Poultry Times 11-4-24

November 4, 2024

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TURKEY SPOTLIGHT INSIDE New research into deadly turkey disease Current turkey production numbers for 2024

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IN THIS ISSUE

VOL. 71 | NO. 23 | NOVEMBER 4, 2024

On the cover

November 4, 2024

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Your poultry industr

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TURKEY SPOTLIGHT

TURKEY SPOTLIGHT

INSIDE New research into deadly turkey disease Current turkey production numbers for 2024

Viewpoints “The innovative efforts of turkey producers have been essential in mitigating the impacts of HPAI, aMPV and other challenges.”

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— John Zimmerman | 10

News 8 | ‘Salmonella Framework’ comment period gets extended to Jan. 17

Business 12 | Griffith elected new chairman of National Chicken Council

Calendar 2025 JANUARY JAN 27-30 — NPFDA ANNUAL CONVENTION & SHOWCASE, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga. Contact: National Protein & Food Distributors Association, 2014 Osborne Road, Saint Marys, Ga. 31558; Ph: 912-439-3603; www.npfda. org.

JAN 28-30 — IPPE (INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION & PROCESSING EXPO),

Features 20 | University of North Georgia touts very successful poultry judging team 24 | Respiratory virus thins turkeys; prices may rise for Thanksgiving birds

9 | Country musician Justin Moore entertains at Georgia Poultry Strong 2024 event.

Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga. Contact: USPOULTRY, 1530 Cooledge Rd., Tucker, Ga. 30084; Ph: 770-493-9401; info@ ippexpo.org; www.ippexpo. org.

FEBRUARY

Connect with us

FEB 19-22 — NATIONAL TURKEY FEDERATION ANNUAL CONVENTION, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Ariz. Contact: National Turkey Federation, 1225 New York Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20005. Ph: 202-8980100; membership@turkeyfed.org; www.eatturkey.org.

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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.

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DAVID B. STRICKLAND Editor, Poultry Times 770-718-3442 dstrickland@poultrytimes.com ELIZABETH BOBENHAUSEN Content Writer, Poultry Times 770-209-3335 ebobenhausen@poultrytimes.com

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ERS: Turkey production for 2025 up 1.1 percent at estimated 5.16B pounds DAVID B.

PT STRICKLAND Poultry Times Editor

dstrickland@poultrytimes.com

WASHINGTON — The estimates for turkey production for 2024 and 2025 have been adjusted by the USDA’s Economic Research Service based on current hatchery and slaughter numbers. Also, turkey exports and anticipated turkey prices are also placed lower for the fourth quarter of this year based on weaker demand.

The ERS notes its most current projections in its October “Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook” report.

“Turkey production in August 2024 totaled 434.7 million pounds, slightly above July production and down 11 percent year over year,” ERS notes. “August slaughter was down 15 percent year over year, but a strong average live weight in August (32.25 pounds) lessened the negative impact on production. Reflecting August production data, estimated third quarter production was adjusted down by 20 million pounds to (1.27 billion) pounds. With the fourth quarter projection unchanged, 2024 turkey production is projected at (5.11 billion pounds), a decrease of 6.4 percent from 2023.”

The department notes turkey poult placements for August at 20.3 million, which is 9.6 percent lower from last year.

“Reflecting the continuation of low placements, the production projection for the first quarter of 2025 was also adjusted down by 10 million pounds to (1.26 billion) pounds,” the report said. “With the outlying quarters unchanged, the 2025 turkey production projection is (5.16 billion) pounds, an increase of 1.1 percent from the 2024 projection.”

Avian influenza

The USDA reports that highly pathogenic avian influenza made a comeback to the turkey industry in September.

“A flock of 64,800 meat turkeys were depopulated in Merced County, California,” ERS said.

“This case alone is not expected to have a large impact on national production, but so far this year 1.27 million turkey meat birds have been depopulated due to the disease.”

The report also notes that this year’s depopulated amounts for turkeys due to HPAI are less than the previous two years.

“In comparison, there were 9.44 million turkey meat birds depopulated in 2022 and 3.44 million turkey meat birds depopulated in 2023,” ERS said. “While this year is not yet over and many of the losses last year occurred in the fourth quarter, WASDE (World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates) projections

The USDA Economic Research Service is noting the 2025 turkey production projection to be approximately 5.16 billion pounds, which is 1.1 percent more than its estimated amount for this year.

David B. Strickland Poultry Times

account for only confirmed cases and assume there will be no additional losses.”

Exports

For turkey exports, ERS is reporting a total of 45.6 million pounds for the month of August, which is the largest monthly total for 2024, so far, but is 5.3 million pounds less than for August last year.

“Exports to Mexico accounted for 33.9 million pounds, or 74.3 percent of August exports,” the report said. “The next largest destination for turkey exports was Canada, with 2.2 percent of August shipments. Projected exports for 2024 were adjusted down slightly to 504 million pounds. This would represent 9.9 percent of projected 2024 production.

“For 2025, projected turkey exports are unchanged at 530 million pounds, which would be 10.3 percent of projected production.”

Prices

The average wholesale price for frozen whole POULTRY TIMES

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hen turkeys in September is 96.88 cents per pound, which is 3.5 cents more than August prices, but 28.5 cents less than for the same month in 2023. The average third quarter price was 93.25 cents, ERS added.

“Weekly prices in September stayed under a dollar, peaking at 99.43 cents per pound in the week ending Sept. 13,” the report said. “That was also the largest trading week in September, with 1,136,000 pounds of traded volume for whole frozen hens. In the week ending Oct. 4, wholesale prices for frozen whole hens averaged 91.49 cents per pound. Reflecting recent trends in prices, the projected fourth quarter average price is adjusted down 1 cent to 94 cents per pound.”

“This would make the 2024 annual average price 93.8 cents per pound,” ERS noted.

“For 2025, while production was also adjusted down slightly, demand is not anticipated to be enough to raise price forecasts. The 2025 annual average price projection was adjusted down by 3 cents to ($1) per pound. This would be an increase of just 6 cents from the projected 2024 average.”

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‘Salmonella Framework’ comment period gets extended to January DAVID B. PT STRICKLAND

Poultry Times Editor dstrickland@poultrytimes.com

WASHINGTON — The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announces that it has extended until Jan. 17, 2025, the comment period for the new proposals associated with the “Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products.”

The initial deadline was Oct. 7, and it was extended to Nov. 7 after the National Chicken Council filed an extension request.

The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, Reps. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) and Jim Costa (D-Calif.) agree that an extension was needed and sent a letter in September asking for another 180 days.

“Given the complexity and length of the proposed rule and the fact that nearly all chicken marketed in the United States will be impacted, we believe it is essential to provide affected integrators and producers with additional time to offer thorough and meaningful feedback,” Womack and Costa said in their letter. “Furthermore, the rule raises numerous questions due to its lack of clarity, making an extended comment period even more critical.”

NCC also sent a letter requesting more time in September.

“NCC member companies — and all facilities that process broiler chickens — will be significantly impacted by the agency’s proposal, and, to date, the agency has provided little to no clarification on pertinent and critical questions that will have significant consequences to continuity of business and even the survivability of some broiler chicken companies,” Dr. Ashley B. Peterson, NCC’s senior vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, said in the council’s letter.

“Further, the proposal is fundamentally based on detailed and complex risk assessments and public health modeling,” Peterson added. “These are extremely technical documents requiring substantial time and special skills to analyze fully, but understanding these documents and any limitations is critical for meaningfully evaluating the proposal. The agency has spent years developing these materials, and stakeholders must have a real opportunity to properly review them to meaningfully provide comments.”

Stop Foodborne Illness, Consumer Reports, the Consumer Federation of America, and the Institute for Food Safety and Nutrition Security at George Washington University, also sent a joint letter in September to Dr. Emilio Esteban, POULTRY TIMES

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USDA’s undersecretary for food safety, requesting a six-month extension from Nov. 7 to the comment period.

