8 | Americans to eat 1.47B chicken wings during Super Bowl
Business Features
12 | NCC: Study finds no correlation between line speed, worker safety
Calendar
2025 FEBRUARY
FEB 17-21 — GULFOOD 2025, Dubai, U.A.E. Contact: Dubai World Trade Centre, www.gulfood.com.
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,
7 | Poultry is a ‘top,’ leading industry
28 | Eric Altom awarded as AFIA’s 2025 Friend of Pet Food
28 | Nelson A. Cox Graduate Student Scholarship launched
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FEB 24 — WESTERN POULTRY CONFERENCE, Red Deer Resort & Casino, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Contact: Western Poultry Conference Association; Email: info@westernpoultryconference.ca; https://westernpoultryconference.ca.
Viewpoints
“One challenge stymieing the industry’s ability to achieve a ‘solid gold’ future is the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.” — Tom Super | 10
24 | IPPE 2025 sees a great turnout with 31K attendees
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USDA Agricultural Research Service
The National Chicken Council notes that more than 381,000 workers are directly employed by the nation’s broiler industry.
Poultry is a ‘top,’
DAVID B. STRICKLAND
Poultry Times Editor
dstrickland@ poultrytimes.com
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — When looking at leading industries, the nation’s chicken, turkey, and egg producers are at the top of the peak. They lead in food choices and are leading in production numbers as well.
“The U.S. poultry industry is the world’s largest producer and second largest exporter of poultry meat and major egg producer,” USDA’s Economic Research Service notes. “U.S. consumption of poultry meat (broilers, other chicken, and turkey) is considerably higher than beef or pork, but less than total red meat consumption.”
Approximately 16 percent of the total poultry production in the U.S. is exported to markets around the world.
More than 9.4 billion broiler chickens are raised in the U.S. every year, amounting to 62 billion pounds. The National Chicken Council notes that about 20,000 family farmers have production contracts with companies and that about 95 percent of all broiler chickens produced are from these farms. The remaining 5 percent
are raised on farms owned by companies.
The number of workers directly employed by the broiler industry comes to about 381,000, with another 1.5 million indirectly employed by allied industries, NCC says, adding that there are 195 slaughter/evisceration plants in the U.S.
Broiler chickens are produced in most states across the nation. The USDA reports the top 10 broiler producing states, in 2023 production numbers, as: Georgia, 1,266,495,000; Alabama, 1,178,356,000; Arkansas, 985,218,000; North Carolina, 926,759,000; Texas, 709,052,000; Mississippi, 699,417,000; Missouri, 396,123,000; Tennessee, 378,188,000; Delaware, 370,996,000; and Virginia, 303,219,000.
Top broiler producing companies include: Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Mountaire Farms, Perdue Foods, Kock Foods, Peco Foods, George’s, House of Raeford Farms, and Amick Farms.
For table egg production in the U.S., the total reported for 2022 was 92.6 billion, with 308 million commercial laying hens comprising a daily rate of lay average of 82 eggs per 100 layers.
The United Egg Producers note
leading industry
that, “the five largest egg-producing states are home to approximately 44 percent of all laying hens in the U.S., and the top 10 states comprise more than 65 percent of egg production.
UEP adds that of the U.S. layer population, 34.1 percent are total cage-free, which amounts to 106.2 million laying hens; and 65.9 percent are conventional production, which comes to 205.3 million laying hens.
The top egg producing states, by number of laying hens, include: Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Missouri.
Companies that top the list in egg production include: CalMaine Foods, Rose Acre Farms, Daybreak Foods, Hillandale Farms, Versova Holdings, MPS Egg Farms, Center Fresh Group, Mid-State Specialty Eggs, Michael Foods, and Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch.
The National Turkey Federation notes that the U.S. is the world’s largest producer of turkey, as well as the top exporter of turkey products.
With a diversity of products, turkey is no longer considered just a holiday meal, with consumption noted as having doubled since 1970. In 2021, the total consumption of turkey in the U.S. was 5.1 billion pounds, which equals
about 15.3 pound per capita.
The USDA’s Economic Research Service reports that the total value of turkey production in 2023 was $6.57 billion. The turkey meat production for 2024 was 5.11 billion pounds, and total turkey production in the U.S. amounted to 218 million birds.
“In 2021, U.S. total turkey production was tallied at 216.5 million birds raised, equaling to 5.558 billion pounds,” NTF adds.
The top producing states for turkey are: Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and California.
Top turkey companies include: Jennie-O, Butterball, Cargill, Farbest Foods, Prestage Farms, Tyson Foods, Cooper Farms, Perdue Foods, Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative, and Michigan Turkey Producers.
All of this production leads to industry segments that are quite valuable to the U.S. economy. The USDA reported in 2022, that for the combined value of production of broilers, turkeys and eggs in the U.S., it equaled approximately $77 billion. And of this total, 66 percent was from broilers, 9 percent from turkeys, and 25 percent from eggs.
Americans to eat 1.47B chicken wings during Super Bowl
National Chicken Council
WASHINGTON — While Kansas City is known for its barbecue and Philly its cheesesteaks, when it comes to Super Bowl menus, nothing is hotter than wings. The National Chicken Council has released its annual Chicken Wing Report, projecting Americans to consume 1.47 billion chicken wings watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles battle for the Lombardi Trophy.
This number represents an increase of 1.5 percent from last year’s game, or about 20 million more wings.
“Matthew McConaughey was right: Football is for food,” said NCC spokesperson Tom Super. “Sure, there will be pizza, guacamole, chips and dips, but when it comes to the Super Bowl, chicken wings rule the roost. Although we do anticipate an uptick in chicken cheesesteaks this year.
“If Buffalo, the home of the chicken wing, and their Bills can ever take the next step and make it back to the Big Game, we’d expect an even bigger surge in wings and wet naps.”
So how do 1.47 billion chicken wings stack up?
• If every single player in the NFL ate 50 wings a day (and was immortal) it would take them collectively 720 years to eat 1.47 billion.
• 1.47 billion wings laid end to end would stretch to and from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. about 63 times.
• Enough to give more than four wings each to every man, woman and child in the United States.
• Laid end-to-end, 1.47 billion wings would circle the Earth more than 3 times.
Retail wing sales growth for the NFL Super Bowl representative markets (Philadelphia and Kansas City) increased significantly during the
playoffs this year (for the four weeks ending January 19, 2025, versus the prior period):
• Chiefs fans receiving wings to the tune of a +21.9 percent sales increase.
• Eagles fans did not disappoint their team for wing sales, rushing out and increasing Philadelphia market sales +19 percent.
