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Index of Advertisers

Be sure to pay a visit to these esteemed sponsors of the Poultry Times, recognizing them as vital contributors to the industry who greatly appreciate your support.

Agralarm | 30, 35 888-968-2802; www.agralarm.com

American Food Tech | 37 866-666-6861; www.americanfoodtech.com Americold | 19 888-808-4877; www.americold.com

Bay Food Brokerage | 25 813-287-1446; www.bayfoodbrokerage.com Eagan Mfg. | 13 870-878-6805; www.eaganmfg.com

Eastern Poultry Distributors | 40 https://easternpd.com

Extrutech | 22 888-818-0118; www.epiplastics.com Farmer Boy Ag | 20 800-845-3374; www.farmerboyag.com Fieldale Farms | 36 800-241-5400; www.fieldale.com

Foodlinx | 26 650-375-2555; https://foodlinx.com

Gas-Fired Products | 16 800-849-7311; www.spaceray.com

Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors | 14 www.harvestsherwood.com

Hog Slat | 39 800-949-4647; www.hogslat.com

Imler’s Poultry | 36 800-446-5377; https://imlerspoultry.com

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Impact Poultry Products | 33, 37 800-448-4723; www.impactpoultryproducts.com

Kuhl Corp. | 16 908-782-5696; www.kuhlcorp.com

L.B. White | 18 608-783-5691; www.lbwhite.com

Mar-Jac Poultry | 33 800-226-0561; www.marjacpoultry.com

Motomco | 3 800-237-6843; www.motomco.com

National Incinerator | 34 205-589-6720; www.nationalincinerator.com

NuTech BioSciences | 17 315-751-0729; www.nutechbiosciences.com

Overdrive Lighting | 23 800-657-0509; www.aglights.com

Precision Lighting | 1, 2, 21, 27 800-737-1837; www.poultrylighting.com

R&D Marketing | 35 662-620-2828

Rocktown Transport | 15 540-820-1000; www.rocktown-transportllc.com

Walinga USA | 4 800-466-1197; www.walinga.com

Weightech | 24, 31 800-457-3720; www.weightechinc.com

Wholesome Companies | 29 800-723-6637; www.wholesomecompanies.net

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Gainesville, Georgia 30503

Jim Perdue awarded NPFDA ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award

COVER STORY

DAVID B. STRICKLAND Poultry Times Editor dstrickland@ poultrytimes.com

ATLANTA — One of the poultry industry’s most-recognized individuals recently received a prestigious honor from the National Protein and Food Distributors Association.

Jim Perdue, chairman and CEO of Perdue Farms, was presented with the 2024 Protein Industry Lifetime Achievement Award from NPFDA during its recent annual convention and showcase in Atlanta, Ga.

Perdue is the 33rd recipient of the lifetime achievement award. His father, Frank Perdue, received the very first of these awards in 1991. The association annually recognizes someone who has shown a lifetime of dedication and contributions to the protein industry.

Perdue Farms is now a fourthgeneration agricultural company based in Salisbury, Md., but Jim Perdue represents its third generation, and notes many of its core values.

“My grandfather, Arthur W. Perdue, built our business on quality, integrity and trust, and my father transformed the industry,” Perdue said in a release. “I’m proud to carry on their legacy into our company’s second century.

“While the business may have changed over the years, our values continue to guide our decisions today. I’m humbled by this recognition but accept the award

David Strickland, Poultry Times editor, speaks with Jim Perdue, Perdue Farms chairman, during the recent National Protein and Food Distributors Association annual convention. Perdue was awarded this year’s NPFDA lifetime achievement award.

NPFDA Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Perdue, chairman of Perdue Farms, was this year’s recipient of the National Protein and Food Distributors Association’s Protein Industry Lifetime Achievement Award. Perdue received his award from Laurie Pate, Foodlinx, incoming NPFDA chair.

Poultry Times photo

Photo by David B. Strickland

Industry reactions on how to assess food loss and waste

BY ELIZABETH BOBENHAUSEN Poultry Times staff ebobenhausen@poultrytimes.com

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — President Biden has recently set forth the draft of the “National Strategy to Reduce U.S. Food Loss and Waste.” The draft describes how much food waste is collected in the United States.

It states, “In the United States, the average family of four spends $1,500 each year on food that ends up uneaten. More than one-third (nearly 100 million tons) of the U.S. municipal waste stream is organic waste, including food, yard and tree trimmings and other organic materials. Sixty-six million tons of this is food. Food is also the single most common material found in landfills, comprising 24 percent of municipal solid waste in landfills, and 61 percent of methane generated by landfilled food waste is not captured by landfill gas collection systems and is released to the atmosphere. The production and current management of this material as waste uses significant resources.”

“Food loss and waste poses a real challenge to agriculture, food and the climate,” U.S. Agriculture Tom Vilsack said. “In order to tackle this problem, and in turn build a resilient food system and mitigate climate impacts, we must explore and implement innovative solutions. This joint effort between USDA, EPA, and FDA will enhance interagency coordination and represents a vital step towards preventing food loss and waste, increasing organic waste recycling, and promoting economic opportunity.”

The strategy plan was announced at the United Nations Climate Conference. The USDA said that it hopes to improve “global food security, manage the consequences of climate change, and engage in innovative practices.”

USDA notes some of the goals of the strategy as:

• Preventing the loss of food where possible.

• Preventing the waste of food where possible.

• Increasing the recycling rate for all organic waste.

• Supporting policies that incentivize and encourage food loss and waste prevention and organics recycling.

The USDA noted that it plans to contribute to aide in food waste policy by:

• Investing $30 million in the Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) Cooperative Agreements.

• Expanding partnerships with NIFA food system programs to further develop educational materials, research and outreach for food loss and waste prevention.

• Funding research and development on in-

novative new packaging technology to extend the shelf life of food and prevent loss.

The National Chicken Council also presented proposals of how chicken producers can lower amount of elements being thrown into landfills.

Among the points made by NCC include:

• The use of by-products

A perfect example of minimizing food waste is the use of various by-products in chicken feed, including bakery meal, animal proteins/fats, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and peanut meal. By nature, chickens are excellent at upcycling as they can readily digest these by-products that would otherwise go to waste and turn them into protein for energy.

• Rendering

Rendering is the process of using high heat and pressure to turn various meat and poultry by-products into reusable, nutrient-dense items for consumption by livestock and pets or into organic fertilizer. Poultry processing facilities across the U.S. use rendering facilities to process inedible parts of the bird or those parts that do not meet standards for human consumption. One of the most common byproducts from the poultry industry is feather meal. Feathers are collected at the processing plants, ground, and dried and made into a slow-release, organic fertilizer or a feed additive for livestock.

• Automation and transportation

Technological expansions in poultry processing plants have greatly reduced food waste. Automated technologies help ensure chicken is cut into parts more accurately thereby minimizing miscuts, downgrades, and products that may be sent to rendering. These technologies have greatly improved yield, ensuring that more meat is removed from the bone and enters the food supply. As artificial intelligence develops and technologies are perfected, the industry will continue to minimize food waste from chicken production, ensuring that everything from the bird is yielded and little goes to waste.

NCC adds that some of the policies within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the USDA may have contributed to much of waste. The organization asked if the FDA would be willing to evaluate the allowance of surplus hatchery eggs. Another policy the NCC would like the USDA to reevaluate is the projected Salmonella outline.

“Without spending additional resources, agencies can take action to not only reduce waste but also decrease food prices while increasing their availability for consumers,” NCC said. “By working cooperatively towards achieving this goal, innovative solutions can be found.”

The Northern American Renders Association expressed disappointment when they were not included in the strategy.

“Given renderers are the largest recycler of organic food loss and waste (FLW), we were surprised and disappointed that rendering was not mentioned in the plan,” Kent Swisher, NARA president and CEO, said. “The North American rendering industry has been upcycling FLW since the 1800’s. We are the original recyclers and were a part of the circular economy even before the term was coined. The Final Strategy must acknowledge the integral contributions of rendering to reduce FLW by reducing what is sent to a landfill and promoting a circular economy.