“We support setting rigorous standards for certain serotypes of Salmonella, be we are concerned that the proposed rule lacks any regulatory standard for Salmonella spp.,” the group’s letter noted. “We agree that the current enforceable Salmonella performance standards are obsolete, but we do not believe the solution is to dispense with all regulatory accountability for preventing contamination with Salmonella serotypes other than the ones subject to serotype-specific standards.”

The group’s letter continued that they, “. . . believe an enforceable, quantitative Salmonella spp. standard that complements the serotype-specific standards is essential to fulfilling USDA’s regulatory and public health responsibility to hold poultry processors accountable for doing everything they reasonably can to reduce Salmonella illnesses. The presence of a quantitative Salmonella spp. standard would incentivize companies to maintain comprehensive programs to broadly prevent Salmonella contamination in their operations.

We know that illnesses are caused by serotypes other than the ones USDA proposes to target. A Salmonella spp. standard would help prevent them.”

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A great night of fun, chicken, music for Georgia Poultry Strong 2024 DAVID B.

PT STRICKLAND Poultry Times Editor

dstrickland@poultrytimes.com

BUFORD, Ga. — It was a fun evening under the stars for the Georgia Poultry Federation’s Georgia Poultry Strong event on Oct. 19 at Lake Lanier Islands in Buford, Ga. This year’s event was also touted as the largest one ever and marked the fourth time for the new Georgia Poultry Strong concert at the outside venue. The annual event was previously known as the Night of Knights and was held at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, Ga., and known among many as the “Chicken Prom.”

Following an opening session with performer Cliff Dorsey, country music singer and songwriter Justin Moore headlined the entertainment for this year’s Poultry Strong.

Moore, who is from Poyen, Ark., released his self-titled album in 2009, and has had a string of hit songs during the past 15 years, including,

David B. Strickland Poultry Times

Above left, Country music performer Justin Moore, center, meets with University of Georgia poultry science students who were on hand to volunteer at the Georgia Poultry Federation’s Georgia Poultry Strong event on Oct. 19 at Lake Lanier Islands in Buford, Ga. Above right, Moore entertained the crowd at the Georgia Poultry Federation’s Georgia Poultry Strong event at Lake Lanier Islands in Buford, Ga. “Small Town USA,” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “You Look Like I Need A Drink,” “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home,” “Why

We Drink,” and “Backwoods.” Moore performed many of his most popular songs, as well as some from his most recent album, “This Is My Dirt.”

Festival grills more than 17K pounds of chicken

BY ELIZABETH BOBENHAUSEN

Times staff PT Poultry ebobenhausen@poultrytimes.com

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Over the weekend, the city of Gainesville, Ga., hosted its annual Chicken Festival. According to the city, people from all around Georgia come to the chicken cooking competition which has “17,000 pounds of freshly cooked chicken. Sample tried-andtrue recipes, plus some new ones, from professional and amateur pitmasters cooking on the Lake Lanier Olympic Park Plaza who know how to prepare award-winning drumsticks, wings, legs, tenders and thighs.”

To receive some delicious poultry, attendees purchased wristbands that allow 10 samples, or the families may buy five wristbands for $25.

There is no limit to how many wristbands can be purchased.

“We sold over 1,400 wristbands, but that doesn’t mean only 1,400 were in attendance as some people come just to enjoy the day,” Morgan Wingler, special events manager at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, said.

The 14 cook teams on-hand included: All Catering Events, Carolina Chopped, Gainesville Fire Department, Smokin’ Daves, Peckerwood Country Club, Lanier Tech Lakers, River Roadies, Girl Dad BBQ, Off the Dec BBQ, Off Duty Q, Walgreens, Fired Up, High Iron BBQ, Matt’s Chicks, The Sky is Falling, T & G Cookers and

Elizabeth Bobenhausen Poultry Times

Photo by Elizabeth Bobenhausen The annual Gainesville Chicken Festival on Oct. 19 presented 14 cooking teams serving more than 17,000 pounds of freshly cooked chicken to over 1,400 attendees at the Lake Lanier Olympic Park venue in Gainesville, Ga. Make My Plate. People in attendance had the opportunity to vote for the company or organization that had the best chicken.

Also, for the first time, Taco Mac sponsored a chicken wing eating contest. Companion beverage vendors included Downtown Drafts and Tap It Growlers. Paw Paws Peanuts offered boiled peanuts and freshly squeezed lemonade.

Frozen Frenzee, Hello Hilo and Street Sweets POULTRY TIMES

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served desserts. Along with the food, the city sold Chicken Festival merchandise such as Tshirts, sweatshirts and walking chicken balloons.

“The Gainesville Chicken Festival continues to grow each year, and 2024 was no exception,” Wingler added.“We saw record attendance, and the cook teams truly impressed with their innovative flavors and exceptional culinary talents.

It’s exciting to see how this festival not only highlights the versatility of chicken but also brings the community together in celebration of our local poultry industry. With the addition of new elements like the Wing Eating Contest, sponsored by Taco Mac of Gainesville, and entertainment from JB Jams, we’re always striving to enhance the experience for both participants and attendees.”

Robyn Lynch, director of tourism for the City of Gainesville, added,“The Gainesville Chicken Festival has become a regional fall must-attend event. At one point in the afternoon, there were cars from 25 counties in Georgia and 17 states across the US. The Gainesville poultry industry still reigns supreme, and this event allows us the platform to highlight the impact it has on our community and have fun while doing it.”

Funds from the Chicken Festival go toward the Gainesville Spring Chicken Scholarship through the North Georgia Community Foundation. The monies will go to students who are pursuing a degree in poultry or in a related field.

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VIEWPOINT

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Amid challenges, turkey industry still producing healthy flocks POULTRY TIMES

WASHINGTON — It has been a challenging year for the U.S. turkey industry. The ongoing highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak, which began in February 2022, continues to affect turkey growers. Additionally, avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) has made a significant resurgence.

As we approach the holiday season, National Turkey Federation (NTF) members are working hard to raise healthy turkeys while staying updated on USDA regulations impacting production.

COMMENTARY BY JOHN ZIMMERMAN National Turkey Federation John Zimmerman, owner of P&J Products, is the 2024 chairman of the National Turkey Federation.

Avian Metapneumovirus: A growing concern

While avian influenza has resulted in the loss of more than 1.3 million turkeys this year, the unique challenges posed by aMPV could have an even greater impact on the sector. First identified in the U.S. more than 20 years ago, aMPV returned last fall as a serious threat, affecting turkey, broiler and egg-laying flocks in nearly every major poultry-producing state. The virus, which primarily causes respiratory illness, can lead to significant production losses, including reduced egg production, decreased hatchability and higher mortality rates among turkey flocks.

Despite various biosecurity measures and disease management efforts, the virus remains widespread. NTF estimates that between 60-80 percent of U.S. turkey flocks have been affected this year, with over 2,350 documented detections since February 2024 alone. This outbreak has also likely contributed to historically low turkey egg inventories in incubators, which may affect production levels in the coming year. Compounding the issue, aMPV is not currently tracked by the USDA in the same way as HPAI, making data collection and disease surveillance more difficult.

The lack of a USDA-approved modified-live vaccine for aMPV leaves the industry particularly vulnerable. While current prevention strategies focus on strict biosecurity protocols, the absence of an effective vaccine limits long-term control and eradication efforts.

NTF is actively advocating for the approval of import of a modifiedlive aMPV vaccine from Europe, which could significantly reduce the virus’s impact, being there is not a domestic commercial vaccine yet. This includes engaging federal lawmakers, USDA officials and other stakeholders in discussions about the vaccine’s potential and the necessary regulatory steps to authorize its importation and use.

