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Treatment
7 | EPA seeks to revise WOTUS rule definition
12 | Kendall Snyder receives Frank Perdue Scholarship ‘Student of the Year Award’
Calendar
APR 2-4 — NPFDA SPRING EXCHANGE, The Worthington Renaissance Hotel Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas. Contact: National Protein & Food Distributors Association, 2014 Osborne Road, Saint Marys, Ga. 31558; Ph: 912-4393603; www.npfda.org.
APR 4 — ALL MEMBER MEETING/Crawfish Boil, Jones Center, Springdale, Ark. Contact: The Poultry Federation, 321 South Victory Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201; Ph: 501-375-8131;
23 | Poultry Federation names executive VP
24 | Auburn researchers leading nutrient management study with $1.3M grant
30 | With some decreases in egg prices, US border still sees rise in smuggling
info@thepoultryfederation. com; www.thepoultryfederation.com.
APR 7-9 — 74TH WESTERN POULTRY DISEASE CONFERENCE, The Westin Calgary Downtown, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Contact: WPDC Foundation, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., OFC 4009, Davis, Calif. 95616; www.wpdcfoundation.org.
APR 8 — AFIA/KSU500, Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing. Online course runs through May 13, 2025. Contact: American Feed Industry Association, 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 810, Arlington, Va. 22201; Ph: 703-524-0810; www.afia.org.
SUSTAINABILITY
“The rendering industry’s contribution to sustainability is unmistakable. But like any initiative to be sustainable, there is no destination … only a journey.” — Paul Bredwell | 10
21 | Scientists leverage AI for fast mitigation stratgies for methane Connect
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, announces that the departments are working toward redefining the definition of the “Waters of the United States” rule.
Often referred to as WOTUS, this rule is an amendment of the Clean Water Act which was established in 1972 with the design of reducing pollution in the nation’s waters. The terms of WOTUS have been redefined through the years, most recently in 2023 through the Supreme Court case “Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency.” WOTUS terms address “navigable waters,” and the Sackett case changed the definition regarding some waters and wetlands.
In the recent announcement, EPA said that the agencies seek to, “… move quickly to ensure that a revised definition follows the law, reduces red-tape, cuts overall permitting costs, and lowers the cost of doing business in communities across the country while protecting the nation’s navigable waters from pollution.”
“We want clean water for all Americans supported by clear and consistent rules for all states, farmers, and small businesses,” Lee Zeldin, EPA administrator, said in a statement. “The previous administration’s definition of ‘waters of the United States’ placed unfair burdens on the American people and drove up the cost of doing business. Our goal is to protect America’s water resources consistent with the law of the land while empowering American farmers, landowners, entrepreneurs, and families to help
‘Power the Great American Comeback.’”
The WOTUS definition gives a guide in how the Clean Water Act is implemented, and farmers need to secure permits prior to starting a project. The agency notes that farms and businesses need to know what waters are under federal authority. EPA added that it will be gaining stakeholder input on key challenges, as well as beginning a rulemaking process to revise the 2023 WOTUS definition.
EPA added that in its review, it will use the 2023 Sackett decision as its guide, “which stated that the Clean Water Act use of ‘waters’ encompasses only those relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water forming streams, oceans, rivers, and lakes. The Sackett decision also clarified that wetlands would only be covered when having a continuous surface connection to waterbodies that are ‘waters of the United States’ in their own right.”
“Farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of the land and need water regulations that are clear and practical, not burdensome,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said. “USDA supports EPA’s revisions to WOTUS that provide certainty and recognize the key role that agriculture plays in protecting our natural resources. We’ll keep pushing for policies that let producers focus on what they do best — feeding, fueling, and clothing our nation.”
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, who was also present for this new announcement, said, “The Supreme Court clearly ruled, almost two years ago, that the government overreached in its interpretation of what waters fell under federal jurisdiction, but inaction and vague implementation guidelines by EPA led to per-
mitting delays, litigation and uncertainty.”
“I’m pleased that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has listened to the concerns of farmers and is making strides toward getting rid of the guesswork,” Duvall added. “The foundation he laid today is the first step toward creating WOTUS implementation guidelines, which will help farmers protect the environment while ensuring they can grow the food America’s families rely on.”
“The administration’s decision to revise the definition of ‘Waters of the United States’ is a crucial step in correcting years of regulatory overreach and continuous uncertainty for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities,” U.S. Rep. Glenn (GT) Thompson (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, said. “By aligning federal water protections with the Supreme Court’s Sackett decision, the EPA is restoring clarity, cutting burdensome red tape, and empowering local and state governments to manage their own water resources while ensuring economic growth and environmental stewardship.”
Tom Kiernan, American Rivers president and CEO, whose group aims to restore and protect the nation’s river waterways, said, “Our nation’s health, wealth and security depends on healthy rivers and streams.”
“Weakening the Clean Water Act threatens safe, reliable drinking water for tens of millions of Americans, and could drastically increase water treatment costs for farmers,” Kiernan added. “Our rivers were literally on fire prior to the Clean Water Act and any step back to those days, any step to limit what water sources receive protections, is a step in the wrong direction. We urge the administration to listen to Americans, who overwhelmingly want clean, safe water.”
EMILY PARCELL Poultry Times Content Writer emilyparcell@poultrytimes.com
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — During the past few weeks, egg prices have taken a new direction with the aid of fewer avian influenza outbreaks, and supply availability.
“Negotiated wholesale prices for graded loose eggs continued on a sharp downward trajectory as no significant outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported in March to date and the supply situation is rapidly improving,” a report from the USDA stated. “The average national wholesale price for breaking stock declined $1.85 to $2.83
per dozen with a sharply lower undertone.”
In addition to the lower prices for eggs, inventory has increased, helping to alleviate the supply shortages seen in grocery stores.
“The overall shell egg inventory increased just over 5 percent while the national inventory of Large class shell eggs increased 8.5 percent,” the USDA report continued. “The volume of eggs processed last week increased 6.5 percent to its highest level in 3 months and the share of weekly table egg production increased 2 percent to 31 percent.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins shared a positive outlook following the announcement of the department’s $1 billion bird flu response plan.
DAVID B. STRICKLAND Poultry Times Editor dstrickland@poultrytimes.com
WASHINGTON — New streamlining actions designed to provide more efficiency for poultry and pork processing while also sustaining food safety standards was announced March 17 by USDA.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins noted that this new initiative is to guide the agency’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to get rid of outdated administrative requirements.
“America leads the world in pork and poultry production, and we are committed to ensuring our producers remain competitive on a global scale without being held back by unnecessary bureaucracy,” Rollins said, adding that, “… we are cutting unnecessary red tape, empowering businesses to operate more efficiently, and strengthening American agriculture — all while upholding the highest food safety standards.”
Among these policies, FSIS will extend waivers to processing facilities to maintain higher line speeds, and rulemaking to quickly formalize the speed increases. Also, the department will no longer require what it deems redundant worker safety data, “as extensive research has confirmed no direct link between processing speeds and workplace injuries.”
“These reforms will strengthen U.S. food production, reduce costs for producers, and support a more resilient supply chain,” USDA said in its statement.