Wings sales across the U.S. during the playoffs have been strong, gaining +12 percent for the four weeks ending January 19, 2025, versus the prior period. The playoff markets beat the national +12 percent wings increase, scoring sales growth at 15.5 percent for the four weeks ending January 19, 2025, versus the prior period.
Buffalo wing history
Deep-fried chicken wings have long been a staple of Southern cooking. But one well-traveled tale of how the concept of cooking wings in peppery hot sauce was born took place in 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, when co-owner Teressa Bellissimo cooked leftover
wings in hot sauce as a late-night snack for her son and his friends. The guys liked them so much that the Bellissimo’s put them on the menu the next day. Served with celery slices and bleu cheese sauce, “Buffalo Wings” were an instant hit.
Dick Winger, who sold hot sauce to the bar, went on the road with Dominic Bellissimo, the owners’ son, to promote the item and sell hot sauce, and the item gradually caught on with restaurant operators around the country. The concept hit the big time in 1990, when McDonald’s began selling Mighty Wings at some of its restaurants. KFC rolled out Hot Wings a year later, and Domino’s Pizza introduced its own wings in 1994. They’ve remained hot ever since. McDonald’s was back in the wing business in 2013, and its Mighty Wings were featured nationwide at most restaurants through the first quarter of 2014.
The rise of the chicken wing and its correlation to American football all had to do with timing, NCC adds.
Cooking the whole bird was trendy in the 1960s and 1970s, but in the 1980s, U.S. consumers started preferring boneless-skinless breast meat, and wings became an inexpensive byproduct for chicken producers. Restaurants and bars realized they could charge low prices for the relatively inexpensive protein, and due to the spicy/salty nature of the sauce, they discovered that beer sales would go through the roof when customers ate wings.
At the same time, sports bars with multiple TVs and satellite dishes were becoming more and more common in America thanks to rapidly developing technology; and the most popular sporting event to watch with friends in bars is football, NCC says, adding that, wings were easily shareable and affordable, a great “group food” to eat with other people, and are the perfect pairing with a pitcher of beer.
TAMU expert: Wing prices take flight ahead of Super Bowl
ADAM RUSSELL
Texas A&M University
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The price of a Super Bowl staple — chicken wings — is expected to rise slightly as fans gear up for Super Bowl LIX, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
During recent decades, chicken wings, which include flats and drumettes, have become a favorite snack for sports fans, with demand peaking around major sporting events.
Dr. David Anderson, Texas
A&M University AgriLife Extension economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Bryan-College Station, said the love for wings isn’t expected to diminish any time soon.
“The Super Bowl has always driven demand for wings, and that is not going to change,” Anderson said. “But wings have also become an everyday menu item, which means we are seeing other spikes throughout the year likely based on supply and demand.”
The National Chicken Council estimates 1.47 billion
chicken wings will be consumed around the Feb. 9 football game for the Lombardi Trophy between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
To put that in perspective, if laid end to end, those 1.47 billion wings would circle the Earth more than three times, according to the National Chicken Council.
• Wing prices climb amid high demand
The increased popularity for wings has transformed what was a once-upon-a-time afterthought cut of meat into
(Continued on next page)
Michael Miller Texas A&M AgriLife Chicken wings — drumettes and flats — are a big part of game day for sports fans, and there is no event bigger in sports than the Super Bowl.
Rose Acre Farms reports Indiana farm site tests positive for bird flu
DAVID B. STRICKLAND
Poultry Times Editor
dstrickland@ poultrytimes.com
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Furthering the devastating impact that highly pathogenic avian influenza has had on the nation’s egglaying flocks, Rose Acre Farms, the second largest egg producer in the U.S., has reported a positive flock at its Cort Acre Egg Farm site in Seymour, Ind.
The company reported on X (formerly Twitter) that it started noticing mortality during the weekend of Jan. 25 and samples were quickly sent for testing that returned positive for HPAI. This outbreak with Rose Acre involves approximately 2.8 million egg-
(Continued from previous page)
one of the most sought-after items on the menu during sporting events.
“Wings were a poultry cut that used to be practically worthless,” Anderson said. “Then someone tossed them in some buffalo sauce and dipped them in blue cheese or ranch dressing. Now, restaurants across the country want to capitalize on that popularity.”
This year, he said, fans can expect to pay slightly more per pound for wings than they did last year, but wholesale prices are much lower than just six months ago. Whole-
laying hens.
“As soon as we noticed the mortality, we immediately implemented further biosecurity steps to our already established, stringent biosecurity protocol,” Rose Acre said on X. “Unfortunately, we have been previously affected by bird flu, and we know the necessary steps to mitigate further spread.”
“We have been and are continuing to work with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and the state veterinarian on best practices to combat the risk of spreading AI to other birds,” the company added. “We are continuing to monitor all of our facilities.”
On Feb. 4, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported that this current HPAI outbreak, which began in 2022,
has affected 22.75 million birds on 123 confirmed flocks, 80 commercial flocks and 43 backyard flocks. For Indiana, there have been 5 confirmed commercial flocks affected, along with 2 backyard flocks, totaling 3,072,360 birds.
In a letter to the editor to The Tribune of Seymour, Ind., Tony Wesner, CEO of Rose Acre Farms, talked about the current avian influenza situation, the potential prospect of vaccinations, as well as keeping up production to help feed a hungry world.
“Our world has been dealing with avian influenza for many years now and it has continued to escalate in severity over the last five years,” Wesner wrote. “It has far-reaching negative impacts on the food security of our planet. There are tools in the form of
vaccination that would limit the impact of avian influenza in our poultry today — but vaccination is not available because it would hinder trade and could have a negative economic impact on some ag sectors that have large quantities of export.”
“This is a very complicated issue, and it would take pages to cover all the complexities, but the bottom line is that people are hungry and billions of dollars are being spent on battling influenza in a defensive and not an offensive manner,” Wesner concluded. “If we continue to keep fighting the same way we have been, we will continue to get the same results. We can do better — it will not be easy, it will be complicated — but we can never lose sight of the fact that people are hungry!
sale prices are $1.91 per pound compared to $1.76 per pound, 8.3 percent higher than the same week last year, Anderson said. But that’s well below the $2.65 per pound wing’s hit in June 2024.
Anderson noted that while recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have significantly impacted laying hens for egg production, it has had little impact on broilers for meat production. Their shorter production cycle reduces exposure risks, supporting a steady supply of chicken wings heading into the big game.
The higher prices around the
Super Bowl are related solely to the sky-high demand going into gameday, he said. The ups-anddowns of prices throughout the rest of the year are tied to production levels, demand and other factors like feed prices.