“We urge the EPA and USDA to acknowledge rendering’s important role in FLW and how it can assist in reaching their reduction targets. We don’t see a path to meet the stated goal of reducing food loss and waste in the U.S. by 50 percent by 2030 without rendering, the largest FLW recycler.”

NARA added that it, “welcomes further cooperation and collaboration with the EPA, USDA, and FDA in expanding the organic recycling market through research at the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF) and The Animal Co-Products Research & Education Center (ACREC).

“The rendering industry is an important, active, yet overlooked, participant in the United States goal to halve food loss and waste by 2030 and to achieve a 50 percent recycling rate by 2030,” the association said. “The industry is active by upcycling more than 54 billion pounds of organic food loss and waste (FLW) from protein conversion facilities, further processing plants, farms, grocery stores, meat lockers, butcher shops, and restaurants. In North America, roughly half of an animal is typically considered edible, with the market readily embracing these products. However, the inedible portions present challenges in terms of identifying alternative uses.”

Talk of reporting ammonia is back

BY PAUL BREDWELL U.S. Poultry & Egg Association

TUCKER, Ga. — There’s an old saying, “A bad penny always turns up.” Apparently, the phrase dates as far back as the 1300s and comes from the occurrence of counterfeit pennies in circulation. Now the phrase is often used to describe something that is unwelcome or someone or something that unwantedly re-occurs. This phrase is certainly fitting for the subject of reporting the emission of ammonia from poultry houses.

On Feb. 15, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closed the docket on accepting comments after issuing an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that requested information that would assist the Agency “in the potential development of regulations to reinstate the reporting of animal waste air emissions at farms under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).”

EPCRA resulted from Congress’s passing of a federal statute that was introduced after a release of a pesticide in 1984 from an industrial plant in Bhopal, India. One key provision of EPCRA is a requirement to immediately report an accidental release of “Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHSs) and CERCLA hazardous substances. Following the initial notification of an accidental release, the facility must also provide a follow-up written report on the incident. State Emergency Planning Commissions (SERC) and Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) are required to make these reports available to the public.

The history of this issue spans almost two decades starting with the poultry industry’s 2005 petition to the EPA to provide a CERCLA and EPCRA reporting exemption to poultry operations for the emission of ammonia generated from the natural decomposition of manure.

The petition pointed out that the ammonia emitted from poul-

“… ammonia emitted from poultry farms posed no health risk to the public because of the relatively quick natural dispersion of ammonia, and combined with the ventilation practices of poultry growers …”

try farms posed no health risk to the public because of the relatively quick natural dispersion of ammonia, and combined with the ventilation practices of poultry growers, ammonia levels outside of the farm site are low enough to prevent off-site public health impacts. The EPA’s own SCREEN3 dispersion model supported the EPA’s conclusion that the public is not exposed to unhealthy levels of ammonia emissions from poultry operations.

The EPA’s review of that petition led the Agency in 2008 to provide a narrow exemption for CERCLA reporting requirements and a partial reporting exemption under the EPCRA statute. The 2008 reporting exemptions only pertained to emissions released to the air that came from animal manure. Furthermore, the EPCRA reporting exemption was further limited to “small” farms that were defined as farms that housed animals in numbers below the threshold limits outlined in the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Rule.

While the requirement to immediately report the release of an EHS above a reporting threshold is fitting for substances like pesticides to aid in emergency response actions, emergency response notification of low concentrations of ammonia coming from a poultry house, simply because it may exceed the 100 pound per day reporting threshold, is unwarranted. This was substantiated in 2009 when farms began to report under the guidelines of the partial EPCRA reporting exemption issued in 2008.

The immediate outcome of the reporting event was nothing less than chaotic. Upon receiving the reports on the morning of Jan. 20,

2009, the SERC for the State of Maryland called a representative of U. S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) asking what the reports were for, why were they receiving them and asked USPOULTRY to help spread the word the reports were not wanted. Similar situations were occurring in other state SERC offices around the country.

Further evidence that EPCRA notifications are unnecessary is a June 2017 letter from the president of the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO). NASTTPO is made up of members and staff of State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs), Tribal Emergency Response Commissions (TERCS), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), various federal, state and local agencies, private industry and the vast number of volunteers that perform emergency planning and emergency response activities for their communities.

The letter sent by the president of NASTTPO to the EPA administrator indicated, “These reports are of no particular value to LEPCs and first responders, and they are generally ignored because they do not relate to any particular event.” He went on to explain, “LEPCs and first responders do not need more generic data. They need information that is locally relevant and upon which they can act. This goal is best obtained by a program that promotes coordination between the regulated facilities and these local groups.”

Unfortunately, the partial exemption provided by the EPA in 2008 was short lived, when a lawsuit filed in 2017 led the D.C. Circuit Court to vacate the final rule eliminating the CERCLA and partial EPCRA reporting exemptions.

In 2018, Congress finally

weighed in on the need to report these emissions when it passed the “Fair Agricultural Reporting Method Act” or “FARM Act,” into law that exempted farms from CERCLA reporting requirements for emissions from animal waste. In question again was the need for EPCRA reports.

There is no argument from the EPA that the CERCLA and the EPCRA reporting requirements are closely inter-related. The EPA has acknowledged the “EPCRA section 304 reporting depends, in part, on whether reporting is required under CERCLA section 103. EPCRA’s legislative history further indicates that EPCRA section 304 reporting requirements are designed to be consistent with the reporting requirements of CERCLA section 103.” This fact led the EPA to provide an EPCRA reporting exemption in 2019 after Congress passed the “FARM Act.”

The recent ANPRM attests to the tie between CERCLA and EPCRA reporting requirements by stating, “The solicitation of comment on these matters should not be read as the EPA suggesting legal ambiguity in the relevant regulations or recognizing a particular interpretation by the EPA of either EPCRA, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), or their implementing regulations.”

Despite this clear and legal pathway to provide an EPCRA reporting exemption, the recent ANPRM signals the EPA’s intention to re-instate a reporting requirement that will serve no purpose. In doing so, the agency is attempting to ignore the practicality, and more so, the legality of providing a narrow reporting exemption by using an over-reaching Executive Order that elevates ambiguous concepts like “environmental and social justice” over concise legal statues that have been scrutinized through the three branches of the government.

Stay tuned, we will soon see if the “bad penny” returns.

Paul Bredwell is executive vice president of regulatory programs with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association based in Tucker, Ga. He can be reached by e-mail at pbredwell@ uspoultry.org.

Bredwell

VIEWPOINT

Connect, grow and thrive Reflections from NPFDA’s 2024 chair

COMMENTARY BY LAURIE PATE National Protein & Food Distributors Association

Laurie Pate, president of Foodlinx in Brentwood, Calif., is the 2024 chair of the National Protein and Food Distributors Association.

ST. MARYS, Ga. —I am honored to have been selected to serve as the 2024 board chair for the National Protein and Food Distributors Association (NPFDA).

My road with NPFDA started back in the late 1980s when I was working at Lehar Sales in Oakland, Calif. Lehar Sales was a founding and active member of NPFDA. In the mid-1990s, Lehar’s Bob Gaddini sent me to an Urner Barry Conference in Las Vegas. He called Kristin McWhorter, who was the executive director of NPFDA at the time and asked her to look after his girl. A dear friendship ensued, and almost 30 years later, Kristin and I still look after each other. After I departed Lehar, I stayed connected with NPFDA thanks to the prodding of Kristin, but it wasn’t until I was at Foodlinx that I became truly involved.

NPFDA was formed in 1967 when a group of independent poultry and protein distributors gathered to discuss the fast-changing concepts of their business. They knew that there was no organization in the country that could deal with the exclusive problems of their industry. It was through these discussions that the National Independent Poultry and Food Distributors Association – or “NIPFDA” – came to be. From that small group of progressive distributors, a new generation of independent distributors emerged. In 1968, only a year after NIPFDA’s inception, a course of expanded membership began with broad objectives structured to embody all segments of the industry. By 1973, membership included distributors from every corner of the U.S. along with interested members from transportation, processing, packaging, equipment, and many others.