“Secretary Rollins has proven she is serious about eliminating bureaucratic hurdles at USDA to ensure efficient production of safe meat and poultry products,” Julie Anna Potts, Meat Institute president and CEO, said. “We
appreciate her wasting no time to support innovation in our industry. We look forward to working with the Secretary and our livestock and poultry suppliers to provide certainty to the supply chain and to allow additional companies the opportunity to utilize this system.”
“I want to thank Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration for adhering to sciencebased principles and following 25 years of experience, studies and data on increased line speeds in chicken processing plants,” Harrison Kircher, National Chicken Council president, said.
“The current approach has created significant uncertainty for companies with waivers and a competitive disadvantage for those without them,” Kircher added. “We appreciate the administration moving to ensure a level playing field and help increase the global competitiveness of the U.S. broiler industry. We look forward to providing input as the rulemaking process begins and request that the agency work expeditiously to finalize a rule.”
Earlier this year, NCC also commented on an FSIS study that found no correlation between evisceration line speed and worker safety.
Citing U.S. Department of Labor data, NCC adds that the poultry industry has been increasing line speeds for the past three decades and the injury and illness rate of workers has declined about 89 percent.
Dr. Ashley Peterson, NCC’s senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, regarding the earlier study, said, “we strongly urge the agency to initiate rulemaking to increase evisceration line speeds to a minimum of 175 birds per minute for all broiler establishments instead of the current waiver approach.”
“The current approach has created significant uncertainty for companies with waivers
“The average cost of a dozen eggs has now gone DOWN $1.85 since we announced our plan about a week-and-a-half ago,” Rollins, in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter).
Although there is some uncertainty about safety of poultry and poultry products, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that there is currently no evidence linking properly handled and cooked poultry products to infections of avian influenza A viruses in the United States.
“Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses,” the CDC states.
and a competitive disadvantage for those without them,” Peterson added.“The agency should move to a level playing field and help increase the global competitiveness of the U.S. broiler industry.”
In maintaining worker safety, NCC also notes that the poultry industry has a worker injury rate of 2.6 per 100 full time workers, which is less than similar agricultural industries that have a rate of 4.7 per 100.
“Our employees are our most important asset,” Peterson said. “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.”
DAVID B. STRICKLAND Poultry Times Editor dstrickland@poultrytimes.com
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Looking to the future and utilizing sustainable energy sources, while seeking to alleviate high current energy costs — is harnessing the power of the sun a viable option?
The American Farm Bureau Federation notes that it advocates for policies that help create diverse energy supply solutions, such as solar power.
“Alternative energy sources such as wind, geothermal, hydro and solar have grown increasingly popular as ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen the grid by decentralizing power production,” AFBF said in a report. “Solar energy, which converts energy from the sun into thermal or electrical power, is rapidly expanding across America and the world. Solar energy can provide numerous benefits but, like most things, also has its share of drawbacks.”
The Solar and Farming Association recently announced at the AFBF’s 2025 annual convention that the delegates voted to include in its policy book a prioritization for solar projects with verified shared agriculture usage. The AFBF policy book, with input from the state Farm Bureau offices, serves as a guide for all Farm Bureau organizations nationwide. This new initiative gives support to solar energy projects that have shared agriculture use.
“This milestone demonstrates the growing recognition that solar development and farming can, and should, coexist,” Lucy Bullock-Sieger, SAFA co-founder and vice
president of strategy at Lightstar, said. “By adopting agrivoltaics, the Farm Bureau has solidified its commitment to a resilient future for America’s farmers and rural communities.”
Agrivoltaics is defined as, “agriculture, such as crop production, livestock grazing, and pollinator habitat, located underneath solar panels and/or between rows of solar panels,” the U.S. Department of Energy says. “Solar energy offers farmers the opportunity to harvest the sun twice — the same reason land is good for farming (flat, open areas), also makes it good for solar installations.”
SAFA adds that farmers like Matt Riggs, from Champaign County, Ill., have provided grassroots support for this new policy.
“I see agrivoltaics as a way to deliver reliable, superior profitability to farming operations of all sizes,” Riggs said. “Adding another income stream to a farm is more important than ever, given the current down cycle in grain markets. Agrivoltaics could be this generation’s best tool for ensuring family farmers’ independence and survival.”
Use of agrivoltaics on a farm site can produce not only energy for the farm, but solar energy could also be sold to an electric cooperative, the University of Minnesota Extension notes, adding that, “if you graze sheep or cattle and need more land, you could enter into a grazing contract with the owner of a solar energy site. Grazing under solar panels can increase your pasture acres without buying or renting additional land or fencing infrastructure. At the same time, the owner of the solar site may benefit from
a decrease in costs related to land care.”
In the past 10 years, solar power production has increased about 25 percent a year on average, also with a 40 percent decrease in installation costs, AFBF said in a report, adding that the DOE anticipates approximately 90 percent of solar power developments to be coming from “utility-scale projects in rural communities.”
“The ideal location for installing a solar power facility is on land that is clear, dry, relatively flat and close existing grid infrastructure,” AFBF reported. “Farmland typically meets many of these standards and has lower construction costs compared to other types of land. The same traits that make specific plots of land good for farming can also make them a prime candidate for utility-scale solar.”
However, while leasing solar power can assist farmers diversify incomes, a downside is that about half of the cropland is rented, the federation’s report added.
“As solar development in rural areas grows, it drives up demand for land,” AFBF notes. “And as demand goes up, so do land values and rental prices — representing another increasing input cost for farmers.”
But this new policy move with SAFA is seen as a positive step toward using renewable energy and rural growth.
“America’s farmland is one our most valuable resources, and this policy ensures that farmers have a seat at the clean energy table,” Mike Marsch, SAFA co-founder and chief development officer at BlueWave, said. “Investing in agrivoltaics is an investment in rural livelihoods and a secure future for generations to come.”
BY PAUL BREDWELL U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
Paul Bredwell is executive vice president of regulatory programs with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association based in Tucker, Ga. He can be reached by e-mail at pbredwell@ uspoultry.org.
TUCKER, Ga. — A critical yet often overlooked aspect of the poultry industry’s commitment to sustainability is the rendering of by-products not consumed by humans.
While the majority of the 9 billion chickens processed annually in the United States are consumed by people, approximately 37 percent of the liveweight of broiler chickens goes unused for human consumption. This statistic, highlighted in the 2006 book, Essential Rendering, published in 2006 by the North American Renderers Association, the Fats and Protein Research Foundation and the Animal Protein Producers Industry, underscores the importance of sustainable by-product management in the poultry sector.
Rendering, a process which involves the application of heat, the extraction of moisture, and separation of fat, has been around for centuries. By-products bound for rendering are made up of feathers, blood, water, and bones discarded after edible meat is removed from the carcass, and much of the bird’s internal organs and digestive system.
Perhaps the most important and valuable use of these by-products is the production of feed ingredients for poultry, livestock, aquaculture and pets. Render Magazine reported in 2021 that approximately 10,425 metric tons of rendered poultry products were produced in the
Poultry rendering companies produce feather meal, poultry by-product meal and poultry fat. Feather meal is a good protein source and can replace other proteins in livestock and aquaculture diets. Poultry by-product meal is an excellence source for poultry and swine rations and can also replace fish meal in many diets. Poultry fat provides significant energy when added to the feed of livestock, poultry, aquaculture, and companion animals.