• Nothing bigger than the Super Bowl for wing consumption Wings’ culinary ascendence parallels a beef cut once considered lower value – the brisket –and the booming popularity of barbecue, Anderson said. But like brisket, wing production is inherently limited by animal physiology as there are only two flats and two
drumettes per chicken.
From sports bars to restaurant chains, businesses continue to cash in on the country’s love for chicken wings. However, as Anderson said, the rise of the wing will always be rooted in sports.
“Wings’ place in popular culture began with restaurants and bars catering to sports fans,” he said. “A big part of that still holds true today, and there is nothing bigger in sports than the Super Bowl.”
Adam Russell is a communication specialist for Texas A&M University AgriLife.
VIEWPOINT
BY TOM SUPER National Chicken Council
Tom Super is senior vice president of communications with the National Chicken Council, headquartered in Washington, D.C.
POULTRY TIMES
A look at broiler production, industry challenges for 2025
WASHINGTON — Chicken companies are looking forward to at least a “semi-golden” marketing environment in the coming new year, if not measurably longer. However, two challenges, at least, tilt the outlook away from being “solid gold.”
According to USDA data, producers are beginning to react to seeing better times ahead by modestly stepping-up egg sets and shifting relatively more chickens into the heaviest weight category, defined by USDA as 7.75+ pounds, liveweight. Chicks placed are running noticeably ahead of 2023 and the fiveyear average. Over 27 percent of the chickens processed in 2024 are in the heaviest weight category compared with 26 percent in 2023. The other three weight categories are registering declines.
USDA is estimating chicken production to increase less than 2 percent in 2024 versus 2023 output. Curiously, the Department analysts foresee the rate of the production increase in the New Year to be less than in 2024 — less than a 1.5 percent gain.
In 2024 more of the added marketings were generated by heavy chickens rather than more birds. The trend toward larger chickens is decades old with expectation that in 2025 some analysts are suggesting the shifting in weight categories will continue, albeit, perhaps more modestly.
Hatchability and livability issues may hopefully begin to be positively addressed over the next year or so. But the light at the end of those tunnels is not as bright as live production managers would like to see.
Paramount to the favorable outlook for chicken is the current downturn in the beef cycle. Many, if not most agricultural analysts, foresee 2027 as the earliest the beef cycle can begin to turn upward. With continued dry weather conditions in much of the cow/calf country and with the cost of hay to supplement poor pasture grazing, ranches are tending to send their cows and heifers to slaughter
rather than retaining their stock to rebuild their herds. Reportedly, older ranchers are taking this time to opt out of the business of having steers ready for feedlots. The high interest rates to borrow money necessary to carry a cow/calf herd compounds these ranchers’ decisions.
HPAI
One challenge stymieing the industry’s ability to achieve a “solid gold” future is the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Despite growers strengthening their biosecurity safeguards against the virus, outbreaks continue. With HPAI essentially a worldwide problem, it is doubly difficult to control it as wild waterfowl that shed the virus do not recognize country boundaries.
More than 100 million birds have been impacted, including commercial turkeys, layers, broilers, pullets, ducks, game birds, and backyard flocks, since the current outbreak started in February 2022. While the direct impact on the broiler sector has been minimal (~six million birds), trade restrictions have significantly impacted the broiler industry.
China and South Africa still have in place state-wide bans for many states that should be eligible to ship poultry products, including eight of the ten top broiler-producing states. While the HPAI outbreak in poultry continues, the ongoing detections of HPAI in dairy cattle and additional human cases resulting from exposure to poultry and dairy cattle have changed the conversation.
Regulation after regulation after regulation
Another challenge is the on-going action by the federal government under the Biden
POULTRY TIMES
“One challenge stymieing the industry’s ability to achieve a ‘solid gold’ future is the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.”
administration to pursue a course of overregulations. Some in Washington — and their allies in the trial bar, the unions and activist boardrooms — want to make chicken less affordable by imposing costly, burdensome and unnecessary regulations on chicken producers.
USDA, in particular, has initiated the process of implementing new rules for chicken that can be described as excessive, unfair, and detrimental to both producers and consumers of chicken.
Although chicken is safer to eat than it ever has been, USDA is proposing unattainable new food safety regulations that would declare salmonella an adulterant in raw chicken and thus illegal to sell. This would, in essence, result in chicken producers feeding trashcans and landfills, and not feeding people. The industry remains committed to further reducing salmonella and fully support changes in food safety regulations that are based on sound science, robust data, and are demonstrated to positively impact public health. However, we are concerned this proposal is not based on any of those. The comment pe-
riod on this proposed food safety regulation ended on Jan. 17, 2025, and NCC will be filing extensive comments.
Secondly, back when Bill Clinton was president, USDA began allowing chicken processors to run certain parts of their plants at higher line speeds. It may be the most wellstudied pilot program in the history of the federal government.
Now, USDA is suggesting it might abandon this 25-year-old program and put America even further behind our global competitors. Chicken companies in Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia operate the same exact equipment at up to 30 percent higher line speeds than we do.
The Department appears to be listening to those who suggest faster evisceration line speeds are dangerous to workers. The data says otherwise. Since the program was started in the 1990s, the U.S. chicken industry has made tremendous strides in technology. The area of a processing facility where these faster line speeds are permitted is almost completely automated.
During the last 30 years, the total recordable
poultry processing illness and injury rate decreased 89 percent; a decrease in injury rates that coincided with a period of substantial increases in line speeds, bird size, and automation.
In fact, the poultry industry’s rate of 2.6 injuries per 100 full-time workers was below the rate of 4.7 for similar agricultural industries and lower than 3.6 for the entire food manufacturing sector, all of the manufacturing industries at 2.8, and all of the general industry at 2.7.
The light at the end of this regulatory tunnel may shine somewhat brighter now that a new Administration has taken office and will have an opportunity to review and judge the merits of all these potentially damaging regulations.
Conclusion
America loves chicken. It’s a healthy, economical and versatile source of protein that sustains our country and is arguably the most important food in the world.
NCC in 2025 will continue to keep it safe, affordable and on our plates.
NCC: Study finds no correlation between line speed, worker safety BUSINESS
National Chicken Council
WASHINGTON — A new, independent study released by USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) found that the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), like carpel tunnel syndrome, among workers at poultry processing plants operating was not influenced by evisceration line speed.
The study also found:
• The exposure levels for increased MSD risk for many poultry processing jobs were similar to levels observed in other studies.
• Evisceration line speed is not indicative of MSD risk.
• While piece rate, the number of chicken parts handled per minute by each worker, was associated with increased risk, this was offset by adequately increasing the number of workers doing the job.
