. One compound which has been promoted comprises a chelated copper solution intended to decontamination contaminated green produce and to suppress algae in irrigation water.HomeHSUS clarifies position on enriched cagesIn a position statement posted on its website, HSUS states “despite the modifications, these cages are unable to provide an acceptable level of welfare for hens. The egg industry, food companies and other stakeholders within the food industry should do the right thing and end the use of all cages to confine laying hens”.HomeA call for accurate data on food-borne diseasesIn numerous press releases by the FDA promoting the FDA Final Rule on egg-borne Salmonella enteritidis infection, the agency quotes “as many as 79,000 illnesses and 30 deaths per year from consumption of SE-contaminated eggs”. The commissioner of the FDA, Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg has publicly stated that the rule “will prevent thousands of serious illnesses from salmonella in eggs”.HomeKentucky Proud initiative tracks beefDr. Simon Timmermans reviewed traceability and the success of the “Kentucky Proud” initiative in relation to the Alltech Angus Project at the recent 2010 Alltech Symposium. Traceability is a comprehensive concept of tracking product through the supply chainHomeThree alternative additives cut feed costsNutritionists and producers now consider enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics to be safe.HomeInnovative products demonstrated at 2010 VIVMoba, Nuovo among companies offering new machinesEgg ProductionEU research on microbial quality of eggs raises questionsResults and conclusions must be carefully evaluated.Cage-Free Laying SystemsConventional eggs purchased 40-to-1 over cage-freeChecker scanner data shows huge consumer preference margin but results lack farmers’ market purchases.Previous PagePage 6 of 21Next Page