In addition to feed products, the rendering industry is responsible for the production of fertilizer and many household products. Referred to as oleochemical products, these items include gel caps used to contain vitamins, drugs and supplements, soap, lotions, cosmetics and tires. Additionally, rendered poultry and animal fat is used to produce nonfood items like candles, deodorant, lubricant, paint, chalk and cement.
Food safety is another critical component of sustainability. Cooking time and temperature is critical in inactivating bacterial and other microorganisms in the raw products. Although these products are not consumed by humans, the feed ingredients produced through the rendering process must still pass strict safety guidelines established in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food
“The rendering industry’s contribution to sustainability is unmistakable. But like any initiative to be sustainable, there is no destination … only a journey.”
Modernization and Safety Act.
Upcycling by-products from poultry and livestock harvesting and processing significantly enhances sustainability efforts. By feeding rendered products to animals, the demand for plant-based feed is reduced, leading to less cropland needed for growing crops and forage for livestock raised for human consumption. Not only does this conserve valuable agricultural land, it also decreases water usage for crop production and lowers fuel and energy consumption required for cultivating, planting and harvesting those crops and forage.
Water scarcity and quality are key components of any sustainability initiative, especially for the agricultural industry. While the poultry industry uses water as a mechanism to produce a safe supply of animal protein, the majority of the water used during the harvesting process is returned to the environment. Due to the high moisture content of the by-products collected from poultry and livestock harvesting facilities, rendering plants can reclaim a substantial amount of water. According to the North American Renderers Association, 3.7 billion gallons of water per year are reclaimed from products that undergo
rendering.
Before recycling into the environment, the reclaimed water is treated to an elevated level of quality in accordance with a permit issued though the U.S. Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. This permit sets limits on various pollutants that could harm the environment, people or wildlife. Reclaimed water that is not discharged to the environment undergoes varying levels of wastewater treatment established by state or local requirements prior to being discharged to a municipal wastewater treatment facility for further handling.
Not known widely, the rendering industry is responsible for the production of a substantial volume of biodiesel fuel. A report issued by the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicated that of the total 1.86 billion gallons of biodiesel produced in 2018, 9.2 percent of the feedstock were classified as animal fats. Furthermore, rendering sequesters five times more greenhouse gases than it produces.
If every sustainability effort listed above was lost and all products that could be rendered were diverted to a landfill, all available landfill space
would be gone in four years.
The rendering industry’s contribution to sustainability is unmistakable. But like any initiative to be sustainable, there is no destination … only a journey. To develop a roadmap for that journey, the Poultry Protein & Fat Council (PPFC) was founded in 1988. Growing out of leadership established by key individuals working in the poultry rendering industry, the PPFC helps to guide the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association in providing needed assistance.
PPFC members agree that research is an urgent and vital need to support the poultry rendering industry. From its inception, the PPFC has funded more than $2.5 million in research associated with the rendering industry. PPFC continues to solicit research proposals that are aimed at providing information that has the potential to solve real industry problems – especially those that are associated with making the industry more sustainable.
For information regarding PPFC’s research funding program, please visit https://www.poultryrenderers.org/research.cfm.
ATLANTA — Kendall Snyder, North Carolina State University, was awarded the Frank Perdue Scholarship Student of the Year during the USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program, held in conjunction with the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).
This scholarship pays tribute to Frank Perdue’s commitment to mentoring young individuals pursuing careers in the poultry industry. Perdue was a dedicated supporter of the College Student Career Program, actively participating in student interviews for many years. Ella Taylor and Matthew Hughes, both from Auburn University, were recognized in second and third place.
“We received many high-caliber applicants for the Student of the Year,” Kevin McDaniel, chief operating officer at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, secretary for the USPOULTRY Board of Directors, and chair of the College Student Career Program Advisory Committee, said. “It is rewarding to see this program continue to grow and provide opportunities for talented future leaders in the poultry and egg industry.”
Students also competed in Club of the Year and Scrapbook of the Year contests. North Carolina State University was awarded Club of the Year, recognizing the club’s year-long activities and community engagement. The University of North Georgia earned second place, while the University of Arkansas placed third.
Texas A&M University won the Scrapbook of the Year contest. Auburn University placed second and North Carolina State University came in third.
The USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program is a unique initiative within the poultry industry. During the three-day Expo, the program con-
USPOULTRY photo
Kendall Snyder, North Carolina State University, winner of the 2025 USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program Frank Perdue Scholarship Student of the Year award, with Barbara Jenkins, left, USPOULTRY Foundation executive director.
nects leading companies with top students, providing a centralized opportunity for interviews related to industry jobs and internships. With participation from colleges and universities across the country, this program has played a crucial role in the hiring process for numerous companies for more than 40 years.
“It is
rewarding
to
see
this
program
continue
to grow and provide opportunities for talented future leaders in the poultry and egg industry.”
TUCKER, Ga. — The Joint Poultry Industry Safety Award Program is now accepting applications from poultry industry facilities that have demonstrated exceptional safety programs. This award program is open to members of the National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
Eligible facilities include poultry processing plants, further processing facilities, egg processing plants, hatcheries, feed mills, animal support services and rendering facilities. To qualify, applicants must have implemented innovative and effective safety programs as well as have maintained injury and illness rates below the industry average for three consecutive years.
According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the poultry industry reported an injury rate of 2.6 per 100 fulltime workers. This is 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 general industry at 2.7.
The 2023 incident rate of 2.6 in poultry processing marks an 89% reduction from 1994, when the recorded rate was 22.7 — the oldest data available from BLS. This significant decline reflects the industry’s ongoing commitment to improving workplace safety, the groups noted.
“Ensuring the safety and well-being of employees remains a top priority for the poultry industry,” Allan Foy, corporate safety director at Farbest Foods and chair of the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council, said. “The poultry industry’s dedicated workforce is essential to producing nutritious, affordable food. The industry continues to invest in processes and procedures that minimize workplace hazards. Year after year, meaningful progress is made in reducing injuries and illnesses, resulting in major improvements over the past few decades.”
The Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council is made up of members from NCC, NTF and USPOULTRY. Collectively, the three organizations represent 95 percent of the nation’s poultry products, and their members generate more than 1.3 million total U.S. jobs.
For award program rules, regulations and application forms, visit https://www.uspoultry.org/programs/employee-safety/award-programs/.
The application deadline is May 2. The annual awards will be presented during the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry, Aug. 18-20, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Fla.
GREENFIELD, Ind. — Elanco Animal Health Inc. announces it has entered into an agreement with South Dakota-based Medgene to leverage the company’s vaccine platform technology. The agreement includes commercialization of a highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HPAI) vaccine for use in dairy cattle.
Medgene reports the vaccine has met all requirements of the USDA’s platform technology guidelines and is in the final stages of review for conditional license approval.
While the poultry industry has developed interventions and processes to reduce the spread or eradicate HPAI, those efforts have continued to be challenging as the current outbreak enters its fourth year, the companies noted. Dairy producers have worked quickly to protect their herds without the same tools and biosecurity options to tackle this devastating disease.
The cross-species transmission of the disease into nearly 1,000 dairy herds across the U.S. since March 2024, along with zoonotic transmission to people, shows that more interventions are quickly needed, the companies said, adding that this virus is prevalent and predicted to persist over time, thus a cattle vaccine will be critical to slow virus spread between birds and cattle.