“As a result of this study, we strongly urge the agency to initiate rulemaking to increase evisceration line speeds to a minimum of 175 birds per minute (bpm) for all broiler establishments instead of the current waiver approach,” Dr. Ashley Peterson, National Chicken Council senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, said. “The current approach has created significant uncertainty for companies with waivers and a competitive disadvantage for those without them. The agency should move to a level playing field and help increase the global competitiveness of the U.S. broiler industry.”
While the industry has been safely increasing line speeds over the past 30 years,
the poultry industry’s injury and illness rate has fallen 89 percent, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor, demonstrating the tremendous advancements the industry has made in improving safety for its workforce.
The incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses within the poultry sector’s slaughter and processing workforce is now at an all-time low and has fallen below all general industry, manufacturing, and food manufacturing levels for the first time since the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began recording injuries and illnesses information in 1994. The poultry industry’s rate of 2.6 injuries per 100 full-time workers was below the rate of 4.7 for similar agricultural industries, lower than 3.6 for the entire food manufacturing sector, and lower than all manufacturing industries at 2.8.
“Our employees are our most important asset,” Peterson added. “The industry has always prioritized their safety and remains dedicated to preventing workplace injuries and illnesses. We work with teams of experts including ergonomists, industrial hygienists and academia in the development and implementation of our worker safety programs. Although we have seen a substantial reduction in injury and illness rates, the industry remains committed to continuous improvement and exploring innovative approaches to further protect our workforce. While many of the recommendations in the report are already included in our current worker safety
programs, we take the recommendations seriously and will use the information to bolster our existing programs as appropriate.”
In July 2022, FSIS announced it was contracting with a team of third-party academics to conduct a study with select poultry establishments to consider the impact of increased line speeds on worker safety. The scope of work was to “assist the FSIS in assessing the relationship between evisceration line speed in young chicken and swine slaughter establishments and the scope, magnitude, and factors that influence worker safety and health risks for establishment employees impacted by the speed of the slaughter line.”
To maintain line speed waivers, poultry establishments were required to participate in the study, provide worker safety information, and allow the third-party academics access to their establishments.
Some of these establishments that had line speed waivers and agreed to the study were first granted waivers in a pilot program in the Clinton administration, while others had received waivers after submitting rigorous worker and food safety data during subsequent administrations.
While the study measuring the impact of increased line speeds on worker safety was being completed and to allow for the incoming administration to make regulatory decisions related to line speed waivers, FSIS extended the period until May 15, 2025, for those plants with increased line speed waivers.
SALISBURY, Md. — Perdue Farms has decided to incorporate the on-farm hatching concept “NestBorn” into its broiler production and supply chain. The adoption of this innovative and future-proof approach to hatch day-old chicks in broiler barns – instead of in hatcheries – perfectly fits into the company’s belief in responsible food and agriculture, and is aligned with its deep, long-standing commitments towards animal care and No Antibiotics Ever, Perdue Farms announced.
In the summer of 2023, a demonstration of NestBorn Egg Placing Machine was placed into operation by Perdue Foods near its headquarters on the Delmarva peninsula in order to efficiently transfer larger volumes of pre-incubated hatching eggs into broiler barns, the
company said, adding that it was the first time a NestBorn machine, which picks up candled and vaccinated eggs from setter trays in an automated and gentle way to then place those egg directly on the floor of a temperature-controlled broiler barn, was installed in the U.S.
The advantage of hatching directly on-farm is that access to feed and water is immediate, lowering the risk of hungry and thirsty chicks, the company said. Additionally, hatchery handling and dayold chick transport are also eliminated which means potential discomfort of the newly hatched chick is avoided. Overall, these “Higher Welfare Hatching Practices” will also translate into enhanced chick quality and health benefits.
After more than one year of demonstration and validation in a “deep litter” context, Perdue Farms and NestBorn, have agreed – in a preferred partnership context – to further deploy the NestBorn on-farm hatching solution. In its first phase, two state-of-the-art NestBorn Egg Placing Machines – constructed and supported by automation expert Viscon – will be deployed in the U.S., significantly increasing the number of on-farm hatched chicks in Perdue’s operations.
“In our mission to responsibly raise animals for food, we always are looking for continuous improvement of animal welfare,” Bruce Stewart Brown, Perdue Farms chief science officer, said. “A few years ago, we started to investigate the feasibility and potential benefit of onfarm hatching in our operations. We started taking pre-incubated eggs to broiler barns, instead of using the hatcher. We concluded that NestBorn is an additional asset for our broiler operations that will help further our efforts around the highest animal care and in our commitment to no antibiotics ever.”
On behalf of the Belgian-based NestBorn company, General Manager Erik Hoeven shared his pleasure with this first expansion
outside the European continent saying, “Since the official launch of NestBorn in 2018, chicks have been hatched on-farm with our concept in more than 10 European countries. We are very pleased that we found a visionary poultry company in Perdue Farms, who helped us to fine-tune the equipment and methodology for the specific U.S. barn conditions. We hope that favoring the barns instead of the hatchers for the final 2 or 3 days of the hatching process, can offer alternative solutions for Perdue in terms of future hatchery designs and investment strategies.”
For more information about NestBorn, visit www.nestborn.eu.
Tyson Foods reports 1Q 2025 financial results
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Tyson Foods Inc. with its brands Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair, has reported its first quarter 2025 results.
Highlights from the first quarter include: Sales of $13.623 billion, up 2.3 percent from prior year; GAAP operating income of $580 million, up 151 percent from prior year; adjusted operating income of $659 million, up 60 percent from prior year; GAAP EPS of $1.01, up 237 percent from prior year; adjusted EPS of $1.14, up 65 percent from prior year; total company GAAP operating margin of 4.3 percent; total company adjusted operating margin (non-GAAP) of 4.8 percent; liquidity of $4.5 billion as of Dec. 28, 2024; cash provided by operating activities of $1.031 billion, down $269 million from prior year; and free cash flow (non-GAAP) of $760 million, down $186 million from prior year.
“Fiscal year 2025 is off to a strong start, as we delivered our third consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in sales, operating income, and EPS,” Donnie King, Tyson Foods president and CEO, said. “Our best quarterly performance in more than two years reflects improved execution across the business, including exceptional results in chicken. Consumers remain focused on adding protein to their diets, and our diversified multi-channel, multi-protein portfolio ensures we are wellpositioned to meet this demand while reinforcing our leadership as a world-class food company.”
Outlook
For fiscal 2025, the USDA indicates domestic protein production (beef, pork, chicken and turkey) will increase approximately 1 percent compared to fiscal 2024 levels, the company said.