In January 1993, the group became “NPFDA” — the National Poultry & Food Distributors Association — to better reflect the trends in today’s wholesale distribution industry. Then, by membership vote in January 2021, NPFDA revised “poultry” to the more expansive “protein” to become the National Protein and Food Distributors Association. With this important name change,

“It is my privilege to serve and lead NPFDA in this year of expanded growth and opportunities.”

we are ready to welcome all throughout the protein industry.

NPFDA now encompasses more than 300 member companies including distributors, processors, brokers, and allied firms like cold storage and logistics organizations. NPFDA is committed to fostering collaboration, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing within our membership.

Our three annual events are rewarding and popular venues to form and nurture these relationships. The NPFDA Annual Convention and Showcase takes place in January at the same time as the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). This January, we were excited to have over 1,100 attendees join us. NPFDA offers members the opportunity to book hotel rooms in the center of the action at our headquarters hotel, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. This is one of the very best opportunities for our members to network while enjoying our receptions, keynote

speaker breakfast, networking zone, and member-hosted hospitality suites and rooms.

Our highlight event, the NPFDA Awards Reception and Silent Auction, recognizes our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and our Member of the Year. The Showcase provides buyers and sellers with the opportunity to make valuable connections.

The annual NPFDA Spring Exchange is a member favorite. The event comprises discussions focusing on current topics of interest, accompanied by a guided site tour of a location pertinent to our industry. The Spring Exchange is a great way to spend quality time with like-minded people. This year’s exchange will be held at the Legacy Lodge at Lake Lanier in Buford, Ga., and will feature a tour of the Georgia Poultry Lab in Gainesville, Ga.

NPFDA’s Fall Meeting offers another fantastic opportunity to build relationships with other members and is always hosted at a premier destination. To me, this meeting proves to be highly valuable, featuring engaging discussions at our round tables, insightful speakers, and an excellent opportunity for networking and shared experiences.

New members looking to start or expand their industry network receive a 50 percent discount on registration. This year’s event will be hosted in my hometown of Tucson, Ariz.

Finally, one of NPFDA’s most important benefits is our annual scholarship program through the NPFDA Scholarship Foundation. This is a benefit for family members of NPFDA member company employees to apply for college or trade school scholarships. We raise money to fund these scholarships during our Silent Auction each January at the annual convention and raise donations throughout the year. In 2023, we were proud to assist six scholars with their higher education.

It is my privilege to serve and lead NPFDA in this year of expanded growth and opportunities. The partnerships we foster will impact the long-term success of our industry and the people who contribute to it.

Here’s looking forward to a fantastic 2024!

Photo by David B. Strickland

New NPFDA chair: Laurie Pate, Foodlinx, is the new chair of the National Protein and Food Distributors Association. She succeeds Jud Guest, LAD Truck Lines, who becomes the group’s immediate past chair. Pate was inducted during NPFDA’s recent annual convention in Atlanta, Ga.

It’s not pizza, KFC is offering its ‘Chizza’ — chicken pizza

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — From the fried chicken chain that brought you the Double Down, KFC has done it again — pairing the unexpected to create another mouthwatering meal. Beginning Feb. 26, for a limited time, KFC is introducing the international smash hit, Chizza (“cheet-za”), to KFC menus in the U.S. It’s not pizza, it’s Chizza: two 100 percent white meat Extra Crispy fried chicken filets topped with marinara sauce, melty mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.

Chizza first debuted on KFC menus in the Philippines in 2015 and since then the KFC exclusive has made its way around the world to Korea, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Germany, Spain, and Mexico, among other countries. Now, U.S. customers can experience it for the very first time.

“Fried chicken and pizza collaborated to create something even better — the Chizza,” said Nick Chavez, CMO KFC U.S. “The fan-favorite mashup is finally available in the U.S. after making its way around the world — try it while you can!”

Diners can enjoy the Chizza on its own or plus up the experience with a combo meal, which includes the Chizza, Secret Recipe Fries and a medium drink.

To celebrate its stateside debut, KFC is also transforming its restaurant at 242 E 14th St. in New York City into a one-of-akind “Chizzeria” pop-up where customers got to try Chizza before anyone else for free. The KFC Chizzeria offers one menu item only, hot & fresh Chizza, in a KFC-ified, modern take on a classic pizzeria. The world’s first Chizzeria (probably) opened its doors for a limited

KFC’s international food hit, Chizza, began offerings on Feb. 26 in the U.S. for a limited time. As the company says, “It’s not pizza, it’s Chizza,” with two fried chicken filets topped with mozzarella, marinara sauce and pepperoni.

time, Feb. 23-24.

KFC’s accompanying Chizza ad creative features social media creator GrannysOffHerRocker as an Italian “Nonna,” assuring viewers KFC’s new menu item is not pizza — it’s Chizza.

KFC customers can use the KFC app to order their Chizza ahead of time and skip the line to pick it up on KFC’s dedicated Quick Pick-Up shelf and sign up for KFC Rewards to start earning rewards on digital orders and unlocking free food.

Also returning to KFC restaurants nationwide temporarily is Blackberry Lemonade, a fruity and tart drink to refresh the taste buds while enjoying the Chizza combo meal, the company added.

Images courtesy KFC

To celebrate the launch of Chizza in the U.S., KFC on Feb. 23-24 transformed a location in New York City into a one-of-a-kind “Chizzeria” pop-up serving the new food item.

TARGAN and WayneSanderson Farms announce expansion of commercial collaboration

RALEIGH, N.C. — TARGAN Inc. and Wayne-Sanderson Farms have announced the expansion of their previouslypublicized partnership. In August 2023, the two companies entered into a multi-year agreement for the integration of TARGAN poultry systems in multiple Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ broiler hatcheries across the

United States. This new agreement will more than double the number of devices in use at Wayne-Sanderson locations.

“Wayne-Sanderson Farms is a well-respected expert and leader within the poultry industry,” said Ramin Karimpour, founder and CEO at TARGAN.

“Wayne-Sanderson was our first commercial collaboration, and we are thrilled that together we are expanding this partnership. This increased placement of TARGAN systems demonstrates that TARGAN’s innovative technology has proved to be an asset

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TARGAN merges engineering and biology, utilizing cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and high-speed vision systems in its poultry systems, the company said, adding that, this approach creates efficiencies for poultry producers, optimizes hatchery processes, and contributes to enhancing global food sustainability and animal welfare. The first units from TARGAN were installed in Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ hatcheries in 2023.

“Our approach to continuous improvement focuses on both processes and equipment — and the partnership with TARGAN is a good example of both, helping us harness new technologies to enhance our hatchery operations and improve production efficiency across the process,” said Kevin McDaniel, COO for Wayne-Sanderson Farms.

Founded in 2015, TARGAN opened its state-of-the-art facility dedicated to research, design, and manufacturing in Raleigh, N.C., in September 2023. The company has more than 130

engineers, scientists, and technology professionals under its roof.

For more information, visit www.targan.com.

CMC, COMECARNE & Meat Institute sign joint statement of coordination

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico — To deepen meat industry coordination and government collaboration in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the Canadian Meat Council (CMC), Consejo Mexicano de la Carne (COMECARNE), and the Meat Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that formalizes the three associations’ ongoing work to improve trade, reduce regulatory barri-

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ers and enhance information exchange within North America.

The organizations also finalized a Joint Statement of Coordination that emphasizes their collective commitment to addressing foreign animal diseases, sustainability and nontariff trade barriers

The MOU and Joint Statement were shared during COMECARNE’s Annual Convention in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. CMC, COMECARNE and the Meat Institute convened a trilateral meeting during the convention, during which they discussed ways to begin taking action on the areas agreed to in the Joint Statement of Coordination. The information in the documents was also sent to government officials handling agriculture and trade in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., and all three organizations intend to promote greater public-private collaboration moving forward.