“As egg prices soar and milk production wanes in infected dairies, the need for new solutions to curb disease spread is evident,” Jeff Simmons, Elanco Animal Health president and CEO, said. “Elanco is pleased to partner with Medgene to bring customers options to fight this devastating disease and believes this product will become part of a routine vaccination protocol for the U.S. dairy industry. This partnership further strengthens our diverse dairy portfolio and advances our One Health platform of animal health solutions, not only benefitting our dairy customers, but helping curb disease spread for our poultry customers, and working to improve egg prices for consumers.”
“Medgene has an established reputation of supporting animal owners and their veterinarians with our USDA-licensed platform technology and bioinformatics software to design transformational vaccines,” Mark Luecke, Medgene CEO, said. “With our critically important H5N1 vaccine for dairy cattle in the final stages of approval, we’re excited to partner with Elanco to quickly bring this much needed solution to U.S. dairies.”
The USDA previously approved Medgene’s vaccine platform technology in cattle, allowing the company to accelerate H5N1 vaccine development. Medgene has existing vaccine manufacturing supply ready to deploy with the ability to support the U.S. dairy herd, the company added.
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Tyson Ventures, the venture capital arm of Tyson Foods, has announced the call for applications for the fourth annual Tyson Demo Day. Tyson Demo Day 2025 will focus on advancing artificial intelligence in food technology, emphasizing consumer and customer brand engagement, innovation in research and development, and reimagining product development processes. This year’s event will take place on July 9, 2025, in-person in Northwest Arkansas.
“This year, we’re spotlighting the transformative potential of AI to enhance how we connect with customers and consumers, design in-
novative products, and deliver exceptional experiences,” Doug Kulka, Tyson Foods chief information and technology officer, said.
Startups with AI-driven solutions in areas that focus on customers and consumers are invited to apply. These spaces could include areas such as customer insights, consumer feedback integration, advanced product and packaging concepts and visuals, efficiencies in R&D, customer and consumer personalization, and analytics for innovation.
Selected startups will have the opportunity to pitch their innovations at Tyson Demo Day, held at the Tyson Foods World Headquarters in Springdale, Ark. Participants could also gain access to mentorship from Tyson Foods leaders, pilot and testing, opportunities for commercial partnerships, and media and press recognition.
Interested startups and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply online by May 2, 2025. For more information and to submit an application, visit https://www.tysonfoods.com/innovation/food-innovation/tyson-ventures.
Have shortened life hours?
ATLANTA — More than 500 students from 45 colleges and universities traveled to Atlanta, Ga., recently for the USPOULTRY Foundation College Student Career Program, held in conjunction with the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).
available to college students while they pursue their studies and transition to their careers.
Jennifer Bloss, executive director of the National Professional Agriculture Student Organization, provided information about her organization’s ability to assist students with the transition from school to the workforce. Bloss outlined ways in which NPAS can provide resources for professional development while in college, as well as provide a network for young professionals starting their careers.
Face greater lumen depreciation than you expected?
The students had an opportunity to meet and interview for fulltime and internship opportunities with more than 100 human resource managers and recruiters representing 26 companies.
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In addition, the College Student Career Program’s opening session featured two speakers that provided information about resources
Meredith Shepard provided information on AgCareers. She noted that AgCareers was solely dedicated to connecting job seekers with employers in the agricultural sphere, with a wide range of career fields and job locations. Shepard also mentioned FoodGrads.com, which can be a resource for agriculture students who wish to continue their studies.
Agriculture Future of America was also highlighted. AFA assists in
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ARLINGTON, Va. — The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), in collaboration with the American Feed Industry Association and North American Renderers Association’s research arm the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation, announces the release of a new report that quantifies the amount of feed consumed by America’s major poultry, livestock and aquaculture species.
In 2023, U.S. poultry, livestock, and farmed aquaculture consumed approximately 283.6 million tons of feed, according to the IFEEDER report.
“The new IFEEDER feed consumption data demonstrates the vital role that feed mills, ingredient suppliers, liquid feed manufacturers, renderers and row crop farmers play in keeping animals fed throughout their lives, which, in turn, provides Americans with nutritious meat, milk and eggs,” Lara Moody, IFEEDER’s executive director, said. “On behalf of our project partners AFIA and FPRF, IFEEDER is pleased to make this data readily available as part of its ongoing mission to advance understanding and trust in a sustainable animal feed supply chain.”
The project, conducted by researchers at Decision Innovation Solutions, which has conducted similar studies in the past for IFEEDER, used a ration cost optimization model to quantify the consumption of
feed ingredients for the major animal species.
Excluding harvested forages and roughages, the study found that in 2023:
• Beef cattle consumed the most feed at 76.7 million tons,
• Followed by broilers at 61.5 million tons,
• Hogs at 60.9 million tons,
• Dairy cattle at 48.7 million tons,
• Egg-laying hens at 17.7 million tons,
• Turkeys at 10.9 million tons,
• Horses at 5.3 million tons,
• Sheep and goats at 1.2 million tons,
• And aquaculture at 615,800 tons.
The report primarily examined nearly 70 unique feed ingredients used among the studied species, finding that by weight, corn tops the list at 159.4 million tons, followed by soybean meal at 35.4 million tons, corn distillers’ dried grains at 32.6 million tons, wheat middlings at 5.6 million tons, and canola meal at 5.2 million tons, IFEEDER said.
Recognizing that feed often complements harvested forages and roughages (e.g., corn silage, alfalfa hay, other hay, legume silage, corn stalks, sorghum silage, and wheat straw) in ruminant diets, DIS calculated that dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats and horses consumed 267.4 million tons of those ingredients, the report said, adding that it also found that 37 percent of total feed consumption (excluding harvested forages and roughages) came from “circular” ingredients, which are coproducts or byproducts from the human food industry or other industrial processes that might otherwise go to landfill.
“Many Americans may be surprised to learn that U.S. feed mills and rendering facilities work closely with their local bakeries, food processors and ethanol facilities to capture nutritious ingredients, some of which might otherwise go to waste, and through a highly regulated process, safely feed them to animals,” Moody said. “With more than
one-third of production animal diets’ consisting of circular ingredients, our industry is doing its part to reduce waste.”
Five states topped the list in the tonnage of feed ingredients fed to animals in 2023, including:
• Iowa at 29.1 million tons (primarily to hogs, beef cattle and egglayers),
• Texas at 24.4 million tons (primarily to beef cattle, dairy cattle and broilers),
• Nebraska at 17.3 million tons (primarily to beef cattle and hogs),
• North Carolina at 15.5 million tons (primarily to hogs, broilers and turkeys),
• And Kansas at 15.3 million tons (primarily to beef cattle, hogs and dairy cattle).
For more information about IFEEDER, visit www.ifeeder.org.
A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to up to six students. In 2024, NPFDA was proud to award scholarships to eight exceptional students to help them pursue college degrees.
To qualify, each applicant must:
• Be an employee of an NPFDA member company or the child/dependent of an employee of an NPFDA member company.
• Be enrolled full-time at a U.S.-based college, university, or technical school, or be a high school senior.
• Be pursuing a college degree.
• Upload their most recent transcript.