The following is a summary of the updated outlook for each of Tyson’s segments, as well as an outlook for revenue, capital expenditures, net interest expense, liquidity, free cash flow and tax rate for fiscal 2025. Certain of the outlook numbers include adjusted operating income (loss) (a non-GAAP metric) for each segment. The company notes that it is not able to reconcile its full-year fiscal 2025 projected adjusted results to its fiscal 2025 projected GAAP results because certain information necessary to calculate such measures on a GAAP basis is unavailable or dependent on the timing of future events outside of its control.
• Chicken
USDA projects chicken production will increase approximately 2 prtvrny in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024. Tyson anticipates adjusted operating income of $1 billion to $1.3 billion for fiscal 2025.
• Beef
USDA projects domestic production will decrease approximately
WeighTech...
Serving the Meat, Poultry and Seafood Industries
1 percent in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024. Tyson Foods anticipates adjusted operating loss between $(0.4) billion and $(0.2) billion in fiscal 2025.
• Pork
USDA projects domestic production will increase approximately 2 percent in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024. Tyson anticipates adjusted operating income of $(0.1) billion to $(0.2) billion in fiscal 2025.
• Total company
Tyson anticipates total company adjusted operating income of $1.9 billion to $2.3 billion for fiscal 2025.
• Revenue
Tyson Food expects sales to be flat to up 1 percent in fiscal 2025 as compared to fiscal 2024.
Headquartered in Springdale, Ark., Tyson Foods has approximately 138,000 employees, the company reports.
RIDGELAND, Miss. — Cal-Maine Foods Inc. announces that the company has acquired certain assets of Deal-Rite Feeds, Inc. and its affiliated entities, including two feed mills, storage facilities, usable grain, vehicles, related equipment and retail feed sales business located in Statesville and Union Grove, N.C. The company is funding the acquisition with available cash on hand.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to acquire these feed mills and operations, which are strategically located in close proximity to our North Carolina shell egg production facilities,” Sherman Miller, Cal-Maine Foods president and CEO, said. “As we continue to expand
contract production in this area, we also look for ways to effectively manage our production costs and drive efficiencies. Feed is a primary cost component in the production of shell eggs, and the quality and composition of feed are critical factors related to the health of our hens and the nutritional value of shell eggs.”
“With the addition of these feed mill operations in North Carolina, we can formulate, produce and deliver feed at a lower cost with shorter travel required to reach the respective farms,” Miller added. “We remain committed to our mission to be the most efficient and sustainable producer of fresh shell eggs and egg products, and we will look for additional opportunities to further support our growth strategy.”
Cal-Maine Foods is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the U.S.
Wayne-Sanderson N.C. site honored as ‘Recovery Friendly Workplace of the Year’
DOBSON, N.C. — Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Dobson, N.C., complex was recently named the “2024 Recovery Friendly Workplace of the Year” in recognition of its partnership with Surry County’s Office of Substance Abuse Recovery.
The county’s nationally recognized workforce reentry program melds local businesses, law enforcement and corrections officials to help former inmates find employment and establish healthy lifestyle patterns to avoid future incarceration, the company said.
Wayne-Sanderson Farms representatives accepted the honor during a recent Surry County Recovery Friendly Workplace Program luncheon and panel discussion with local business leaders discussing local workforce challenges. Program director Emily VenableSchiff presented the award to Wayne-Sanderson Farms Dobson Complex Manager Matthew Wooten, noting the company’s ongoing commitment to the program from the beginning.
“Wayne-Sanderson Farms was the first company we discussed the idea with, and Matthew Wooten was immediately on board,” said Venable-Schiff. “Our office works directly with Wayne-Sanderson’s human resource managers to ensure the right candidate is matched with the right position, providing a supervised ‘second chance’ to participants.”
Applicants are vetted, counseled and must go through Surry County Community College’s Employable Skills Workshop certification before being considered for a position. Once selected for the program, Venable-Schiff and her
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team help them prepare to be “job ready” with the skills and attitude necessary for their second chance.
new employees.
“The program is a three-way partnership between us, the county and the participants to create a structure of accountability and training to help them get back on their feet,” Wooten said. “We provide the environment and support, and the participants work hard to be responsible and make necessary lifestyle changes for longterm success.”
Wooten first heard about plans to start the reentry program in an effort to stem recidivism and reincarceration several years ago, and initiated contact with the Surry County Office of Substance Abuse and Sheriff Steve Hiatt to get involved. Since then, the program has grown from a handful of participants at WayneSanderson Farms facilities to a county-wide initiative with several companies throughout the area. County program managers credit WayneSanderson Farms with jump-starting what has become one of North Carolina’s most successful substance abuse programs.
“To date, we have placed about a dozen program participants in a variety of jobs from production and maintenance to pallet drivers and shipping,” Wooten added. “We have added several valuable members to our team and are proud to be part of their success.”
Meat Institute expands legislative affairs and marketing teams
WASHINGTON — The Meat Institute announces the expansion of its legislative affairs and marketing teams with the addition of two
Chris Chaffee joins the Meat Institute as director of legislative affairs working with Vice President of Legislative Affairs Nathan Fretz advocating for the meat and poultry industry with members of congress and federal officials. Chaffee will also help manage the Meat Institute’s Political Action Committee, MeatPAC.
“Chris Chaffee has extensive experience in advocacy, as well as serving in various roles across state and federal government,” Julie Anna Potts, Meat Institute president and CEO, said. “He will be an excellent representative of the industry with lawmakers and with the Trump Administration as we look to roll back burdensome regulations and address other concerns.”
Previously, Chaffee led efforts to promote the leadership of American agriculture as director of industry relations with the U.S. Farming and Ranching Foundation. Prior to that, he served as associate director of the White House Office of Public Liaison in the Trump Administration, where he led outreach to the food and agricultural community and coordinated policy communications across multiple federal agencies. In addition, Chaffee has served at the state government level, including for Iowa’s economic development agency and the governor of New Jersey. A Kansas City native, Chaffee graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in finance and international business.
Brian Peteritas has been hired as marketing manager for the Meat Institute to oversee the Institute’s email marketing and social media
efforts with a focus on integrated marketing campaigns for events.
“The Meat Institute is always looking for ways to share educational events and networking opportunities with our membership and beyond,” Potts said. “Brian’s expertise in digital marketing will help us to better promote the programming our generous sponsors provide for our members’ continuous improvement.”