The three organizations said in the document, “Because of the interconnected, complementary nature of the North American meat industry, and

the attendant economic interdependence it has forged, each of our organizations commits, with renewed vigor, to deepening our already robust partnership on the foregoing issues, and on other concerns not reflected in this document. More frequent, formal exchanges among our organizations and between industry and government will benefit the communities and workers we serve, will augment regional and global food security, and will mitigate regulatory and legal barriers that undermine our industries’ integration. Our collective advocacy for science- and risk-based trade and our joint efforts to align sustainability messaging and actions will secure the North American meat industry’s position as the global leader in innovative, efficient, trade-facilitative practices and standards. Moreover, our commitment to producing the safest, most affordable, most abundant meat supply globally will underpin every collaborative endeavor we undertake.”

The groups commit to deepening coordination with the governments in three key areas by:

• Foreign Animal Disease, specifically African Swine Fever (ASF):

Committing to sharing information about industry mitigation and traceability efforts, participating in joint ASF preparedness exercises, and working closely with respective governments to promote continuity of live swine and pork and pork products trade, in line with international standards, if an ASF outbreak occurs in North America.

• Sustainability (social, economic, and environmental):

Committing to cooperate to advance voluntary, evidencedbased, trade-facilitating agricultural sustainability programs, including industry-wide frameworks like the Protein PACT and CRSB’s National Beef Sustainability Assessment and Strategy. And seeking to identify areas for greater collaboration and alignment among meat industry sustainability initiatives across North America and agricultural sustainability regulations and policies adopted and championed by the governments of Canada, Mexico, and the United States, both domes -

tically and in global fora.

• Technical or other barriers to trade:

By promoting streamlined regulatory processes that deliver products to customers and consumers in the fastest, freshest, and safest possible state. This includes exchanging information about and devising coordinated responses to potentially trade-restrictive regulations and laws. Examples include, but are not limited to, onerous packaging and labeling policies, burdensome regulations that would result in live animal and product segregation, and protectionist, unfounded measures that are not grounded in risk- or science-based principles resulting in less efficient meat production and processing practices. Enhanced industry coordination to promote trade and business continuity will be matched with efforts to streamline trade, reduce existing and emerging hindrances, and dissuade governmental retaliation that will only undermine the industry’s integration.

CMC, COMECARNE and the Meat Institute plan to meet this summer to reevaluate priorities

and discuss progress on existing joint efforts.

Workforce Success and Engagement Conference to examine today’s work environments

TUCKER, Ga. — The 2024 U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Workforce Success and Engagement Conference will provide perspective on the day-to-day issues concerning people in today’s work environment. A wide range of topics will be addressed including compliance, technology, employer policies, recruiting and retention, workforce engagement, the ever popular “Ask A Lawyer” session and much more.

The conference will be held April 17-19, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla.

“Finding, developing and retaining employees is a crucial process in today’s complex work environment. We are pleased USPOULTRY’s Work-

force Success and Engagement Conference will offer a wide range of topics to support human resources professionals as they navigate the ever-evolving employer landscape and work to ensure their company is compliant with regulations,” said Brittney Kirwer, director of corporate human resources, Farbest Foods, Inc., and program committee chair.

Program topics will include a Washington Review; FMLA Best Practices; How Current Labor Issues Affect Employer Policies; Hiring and Immigration Compliance; Labor Issues Industry Task Force Update; EEOC Harassment Guidance; HR Technology: Training, Communication and Legal Implications; HR’s Role in Cybersecurity; Workforce Engagement . . . Generational Differences / Navigating a Changing Workforce; Building and Managing Positive Relationships; and much more.

To ensure adherence to USPOULTRY’s Antitrust Policy, a representative from a legal firm participated on the planning committee for the Workforce Success and Engagement Conference and will also be pres -

ent at the conference in April. The attorney will be present to monitor and consult, if necessary, prohibiting discussions that may be perceived as competitive issues.

The conference agenda was developed by an industry planning committee of knowledgeable and experienced human resources professionals that included Kenyell Carson, Pilgrim’s; Jim Golden, Cal-Maine Foods Inc; Brittney Kirwer, Farbest Foods Inc. and program committee chair; Leonard Parks, Case Farms; Ja Stephens, Claxton Poultry Farms; Angela Wilson, Aviagen Inc.; James Wimberly, Wimberly, Lawson, Steckel, Schneider & Stine, P.C.; and Devin Wood, Harrison Poultry Inc.

To register for the USPOULTRY Workforce Success and Engagement Conference, visit www.uspoultry.org.

Animal ag and public health on the docket for 2024 Stakeholders Summit

ARLINGTON, Va. — Veterinarian and master of public

health

Dr. Michelle Kromm, alongside HealthforAnimals’ Alex Rinkus, will dive into the topic of animal agriculture and its role in public health at the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit.

The 2024 event, themed “Ready, Set, Solve! Advancing Animal Agriculture,” is set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Mo. Check out the full agenda and register at https://bit.ly/AAA24.

“Antibiotics are an important tool for people and animals, and their continued effectiveness is paramount to safeguard animal health and food availability,” said Emily Ellis, manager, communications and content, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “Eliminating this tool from farmers’ toolboxes would do more harm than good and be in direct violation of recommended animal welfare practices. Michelle and Alex will provide an expert view

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Specializes in agricultural transportation and is headquartered in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, we are small enough to care, but large enough to serve our customers and beyond. Rocktown works almost exclusively in the live production side of the poultry industry with smaller cooperatives up to different sized integrators.

Although headquartered in Virginia, we have nation-wide reach. Over the years, we have successfully transitioned or ramped up 10 satellite operations across 8 different states. In 2019, we were selected as the dedicated live carrier to a new large-scale integrator in Nebraska to ramp up from zero to full production in approximately nine months. This sector of the Rocktown portfolio operates under Western Ag Transport as a Nebraska based company employing about 70 people and expanding all the time.

We are a multi-generational family run company that is in this for the long haul and constantly looking to expand with new and current partners, particularly in the poultry industry. While we specialize in the live transportation side of the business, we are currently seeking to expand into other realms such as live management, catching, and cold storage transportation. As a customer, you’ll find that not only are our rates competitive, but our service will far exceed standard expectations.

Derrick Peery

Phil

on the subject, backed up with decades of research, to support the animal agriculture community and our partners along the food chain in identifying solutions to the challenging issue of antibiotic resistance.”

Antibiotics and their effectiveness have been a longstanding hot topic in the agriculture community and with consumers. Kromm and Rinkus will share more than 20 years of insights into managing the balance between animal and pub -

lic health. This includes data on the OneHealth approach, which recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and the shared environment. Rinkus and Kromm will also provide information on additional support and tools needed on the front lines for farmers, ranchers, and veterinarians to continue making progress in this area.

Kromm is principal at Food Forward LLC, a consulting practice focused on improving the resiliency of the food system.

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She is a board-certified poultry veterinarian who received a concurrent doctorate of veterinary medicine from Iowa State University and master’s of public health from the University of Iowa in 2006. Kromm has served on more than 15 taskforces and committees addressing the topic of emergency disease preparedness, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance, including serving as the vice chair of the National Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education. Previously, she worked as the vice president of animal health and welfare for Hormel Foods.

Rinkus is director of communications and stakeholder engagement at HealthforAnimals, the global animal health association that believes healthy animals are fundamental for improving global well-being, sustainability, and prosperity. Rinkus joined HealthforAnimals in 2016 following previous roles in agriculture, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. He holds a bachelor’s degree from American University in political science.

For more information about the summit, visit https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/ stakeholders-summit/.

USDA releases

2022 Census of Agriculture data

WASHINGTON — The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service has announced the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, spanning more than 6 million data points about America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them down to the county level.