• Complete the online application.
• Provide an essay describing the applicant’s goals and aspirations. The essay may be typed in the form or attached to the online form.
• Provide a letter of recommendation from an advisor or mentor who is not a family member.
All applications and supporting documentation must be received by 5 p.m., April 10, 2025, to be considered.
ST MARYS, Ga. — The National Protein & Food Distributors Association Scholarship Foundation announces that applications for 2025 are now open. Since 1979, the NPFDA Scholarship Foundation has awarded more than $2,000,000 in scholarships. To apply, the student must be an employee of an NPFDA member company or the child/dependent of an employee of an NPFDA member company.
The Foundation exists thanks to the generous financial support of our industry, NPFDA said, adding that, donations are accepted yearround at the NPFDA website or may be mailed to NPFDA Scholarship Foundation, 2014 Osborne Rd., Saint Marys, Ga. 31558.
The online application can be found on www.npfda.org under the scholarships tab.
ATLANTA — The top 10 teams from the National FFA Poultry Evaluation and Food Science and Technology Career Development Events were invited to attend the International Poultry Expo, part of
the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).
This opportunity was made possible through the USPOULTRY Foundation’s ongoing efforts to inspire students to explore careers in the poultry and egg industry, the association said, adding that, as part of the initiative, the selected teams received an all-expense paid trip and had the opportunity to explore the vast IPPE trade show floor.
“Through our Foundation, USPOULTRY has long supported the FFA Poultry Evaluation and Food Science and Technology CDEs,” Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry Farms, and USPOULTRY Foundation chair, said. “Giving these students the chance to experience IPPE’s impressive trade show — featuring the latest innovations in modern, sustainable poultry production — along with access to more than 80 hours of world-class educational programs, is a fantastic way to introduce them to career opportunities in the poultry and egg industry.”
The students participated in a special program featuring poultry industry leaders from Pilgrim’s, who highlighted the wide range of career paths available in the industry. They also received a special tour of the show floor highlighting IPPE exhibitors who are also National FFA supporters.
The following Poultry Evaluation CDE teams were invited to attend IPPE: Caney FFA, Kansas; Dover FFA, Arkansas; Felicity-Franklin FFA, Ohio; James Madison FFA, Texas; Olney FFA, Illinois; Pierce City Schools FFA, Missouri; Roane County High School FFA, West Virginia; Righetti FFA, California; and Westville FFA, Oklahoma.
The following Food Science and Technology CDE teams were invited to attend IPPE: Belgrade FFA, Montana; Bergen County Academies FFA, New Jersey; Big WalnutDACC FFA, Ohio; Louisburg FFA, Kansas; Oley Valley FFA, Pennsylvania; Orlando
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ATLANTA — As part of the ongoing efforts to support the recruitment and education of talented students while promoting careers in the poultry and egg industries worldwide, the USPOULTRY Foundation welcomed 12 students and advisors from six universities across Latin America to attend the 2025 International Poultry Expo, part of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).
Through participation in the USPOULTRY Foundation International Student Program, these students had the unique opportunity to connect with companies operating on a global scale, organizers said, adding that they also explored the vast IPPE trade show floor, which featured cutting-edge advancements in modern, sustainable
poultry technology. Additionally, they attended the Latin American Poultry Summit — jointly hosted by IPE and the Asociación Latinoamericana de Avicultura (ALA) — where they were recognized during the Summit luncheon.
“ALA values this program as a way to introduce the best and brightest Latin American students to career opportunities in the global poultry and egg industries,” Dania Ferrera, ALA executive director, said. “ALA has assisted the USPOULTRY Foundation with the selection of the Latin American universities attending the USPOULTRY Foundation International Student Program for the last six years. We appreciate the partnership and being able to continue to contribute to the Foundation’s efforts.”
“One of the Foundation’s key missions is to attract emerging talent to careers in the poultry and egg industries,” Mikell Fries, Claxton Poultry, and USPOULTRY Foundation chair, said. “This program plays an essential role in that mission by connecting companies with international students seeking career opportunities. Many companies exhibiting at IPPE have operations outside the United States and are looking for future leaders to fill critical roles in various countries.”
USPOULTRY also provides research funding through the Latin American research program. The research funds come from attendee and sponsor support of La Cumbre Avícola Latinoamericana, and a $25,000 check was presented to ALA during the program.
APRIL
APR 2- 4 — NPFDA SPRING EXCHANGE, The Worthington Renaissance Hotel Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas. Contact: National Protein & Food Distributors Association, 2014 Osborne Road, Saint Marys, Ga. 31558; Ph: 912-439-3603; www.npfda.org.
APR 4 — ALL MEMBER MEETING/ Crawfish Boil, Jones Center, Springdale, Ark. Contact: The Poultry Federation, 321 South Victory Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201; Ph: 501-375-8131; info@thepoultryfederation.com; www.thepoultryfederation.com.
APR 7-9 — 74TH WESTERN POULTRY DISEASE CONFERENCE, The Westin Calgary Downtown, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Contact: WPDC Foundation, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Dr., OFC 4009, Davis, Calif.
95616; www.wpdcfoundation.org.
APR 8 — AFIA/KSU-500, Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing. Online course runs through May 13, 2025. Contact: American Feed Industry Association, 2101 Wilson Blvd., Suite 810, Arlington, Va. 22201; Ph: 703-524-0810; www.afia.org.
APR 8-10 — PEAK 2025, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minn. Contact: Midwest Poultry Federation, P.O. Box 265, Buffalo, Minn. 55313; Ph: 763-2846763; info@midwestpoultry.com; https:// midwestpoultry.com.
APR 15-17 — EMI SPRING CONFERENCE, POULTRY MARKET SITUATION, Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Miss. Contact: Express Markets Inc., 6510 Mutual Drive, Fort Wayne, Ind. 46825; Ph: 260-407-2728; emi_info@expressmarketsinc.com; www.expressmarketsinc.com/ events/.
APR 16 — TPA LIVE PRODUCTION WORKSHOP, Farm Bureau Expo Center,
Representatives from the Asociación Latinoamericana de Avicultura (ALA) recently accepted a $25,000 USPOULTRY research grant at this year’s IPPE. On hand for the presentation were, left to right, Dr. Hebert Trenchi, coordinator of the technical and scientific institute, ALA; Dania Ferrera, executive director, ALA; Maria del Rosario Peneda de Falla, president, ALA; Dr. Carlos Ikeda, treasurer, ALA; and Nath Morris, USPOULTRY president.
USPOULTRY photo
Lebanon, Tenn. Contact: Tennessee Poultry Association, P.O. Box 1525, Shelbyville, Tenn. 37162; Ph: 931-225-1123; Email: info@tnpoultry.org; www.tnpoultry.org.
APR 16-18 — WORKFORCE SUCCESS AND ENGAGEMENT CONFERENCE, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Detin, Fla. Contact: USPOULTRY, 1530 Cooledge Road, Tucker, Ga. 30084; Ph: 770-4939401; seminar@uspoultry.org; www. uspoultry.org.
APR 28 — GPF LEGACY GOLF TOURNAMENT, Chattahoochee Golf Club, Gainesville, Ga. Contact: Georgia Poultry Federation, P.O. Box 763, Gainesville, Ga. 30503. Ph: 770-532-0473; laurabeth@ gapf.org; https://gapf.org.