NTF has facilitated regular meetings with USDA officials and members of Congress to emphasize the urgency of authorizing a vaccine. The NTF’s established relationships with the USDA and lawmakers have led to attentive consideration of these needs, and we remain hopeful that the USDA will act soon to provide sufficient prevention options for aMPV in commercial and breeder turkey flocks.

NTF will continue to explore every possible measure to safeguard the health of U.S. turkey flocks and ensure that producers have the tools they need to address aMPV effectively.

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USDA Agricultural Research Service

Thanksgiving turkeys: readily available

On a brighter note, USDA data confirms that turkey products will be available for the holiday season. Consumers can expect supermarkets to offer discounts on turkeys as usual, ensuring Thanksgiving traditions remain intact. The U.S. turkey industry remains committed to supplying nutritious food to American families this holiday season.

Personally, I’m looking forward to the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, a long-standing tradition that began in 1947.

This event symbolizes the start of the holiday season and allows the President and the nation to reflect on American agriculture’s abundance and the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

I hope to represent the NTF and my home state of Minnesota, the leading turkey producer in the nation. The 2024 Presidential Flock is being raised on my farm with the help of my wife, Kara, and son, Grant. These turkeys are receiving the best care as they prepare for their journey to the Oval Office.

Other key priorities

As the turkey industry continues to navigate changing market conditions, NTF is also focused on other important issues, including

“The innovative efforts of turkey producers have been essential in mitigating the impacts of HPAI, aMPV and other challenges.” food safety and the Farm Bill.

Turkey producers and processors have long collaborated to enhance food safety and reduce pathogens like Salmonella throughout the supply chain. NTF is actively working to support industry-wide efforts to improve food safety, including reviewing USDA’s Salmonella Framework proposed rule. While NTF believes that changes within the existing regulatory context can drive improvements, any new regulatory standards must be science-based and avoid unnecessary costs or product destruction. NTF will continue working with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to develop strategies that enhance food safety while considering the industry’s concerns.

The upcoming Farm Bill is also a top priority. NTF has engaged with lawmakers to ensure the bill includes provisions for animal disease prevention, market expansion POULTRY TIMES

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and food safety. We’re also advocating for solutions to labor challenges, including immigration reform. With potential changes in Washington’s leadership, it’s crucial that the next administration and Congress understands the importance of production agriculture and its role in feeding people.

Time to be thankful

This year has tested the turkey industry’s resilience. The innovative efforts of turkey producers have been essential in mitigating the impacts of HPAI, aMPV and other challenges. As chairman of the National Turkey Federation, it has been an honor to lead such a dedicated industry.

From farmers to plant workers, the commitment to delivering safe, nutritious products to consumers is remarkable and is a sign of industry strength for years to come.

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BUSINESS

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Griffith elected new chairman of National Chicken Council POULTRY TIMES

WASHINGTON — The National Chicken Council has installed the four officers that will guide the organization through 2025. The installation took place at NCC’s 69th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Bill Griffith, chief operations officer at Peco Foods, will serve as 2024-2025 chairman.

Griffith has more than 25 years of management experience in the food industry and is known for his strong repu- Griffith t a t i o n fo r innovation, sustainability and quality, the council noted. Prior to joining Peco, he worked for Keystone Foods U.S. where he served as president from 20162019 and also held roles of vice president of Global Food Safety and Quality Assurance, and vice president of Food Safety and Quality Assurance.

In addition to nine years with Keystone, Griffith had a successful tenure at Perdue Foods, overseeing food safety, quality and regulatory compliance, NCC said, adding that, preceding his time at Perdue, he was a microbiologist at Tyson Foods where he established a global reputation as an innovator in food safety technology.

He holds two degrees from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: a B.S. in biology and a B.A. in chemistry. He resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala., with his wife, Sonja. They have two children, Shrader and Will.

David Jackson, chief operating officer of Simmons Foods, Simmons Prepared Foods, Simmons Pet Food and Simmons

Animal Nutrition, will serve as NCC vice chairman.

Jackson joined Simmons in 1991 and has more than 33 years of poultry and pet food experience. From October 2016, until his appointment as chief operating officer over all the Simmons companies in October 2018, Jackson was president and chief operation officer of Simmons’ poultry operations.

From March 2014 through October 2016, he served as president and COO of Simmons Pet Food. From 2012 through March 2014, he served as president of Simmons Wet Pet Food division, and from 2007 through 2011, he served as president of Simmons Prepared Foods.

Jackson received a bachelor of science degree in administrative management from the University of Arkansas and a master of business administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He resides in Siloam Springs, Ark., with his wife, Sasha. They have two grown children, Trey and Julia.

New to the 2024-2025 officer POULTRY TIMES

corps is Kevin McDaniel, chief operating officer at WayneSanderson Farms.

McDaniel served as senior vice president and general manager of the Fresh Business Unit and held the role of chief operating officer for Wayne Farms prior to the acquisition. With more than 34 years of industry experience, he brings a wealth of leadership expertise, most recently as president of Aviagen North America, as well as previous senior roles with OK Foods and Pilgrim’s, NCC added.

McDaniel earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Stephen F. Austin State University. He currently sits on the board at other associations, including the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Southern Hens and previously held several key positions with the Poultry Federation including chairman, vice chairman, treasurer, secretary, and board member. He resides in Suwanee, Ga., with his wife, Melissa. They have two grown daughters, Jordan and Loren.

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officers, Gary Kushner will continue to serve as interim president of NCC. “I want to commend and thank immediate past chairman Randy Day for his guidance and outstanding service to NCC and to the industry this past year,” Kushner said. “Now he can get on to his real retirement! The next twelve months will be a year full of challenges and opportunities for NCC, as issues like increased government regulations, avian influenza and food safety, to name a few, become more prominent. I know NCC will lean on the extensive experience and vast knowledge of Bill, David and Kevin to guide our organization in the coming year.”

Rivers retiring as Wayne-Sanderson CEO, McDaniel appointed successor OAKWOOD, Ga. — WayneSanderson Farms announces that Clint Rivers will be retiring from his role as president and

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the merger of Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms in 2022, the company said, adding that he first joined the company in 2012 as vice president and general manager of the Fresh Business Unit. Rivers was named COO in 2014, president and CEO in 2017, and chairman of the board in 2018.

“I am deeply grateful for the incredible journey I have had with Wayne-Sanderson Farms, and it has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team. I am very proud of what we have accomplished together over the last 12 years,” Rivers said. “While I am retiring from my role as President and Chief Executive Officer, I am excited to continue serving on the Board of Directors and supporting the company’s continued success.”

McDaniel has served the company as senior director of Fresh Operations and as vice president and general manager of the Fresh Business Unit before being promoted to his current role in early 2021. With more than three decades of industry experience, he previously served

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CEO at the end of the company’s fiscal year on March 31, 2025. He will continue to serve as executive chairman of the board for Wayne-Sanderson Farms for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year.

Kevin McDaniel, currently the company’s chief operating officer, has been named as the suc-

cessor and will assume the role on April 1, 2025.

Rivers’ retirement follows a highly successful tenure marked by strategic leadership that has played a crucial role in positioning Wayne-Sanderson Farms as the third-largest poultry producer in the nation, following

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as president of Aviagen North America, held senior roles with OK Foods and Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., and currently sits on the Board of Directors for both the National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.

“Having worked closely with Kevin over the last several years, I am confident that he is the perfect choice to lead Wayne-Sanderson Farms into this next chapter,” Rivers added. “He brings a wealth of experience and vision to the role, and I look forward to supporting him through this transition.”

“I am honored that the board has selected me to succeed Clint as president and chief executive officer and want to thank him for his years of outstanding service to Wayne-Sanderson Farms,” McDaniel said. “I am excited for the bright future ahead for our organization, as we strive to achieve our vision of being the amazing poultry company, recognized as the partner of choice by our customers, coworkers, farmers and communities.”