The information collected directly from producers shows a continued decline in the total number of U.S. farms. However, the data also show a rise in the number of new and beginning (operating 10 or fewer years on any farm) as well as young (under the age of 35) producers.

The full Census of Agriculture report as well as publication dates for additional ag census data products can be found at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.

“We are pleased to provide updated Census of Agriculture data to all those who serve U.S. agriculture, especially the producers who gave their time to complete the questionnaire. Census of Agriculture data tell a story. This comprehensive snapshot every five years helps data users to see trends and shifts in the industry over time and helps producers do business,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “Overall, though there are always changes across U.S. agriculture, the data remain largely consistent with the previous ag census. Data users will also notice some new data on the topics of hemp, precision agriculture, and internet access.”

Ag census data provide valuable insights into demographics, economics, land use and activities on U.S. farms and ranches such as:

• There were 1.9 million farms and ranches (down 7 percent from 2017) with an average size of 463 acres (up 5 percent) on 880 million acres of farmland (down 2 percent). That is 39 percent of all U.S. land.

• Family-owned and operated farms accounted for 95 percent of all U.S. farms and operated 84 percent of land in farms.

• U.S. farms and ranches produced $543 billion in agricultural products, up from $389 billion in 2017. With farm production expenses of $424 billion, U.S. farms had net cash income of $152 billion. Average farm income rose to $79,790. A total of 43 percent of farms had positive net cash farm income in 2022.

• Farms with internet access continued to rise from 75 percent in 2017 to 79 percent in 2022.

• A total of 153,101 farms and ranches used renewable energy producing systems compared to 133,176 farms in 2017, a 15 percent increase. The majority of farms (76 percent) with renewable energy systems reported using solar panels.

• In 2022, 116,617 farms sold directly to consumers, with sales

of $3.3 billion. Value of sales increased 16 percent from 2017.

• The 105,384 farms with sales of $1 million or more were 6 percent of U.S. farms and 31 percent of farmland; they sold more than three-fourths of all agricultural products. The 1.4 million farms with sales of $50,000 or less accounted for 74 percent of farms, 25 percent of farmland, and 2 percent of sales.

• Nearly three-fourths of farmland was used by farms specializing in two commodity categories: oilseed and grain production (32 percent) and beef cattle production (40 percent).

• The average age of all producers was 58.1, up 0.6 years from 2017. This is a smaller increase than average age increases between prior censuses.

• There were just over 1 million farmers with 10 or fewer years of experience, an increase in the number of beginning farmers from 2017 of 11 percent. Beginning farmers are younger than all farmers, with an average age of 47.1.

The 221,233 farms with young producers making decisions tend to be larger than average in both acres and sales.

• In 2022, 1.2 million female producers accounted for 36 percent of all producers. Fifty-eight percent of all farms had at least one female decision maker.

First conducted in 1840 in conjunction with the decennial Census and conducted since 1997 by USDA NASS — the federal statistical agency responsible for producing official data about U.S. agriculture — the Census of Agriculture remains the most comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation, USDA added.

• The number of producers under age 35 was 296,480, comprising 9 percent of all producers.

AFIA thanks members for years of membership

ARLINGTON, Va. — The

American Feed Industry Association thanks several members for their loyalty and contributions to the betterment of the U.S. animal food industry over the decades. AFIA’s members play an important role in shaping the association’s policy positions on critical legislative, regulatory and trade developments, which affect their businesses.

The AFIA membership includes over 650 domestic and international companies and state, regional and national associations. Member companies are feed and pet food manufacturers, integrators, pharmaceutical companies, ingredient suppliers, equipment manufacturers and companies that supply other products or provide support services to the U.S. animal food industry. AFIA’s members manufacture more than 75 percent of the commercial feed in the United States.

“We thank our longtime members for their unwavering dedication, which has shaped our association into what it is today,” said Sarah Novak, AFIA’s chief (Continued on next page)

(Continued

operating officer. “Your dedication represents the backbone of our industry, shaping its growth and representing its collective interests.”

The AFIA thanks ILC Resources for 50 years of membership.

The AFIA recognizes the following members for 25 years of membership: D&D Ingredients LLC, Eldon C. Stutsman Inc., Selko USA LLC, and United Soybean Board.

The AFIA also acknowledges the following members for 10 years of membership: AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky, Amalgamated Sugar Co. LLC, BioResource International Inc., Eastman, Fornazor International Inc., Gelita USA, Harbor Point Mineral Products, Johnson Breeders Inc., Norel Animal Nutrition USA Inc., Nutrition 101 LLC, Opal Foods LLC, Peco Foods Inc., Renaissance Nutrition Inc., Simmons Animal Nutrition Inc., Suwannee Valley Feeds, The Vit-EMen Co. Inc./Life Products, The Weitz Co., and Wild Bird Feeding Industry.

ATA: truck tonnage index decreased 3.5 percent in Jan.

WASHINGTON — American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index decreased 3.5 percent in January after increasing 1.2 percent in December. In January, the index equaled 111.0 (2015=100) compared with 115.0 in December.

ATA recently revised the seasonally adjusted index back five years as part of its annual revision.

“January’s data was a snap back to reality for anyone thinking the freight market was about to turn the corner,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “Bad winter weather in January likely hurt

volumes, not to mention sharp drops in a number of drivers of tonnage including retail sales, housing starts and manufacturing output.”

December’s increase was revised down from its January release.

Compared with January 2023, the SA index fell 4.7 percent, which was the eleventh straight year-over-year decrease. In December, the index was down 0.8 percent from a year earlier.

The not-seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 109.4 in January, 0.7 percent below December’s level (110.2). In calculating the index, 100 represents 2015. ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index is dominated by contract freight as opposed to spot market freight.

Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 72.6 percent of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods, ATA adds. Trucks hauled 11.46 billion tons of freight in 2022. Motor carriers collected $940.8

billion, or 80.7 percent of total revenue earned by all transport modes.

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-overyear results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

For more information from ATA, visit www.trucking.org.

Vertical Cold Storage expands its presence in DFW market

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ditional capacity they need, the company said, adding that the new warehouse will employ up to 70 full-time team members.

“Our new facility enables us to optimize the location of our customers throughout the DallasFort Worth market from our Rich-

ardson facility on the east side of Dallas to Burleson just south of Fort Worth. Burleson leverages our integrated IT platform, standard processes, automated material handling equipment, and AI technology to ensure safe and efficient operations for our customers and associates,” said West

Hutchison, Vertical Cold Storage, president and CEO.

The facility, located adjacent to I-35, is more than 400,000 sq. ft, with an average clear height of 55 feet and 53 dock doors. It includes multiple rooms convertible to -20 degrees F and is well-suited for a wide range of frozen and refrig-

erated food and other perishable products. Vertical Cold will be implementing a new, efficient refrigeration system that will reduce energy consumption, the company added.

For more information, visit www.verticalcold.com.

(Continued on page 22)

Union Pacific to invest $3.4B in capital for safe operations, growth

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific announces that it plans to invest $3.4 billion in 2024 to support safe operations, renew assets and grow with customers. That’s the equivalent of spending more than $9 million every day to make the railroad safer and generate economic and supply chain activity across its 23-state footprint, boosting local, regional and the national economy.

An estimated 56 percent of the capital plan, or $1.9 billion will go toward upgrading and replacing infrastructure, such as rail, ties, and ballasts, along with $600 million toward locomotives and equipment.

“We invest to keep our railroad and employees safe, and we will never compromise on that,” said Jim Vena, Union Pacific CEO. “We also spend capital dollars to provide a quality service product, and strong service, creating a winning environment for our customers.”

Union Pacific will continue to modernize the locomotive fleet, upgrading older core units, the company said. The plan also includes targeted freight car acquisitions to support replacement and growth opportunities.

In addition, we are investing in capacity and technology projects across our network, such as siding extensions, to increase capacity, improve productivity and operational efficiency.