Peteritas has worked in the association world for nine years and was previously with the American Frozen Food Institute and the National Apartment Association. He earned his B.A. in communications from Pennsylvania State University, and also holds a digital marketing professional certificate from the Digital Marketing Institute and the American Marketing Association. He resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
USDA reduces HPAI restrictions on poultry from France and the EU
WASHINGTON — After a thorough risk evaluation, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is reducing existing trade restrictions on the importation of unvaccinated live poultry from France and unvaccinated live ducks from the APHIS-recognized European Poultry Trade Region (EPTR), as well as Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
The restrictions, which took effect Oct. 1, 2023, resulted from France’s decision to vaccinate commercial meat ducks and some breeding ducks against highly pathogenic avian influenza. APHIS evaluated the HPAI vaccination practices in France to determine if HPAI
vaccination significantly impacts the likelihood that unmitigated poultry commodities capable of transmitting the HPAI virus could enter the United States from France, other members of the EPTR, or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. Consistent with science-based trading principles, the evaluation focused on France’s HPAI vaccination plan and regulatory oversight, their ability to ensure only target birds are vaccinated, the traceability of their poultry commodities, and their post-vaccination surveillance methods.
APHIS concluded the following live animal commodities are highly unlikely to be vaccinated, and the HPAI vaccination campaign has not significantly impacted the likelihood of HPAI virus entering the U.S. from importation of these commodities:
• Non-duck poultry, including hatching eggs, from France.
• Hatching eggs from France derived from unvaccinated breeding ducks.
• Ducks, including day-old ducklings, from France derived from unvaccinated breeding duck flocks with additional validation and confirmation of vaccine status by the French competent authority.
• Live ducks (including hatching eggs and day-old ducklings) from other EPTR countries and EFTA countries.
• Duck products / byproducts from the EPTR countries (except those derived from vaccinated birds that have resided in France) and EFTA countries.
• Non-duck poultry products / byproducts from France.
The evaluation of France’s HPAI vaccination program supports the conclusion that APHIS can maintain safe agricultural trade with reduced restrictions on these unvaccinated poultry and poultry products/byproducts derived from non-vaccinated flocks, the department
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said, adding that this conclusion aligns with World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) standards regarding the impact of HPAI vaccination on trade.
Vaccinated poultry (including hatching eggs and day-old ducklings derived from vaccinated poultry) and products/byproducts derived from vaccinated poultry will remain ineligible for import. Vaccinated birds may not show signs of HPAI infection, which could lead to the export of infected live animals or virus-contaminated products to the U.S.
APHIS continues to work with state partners to respond to an outbreak of HPAI in the U.S. HPAI is a serious disease and requires rapid response because it is highly contagious and often fatal to poultry. APHIS and officials from affected states are responding in accordance with federal and state HPAI response plans, which include implementing quarantine restrictions, depopulating affected flocks, disposing of depopulated birds, cleaning and eliminating the virus from affected premises, and conducting surveillance in surrounding areas.
For more information about HPAI and APHIS’ efforts to combat the virus, visit www.aphis.usda.gov.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Illinois Soybean Association reports that the state’s farmers have set a new soybean production record.
According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Illinois farmers produced 688 million bushels of soybeans in 2024, surpassing the state’s previous record of 666.75 million bushels, set in 2018.
This achievement is driven by a combination of exceptional yields
and record harvested acreage, the ISA said, adding that the statewide average yield reached 64 bushels per acre, a slight increase from the 2023 average of 63 bushels per acre. Additionally, Illinois farmers harvested 10.75 million acres of soybeans in 2024, up from 10.3 million acres the year before.
“We are proud to once again be the No. 1 soybean-producing state in the U.S., and this year’s record-breaking harvest reflects the dedication of Illinois’ high-quality soybean farmers,” Ron Kindred, ISA chairman, said. “Despite facing the challenges of low prices and unfavorable weather conditions, Illinois farmers have risen to the occasion.
Checkoff investments in research and production have equipped farmers with the tools to unlock soybean yield potential, while the policy work by Illinois soybean growers has provided the framework for the success we enjoy here in Illinois. Together, we continue to set the standard for soybean production.”
The record-breaking production reinforces Illinois’ standing as a leader in soybean farming, with the state consistently ranked among the top producers in the nation, the association said, adding that soybeans play a crucial role in Illinois’ agricultural economy, serving as a key export commodity and a driver of innovation in the industry.
“The 2024 soybean harvest is a huge accomplishment for Illinois
farmers and a reflection of their hard work and commitment to excellence,” Bryan Severs, ISA Soybean Production Committee chairman, said. “Illinois continues to lead the way in soybean farming, setting the bar higher year after year.”
Wingstop helping California wildfire affected communities through Red Cross support
DALLAS — Wingstop Inc. has announced an expansion of its ongoing efforts to assist people and communities impacted by the wildfires in Southern California.
Have shortened
Through a partnership with the American Red Cross, Wingstop is making it easier for guests to support wildfire relief efforts. When ordering through Wingstop.com or the Wingstop mobile app, customers can round up to the nearest dollar at checkout to benefit the Red Cross. For a month, 100 percent of contributions made through its round up program will be donated to the Red Cross, the company said.
“It has been tragic to see the devastation impacting California residents affected by wildfires, especially in Los Angeles County,” Michael Skipworth, Wingstop CEO and president, said. “At Wingstop, we are committed to helping those in need. Disasters like these can devastate entire communities, making it essential for those with resources to step in and provide assistance. These wildfires are among the most destructive in California’s history, and timely relief is crucial for those affected.”
“We are truly grateful to the first responders who are working heroically and tirelessly to protect our communities,” Skipworth added. “As a company that deeply values relationships, we are dedicated to supporting the Southern California community in meaningful ways as they work to rebuild. This commitment is the foundation of our partnership with the Red Cross over the next month as the fires continue to impact people throughout the region.”
In addition to raising funds through the round-up program, Wingstop will continue to offer free meals to first responders when they show their badge at the register, take food to local fire stations and medical facilities to help feed first responders, law enforcement and emergency personnel on site, the company noted.
Vital Farms launches ‘Good Eggs. No Shortcuts.’ campaign
AUSTIN, Texas — Vital Farms announces the launch of a new brand campaign titled “Good Eggs. No Shortcuts.” that celebrates the brand’s commitment to delivering on its purpose to improve the lives of people, animals, and the planet through food.
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Developed in partnership with GUT Miami, “Good Eggs. No Shortcuts.” features documentary-style interviews with four real-life Vital Farms family farmers that capture their humorous and authentic responses that underscore their relentless hard work and dedication to animal welfare. For example, when posed with the question “Vital
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“‘Good Eggs. No Shortcuts.’ is a perfect illustration of Vital Farms’ commitment to being (BS-free) and doing right by all our stakeholders, even if it means taking the longer road when deciding how our hens should be treated,” Heather Mace, Vital Farms senior director of marketing, campaigns and creative, said. “We hear from consumers every day that we’re ‘the good eggs,’ and we wanted to show people why we’re the good eggs. This campaign celebrates the hard work that our 425+ farmers like Amanda, Jason, Matt and Tanner do every day to care for their hens.”