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Butterball report provides insight on Thanksgiving plans GARNER, N.C. — Butterball announces the findings of its Butterball Togetherness Report: 2024 Thanksgiving Outlook, which reveals the Thanksgiving plans of hosts and attendees alike.

The holiday report reveals that 86 percent of consumers plan to celebrate Thanksgiving with others and an anticipated average celebration size of nine people. And turkey reigns supreme, as 87 percent of hosts plan to serve turkey this year. It’s also consumers’ favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal (51 percent), followed by stuffing (44 percent), pie (32 percent) and potatoes (27 percent).

At the same time, inflation remains top of mind among those

to help bring people together for Thanksgiving celebrations and support holiday hosts with our Butterball Turkey Talk-Line.”

The Butterball Turkey-Talk Line® is once again available to support new and seasoned holiday hosts, the company added. It opened on Nov. 1 for its 43rd year, this group of food professionals is ready to serve as coaches and confidants, helping holiday hosts bring people together around a Thanksgiving meal, Butterball said, adding that the Turkey Talk-Line experts will be available via phone, text, chat and social channels to answer questions. For more information about Butterball and how to reach the Turkey TalkLine, visit www.Butterball.com.

celebrating Thanksgiving. Specifically, 98 percent of consumers expect inflation to impact their plans, an increase from 79 percent in 2023, Butterball noted.

Key takeaways from the report include: More than half (53 percent) of those celebrating Thanksgiving expect inflation to impact their celebrations in the same way as last year, while 44 percent expect inflation to have even more of an impact than last year.

Still, most people surveyed (52 percent) are not planning to make changes to their Thanksgiving celebrations to save money.

Of those that do plan to manage costs, most plan to save on non-food items such as paper goods or décor (18 percent), as well as side dishes (17 percent).

“It’s clear people are committed to celebrating Thanksgiving with turkey at the center of the table again this year, despite outside influences, like inflation,” Rebecca Welch, Butterball’s director of retail and international brand management, said. “Butterball is proud

Cowan Johnson named new NCPF president ROSE HILL, N.C. — The North Carolina Poultry Federation recently named Cowan Johnson of House of Raeford Farms as its president for 2024-2025. NCPF made the announcement at the organization’s recent annual

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meeting in Greensboro, N.C. As the state’s “voice of the poultry industry,” NCPF plays a crucial role in advocating for producers and processors of chicken, turkey, and egg products.

Johnson, who most recently served as the NCPF vice president, is currently president of House of Raeford’s Ready-toCook and Further Processing Divisions, as well as president of sales for the company. He also serves on the corporation’s Board of Directors and is the operations manager of House of Raeford’s largest ready-to-cook processing location in Wallace, N.C. “It is an honor to accept this important role, and I look forward to our federation making great strides over the next year in support of the North Carolina poultry industry,” Johnson said. “I am also pleased to follow in the leadership footsteps of my father and current House of Raeford CEO, Bob Johnson, and my late grandfather, Marvin Johnson, both of whom served as NCPF presidents.”

Cowan is a 23-year veteran of House of Raeford, a poultry business founded by his grandfather. He has progressively gained responsibility over the years in a variety of positions from sales to maintenance to plant management and more.

Cowan also owns and operates his own chicken houses, growing birds for House of Raeford’s Rose Hill, N.C., and Wallace, N.C., processing operations, the company added.

In addition to his roles at House of Raeford, Johnson is a member of the National Chicken Council’s Board of Directors. His outside interests include board membership at Harrells Christian Academy and Coastal Chemical Co., coaching youth baseball, and flying private aircraft. Cowan and his wife, Jennifer, have five children.

NCPF has served North Carolina poultry producers and processors since 1968, providing a united voice for the industry with government, media, and the public. Their mission is to create a favorable climate for business success for everyone involved in the poultry industry in North Carolina. The group notes that under Johnson’s

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by fall 2025, with plans to add more capacity in the future.

“We are pleased to announce these new expansion projects, which support our strategy to increase our free-range production in line with customer demand and expanding state requirements for cage-free eggs,” Sherman Miller, Cal-Maine Foods president and CEO, said.

“The additional capacity will further enhance our ability to serve our growing customer base. We have made considerable progress with the conversion of the Dexter facilities and look forward to the additional production and distribution capabilities from this location. We greatly appreciate the support we have received from the existing network of local contract growers.

“As we continue to expand our operations, we remain committed to being the most efficient and sustainable producer of fresh shell eggs and egg products, and we will look for additional opportunities to further advance our growth strategy.”

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Environmental Mgmt. Seminar leadership, it aims to continue curities and operating cash flow. provided insights on The projects will include the regulatory updates this legacy and address the evolving challenges and op- addition of five new cage-free and sustainability portunities within the industry. layer houses across the compa-

Cal-Maine announces $40M in projects to expand cage-free capabilities RIDGELAND, Miss. — CalMaine Foods Inc. announces that its Board of Directors has approved $40 million in new capital projects to further expand the company’s cage-free production capabilities. The company plans to fund the projects through a combination of available cash on hand, sales of investment se-

ny’s locations in Florida, Georgia, Utah and Texas. Cal-Maine also plans to start construction by the end of calendar 2024 and expects the projects to be completed with additional production capacity for approximately 1 million cage-free layer hens by late summer 2025. These additions will primarily replace recently retired caged facilities and add to the company’s cagefree capacity.

Cal-Maine also provides an update on its conversion of the former Tyson Foods facilities in Dexter, Mo, acquired in March 2024. Following the closing, the company began work to remodel and repurpose these assets for use in shell egg production. CalMaine Foods has been working with local contract growers and has commitments that would result in approximately 1.2 million additional free-range hens POULTRY TIMES

TUCKER, Ga. — The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s 2024 Environmental Management Seminar focused on regulatory updates and showcased new innovations in sustainability. The seminar emphasized key areas that environmental managers should prioritize in their environmental programs.

Dr. Brian Kiepper, associate professor, Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia, presented on wastewater pretreatment programs, specifically focusing on the basics of dissolved air flotation (DAF) operation, chemical treatment and residual management options.

Kiepper emphasized that there is no one-size-fits-all chemical addition protocol for poultry wastewater treatment facilities, and the most effective protocol is likely to evolve.

An update regarding the

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U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs (US-RSPE) sustainability framework was provided to attendees by Paul Bredwell, executive vice president, regulatory programs, for USPOULTRY. The sustainability framework is the first-ever sustainability reporting framework for the entire U.S. supply chain, from producer to final customer.

It is a comprehensive reporting structure that measures and voluntarily verifies sustainability in areas that are important to the poultry and egg supply chain in a way that allows organizations to provide transparency to stakeholders and drive continuous improvement. US-RSPE is undergoing a four-step strategy process to become the poultry and egg sustainability industry leader along with its partner, the International Poultry Welfare Alliance.

Bonani Langan, senior environmental engineer at GSI Environmental Inc., gave an update on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) testing and treatment options. She commented that PFAS currently used for food packaging were initially determined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be “safe for their intended use,” but the FDA is re-evaluating. There has been an increase in regulations, as well as litigation, but also an increase in science and social awareness regarding PFAS. Langan remarked that the Environmental Protection Agency is currently developing analytical methods to identify novel PFAS and implementing PFAS testing in public water systems.

In a case study on odor abatement at a feed mill, Stephen James, southeast director of environmental engineering at Pilgrim’s, highlighted the significance of effectively managing odor complaints. He noted that odor perception is highly subjective, with individuals having varying opinions. To address these issues, he noted that it is essential to establish a local point of contact who can swiftly engage with complaints and resolve concerns. Furthermore, James reiterated how incorporating diverse perspectives by utilizing multiple opinions or “noses” can lead to a more thor(Continued on next page)

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ough understanding of odorrelated problems, facilitating resolutions before they escalate.