APR 30 - MAY 2 — 2025 STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT, Arlington, Va. Contact: Animal Agriculture Alliance, 2101 Wilson Blvd, Suite 810-B, Arlington, Va. 22201; Ph: 703-562-5160; https://animalagalliance. org.
BUSHLAND, Texas — A new study from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Iowa State University reveals that generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help expedite the search for solutions to reduce enteric methane emissions caused by cows in animal agriculture, which accounts for about 33 percent of U.S. agriculture and 3 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
“Developing solutions to address methane emissions from animal agriculture is a critical priority,” Dr. Simon Liu, former ARS administrator, said. “Our scientists continue to use innovative and data-driven strategies to help cattle producers achieve emission reduction goals that will safeguard the environment and promote a more sustainable future for agriculture.”
One of these innovative solutions starts in the cow’s stomach, where microorganisms contribute to enteric fermentation and cause cows to belch methane as part of normal digestion processes. The team of scientists found a group of compound molecules capable of inhibiting methane production in the largest of the cow’s four stomach compartments, the rumen, which can be tested to help mitigate methane emissions.
One molecule in particular, bromoform, which is naturally found in seaweed, has been identified by the scientific community to demonstrate properties that can result in reducing cattle enteric methane production by 80-98 percent when fed to cattle. Unfortunately, bromoform is known to be a carcinogen, limiting its potential use in cattle for food safety reasons. Therefore, scientists continue to search for molecules with
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similar potential to inhibit enteric methane. However, this type of research presents challenges of being especially timeconsuming and expensive.
In response to these challenges, a team of scientists at the ARS Livestock Nutrient Management Research Unit and ISU’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering combined generative AI with large computational models to jumpstart the quest for bromoform-like molecules that can do the same job without toxicity.
“We are using advanced molecular simulations and AI to identify novel methane inhibitors based on the properties of previously investigated inhibitors [like bromoform], but that are safe, scalable, and have a large potential to inhibit methane emissions,” said Matthew Beck, a research animal scientist working with ARS at the time the study was completed and is now with Texas A&M University’s Department of Animal Science. “Iowa State University is leading the computer simulation and AI work, while ARS is taking the lead in identifying compounds and truth testing them using a combination of in vitro [laboratory] and in vivo [live cattle] studies.”
Publicly available databases that contained scientific data collected from previous studies on the cows’ rumen were used to build large computational models. AI, along with these models, was used to predict the
behavior of molecules and to identify those that can be further tested in a laboratory. The results from the laboratory tests feed the computer models for AI to make more accurate predictions, creating a feedback loop process known as a graph neural network.
“Our graph neural network is a machine learning model, which learns the properties of molecules, including details of the atoms and the chemical bonds that hold them, while retaining useful information about the molecules’ properties to help us study how they are likely to behave in the cow’s stomach,” said ISU Assistant Professor Ratul Chowdhury. “We studied their biochemical fingerprint to identify what makes them do the job successfully as opposed to the other fifty thousand molecules that are lurking around in the cow’s rumen but don’t actively stop the production of methane.”
“This study successfully demonstrated that fifteen molecules cluster very close to each other in what we call a ‘functional methanogenesis inhibition space,’ meaning they seem to contain the same enteric methane inhibition potential, chemical similarity, and cell permeability as bromoform,” Chowdhury added.
Scientists believe AI can play a significant role in understanding how known molecules interact with both proteins and the microbial community of the rumen and thereby discover novel molecules and po -
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tentially key interactions within the rumen microbiome. This type of predictive modeling can be particularly helpful for animal nutritionists.
“There are other promising strategies currently available to mitigate enteric methane emissions, but the available solutions are relatively limited,” said USDAARS Research Leader Jacek Koziel. “This is why combining AI with laboratory research, through iterative refinement, is a valuable scientific tool. AI can fast-forward the research and accelerate these several pathways that animal nutritionists, researchers, and companies can pursue to get us closer to a very ambitious goal of limiting greenhouse gas emissions and helping mitigate climate change.”
The study also presents a total computational and monetary cost breakdown to conduct this research on a per molecule basis. This analysis was conducted to show an estimate of potential costs and foreseeable pitfalls of this research. This estimate can be used to guide decision-making on investments for this type of research to be done entirely in a laboratory.
Chowdhury, Beck, and Koziel are coauthors in the paper published in Animal Frontiers, along with Nathan Frazier, ARS, and Logan Thompson, Kansas State University. Mohammed Sakib Noor, an ISU graduate student, is working with Chowdhury to develop the graph neural networks.
EMILY PARCELL Poultry Times Content Writer emilyparcell@ poultrytimes.com
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Poultry Federation has announced its new executive vice president — Blake Rollins.
“I’m just really honored to have the chance to really come home and have a chance to help lead the Poultry Federation,” Rollins said. “I’ve got a lot to learn here, but I am excited to learn from our president and have a chance to make an impact here.”
With Arkansas being Rollins’ home state, he is inspired by the scope of its largest industry. According to the Arkansas Farm Bureau, this poultry industry generates more than $20 billion to the state’s economy.
Rollins received his law degree from the University of Arkansas and focused on agricultural and food law. This background led him to his position in Washington D.C., working for the Senate of Agriculture Committee. Along with his other accolades, Rollins has worked for the governor of Arkansas and served with the USDA during the first Trump administration.
“I mean poultry is the most consumed livestock commodity in America, and so you can’t work in agricultural policy without having engaged in poultry issues,” Rollins added.
As he steps into this new position, Rollins wants to continue not only being a resource for education and advocacy, but also to reach the more family-oriented side of the Federation.
“What I think is unique about the Poultry Federation is, you know, we have a lot of avenues and opportunities for folks to make a difference and be engaged,” he explained.
One of the top events for the Poultry Federation is its annual Poultry Festival, this year marking its 65th anniversary, and all are encouraged to attend. There will be food, music, tournaments, a trap shoot, and industry awards. They will also be hosting their 28th annual Scholarship Auction, which raised more than $135,000 in 2024. These scholarships pro-
“I’m just really honored to have the chance to really come home and have a chance to help lead the Poultry Federation.”
vide opportunities for young people who aspire to work in the poultry and/or egg industry.
“All proceeds from the auction are applied to the scholarship fund and support our partnerships with 4-H and FFA in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma,” the Federation says.
For those who are interested in attending or applying for a scholarship, make sure to check out the Poultry Federation’s website at: www.thepoultryfederation.com/ events/poultry-festival.
BY ADAM CLETZER Auburn University
AUBURN, Ala. — Each year, the Alabama poultry industry produces two fully loaded Nimitz-class aircraft carriers’ worth of poultry litter, or about 3.6 billion pounds. Poultry litter is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, and much of the waste product is applied to farmland as a low-cost fertilizer. However, when applied improperly, the resulting runoff can be disastrous for the environment.
A team of soil scientists from the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University and Oregon State University were awarded $1.3 million by the National Resources Conservation Service to study nutrient runoff from manure fertilizer. The research will guide new best management practices for farmers, as well as provide a detailed database for regulators hoping to lessen the environmental impact of runoff, such as algal blooms, dead zones in waterbodies, poor air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions.