“The world is constantly telling us to move faster, cut corners, and optimize everything. But Vital Farms farmers know that getting good eggs comes from taking no shortcuts,” Juan Javier Peña Plaza, chief creative officer, GUT Miami, added. “Our goal with these spots is to show farmers’ determination to go above and beyond to keep their flocks healthy and happy. All that time, care, and commitment to keeping it bullsh*t-free makes all the difference in your eggs.”
“Good Eggs. No Shortcuts.” is rolling out across linear and streaming television and online and social platforms including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Reddit, Meta, Snapchat, Spotify and YouTube, the company noted.
Huey Magoo’s announces loyalty program launch
ORLANDO, Fla. — Huey Magoo’s announces the launch of its “Magoo’s Rewards” loyalty program. Huey Magoo’s guests can now join Magoo’s Rewards and start earning points toward free food at Huey
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Magoo’s. New users who sign up will get a free 3-piece tender meal with the purchase of a beverage. Existing users will be automatically put into the program and receive an inbox notification for a BOGO 10-piece tender bites meal.
For every $1 that members spend, they will earn 10 points. Catering orders will also earn 1 point per $1 spent. Magoo’s Rewards include: 250 points = free cookie; 500 points = free regular-sized drink; 1,000 points = free 3-piece tender meal; 2,000 points = free entrée (choice of 5-piece tender meal, salad, sandwich or wrap); and a Birthday Reward = free banana pudding or cookie.
“Magoo’s Rewards is official,” Deanna Kotch, vice president of marketing for Huey Magoo’s, said. “As our brand experiences rapid nationwide growth, it’s essential to give back to our loyal guests and offer incentives for their continued support. We’re excited for our users to start earning points with every purchase, which can be redeemed for rewards to enjoy even more of the delicious menu items our guests love.”
Huey Magoo’s free online ordering app is available for download in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
“We’re proud to have partnered with Incentivio and Qu to bring Magoo’s Rewards to life,” Jon Hance, Huey Magoo’s director of IT, said. “Our goal was to create a seamless and engaging experience for our guests, and this collaboration has allowed us to do just that. From earning points to redeeming rewards, the app is designed to make every step easy and enjoyable, and we’re thrilled to see our guests take full advantage of it.”
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IPPE 2025 sees a great turnout with 31K attendees
DAVID B. STRICKLAND Poultry Times Editor dstrickland@ poultrytimes.com
ATLANTA — It was a busy week filled with education, exhibits, networking, and all things poultry and more at the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo.
This year’s event saw approximately 31,000 attendees on hand from all around the world, representing the poultry, egg, feed, and meat industries. There were also 1,386 exhibitors on the trade show floor, which spanned 598,473 square feet. The annual event, sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, the American Feed Industry Association, and the Meat Institute, is touted as the largest poultry, meat and animal feed industry show of its kind.
“We are excited about the en-
ergy displayed by this year’s attendees and exhibitors and the business conducted on the trade show floor,” IPPE organizers noted. “The attendee and exhibitor numbers and large trade show
floor continue to complement IPPE’s comprehensive education sessions, invaluable networking opportunities and extensive exhibits showcasing the latest innovative technology, equipment
and services for our industries.”
There were many functions during the week that featured awards, as well as expert speakers on topics ranging from sustainability, food safety, worker safety, and poultry market trends. There were more than 80 hours of total education sessions available. Among the sessions were the International Poultry Scientific Forum, the Pet Food Conference, The Foreign Material Workshop, Automation & Artificial Intelligence Workshop, the New Product Showcase, as well as many TECHTalk sessions.
One of Expo’s annual sessions, the Poultry Market Intelligence Forum, looked at the global poultry market, and the continuing situation with highly pathogenic avian influenza.
During this session, Christian Richter, principal with The Policy Group, looked at the incoming administration in Washington, and the plethora of items on the agenda, including border security, immigration, defunding and deregulaton. He also noted that more worksite enforcement is potentially on the horizon, with focuses on the agriculture industry.
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“Two years from now, will people be happy with the agenda … or not happy?” Richter asked the attendees of the forum.
The per capita availability of poultry and red meat are at record high numbers and continue to increase, said Mark Jordan, executive director for LEAP Market Analytics. Jordan, in his economic update, noted that protein supplies, especially broilers, continue to grow.
During his forum presentation, Jordan also noted that threats to animal health are at their highest points. With HPAI and avian metapneumovirus having negative impacts on the egg and turkey industries, they will continue to affect supplies and prices, most notably at the moment with egg prices.
Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, International Food Information Council president and CEO, spoke on engaging consumers from “farm to fork.”
Kapsak noted that such items as snack foods are enjoyed by more than 70 percent of Americans at least once a day, adding that, “snacking may replace a meal, so this is a good opportunity for animal protein producers.”
She added that purchases along generational lines show differences in the types of food products being sought. While Gen Z, Gen X and Millennials may be looking for energy foods, the Boomer generation often seeks foods that help with healthy aging. She also noted that for purchasing drivers for food products, taste is number one, with price second.
And for food safety, Kapsak added that, “healthcare professionals and registered dietitians are the most trusted sources for foods to eat and avoid.”
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Many new products are being highlighted by exhibitors to attendees during the annual threeday IPPE, and during the New Product Showcase, the “Best of the Best” are awarded.
Expo organizers noted that these awards acknowledge, “outstanding exhibitors that have distinguished themselves by developing an innovative technology in products, services or operating techniques that will advance the industry.”
This year’s Best of the Best included:
• Animal Food category: BioSentry with its Prosense HD that provides real time 3D readings of bins and silos that immediately identify and manage inventory shrinkage.
• Live Production category: Sephnos, with its Vanguard automatic chicken feeder that has advanced technology for increased distribution and less waste.
• Processing category: Stober Drives with its cLEAN System which eliminates premature failure due to water ingress, with an IE5 energy efficiency rating.
“We are really excited to announce IPPE’s third annual New Product Showcase ‘Best of the Best’ recipients,” IPPE show organizers added. “Congratulations to these three exhibitors for their innovative technologies.”
Eric Altom awarded as AFIA’s 2025 Friend of Pet Food
ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Feed Industry Association announces that the 2025 Friend of Pet Food Award winner is Dr. Eric Altom, director of innovation for companion animals and technical nutritionist at Balchem Animal Nutrition and Health.
Dr. Charles Starkey, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs at the North American Renderers Association, and Dr. Jessica Starkey, associate professor with Auburn University’s Department of Poultry Sciencey, presented the award during the AFIA’s recent Pet Food Conference, held in conjunction with the International Production and Processing Expo.