Live production seminar looks at safeguarding poultry health TUCKER, Ga. — At the forefront of poultry production, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association’s 2024 Live Production, Welfare and Biosecurity Seminar tackled critical challenges posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and emphasized the importance of sustainability in poultry practices.

Industry experts shared innovative strategies for enhancing flock health and biosecurity while addressing the delicate balance between environmental stewardship and production efficiency.

With HPAI’s persistent threat, expert insights underscored the urgent need for proactive measures and collaborative efforts to ensure a resilient poultry industry capable of overcoming emerging viral diseases and maintaining animal welfare.

and replacing litter while ensuring thorough cleanout of housing facilities to minimize disease transmission. For broiler breeders, incorporating dewormers and gut health treatments, along with improved feed management and distribution, can help reduce morbidity and mortality in pullets by minimizing body weight variation.

Schaal, senior key account manager at Boehringer Ingelheim, discussed bacterial diseases in layers. Schaal remarked that there are three elements impacting poultry immune health and performance – the bird, the environment and the pathogens - also known as the disease triad.

Schaal emphasized the importance of biosecurity and its role as the most important aspect of the disease prevention strategy.

Dr. Molly Parker, poultry veterinarian at Aviagen, provided an update on avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). Clinical signs – decrease in egg production, conjunctivitis, neurologic birds – in different species has some similarities but also differences.

Parker noted that by the time the birds begin showing clinical signs, the virus has already done

Dr. Ken Opengart, owner of 3 Birds Consulting, discussed prioritizing sustainability in poultry production and balancing environmental, economic and ethical considerations. He focused on key issues such as land stewardship, sustainable packaging and animal welfare. Strategic pillars include sustaining the planet, contributing to communities and creating shared values.

Drs. Kalen Cookson, Sean Chen and Travis Schaal provided updates on various diseases that plague the poultry industry.

Cookson, director of clinical research at Zoetis, provided a status update on infectious laryngotracheitis virus (LT, ILTV or ILT) as well as reovirus. Cookson advised always to look and listen for signs of LT and try to limit foot traffic once the virus has been detected on a farm.

Chen, assistant professor and extension specialist at the University of Georgia, discussed the clinical signs of blackhead disease in turkeys and broiler breeders and ways to mitigate the spread.

Chen said it’s crucial to implement several strategies, including actively culling sick birds, separating the sick from the healthy,

its damage and is gone. The best ways to help prevent and mitigate aMPV are to ensure proper management and biosecurity, provide a warm environment and proper ventilation, help reduce the side effects of secondary stressors like moving the birds and vaccinations, and stay vigilant.

Meat Institute selects class of 2025 ‘Emerging Leaders’ WASHINGTON — The Meat Institute selected 24 participants for its 2025 Emerging Leaders Program, which promotes and develops future leaders in the meat and poultry industry.

“The Emerging Leaders Class of 2025 — our largest-ever class — is an incredibly well-rounded

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and talented group that stood out in a highly competitive applicant pool,” Julie Anna Potts, Meat Institute president and CEO, said.

“This valuable program continues to guide the industry’s next generation and help them form strong relationships with leading industry experts while also expanding their understanding of the industry as a whole.”

This unique program, sponsored by Cryovac Brand Food Packaging, provides the Emerging Leaders with complimentary access to networking events, exclusive leadership programming including an advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., a personal industry mentor to guide them on their leadership journey, and access to Meat Institute board meetings for better understanding of broad industry initiatives and priorities, the Meat Institute said, adding that participants also gain knowledge at both the industry level and operational level that aligns with the Protein PACT’s continuous improvement goals.

Participants were nominated by their coworkers and selected based on their commitment to continuous improvement in the industry, their leadership potential, and the individual initiative they have demonstrated, the institute added.

The class of 2025 includes: Armida Vasallo, Rose Meat Services Inc.; Benjamin Stellmacher, Johnsonville Sausage; Brooke Kitting, Seaboard Foods; Chevise Thomas, FPL Food LLC; Christina Hemmingway, Fair Oaks Foods LLC; Clarissa Harris, Tuskegee University; Duane Eichenlaub, Nicholas Meat LLC; Jamie Hodge, Gourmet Ranch; Jeffrey Wyrick, Caviness Beef Packers; Julia Nichol, Fulton Market Group; Kathleen Long, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.; Kelsey Bruno-Bayliff, American Humane; Kelsey Stearns, Harris Ranch Beef; Kevin Coburn, S&P Global; Kyla Betts, Jones Dairy Farm; Manuel Guadian, CS Beef Packers; Matt Thomas, Tyson Foods Inc.; Paula Schwarz, FlexXray LLC; Robert Stewart, Lumachain LLC; Sandy Adams Hildebrand, JBS USA; Shanna Motl, Marcus Food Co.; Sheena McLaughlin, Amcor Flexibles North America; Stacy Elmore, Teys USA; and Tim Alberts, Kemin Food Technologies.

This announcement of the new class also represents the graduation of the class of 2024, who participated in the year-long agenda detailed above. This annual program will accept applications for the 2026 class next summer.

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Registration open for AFIA online Animal Food Safety course ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Feed Industry Association announces the launch of a new online course, AFIA 600: Designing, Implementing and Documenting an Animal Food Safety Program. This selfguided, online professional development course is tailored for industry professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of animal food safety standards, regulations and the Safe Feed/ Safe Food (SF/SF) certification program.

Registration is open, and the course will run Nov. 12 through Dec. 17.

“This course is a great resource for professionals committed to ensuring the safety and quality of their animal food products and bolstering a food safety culture within their facilities,” Dr. Paul Davis, AFIA’s director of quality, animal food safety and education, said. “We developed this program to meet the demand for a foundational course that equips professionals with the tools to design effective safety programs, ensuring they are well-prepared to pursue certifications like Preventive Controls Qualified Individual and SF/SF certification.”

The AFIA 600 course will cover essential topics for manufacturing safe, high-quality animal food, including the Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) current good manufacturing practices, management commitment and responsibilities, quality and food safety management systems, personnel and train-

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ing, infrastructure, new product development, product realization, purchasing processes and controls, and verifying a comprehensive animal food safety plan, the association said. The AFIA 600 course is ideal for feed and pet food employees who are interested in better understanding FSMA rules and regulations and/or becoming a designated preventive controls qualified individual (PCQI) or joining a PCQI team.

The AFIA 600 will be offered as a self-guided, online course consisting of nine webinar-style modules that participants can watch at their own pace during the five-week period. Upon completion of the AFIA 600, participants will be equipped with tools and strategies to establish and maintain a comprehensive safety and quality management system, AFIA added.

Participants may also request a certificate of participation upon completion of the modules.

For more information and to register for AFIA 600, visit https://www.afia.org/events/ afia-600/.

trusted supplier for Ben E. Keith Foods for more than four decades, consistently delivering high-quality products and innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers across the company’s 20-state footprint, the company said, adding that it is known for its dedication to service and industry expertise, General Mills has become an integral partner in supporting Ben E. Keith Foods’ mission to deliver excellence in foodservice distribution.

In addition to recognizing General Mills, Ben E. Keith Foods also presented awards in various categories, celebrating the achievements of several partner companies.