The railroad also will continue to expand its intermodal footprint, supporting business development in targeted, high growth areas, such as Southern California, Phoenix, and Kansas City, the company added.

For more information about Union Pacific, visit www. up.com.

Naf Naf Grill opens its first North Carolina location

CHICAGO — Naf Naf Grill, a

Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant, announces the grand opening of its first location in North Carolina. This opening marks the brand’s 40th location system-wide, bringing its fresh and flavorful offerings to the Charlotte, N.C., area.

The new Naf Naf Grill in Charlotte promises a culinary journey through the rich and diverse flavors of the Middle East, such as award-winning chicken shawarma, seasoned grilled steak seasoned, hand-crafted falafel, and in-house baked pitas.

“We are thrilled to bring our exciting brand and our flavors to Charlotte,” said Nico Nieto, CMO of Naf Naf Grill. “Our commitment to great food and authentic hospitality is at the heart of every dish we serve, we know everyone is going to fall in love with Naf! We look forward to becoming a beloved part of the Charlotte community.”

This is the first North Carolina opening for Naf Naf Grill with the new location just 15 minutes south of downtown Charlotte. The new restaurant will be located at 10706 Providence Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28277, and is set

to open in late spring of 2024.

“We are beyond excited to open our second Naf Naf. Our fresh ingredients, toppings and sauces and endless options ensures that everyone will find something they’d love! We can’t wait to share our food with the people of Charlotte,” said Neel Patel, NGN Carolinas, Naf Naf Grill franchisee.

This marks the group’s second location in the Carolinas following the opening of Ft. Mill, S.C., in the fall of 2022.

For more information about Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill, visit www.nafnafgrill.com

Taco Bell offering its new Cheesy Chicken Crispanada

IRVINE, Calif. — Taco Bell is now offering its new Cheesy Chicken Crispanada. The brand’s take on the iconic empanada hit locations nationwide for a limited time starting Feb. 15, bringing with it a fusion of craveable flavors, the company notes.

Taco Bell’s commitment to push the boundaries of food creativity and innovation is

grounded in its fusion-first ethos, creating a synergy where beloved flavors and forms come together to produce something entirely new, the company said, adding that the Cheesy Chicken Crispanada is a testament to Taco Bell’s collaborative creativity, featuring up-leveled ingredients, unique new formats and unexpected flavors that modernize the menu while celebrating the Mexican-inspired roots that have long been at the heart of Taco Bell.

Taco Bell’s Cheesy Chicken

Crispanada underwent testing in Tennessee in early 2023, sparking excitement among fans and leading to its nationwide debut, the company added.

Announced at Taco Bell’s inaugural Live Más LIVE event in Las Vegas, the Cheesy Chicken Crispanada kicked off a full year of innovation to come, Taco Bell announced. Encased within a crispy, golden shell bursting with vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors, including a blend of tender and seasoned chicken and a melty infusion of rich, gooey cheese.

For more information, visit www.tacobell.com.

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NPFDA awards Paschall its 2024 ‘Member of the Year’

ATLANTA — The National Protein and Food Distributors Association awarded Jeff Paschall, vice president of sales and marketing with Fieldale Farms, with its Member of the Year award during its recent Annual Protein Convention & Showcase in Atlanta, Ga.

NPFDA noted that Paschall is a man of many talents. In high school, while others became involved in sports, he was working on the family farm. He was very involved in the Future Farmers of America and won several awards. With a bachelor’s degree from Murray State University and experience in the chicken industry, he has proven himself a valuable asset to Fieldale Farms for more than 30 years, the associated added.

Beyond his professional success, Paschall is a dedicated

father and coach to his three daughters and actively participates in his community and church, NPFDA said, adding that his commitment to the association has been recognized by his peers, making him an exceptional choice for the Member of the Year award.

Fieldale Farms President Tom Hensley commended Paschall for his outstanding achievements and recognizes him as the ideal candidate for the Member of the Year title.

“Jeff has been our Most Valuable Player for years. He is a man of action,” Hensley said. “While he certainly is a talker, he is also a doer. He sees an opportunity, develops a plan, puts the plan to work, and follows through until it is completed. Both NPFDA and Fieldale Farms are better off because of Jeff.”

Photos by David B. Strickland NPFDA Member of the Year: Jeff Paschall, Fieldale Farms, was named the National Protein and Food Distributors Association’s Member of the Year at the group’s recent annual convention in Atlanta, Ga. Paschall is joined by his wife, Julie, at the awards reception.

Jeff Paschall, Fieldale Farms, received the National Protein and Food Distributors Member of the Year award from Laurie Pate, Foodlinx, incoming NPFDA chair, during the group’s recent annual convention in Atlanta, Ga.

Established over 30 years ago, Bay Food Brokerage proudly serves the retail food brokerage needs of perishable and CPG manufacturers, partnering with major retailers throughout the Southeast.

Jeff Paschall, NPFDA Member of the Year Tom Hensley, USPOULTRY’s Workhorse of the Year

(Continued from page 7)

on behalf of the thousands of hard-working associates who have made this company what it is today.”

The company adds that Perdue grew up in the family’s business learning all of its facets, as well as how important quality products and quality customer satisfaction

are to success. Perdue obtained a master’s degree and a doctorate before returning to the company in 1983. He became Perdue Farms chairman and CEO in 1991.

Perdue Farms notes that during Perdue’s leadership, the company has grown its protein portfolio to include, not only chicken, but also pork, turkey, beef, and lamb. It also now produces all of its

chicken products through “noantibiotics-ever” procedures and methods; and with a focus on animal welfare with its “Commitments to Animal Care” initiatives.

He is also actively involved with several community and regional organizations that focus on the welfare of the Delmarva area. Perdue serves on the Oyster Recovery Partnership board, a

nonprofit that works toward the oyster restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.

Perdue Farms adds that Jim Perdue, “ensures that the company remains true to its values of quality, integrity, teamwork, and stewardship that guide the company’s pursuit to be the most trusted name in food and agricultural products.”

Photo by David B. Strickland

Jim Perdue, center, chairman of Perdue Farms, is joined by several company members of Perdue Farms, as well as family, during the recent National Protein and Food Distributors Association annual convention where he received the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Paschall named NPFDA Member of the Year

Jeff Paschall, left, Fieldale Farms, winner of this year’s National Protein and Food Distributors Association’s Member of the Year award, and his wife, Julie, are joined by Jud Guest, LAD Truck Lines, NPFDA’s immediate past chair, and his wife, Paula, at the association’s recent annual convention in Atlanta, Ga.

Photo by David B. Strickland

NPFDA elects new board during annual convention

Laurie Pate elected new chair

as immediate past chair.

As chair, Pate will lead the board of directors, which is responsible for establishing policy and providing guidance for NPFDA’s overall mission.

Mennella, Mennella’s Poultry; and Bruce Mooney, Mountaire Farms.

Outgoing board members include: Doug Nielsen, Turkey Val-

ley Farms; Fernando Puentes, HPL Logistics; Jamie Doherty, Pilgrims; R.E. Butts, North Royal Partners; and Rick Trenary, Perdue.

The National Protein and Food Distributors Association Board of Directors recently convened in Atlanta, Ga., to tap officers and welcome newly elected board members.

Laurie Pate, president at Foodlinx, in Brentwood, Calif., assumes the position of NPFDA chair, succeeding Jud Guest, executive vice president at LAD Truck Lines Inc., in Watkinsville, Ga.

Chan Windham, vice president of sales at House of Raeford in Greenville, S.C. transitions to the role of vice chair after previously serving as treasurer. Greg Morgan, senior poultry category manager, Quirch Foods in Miami, Fla., has been elected to serve as treasurer on the NPFDA Executive Committee.

Guest will remain on the board

NPFDA is governed by an Executive Committee and Board of Directors comprised of industry professionals from across the country who represent protein companies, distributors, processing companies, and other related industries, the associated added. The board oversees the organization’s direction and works directly with the staff to facilitate its continued growth.