“The broad implication of this project is to truly provide science-based information on manure application and reduce its impacts on water quality and air quality,” said Dr. Rishi Prasad, associate professor and Extension specialist (nutrient management) at Auburn and the leader of the grant team.
The USDA-NRCS currently provides nutrient management standards, known as “590 standards,” that are intended to help them avoid applying excess nutrients. The difficulty the NRCS faces is providing meaningful regulations for manure application when there are so many factors affecting the likelihood of runoff.
Soil types differ by region. Some absorb water more readily than others, and some naturally contain more or less nutrients. The predominant manure-fertilizer type also differs by region — chicken in the Southeast, hogs in the Midwest and cows in beef- and dairy-producing regions. Crops also differ by region, and their nutritional needs vary. Finally, runoff mitigating practices, like planting cover crops, also tend to vary by region.
The two-year research study will experiment with the effects soil type, manure type and the use of practices like cover crops to better understand how to lessen nutrient runoff and offer more specific regulations for farmers fertilizing with manure. The more detailed best management practices will lower the environmental impact of runoff, and they will provide greater protection for farmers who are in compliance, said Prasad.
“The 590 standard is like the Bible of Nutrient Management,” Prasad added. “In case
University photo
Dr. Rishi Prasad, Auburn University associate professor and Extension specialist in nutrient management, is the leader of a grant team that is studying nutrient runoff from manure fertilizer that will guide best management practices for farms.
of an environmental disaster, like, say, a lake turns green, and it can no longer be used as public drinking water, the EPA tries to figure out who is the culprit … farming community gets heavily scrutinized.”
This protection is important because it’s often difficult for farmers to gauge what will be an excessive amount of nutrients to apply via manure.
The nitrogen-to-phosphorous uptake ratio is different for each crop, and the ratios change as they grow. The nitrogen-tophosphorous ratio in manure is unlikely to be a perfect match. So, if manure is applied to meet a given crop’s nitrogen needs, it may oversupply phosphorous. The phosphorus will then build up in the soil, and, depending on soil composition, grade and other factors, run off into nearby streams and lakes.
“It happens every time it rains,” Prasad said.
About 8 percent of cropland in the U.S., or 19 million acres, is fertilized with manure each year, according to a USDA Economic Research Service report. In the Southeast, poultry manure is the predominant manure used to fertilize, and it is the most nutrient-dense
among other types of manure.
Prasad has partnered with farmers throughout Alabama. His team will gather soil core samples from several farms that will be used to conduct experiments measuring runoff.
“We take the samples from actual farmers’ fields, so we are mimicking the real world,” he said.
With the help of a rain simulator provided by NRCS, researchers will begin running experiments in 2025 and conclude the study in 2026. The NRCS believes the entire country could benefit from the database this research project will generate, said Prasad.
While Prasad’s team at Auburn is leading the study, researchers at two other universities are collaborating on the project. Oregon State University and Cornell University will study runoff, focusing on manure from dairy farms, which are more common in Oregon and New York.
Adam Cletzer is a professor of practice with Auburn University’s College of Agriculture and director of the agricultural communications program.
DAVID B. STRICKLAND Poultry Times Editor
dstrickland@ poultrytimes.com
WASHINGTON — Keeping the animal food supply chain safe, along with its key inputs such as vitamins, from international trade threats and a heavy reliance with China, was addressed in bipartisan bills introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on March 11.
The nation’s feed industry is applauding the introduction of the “Securing American Agriculture Act” (H.R. 1995/S. 912), led by U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) and U.S. Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Elissa Slotkin (DMich.).
“Just like humans, animals require daily vitamins and amino acids for healthy growth and development, or their well-being will suffer,” Constance Cullman, American Feed Industry Association president and CEO, said. “By supporting the Securing American Agriculture Act, we can give federal decisionmakers a clearer shot at guarding the United States from potentially catastrophic animal welfare, food or animal food security or economic consequences.”
AFIA, “has been calling for a close examination of China’s role in the U.S. food and agriculture supply chain, given ongoing trade disputes and recent geopolitical tensions that could escalate into supply disruptions if the trading relationship is not managed carefully,” the association said in a statement.
China is the single source for the key vitamins B1, B3, B8, B11, C, D3 an K3, AFIA noted, adding that it has been an advocate for “the U.S. government to take a multifaceted trade approach that balances economic interests, while seeking new foreign suppliers or incentivizing domestic research and production, to ensure resilience in both the animal food and farm sectors.”
China manufacturers also control approximately 85 percent of the global market of essential amino acids used in animal feed.
The bill’s supporters in Congress add that this legislation ensures that USDA would have the ability to monitor supply chain vulnerabilities for food and agriculture and would be able to conduct an annual threat assessment of critical agricultural supply chains, as well as current domestic production for essential inputs.
“China has intentionally captured a significant market share of America’s agricultural inputs — which is vital to our food
supply chain — ceding leverage to our top adversary,” Rep. Hinson said. “Iowa farmers have told me firsthand that if China decides to shut off U.S. access to these critical inputs, our food production would be in jeopardy. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill that exposes and counters China’s grip on agricultural inputs to strengthen domestic manufacturing and food security. Plain and simple: we should bring our agriculture supply chain home.”
“Communist China’s strategic control over crucial sectors of our food and agricultural supply chains poses a serious national security threat,” Sen. Ricketts said in a statement. “Losing access to key inputs could reduce productivity, increase food prices, and
undermine food security. My bill will bolster and protect these supply chains and reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries.”
“America’s farmers are the backbone of our economy, and we must ensure they have the resources and safeguards needed to compete on a level playing field while securing our nation’s agricultural supply chains,” Rep. Krishnamoorthi said.
“Food security is national security — and we need to treat threats to our food supply chain just like any other security risk,” Sen. Slotkin added. “This legislation requires us to access those risks so we can protect our food supply. Bottom line: We need to make sure America’s agriculture supply chain is secure and stays right here at home.”
DAVID B. STRICKLAND
Poultry Times Editor dstrickland@ poultrytimes.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After decades in its namesake of Kentucky, the Kentucky Fried Chicken brand is moving “The Colonel’s” secret blend of 11 herbs and spices to the Lone Star State.
KFC, a division of Yum! Brands, is moving the corporate headquarters from Louisville, Ky., to Plano, Texas, during the next six months. Officials with Yum! Brands note that this relocation will affect 100 KFC U.S. corporate positions, along with the relocation of 90 remote positions that will occur during the next year and a half.
“These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders,” David Gibbs, Yum! Brands CEO, said. “Ultimately, bringing more of our people together on a consistent basis will maximize our unrivaled culture and talent as a competitive advantage.”
“I’m confident this is another important step in growing our iconic restaurant brands globally,” Gibbs added.
Yum! Brands and its subsidiaries operate or franchise more than 61,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill brands. Yum! Brands and the KFC Foundation will keep corporate offices in Louisville, Ky., the company noted, adding that the Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill headquarters will remain in Irvine, Calif.
Colonel Harland Sanders, whose image remains a symbol of the company, began serving his unique take on fried chicken from a roadside restaurant in Corbin, Ky., during the Great Depression era of the 1930s. During this time,
he spent nearly a decade perfecting his “secret recipe.”