Other category winners included: • Center-of-the-Plate Poultry/Seafood: Wayne-Sanderson Farms • Center-of-the-Plate Beef/ Pork: Hormel • Produce: Lipman Family Farms • Dairy: Schreiber • Frozen Foods: General Mills

• Grocery: Ventura Foods • Non-Foods: Inteplast • Equipment and Supply Category: Libbey • Educator of the Year: Ventura Foods • Ellington Award of Excellence: Paul VanCampenhout with Georgia Pacific

Perdue champions new standards for ‘pasture-raised’ labeling at Animal Care Summit SALISBURY, Md. — Perdue Farms is setting a new standard for transparency in the poultry industry with its successful petition for a more accurate guideline to the “pasture-raised” label, the company announced. Perdue’s pioneering raising models, which align with the new USDA guidelines for “pasture-raised” poultry and meat aimed at eliminating confusion with terms such as “free range,” were showcased at the company’s ninth annual Animal Care Summit.

Ben E. Keith Co. awards General Mills its ‘Supplier of the Year’ FORT WORTH, Texas — General Mills was named Ben E. Keith Foods’ 2024 Supplier of the Year at the recent 41st Annual Supplier Appreciation Day, held at Ridglea Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas “We are proud of the relationship between General Mills and Ben E. Keith Foods,” Mike Sweet, president of Ben E. Keith Foods, said. “General Mills being named Supplier of the Year underscores not only the long-tenured partnership but also the service, commitment, and focus General Mills has on our business and customers.”

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The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has updated its animal raising labeling guidelines to include a new and additional requirement for the pasture-raised claim that the animal or birds are raised on pasture the majority of their life span, where “pasture” is defined as land having rooted vegetative cover or grasses or plants. The change was initiated by a formal Perdue Farms’ Petition, citing a consumer survey where a majority of the consumers indicated it would be better informed if “pasture raised” and “free range” had different meanings to better align with their expectations.

“This ruling creates an opportunity at the national level to set pasture raised animals apart from everything else,” Mike Badger, executive director of the American Pastured Poultry Producers Association, said. “USDA is finally acknowledging the grass roots difference that pasture raised has meant for small, independent farms for more than 30 years.”

The guidelines are currently

in a comment period, ending Nov. 12. After this date, it is expected that any label bearing the phrase “pasture-raised” will mean that the meat in the package came from an animal that spent the majority of its life raised on pasture. As to the comment period, to date an overwhelming number of comments – more than 1,000 and counting – have expressed support for the petition on the official docket, indicating that clear labeling empowers consumers and enables them to make informed choices, Perdue Farms added.

“Consumers deserve transparency and clarity when it comes to how their food is raised,” Ryan Perdue, fourth generation Perdue family member and senior vice president of Perdue Premium Meats and Emerging Brands, said. “This new standard, developed in partnership with nearly one thousand small pasture poultry producers, ensures that ‘pasture-raised’ means what it says — raising chickens that spend the majority of their lives on pasture.”

This commitment to transparency was at the forefront of Perdue Farms’ ninth annual Animal Care Summit, the company noted, adding that the event brought together industry experts, government officials and community partners to discuss innovations in animal welfare and sustainable agriculture that increase the quality of how animals are raised before reaching consumers’ tables.

During the Summit, Perdue Farms also unveiled new animal care initiatives related to higher welfare hatching practices, increased bird activation, improved farmer relations and more, all of which is detailed in Perdue’s 2024 Animal Care Report.

Attendees got to go behindthe-scenes of Perdue Farms’ animal care and regenerative agriculture initiatives with specialized farm tours and demonstrations of Pasturebird’s biomimicry technology that moves grazing chickens to fresh pastureland using solar power. This technology was recognized in Fast Company’s

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2022 Innovation by Design Awards.

The summit also explored the future of animal care, including sessions on: • The “say-eat gap,” which is widening among Gen Z and some Millennials, with 62% of US teens and young adults feeling a disconnect between their dietary ideals and actual eating habits.

• The case for dark meat —while in addition to being less expensive and easier to cook, it has more zinc and iron and minerals that help build strong teeth and bones.

• Innovations in feed quality will yield a higher quality broiler.

“At Perdue, we’re dedicated to advancing the health and welfare of our chickens through research-driven practices and technology,” Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, chief science officer at Perdue Farms, said. “By prioritizing the well-being of animals, we create healthier environments that benefit the animals while also enhancing product quality.”

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Calendar NOVEMBER

NOV 6-8 — AFIA EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS CONFERENCE, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Bonita Springs, Fla. Contact: American Feed Industry Association, 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 810, Arlington, Va. 22201. Ph: 703524-0810; www.afia.org.

2025 JANUARY

JAN 27-30 — NPFDA ANNUAL CONVENTION & SHOWCASE, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga. Contact: National Protein & Food Distributors Association, 2014 Osborne Road, Saint Marys, Ga. 31558; Ph: 912-439-3603; www.npfda.org.

JAN 28-30 — IPPE (INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION & PROCESSING EXPO), Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Ga. Contact: USPOULTRY, 1530 Cooledge Rd., Tucker, Ga. 30084; Ph: 770-4939401; info@ippexpo.org; www. ippexpo.org.

APRIL

APR 8-10 — PEAK 2025, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minn. Contact: Midwest Poultry Federation, P.O. Box 265, Buffalo

University of North Georgia touts successful poultry judging team

BY ELIZABETH

PT BOBENHAUSEN Poultry Times staff ebobenhausen@ poultrytimes.com

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The University of North Georgia has a top-notch and successful collegiate poultry judging team. The team consists of five students, Grant Justus, Devin Self, Conner Watson, April Cook and Alyssa Foster. Three of the students are freshmen and two of the students are sophomores. Students on the team have prior experience from high school in the 4H or the FFA. The team is led by student coach, Jacque Conner and their professor Dr. Linda Purvis, a UNG associate professor.

Since 2016, they have been participating in competitions

and have taken home 16 trophies since 2019. Recently this year, they took home five trophies in two categories that

they have not earned before.

Some of their awards include: • Division 1 — Production: 5th high individual — Amy Arellano; third place team • Division 2 — Breed selection: sixth place team • Division 3 — Market products: second place team • Sixth high individual overall — Ashley Davis • Fifth place individual overall — Amy Arellano • The team earned fifth place overall in the spring contest.

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team has their fall competition on Nov. 3 at the University of Arkansas. They will compete against nine other schools from across the country. Some items they will be judging include broken out eggs, shelled eggs, turkey carcasses, chicken carcasses and much more.

On the broken out eggs, they observe the thickness of the yoke. For shelled eggs, they look for blemishes and discolorations on the shells. While examining the carcasses, the students must make sure there are no broken bones, missing meat or missing skin.

The state of Georgia is known for having a large agricultural sector. According to UNG’s website, “As a multi-billiondollar industry in Georgia and the largest employer in the agriculture sector, poultry is Georgia’s largest agricultural industry. Students who study poultry science have excellent opportunities for employment and career advancement, with more than 100,000 people in Georgia either directly or indirectly employed in the poultry industry.

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PSA awards Arkansas’ Alrubaye for teaching is truly rewarding. Their diverse perspectives and fresh ideas often provide new insights and keep me engaged with the latest developments in my field. This dynamic interaction between teaching and learning makes being in the classroom fulfilling for me.”

Alrubaye was honored to be recognized for his teaching efforts.

“This award reflects the support and encouragement I’ve received from my colleagues, mentors and students,” Alrubaye said. “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the poultry science field and inspire the next generation of professionals. This national award motivates me to continue striving for excellence in teaching and research.”

David Caldwell, University of Arkansas department head of poultry science, said Alrubaye’s dedication to teach is noteworthy and deserving of this recognition.

“Adnan Alrubaye is truly a remarkable teacher and student mentor. He has won essentially every teaching and mentoring or advising award offered by the Uni-

University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Adnan Alrubaye, University of Arkansas assistant professor of poultry science, recently received the Poultry Science Association Early Achievement Award for Teaching at the organization’s 2024 Annual Meeting.

This award recognizes the achievements of Poultry Science Association members in the early stages of their careers in poultry academia.

Alrubaye teaches classes in the U of A Department of Poultry Science and the Department of Biological Sciences. He is passionate about teaching students and supporting them through their academic journeys.