Returning board members include: Barry Moose. Koch Foods; Mitch Mitchell, Holmes Foods; Kevin Grindle, Mar-Jac Poultry; Dave Bayer, Peco Foods; Tim Rathert, Quaker Valley Foods; Chris Sharp, Kelly’s Foods; Justin Monfredini, Pacagri Foods; Lee Neal, Plains Dedicated; Oliver Hoad, APPI Energy; Ada Brewster, Bay and Bay; Charlene Keller, Choptank Transport; Mark Schultz, Flexcold; Russ Whitman, Urner Barry; and Vanderbilt Edwards, Americold.

Newly appointed board members include: Graham Kirkman, Tip Top Poultry; Adam DeGroot, DeGroot Logistics; Jim Richardson, Perdue Farms; Scott Robbert, EJ Poultry; Vincent

Photo by David B. Strickland

NPFDA Board of Directors: Shown are among those named by the National Protein and Food Distributors Association during its recent annual convention in Atlanta, Ga., to serve on its 2024 Board of Directors.

Pate

NPFDA Scholarship Foundation announces 2024 Board of Trustees

ST MARYS, Ga. — The National Protein and Food Distributors Association’s Scholarship Foundation has announced its 2024 Board of Trustees.

Frederick C. Dawkins, Esq., of Frederick C. Dawkins, P.C., is taking over as chair, succeeding Chan Windham, vice president of sales at House of Raeford Farms. Russ Whitman, senior vice president at Urner Barry Publications will serve as vice chair; and Mariss Hans, general manager at Foodlinx will take on the role of treasurer. Windham will continue to serve as immediate past chair and NPFDA board liaison. All positions were elected for a one-year term.

The objective of the Foundation is to provide scholarships to a select group of deserving students to support their college education. These scholarships are awarded and distributed through

a thorough application and selection process.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing both the Scholarship Selection and the Silent Auction Committees. These committees play pivotal roles in the candidate selection process and the procurement of

scholarship funds, the association added.

The Silent Auction Committee raises funds for the scholarship foundation through the NPFDA Foundation’s Annual Silent Auction and generous donations from supporters. In 2023, the auction raised more than $30,000, fully

funding all six scholarships. This year’s silent auction was held in January, during the group’s annual convention’s awards reception in Atlanta, Ga.

For more information on becoming a donor, visit https:// www.npfda.org/NPFDAstore/ scholarship-donation.

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Ga. Ports Authority’s January rail cargo jumps 27 percent

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Cargo moved by rail at the Port of Savannah reached 47,132 containers in January, an increase of 10,000 boxes, or 27 percent.

“Customers 250 miles inland and greater are tapping Savannah as their port of choice for ag exports, manufacturing components and retail goods,” said Georgia Ports Authority President and CEO Griff Lynch. “The investments we’ve made in rail capacity have not only increased the number of containers the Port of Savannah can handle each year, but extended our reach to new markets that can be served effectively by Garden City Terminal.”

GPA put the finishing touches on its $220 million Mason Mega Rail project last year, providing 24 miles of on-terminal track.

“Areas such as Atlanta, Dallas and Memphis rely on the Port of Savannah to handle import and export goods with speed and efficiency,” Lynch said. “Our improved capacity means businesses across these important markets can grow their trade through Georgia.”

GPA handled 428,000 20-foot equivalent container units in January, an increase of 6,300 containers, or 1.5 percent compared to the same month last year.

“Our goal is to ensure GPA customers have the necessary port infrastructure capacity and supply chain connectivity to support their long-term growth ambitions in world markets. This is what drives our port master plan investments,” said GPA Board Chairman Kent Fountain.

GPA recently completed $1.9 billion in infrastructure improvements and anticipates investing $4.2 billion in the next 10 years.

At the Port of Brunswick, Colonel’s Island Terminal handled 65,400 units of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo in January. After a strong showing with 51 Ro/Ro vessel calls last month, GPA is on track to handle a record of approximately 800,000 vehicles in fiscal year 2024, GPA said. The authority’s monthly average for Ro/Ro cargo is 69,000 units for the fiscal year to date, compared to a monthly average of 60,400 units for the same period last fiscal year.

Bench Scales

Georgia Ports Authority photo

The Georgia Ports Authority handled more than 47,000 containers by rail at the Port of Savannah’s Mason Mega Rail Terminal in January.

IPPE 2024 set new records

ATLANTA — The 2024 International Production & Processing Expo had a terrific year with 1,432 exhibitors covering 620,850 square feet of exhibit space, setting two new records. IPPE is the world’s largest annual feed, meat, and poultry and egg industry event of its kind and is one of the 25 largest trade shows in the United States. IPPE is sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, American Feed Industry Association, and the Meat Institute.

The 2024 IPPE had 31,353 registered attendees from the poultry and egg, meat and animal food industries. There were 9,063 international visitors, a third new record, from 133 countries represented at IPPE. The largest group from a single country outside the U.S. was Canada, with 14.9 percent of registered attendees. As in previous years, Latin America had the strongest international presence, representing 45 percent of international visitors.

“We are very pleased and excited about our strong attendance numbers and this year’s record-breaking trade show floor,” the organizations noted. “The turnout for the 2024 IPPE was outstanding, and the feedback from attendees has been extremely positive regarding time spent on the trade show floor, education sessions offered and opportunities to connect with colleagues and vendors. We ex-

pect next year’s IPPE to build on this success to ensure we continue to provide the best possible experience for attendees and exhibitors.”

A week-long comprehensive schedule of education programs, which updated industry professionals on current issues and complemented the exhibit halls, helped drive attendance. This year’s educational line-up featured more than 80 hours of education

sessions, ranging from food safety design principles to worker safety to sustainability initiatives for the meat, animal food, and poultry and egg industries, and more.

Next year’s IPPE will be held Jan. 28–30, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Show updates and attendee and exhibitor information are available at www. ippexpo.org.

NATIONAL PROTEIN AND FOOD DISTRIBUTORS ASSOCIATION

INTRODUCING THE 2024 NPFDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

INTRODUCING THE 2024 NPFDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ada Brewster, Bay and Bay

Adam DeGroot, DeGroot Logistics

Barry Moose, Koch Foods of Gainesville

Bruce Mooney, Mountaire Farms

Charlene Keller, Hub Group

Chris Sharp, Kelly's Foods

Dave Bayer, Peco Foods

Graham Kirkman, Tip Top Poultry

Jim Richardson, Perdue Farms

Justin Monfredini, Pacagri Foods

Kevin Grindle, Mar-Jac Poultry

Lee Neal, Plains Dedicated

Mark Schultz, Flexcold

Mitch Mitchell, Holmes Foods

Oliver Hoad, APPI Energy

Russ Whitman, Urner Barry

Scott Robbert, EJ Poultry

Tim Rathert, Quaker Valley Foods

Vanderbilt Edwards, Americold

Vincent Mennella, Mennella's Poultry

CHAIR

Jud Guest LAD Truck Lines

Laurie Pate Foodlinx

Chan Windham House of Raeford Farms

VICE CHAIR

TREASURER

PAST CHAIR

Greg Morgan Qurich Foods

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Photo by David B. Strickland

An agricultural delegation visited the Poultry Times booth during IPPE 2024 in Atlanta, Ga., of, left to right, Nath Morris, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association president; Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper; Mike Giles, Georgia Poultry Federation president; Georgia state Rep. Robert Dickey, chairman of the Georgia House Agriculture Committee; Georgia state Rep. David Huddleston, a poultry grower; and Greg Tyler, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council president.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta receives checks from Henning Companies, USPOULTRY

ATLANTA — Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta recently received donations from Henning Companies and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo, in Atlanta, Ga.