“Dr. Altom’s impact on the pet food industry goes beyond his professional achievements. His active engagement in organizations that advance the industry as a whole and dedication to mentoring the next generation of leaders is exceptional,” Louise Calderwood, AFIA’s director of regulatory affairs, said. “His efforts to support and inspire future industry professionals reflect his commitment to ensuring the long-term success of our field.”
Altom has made significant contributions to the pet food industry over a career spanning more than 25 years, focusing on advancing re-
AFIA photo
Dr. Eric Altom, center, Balchem Animal Nutrition, was recently awarded this year’s American Feed Industry Association’s Friend of Pet Food Award. Presenting Altom with the honor at this year’s IPPE were, Dr. Jessica Starkey, Auburn University; and Dr. Charles Starkey, North American Renderers Association.
search in pet nutrition and product development, the association said, also noting that in addition to his professional achievements, Al-
tom is widely recognized for his commitment to mentorship. He has dedicated his time and professional expertise to guiding students and young professionals, offering support with research projects, career advice and networking opportunities.
Altom is also actively involved in many industry events and initiatives, including the Pet Food Alliance, AFIA Pet Food Conference, Auburn University’s Imaginarium Workshops and Kansas State University’s Kibblecon, among others.
Prior to his professional career, Altom earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Tennessee Technological University, a master’s degree in nutrition from Clemson University and a doctorate in animal sciencenutrition from Auburn University. Altom also received AFIA’s Member of the Year award in 2022.
Launched in 2019, the AFIA Friend of Pet Food Award recognizes individuals who have made recent significant contributions in supporting the growth of the pet food industry. To date, nine people have earned this award, for more information about the award, visit https://www.afia.org/about-afia/awards/ friend-of-pet-food-award/.
Nelson A. Cox Graduate Student Scholarship launched
TUCKER, Ga. — A campaign has been launched to establish an endowment fund for the Nelson A. Cox Graduate Student Scholarship in Poultry Food Safety in honor of the late Dr. Nelson Cox.
Having spent more than 50 years as a research microbiologist working with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Dr. Cox was an award-winning research microbiologist who devoted his career to helping protect the safety of the nation’s food supply. He held 10 patents, authored more than 1,000 peer-reviewed scientific publications and conference proceedings, and gave hundreds of scientific talks both nationally and internationally. Dr. Cox cared deeply about men-
toring students and supporting young scientists, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers.
A few of his accolades include the Distinguished Senior Agricultural Research Science Scientist of the Year, Fellow American Society for Microbiology, Fellow of the Poultry Science Association, and he was one of a few scientists ever inducted into both the Poultry Hall of Fame and the USDA-ARS Science Hall of Fame. Dr. Cox is regarded by col-
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leagues, collaborators, industry and friends as one of the greatest food safety microbiologists of his generation.
The Nelson A. Cox Graduate Student Scholarship in Poultry Food Safety will support a graduate student every year so that Dr. Cox’s legacy in poultry food
safety can continue to impact future generations.
The logistics for this scholarship are being handled through the USPOULTRY Foundation. To donate, visit: https://www.poultryfoundation.org/forms/coxscholarship/, and donations are tax-exempt.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta recently received donations from Jamesway and USPOULTRY during the IPPE in Atlanta, Ga. On hand for the presentation were, left to right, Nath Morris, USPOULTRY president; Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry Farms and outgoing USPOULTRY chair; Melisa Morrow, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation; Denis Kan, Jamesway; and Christian Jordan, Jamesway.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta receives checks from Jamesway, USPOULTRY at IPPE
ATLANTA — Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta recently received donations from Jamesway and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association during the International Poultry Expo,
part of the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), in Atlanta, Ga. The IPPE is the world’s largest annual trade show for the poultry and egg, animal food and meat
industries.
Denis Kan, president of Jamesway, presented a check in the amount of $2,000 to Melisa Morrow, development officer and manager of Foundation events for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation.
USPOULTRY matched Jamesway’s contribution with Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry Farms and outgoing USPOULTRY chair, presenting the check. Christian Jordan, vice president of sales and marketing for Jamesway, and Nath Morris, president of USPOULTRY, joined in the presentation. Jamesway has donated to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for 15 years, and USPOULTRY has donated for 14 years.
“This is our 15th year of contributing to this worthy cause, and we are pleased to provide this donation to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta,” Kan said.
“Jamesway’s continued leadership in contributing to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is appreciated by our Association,” Fries said. “We are pleased to again match this donation.”
“Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta depends on generous supporters like Jamesway and USPOULTRY to fulfill its mission of improving children’s health today and ensuring a healthier future through philanthropic contributions,” Morrow said. “The organization provides essential medical care to Georgia’s children, including those from families unable to afford it.”
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta receives checks from Henning Cos., Anderson Family, USPOULTRY at IPPE
ATLANTA — Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta recently received donations from Henning Companies, the Anderson family and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE), in Atlanta, Ga. The IPPE is the world’s largest annual trade show for the poultry, egg, animal food and meat industries.
Henning Companies and the Anderson family each presented a check in the amount of $2,500 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 Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry Farms and outgoing USPOULTRY chair, presenting the check. This is Henning Companies’ third donation and the Anderson family’s second donation to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“We are honored to once again contribute to Children’s Healthcare of
Atlanta. Our family has experienced first-hand how Children’s has played an important part in helping our son.
Witnessing the incredible impact they have on the lives of children, Henning Companies and our family are grateful to support their ongoing efforts,”
Jason Anderson, vice president of agriculture, Henning Companies, said.
“Henning Companies and the Anderson family’s leadership in contributing to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is appreciated by our Association. We are pleased to add to this donation,” Fries said.
“Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is dependent on donors like Henning Companies, the Anderson Family and USPOULTRY to accomplish its mission of making kids better today and healthier tomorrow through philanthropic contributions. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta provides medically needed healthcare to the children of Georgia, including families that could not afford to pay otherwise,” Morrow said.
USPOULTRY photo
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta recently received donations from Henning Companies, the Anderson family and USPOULTRY during the recent IPPE in Atlanta, Ga. On hand for the presentation were, left to right, Jason Anderson, vice president of agriculture, Henning Companies; Tammie Anderson, wife of Jason Anderson; Will Anderson, son of Jason Anderson and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta recipient; Kevin Walker, president, Henning Companies; Melisa Morrow, development officer and manager of Foundation events for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation; Mikell Fries, president, Claxton Poultry Farms and outgoing USPOULTRY chair; and Nath Morris, USPOULTRY president.
USPOULTRY photo
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