The Kentucky Fried Chicken brand has a distinct connection and deep roots with the state of Kentucky, and not all are happy with this transition. Some state officials have voiced their disapproval.
“While I am grateful for the more than 500 Yum! employees in Louisville, I am disappointed by this decision and believe the company’s founder would be too,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. “This company’s name starts with Kentucky, and it has marketed our state’s heritage and culture in the sale of its product. My hope is that the company will rethink moving Kentucky Fried Chicken out of Kentucky.”
In efforts to honor its Kentucky history, Yum! Brands announced higher education donations that the company will be making to assist students in the state. The company reports that it will provide a $1 million endowment to the University of Louisville’s College of Business to provide funds to company-sponsored scholarships for Kentucky students, as well as provide further support to the university’s Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence. This center’s mission is to further increase franchise education, opportunities, and research.
KFC also added that to continue its brand recognition with Louisville, it’s looking into a unique flagship restaurant location.
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Chicken meat prices haven’t increased like egg prices in recent months. Fewer production disruptions have helped supplies keep pace with demand and steady prices.
Michael Miller/ Texas A&M AgriLife
BY ADAM RUSSELL
Texas A&M University
COLLEGE STATION, Texas Consumers may have noticed the cost of chicken meat has not climbed in relation to soaring egg prices amid production losses due to highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts say several factors make meat production broiler farms more resilient to outbreaks, keeping prices relatively stable.
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Dr. Greg Archer, TAMU AgriLife Extension poultry specialist and associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science, Bryan-College Station, said HPAI outbreaks in broiler houses have not impacted meat prices for a few reasons.
Broiler chickens that end up
in grocery stores and on restaurant menus are produced in five-toseven-week cycles. Compared to egg-laying hens, which can be in production for years, broiler chickens have a much shorter window of time to potentially be exposed to the pathogen that causes avian influenza.
Broiler farms also hold fewer birds, he said. Farms typically consist of four to six production houses that may hold 40,000 birds. That means any outbreak could impact 160,000-240,000 birds whereas a commercial egg production farm might house over 1 million birds.
It also takes broiler farms much less time to resume production after an outbreak, Archer said. Following an outbreak, the production houses are cleaned, sanitized and monitored to ensure the pathogen is not present on the farm. This process could take a few months, and the farm could then begin the production cycle.
It could take six months for a commercial egg farm to resume production and even longer to reach full capacity, he said.
“The impact on chicken meat just hasn’t showed up in the grocery store and people’s pocketbooks so far because of the nature of the poultry industry,” he said. “Avian flu is impacting farms and farmers, but it would take widespread outbreaks to impact production and supplies.”
Dr. David Anderson, TAMU AgriLife Extension economist and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Econom-
“The impact on chicken meat just hasn’t showed up in the grocery store and people’s pocketbooks so far because of the nature of the poultry industry. Avian flu is impacting farms and farmers, but it would take widespread outbreaks to impact production and supplies.”
ics, Bryan-College Station, said chicken prices have gone up yearover-year, but production has not been the reason.
“It comes down to the scale of the losses within the context of production,” he said. “We’ve had outbreaks at broiler farms, but it’s relatively small compared to the number of chickens in production.”
For perspective, U.S. broiler farms produced 796 million chickens in January. The USDA January livestock report showed around 2.2 million broilers were lost to HPAI in December.
Wholesale boneless, skinless chicken breasts are higher, $1.75 per pound, compared to $1.26 per pound this time last year, Anderson said.
Another factor that weighs on chicken prices is the demand for different production weights for grocer and restaurant markets, Anderson said. Restaurants serving chicken sandwiches want breast cuts that are specific to the product they serve, and regional farms may be contracted to meet that demand.
Anderson believes the slight increase is related to a combination of demand dynamics and chicken’s competitive price in relation to beef alongside a historical upward seasonal price trend in the
spring and summer.
“It’s interesting what chicken offerings from chain restaurants have done to the poultry market over the past 10 years,” he said. “If they roll out something new or special, it can be a market-moving event because there is so much volume.”
Anderson and Archer said the U.S. poultry industry may still face significant challenges before warmer temperatures end the avian flu season. HPAI strains continue to be found in migratory birds and other species, including dairy cattle.
Egg production flocks dropped to 291.5 million birds as of Feb.1 compared to 304.1 million on Jan. 1, Anderson said. He expects to see similar losses in the March report.
“Everyone is waiting to get past flu season and get a little bit of respite from summer,” he said. “If there is one positive, it is that broiler production has gone relatively unscathed so far.”
Adam Russell is a communication specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife.
Cars seen lined up at the San Ysidro, Calif., U.S. border inspection station. With table egg prices remaining a concern, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports a 158 percent increase in individuals attempting to smuggle eggs with them across the border.
DAVID B. STRICKLAND
Poultry Times Editor dstrickland@ poultrytimes.com
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — tors continue to keep prices fluctuating, such as avian influenza, egg availability and trade tariffs, for the poultry industry the focus is also on illegal ac tivity. Agents along the U.S. border with Mexico and Canada have seen a rise in smuggling — of eggs.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protec tion’s San Diego, Calif., Field Office reports a 158 per cent increase in egg interceptions since last year. Bringing agricul tural products, es pecially raw eggs, across the border is prohibited. Raw eggs, or used egg cartons, are not only a bird flu hazard, but can also spread
other poultry diseases like virulent Newcastle disease.
Showing some light at the end of the tunnel, on Tuesday, March 11, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, in a press conference, noted that egg prices since January have dropped almost $2 a dozen, to approximately $6. The average dozen price was more than $8 at the beginning of the month. The USDA’s $1 billion initiative to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza was also announced at the end of February.
The back-and-forth trade tariff announcements also continued March 11, with President Donald Trump ordering a doubling of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
As the U.S. continues to build back its egg-laying flocks, some alternative means are also being utilized to help meet the demand. In February, it was announced that Turkey, a top egg exporting nation, has started exporting approximately 15,000 tons of eggs to the U.S. Apart from new international trade deals, individuals have sought to bring
in their own products.
“It is critical that we keep our traveling public informed to safeguard our agricul tural industry while continuing to facilitate trade and travel,” Sidney Aki, CBP director of field operations in San Diego, Calif., said.
“Travelers are required to declare all ag ricultural products to CBP officers and ag riculture specialists; failure to declare may lead to fines of up to $10,000,” CBP said in a statement. “Travelers are prohibited from bringing fresh eggs, raw chicken, or live birds into the United States from Mexico.”
In the last week of February, CBP agents in El Paso, Texas, issued 16 civil penalties equaling about $4,000 that were linked to smuggling agricultural products that in cluded raw eggs. This department also noted that since the beginning of the year more than 90 people have attempted to bring raw eggs with them from Mexico.
There are more than 300 ports of entry that CBP monitors travelers entering the United States.
If declared and they pass inspection, many items such as fruits and vegetables for per sonal use may be allowed to enter the U.S., the agency notes. The rules for poultry and meat products, however, are different.
“The importation of fresh, dried, or canned meats or meat products is generally not al lowed from most foreign countries into the United States,” CBP adds. “These regula tions on importing meat and meat products change frequently because they are based on disease outbreaks in different areas of the world.”
These rules do not apply to commercial shippers bringing product from Canada and Mexico, but to individuals crossing land bor ders.