Henning Companies presented a $5,000 check to Melisa Morrow, development officer and manager of foundation events for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation. USPOULTRY matched $2,000 of Henning Companies’ contribution, with Jarod Morrison, Farbest Foods and outgoing USPOULTRY chair, presenting the check. This is Henning Companies’ second donation to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“We are really pleased to once again provide this donation to Children’s Healthcare of At-

at IPPE

lanta. We have seen first-hand how Children’s has played an important part in helping children,” said Jason Anderson, vice president of agriculture, Henning Companies.

“Henning Companies leadership in contributing to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is appreciated by our Association. We are pleased to add to this donation,” Morrison said.

“Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is dependent on donors like Henning Companies and USPOULTRY to accomplish its mission of making kids better today and healthier tomorrow through philanthropic contributions,” Morrow said. “Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta provides medically needed healthcare to the children of Georgia, including families that could not afford to pay otherwise.”

USPOULTRY photo

During a presentation at the recent IPPE 2024 in Atlanta, Ga., representatives from Henning Companies and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association made check donations to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. On hand were, left to right, Nath Morris, USPOULTRY president; Melisa Morrow, development director corporate partnerships for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation; Jarod Morrison, Farbest Foods and outgoing USPOULTRY chair; Kevin Walker, Henning Companies president; and Jesse Frey, project executive, Henning Companies.

UNG receives $7K recruiting grant from USPOULTRY Foundation

TUCKER, Ga. — The USPOULTRY Foundation awarded a $7,000 student recruiting grant to the University of North Georgia in Gainesville, Ga. The university offers an associate of science degree with emphasis in agriculture-poultry science. Two tracks are available, avian biology and poultry science, with both requiring that an internship be completed.

The University of North Georgia’s poultry science program has seen tremendous growth during the past year and has added an additional certificate in poultry science. This certificate allows current business students and others to take a combination of poultry science and business courses to increase their business acumen.

Grant funds are used to create marketing materials for the program and other recruiting events. The University of North Georgia’s Poultry 101 event will also be a beneficiary of grant funds, providing the largest recruitment outreach event with 100 students present for a daylong event.

The USPOULTRY Foundation board approved student recruiting grants totaling $297,580 to 26 colleges and universities across

the United States with a poultry science department or industryrelated degree program. The USPOULTRY Foundation provides annual recruiting funds to colleges and universities to attract students to their poultry programs.

The grants are made possible by gifts to the foundation from companies, individuals and families, in addition to funds

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earned over the years at the International Poultry Expo, part of

International Production & Processing Expo.

the

USPOULTRY photo

Students from the University of North Georgia shown with a recently awarded $7,000 USPOULTRY Foundation student recruiting grant.

USDA, Smithsonian strengthen scientific partnership

WASHINGTON — The Smithsonian Institution and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service are joining forces to protect U.S. plant health from invasive species. The National Museum of Natural History’s Sant Director Dr. Kirk Johnson and APHIS Associate Deputy Administrator Matthew Rhoads have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU celebrates the expanding relationship between the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) and APHIS in exotic insect, seed, and plant identification, agricultural quarantine inspection, entomological and botanical curation, and more.

APHIS and the Smithsonian work together to protect agricultural and natural resource health through invasive species identification. The collaboration advances the scientific community’s knowledge and resource collection of exotic insect species as well as weed seeds and other contaminant plant parts.

“Together, we ensure accurate and timely pest species identification, which supports a strong agricultural economy and protects our natural resources,” said Matthew Rhoads, associate deputy administrator for APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine. “This collaboration also reinforces our shared dedication to ground-breaking science and benefits both agencies, the na-

tion, and the international scientific community.”

This MoU provides USDA entomologists and botanists laboratory space in the museum and access to the Smithsonian’s collections and libraries, and in turn, these scientists will invest their expertise in the curation and enhancement of those collections, which rank among the finest and most comprehensive in the

world. The NMNH entomology collection, for example, includes more than 35 million specimens, while the United States National Herbarium houses a world-class collection of over five million plant specimens at the museum.

This strategic partnership will focus on providing identification of and information about arthropods and plants of agricultural importance while simultaneously providing scientific services to a wide array of researchers, stakeholders, and the public.

“I am excited to renew the collaboration between the National Museum of Natural History and APHIS,” Johnson added. “This MoU provides the framework for our organizations to conduct mutually beneficial scientific work together while advancing our collective knowledge. Strengthening our collaborative work together ensures the accuracy, currency, and continued growth of our expansive arthropod and botanical collections.”

Ramirez named interim director of Egg Industry Center at Iowa State

AMES, Iowa — Brett Ramirez has been appointed interim director of the Egg Industry Center at Iowa State University.

Ramirez has served as the center’s assistant director since April 2023, leading alongside former EIC director Richard Gates, who passed away in November 2023.

Ramirez, who joined Iowa State’s faculty in 2018, is also an associate professor with research and Extension appointments in Iowa State’s Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

“Brett has made tremendous impacts within the poultry and livestock industries in his professional career,” said Daniel J. Robison, endowed dean’s chair of Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “I am confident he will successfully lead the Egg Industry Center in building upon its programs to help North American egg producers continue to provide this wonderful food source.”

Ramirez’s research spans several areas critical to the egg industry, including livestock housing and ventilation systems, environmental control, natural resource and energy efficiencies and precision livestock farming.

Through his extension appointment, Ramirez collaborates with industry members

“Brett has made tremendous impacts within the poultry and livestock industries in his professional career.”

to address engineering, design, management and troubleshooting of livestock and poultry facilities. He has presented many ventilation workshops aimed at production employees and allied industry members.

His involvement with the Egg Industry Center has included his role in the EIC’s 2022 Environmental Protection Agency draft emissions model critical evaluation that considered ways to improve air emissions models applicable to the egg industry. He also has completed studies quantifying the energy usage of poultry operations’ manure handling systems.

“These are unfortunate circumstances — Rich was a great friend, colleague and mentor of mine. He is missed by many, and I know his impact on the industry is everlasting,” Ramirez said. “My goal is to continue the great things he started and add my unique style to accomplishing and furthering those goals. I will strive to drive the EIC’s mission forward

and ensure we achieve our goal of supporting the nation’s egg industry through evidencebased research.”

In 2023, Ramirez received the Early Achievement in Research Award from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He also was named Young Engineer of the Year in 2021 by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Iowa Section.

Ramirez received his doctoral degree in agricultural and biosystems engineering from Iowa State in 2017. He also has a bachelor’s (2012) and master’s (2014) degree in agricultural and biological engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Egg Industry Center at Iowa State University works to add value to the nation’s egg industry by providing research and education for egg producers, processors, and consumers through national and international collaboration. The center is committed to ensuring that the current and future needs of the egg industry can be answered through developing and promoting sound science-based information. The Egg Industry Center has funded more than $2.5 million in research since 2013. This research has helped advance knowledge on disease transmission, genetic resistance, keel bone abnormalities, new market development and more. For information about partnering with the Egg Industry Center to support research funding or to find more information on completed and ongoing research, visit the center’s website at www.eggindustrycenter.org.

NCC joins in requesting extension for USDA’s Poultry Grower Contracting Rule

WASHINGTON — The National Chicken Council recently submitted a request to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for a 180-day extension to the implementation of the “Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments” final rule. In late December, a growing chorus of bipartisan members of both the House and Senate made a similar request.

In the letter, NCC President Mike Brown listed several reasons NCC believes such an extension is necessary, including that:

• The rule establishes numerous additional disclosure re -

quirements.

• Changes what provisions must be included in contracts.

• Introduces various openended and novel definitions and terms.

• Requires companies establish entire oversight systems from scratch.

• Injects significant ambiguity regarding compliance.

“By providing just 75 days to implement the rule, AMS has dramatically underestimated the number of people involved, hourly rates, and time required of compliance officers, regulatory consultants, attorneys, executives, and other services re-

quired to implement the rule,” Brown added.

Included in the request is a detailed list of many unanswered questions seeking clarification regarding the implementation

of the rule.

“Without AMS’s feedback on these questions, it will be extremely difficult for industry to prepare for the effective date of the Final Rule,” Brown said.

Ramirez