“My teaching methods are centered around creating an interactive, caring and supportive learning environment for all of my students,” Alrubaye said. “My main goal is to foster a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students feel engaged and empowered to explore the

Submitted photo

Adnan Alrubaye, University of Arkansas assistant professor of poultry science, received the Poultry Science Association Early Achievement Award for Teaching at the organization’s 2024 Annual Meeting. subject matter deeply.”

He enjoys watching students blossom into life-long learners.

“I love teaching because I love inspiring and guiding students as they discover and explore new concepts,” Alrubaye said. “Witnessing their growth and success, whether mastering a complex topic or conducting a successful experiment,

versity of Arkansas,” Caldwell said.

“It was fitting and appropriate to watch him get recognized by the Poultry Science Association for his tireless commitment to instruction and student mentoring.”

Alrubaye is an assistant professor in the U of A Department of Poultry Science and the associate director of the Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Program. He holds a doctoral degree in cell and molecular biology and master’s degrees in medical microbiology and science education. He is a poultry microbiologist whose research focuses on identifying the bacterial causes and mitigation measures for Bacterial Chondronecrosis with Osteomyelitis in broilers.

He has previously been awarded the U of A Imhoff Award for Outstanding Teaching and Student Mentorship, the Fulbright College Master Teacher Award, the Collis Geren Award for Excellence in Graduate and International Education, the Hoyt H. Purvis Awards for Service in International Education and the U of A Most Outstanding Faculty Member.

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Deadly turkey disease histomonosis researched with $3.2M FDA grant JOHN LOVETT

University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As scientists learn more about a deadly parasite’s ability to move from host to host in turkey flocks, a long-standing theory is in question and opens the door to new preventative measures.

Histomonas meleagridis, the parasite behind histomonosis — also known as blackhead disease — can decimate flocks of turkeys. There are currently no U.S. Food Graham and Drug Administrationapproved vaccines or therapeutics to treat the birds.

“Mortality in turkey flocks can reach up to 80 percent,” Danielle Graham, an assistant professor of poultry science and parasitology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said.

“Chickens are a little less susceptible to the disease, but they can still become infected. You just don’t see the extensive mortality that we do in turkeys.”

Graham, who conducts research through the Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and Zhicheng Dou, associate professor in the biological sciences department at Clemson University, were recently awarded $3.2 million over five years from the FDA to support their work in developing insights about disease transmission and potentially finding an existing FDA-approved drug to fight histomonosis.

The FDA’s funding comes in the form of a cooperative partnership through the establishment of an Animal and Veterinary Innovation Center. According to the FDA, these centers aim to address urgent animal, human or environmental health needs. The center in Arkansas is one of four that FDA announced in September.

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded Danielle Graham, University of Arkansas assistant professor of poultry science, funding that seeks prevention of histomonosis, a deadly disease in turkeys. leading to the FDA grant. The researchers showed that H. meleagridis can survive the lower pH of the turkey’s digestive tract and form cyst-like structures, a common survival strategy for protozoan pathogens to facilitate transmission. Developing inhibitors against this stage, Graham said, could be pivotal in controlling infections.

“Over the last 50-plus years, the thought was that histomonosis could only be efficiently transmitted outside of a host by a vector, whether that was a nematode called Heterakis gallinarium, or within an earthworm as a paratenic host for the nematode’s eggs,” Graham said. “But in turkeys, that nematode doesn’t reproduce efficiently. So, it doesn’t make sense for it to be the primary way for these protozoa to transmit in a turkey flock.”

A paratenic host is a transport host in a parasite’s life cycle where the parasite survives but does not reproduce.

Graham said several infection and transmission routes for H. meleagridis in commercial poultry flocks have been proposed.

The going theory has been that the parasite makes its way to the lower gastrointestinal tract by cloacal contact with parasite-con-

Turkeys accounted for $614 million in cash farm receipts for Arkansas in 2022, according to the latest Arkansas Agriculture Profile. Arkansas is third in national ranking of turkey production, the latest USDA “Turkeys Raised” report states. Minnesota and North Carolina are ranked first and second, respectively.

Evolving theory of transmission

Two therapeutic classes of drugs, nitroimidazoles and nitrofurans, were previously used to mitigate histomonosis in poultry.

However, the FDA banned their use in animals bound for human consumption due to concerns of carcinogenic residues. The last remaining drug approved for histomonosis control, nitarsone, was voluntarily removed from the market in 2015 due to other consumer health concerns. As a result, histomonosis cases have drastically increased, and this disease is now one of the top concerns for commercial turkey producers in the lower Midwest and Southeast United States, Graham said.

Preliminary studies by Graham and Dou, funded by USDA, provided supporting evidence POULTRY TIMES

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taining feces or cloacal-to-cloacal contact with an infected host. It is unclear, however, whether this type of contact in the absence of a vector such as the nematode is sufficient for rapid and sustained transmission in commercial turkey flocks. In birds, including male and female turkeys, the cloaca is the exterior connection to the digestive, urinary and reproductive systems.

Since it is common for avian species to consume fecal matter, and the researchers demonstrated the parasites can survive low pH environments, Graham’s preliminary research shows there is potential for a fecal-oral route of transmission via contaminated feces or cecal droppings in the absence of a vector, likely due to the cyst-like formation, which is the focus on the FDA-funded project.

The cyst serves as a sort of suit of armor to protect the parasites as they make their way to their target area, where they morph back into a form that allows them to feed and multiply.

“We’re kind of at the edge of what’s known about H. meleagridis,” Graham said. “Zhicheng, my collaborator at Clemson, has been willing to explore the unknown related to cyst-like formation, fecal-oral transmission and even vaccine development with me. It has been an extremely productive and exciting collaboration, and I truly look forward to seeing what we learn throughout this project.”

Graham teaches courses through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas and is affiliated with the Center for Excellence for Poultry Science. The center is part of the Division of Agriculture and Bumpers College, performing the three land-grant missions — teaching through Bumpers College, research through the experiment station, and extension through the Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service.

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Respiratory virus thins turkeys; prices may rise for Thanksgiving Supply and demand

MARY HIGHTOWER

University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Retailers may try to take the sting out of higher turkey prices as a respiratory virus called aMVP affects production of turkeys that would end up on the Thanksgiving table, said Jada Thompson, economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

The poultry industry has been fighting highly pathogenic avian influenza, but is also contending with avian metapneumovirus, or aMPV. The virus, which has not been found in Arkansas flocks, affects the upper respiratory system and has been detected in turkeys, broilers, layers and breeders. The virus was first detected in turkeys in South Africa in 1978. In addition to killing birds, the disease is associated with reduced egg production and soft-or thin-shelled

— were found in California turkeys in late 2023 and confirmed in January from turkeys and broilers in Virginia and North Carolina respectively. Subtype C was known to already exist in the U.S. Arkansas ranks third in the nation for turkey production, an industry valued in 2022 at $614 million.

eggs, said Dustan Clark, extension poultry veterinarian for the Division of Agriculture.

According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, two previously unseen subtypes of the virus — subtypes A and B

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The USDA’s Economic Research Service said that June 1 inventories of turkey eggs in incubators was at 22.8 million — the lowest level since 1988.

Placements of newly hatched birds in facilities to be raised to slaughter weight were down in June by 18 percent year-overyear, with February 2024 the only month since 2005 with lower placements.

As of early October, turkey egg sets — eggs that were put in an incubator for hatching — were down 8 percent, said Thompson.

“That’s a pretty big loss,” she said. “You are nearing 10 percent of our eggs that won’t result in turkeys to be raised for meat.”

That’s in addition to the loss of already hatched turkeys produced for meat. “In August, we were down 11 percent in turkey meat,” Thompson said. “That means we won’t have as many turkeys at Thanksgiving.”

