Simon M. Shane*(290 million hens in production less specialty and breaking flocks)From the Author - Page 8HomeReflecting on feed in 2010, looking toward 2011As we go to press for the last edition of the year, we are justified in looking back on the past year and casting our thoughts forward to 2011. Our feed industry can only be as strong as its customers involved in livestock, milk and egg production.HomeAEB responds to October editorial on SE recallThe editorial on the SE recall which appeared in the October edition of Egg Industry elicited a number of favorable comments and support. The editorial contended that there were many organizations and agencies responsible for the outbreak which involved 1,500 diagnosed cases attributed to eggs allegedly supplied from Wright County Eggs and an affiliate.HomeCase study on control of mice in an SE-positive complexTwo out of eight houses in an in-line complex yielded positive SE isolates on routine drag swab monitoring. An inspection of the facility showed mice droppings at three to four inch intervals along the length of all egg belts at 06H00 before commencing egg collection.HomeRodent control: A new imperativeThe advent of the Final Rule on prevention of SE has created a new awareness of the role of rodents and especially mice in the dissemination of SE within in-line complexes and perpetuation of infection on farms and in houses. An article on controlling rodents appeared in the November 2008 edition of Egg Industry and serves as a reference to the biology of the three species of rodents which may be found in laying houses.HomePlenty of blame to be shared in egg recallThe significance of the 2010 egg recall is now becoming apparent. The short-term impact relates to an acute drop in consumption with a correspondingly precipitous decline in the average August Urner Barry price from 113 cents per dozen to the mid-70s by the second week in September.HomeBlaming consumers for SE is inappropriateA recent article relating to SE in USA Today quotes a representative of the United Egg Producers’ Egg Safety Center as stating, “All the responsibility cannot be placed on the farmer. Somewhere along the line consumers have to be responsible for what they put in their bodies.” Although government agencies including the FDA have reinforced adequate cooking as a precaution, placing the blame on a large number of SE cases cannot be regarded as a productive response to a crisis.HomeFDA ‘discovers’ SE vaccinationCritics of the FDA Final Rule highlighted the failure of the agency to make provision for vaccination as an appropriate preventive measure in reducing the possibility of vertical transmission of SE from flocks to consumers. Following the recent recall of eggs, and resulting publicity, an official of the FDA circulated an e-mail among his non-veterinarian contacts requesting information on the efficacy of SE vaccines.HomeAnnual guide serves as resource for feed industryFeed represents a significant vehicle to transmit toxins, pathogens and adulterants to livestock with undesirable effects. A further complication is that introduction of specific compounds or disease-causing organisms into the food chain can result in expensive and infrequently serious health outcomes for consumers.HomeWhat is the prevalence of SE among caged flocks?California Act 1437 mandates that any eggs imported into California after January 2015 would have to be produced in compliance with the requirements of Proposition 2. When first proposed the obvious response was that this item of legislation would be unconstitutional since it interfered with interstate commerce.HomeBreeds, genes and diseaseBreeding is the focus of the August 2010 edition of Egg Industry. During the past decade, a succession of mergers and acquisitions has narrowed the range of suppliers of commercial level stock to two primary breeding companies each with multinational scope.Egg ProductionProducers have choice of genetic strainsU.S. egg producers have a wider selection of strains although these are supplied by two dominant primary breeders. Consolidation within the industry over the past twenty years has resulted in the demise of a number of independents both in the U.S. and Europe.Breeding & GeneticsMidwest Foods' Brickland HatcheryThe Midwest Foods Association, founded in 1975 as a buying cooperative, has standardized on the New Shaver white-feathered strain for its 16 members. According to Bruce Lackey, general manager of the MFA, the decision was made on the basis of anticipated performance of the strain which was extensively modified in 2005.Previous PagePage 8 of 21Next Page