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Under the law of supply and demand, fewer turkeys would likely translate into higher prices.

However, retailers may soften the impact. While Thanksgiving might revolve around turkey, the traditional holiday feast also includes a lot of other elements.

“A lot of times retailers compensate a little bit. They’ll absorb some of those losses in the turkey price in order to get the other sales,” Thompson said.

By other sales, Thompson means that when a shopper goes to the store for holiday meal ingredients,“you’re buying eggs and milk and bread, and you’re buying the stuffing and potatoes and yams and the marshmallows, and green beans and all of the things that go with a traditional Thanksgiving meal,” she said. “So, if I’m selling you all the other goods, I don’t have to have as much profit on the turkey. It can be something of a ‘loss leader.’”

Protecting the flock

Because symptoms of aMVP can mimic those of other infections, such as AI or mycoplasma, so diagnostic testing is crucial, Clark said.

Diagnostic testing can include examining swabbed respiratory system or blood samples.

Flock owners need to use solid biosecurity practices to guard against aMVP and other infections. As in avian influenza, wild birds can transmit the disease.

“We do know direct contact has been seen as transmission,” he said. “Standard biosecurity is going to help you keep aMPV from being brought in.”

Other practices include “wearing coveralls, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, boots and things like that is going to help,” Clark said. “There are vaccines in other countries, but we do not have them here.”

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Healthy benefits of using turkey protein

BY ELIZABETH BOBENHAUSEN

Times staff PT Poultry ebobenhausen@poultrytimes.com

In a mini-series of articles, Poultry Times will LED

by Innovation be looking at the health benefits of the various poultry industry product segments. This article looks at how turkey protein is beneficial to a healthy diet.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Turkey is not only good to eat once a year at Thanksgiving, but it can be included in a regular diet. The National Turkey Federation states that turkey is loaded with essential vitamins. In 2020, the organization stated, “turkey is naturally low in fat and provides immune-boosting nutrients such as iron, zinc, potassium and chromium. Additionally, the vitamins and minerals found in turkey, including niacin, B6 and riboflavin, help with building healthy bones and teeth.”

Hillside Turkey Farms also adds that turkey is a lean protein. It’s low in fat and calories.

Turkey protein is a good option for managing weight. Along with other nutrients, turkey contains vitamin B12 and selenium. Selenium provides antioxidants that fight off disease.

Studies show that eating turkey can lower one’s cholesterol levels, blood pressure and improve heart health. The protein contains

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However, there is a downside to eating ultra processed turkey. Processed turkey contains

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a high level of sodium. Products like turkey ham, sausages and nuggets have high levels of sodium.

“Some processed turkey products like salami and pastrami hold up to 75 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for sodium per 3.5 ounces (100 grams),” Healthline says. “The same portion of turkey sausage supplies over 60 perIt’s time to3.5 look at(100 what’s co cent of the DV. In comparison, ounces grams) of unprocessed, cooked turkey proLet us help you solve the pr vides just 31 percent of the DV for sodium.”

Among the other health benefits from eating turkey include lowering the risk of cancer and managing diabetes.

WebMD states how consuming turkey can support the brain in cognitive function.

“Turkey and other kinds of poultry are part of the MIND diet (Mediterranean Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet, which combines aspects of the Mediterranean and Dash diets),” WebMD notes. “Scientists created the MIND diet to slow the mental deBEST LED control cline associated with Alzheimer’s disease and FullBy LED Life other causes of dementia. eating poultry products like turkey at least twice a week as Low Level Dim Option part of the MIND diet, older adults may preserve their memory and thinking skills.”

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BrucePac recalls more than 11.7M pounds of meat and poultry products

BY ELIZABETH

PT BOBENHAUSEN Poultry Times staff ebobenhausen@ poultrytimes.com

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — BrucePac, a Durant, Okla., company, has recalled approximately 11,765,285 pounds of ready-toeat (RTE) meat and poultry products. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the products may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.

ABC News reported on Oct. 9 that the company has recalled 5,000 tons of products with 75 meat and poultry items recalled.

ABC news added, “the foods include products like grilled chicken breast strips that were made at the company’s facility in Durant, Okla.”

The items were produced from May 31, 2024, to Oct. 8, 2024. The products were shipped to nation-

wide distributors and sent to restaurants, schools and other establishments. The products will bear the establishment number “515205 or P-51205 either inside or under their USDA inspection mark. However, FSIS adds that

these products could bear another establishment number as a result of further distribution and processing by additional establishments.

Officials fear that these foods may still be available for use or

stored in refrigerators or freezers.

The meat should be discarded.

There have been no confirmations of illnesses.

“Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns.

Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected,” FSIS said.

FSIS also adds that it is continually updating the affecting products, and advises to check back often to its site for updates posted at www.fsis.usda/gov/ recalls. Also, consumers with questions can contact Jeff Golangco, BrucePac’s vice president of business development at 503874-3000.

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Photos by Cailin Dickey Poultry Times

More than 850 exhibitors were on hand this week for the annual Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Ga. The 93-acre show location featured all segments of agribusiness from farmers to educators to policy makers.

Sunbelt Ag Expo features a ‘discovery of agriculture’ PT

ELIZABETH BOBENHAUSEN

Poultry Times staff ebobenhausen@ poultrytimes.com

MOULTRIE, GA. — The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition hosted its 46th annual event this week on the 93-acre show site. There were more than 850 exhibitors present at the expo and they showed many of their products.

The Sunbelt is “crowned as North America’s Premier Farm Show and the largest Farm Show in America with field demonstrations, the Sunbelt Ag Expo brings together all segments of agribusiness, including farmers, educators, POULTRY TIMES

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policymakers, ag-enthusiasts, and families. All attending the show will see the latest innovation and technology that the agriculture industry has to offer,” the expo notes.

One of the biggest elements of the expo is naming the Farmer of the Year. This year the title was given to Faylene Whitaker of Climax, N.C. People who attended the expo had educational opportunities as well. It consisted of 300 seminars during the three-day event. The classes covered elements like beef, dairy, poultry, forestry, pond management, equine and cattle management.

“The Expo works with over

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20 different educational sponsors to host a strong seminar and demo schedule,” the Sunbelt Ag Expo noted. “These sponsors include major universities and colleges with six of these having permanent exhibit buildings on-site. The Expo featured Youth Educational Challenges sponsored by Country Financial for 6th-12th graders as a competitive and fun opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge in five different content areas.

Additionally, an Ag Mechanics contest sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Georgia will be offered for students. Finally, the Advocacy in Action contest sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau will be held for high school and college students with a particular interest in ag policy, law, and communication.”

Another major component of the show is the field demonstrations on the 580-acre research farm.

“These demos showcase harvesting and tillage equipment for multiple crops. In addition, hay demos included all facets of hay harvesting, from cutting to baling, and provided visitors the opportunity to see different types of equipment run in a true farm setting. This year, be on the lookout for the autonomous tractor as well as the drone demonstrations in the field,” a show release stated.

The expo also focused on healthcare for farmers and producers working in the agricultural industry. Sunbelt teamed up with Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) South Georgia.

“PCOM is teaming up with regional healthcare organizations and providers to bring information about health and wellness to those in the ag industry so that they can do well and be well,” officials noted.

“Attendees can participate in seminars and even have basic health screenings.”

The show honored the state

of Florida as their 2024 spotlight state, and added that visitors this year could see for themselves, “how understanding the history of Florida agriculture combined with presentday research will aid in growing Florida’s future.”

The show featured several fun-filled events for the whole family, including an antique tractor parade, a tractor pull, a cow milking contest, and ATV test drives.

“The Sunbelt Expo is 3-days of fun, education, and dreaming about agriculture’s future as we team together to feed, clothe, and house a growing population around the world,” Chip Blalock, Sunbelt show director said.

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