EMILY PARCELL Content Writer Poultry Times 770-209-3335 emilyparcell@poultrytimes.com
Index of Advertisers
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EMILY PARCELL POULTRY TIMES CONTENT WRITER EMILYPARCELL@POULTRYTIMES.COM
WASHINGTON — The ongoing trade war continues to grow after the early April announcement of reciprocal trade tariffs.
As of Poultry Times’ press time, the U.S. had issued a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods, with a 90-day pause on other reciprocal international tariffs. China, in turn, placed a 125 percent tariff on U.S. goods.
On April 9, President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social:
“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the world’s markets, I am hereby raising the tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately. At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable. Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 countries have called representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to trade, trade barriers, tariffs currency manipulation, and non-monetary tariffs, and that these countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90-day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered reciprocal tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
New negotiations
Discussions are also focusing on whether these new trade tariffs announcements will be a means of getting to the negotiating table.
“Nearly 50 countries have approached me to discuss the President’s new policy and explore how to achieve reciprocity,” Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative, said in testimony to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on April 8. “Several of these countries, such as Argentina, Vietnam, and Israel, have suggested they will reduce their tariffs and non-tariff barriers. These obviously are welcome moves. Our large and persistent trade deficit has been over 30 years in the making, and it will not be resolved overnight, but all of this is in the right direction.”
“U.S. chicken exports to China are projected to reduce by 59 percent because of China’s retaliatory tariffs,” the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council noted. “Using 2024 as the benchmark year, this means that the United States would suffer an estimated annual export loss of about 102,000 metric tons valued at $282 million to the Chinese market.”
Canada
Earlier in the month, Canada responded with their own wave of tariffs on American goods.
“Canada will not stand by as the United States imposes unwarranted and unreasonable tariffs on Canadian goods,” explained a Canadian Department of Finance press release. “Today, the Honorable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Honorable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that in response to unjustified U.S. tariffs, the Government of Canada is moving forward with 25 percent tariffs on $155 billion worth of imported goods, beginning immediately with a list of goods worth $30 billion.”
These tariffs include items such as: poultry (broilers, layers, turkeys, eggs), dairy products, vegetables, fruits, nuts, coffee, tea, citrus, vanilla and other spices/seasonings, and grains to name a few.
“The scope of Canadian counter tariffs will be increased to $155 billion if the current U.S. tariffs are maintained. The scope could also be increased if new tariffs are imposed. This was not the outcome Canada hoped for – but we must respond in order to protect our economy and Canadian jobs,” the press release stated. “While we urge the U.S. administration to reconsider their decision to impose tariffs, Canada will remain firm in standing up for our jobs, our industries, and our workers.”
Ag reactions
Agriculture industry leaders have also weighed in with their own statements.
“The top destinations for our farm exports are Mexico, Canada, and China. In 2024 alone, we sent over $30 billion of agricultural goods to Mexico, $28 billion to Canada, and $25 billion to China,” Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation
president, said. “If you were to add the export value of these top three trading partners, it would account for half of our total agricultural exports. The disruption of any of these markets would lead to higher costs, customers to buy our products and ripple effects across our entire economy.”
“Trade is an important component of the U.S. broiler industry as we export about 15 percent of production to other countries,” Tom Super, the National Chicken Council’s senior vice president of communications, said. “We support the administration’s goals of leveling the playing field to achieve fair trade. The bottom line for the American consumer is that this should have no effect on their chicken sandwich or wings, as more than 99 percent of the chicken we eat in America is hatched, raised, and harvested right here in the USA.”
Farmer relief
After the April 2 tariff announcement, President Trump’s administration has begun exploring relief funds for U.S. farmers.
“We are setting up the infrastructure that if, in fact, we have some economic consequences in the short term to our farmers and perhaps our ranchers, that we will have programs in place to solve for that,” Brooke Rollins, U.S. agriculture secretary, said.
“Our job at USDA is to open new markets for our farmers, ranchers, and producers. The previous administration left agriculture with a $50 billion trade deficit. President Trump and I will not sit idly by – we are actively working to open new markets and remove existing barriers,” Rollins said. “We are putting farmers first. These programs are a crucial step in sustaining long lasting economic growth in rural America.”
‘Counting
eggs before they’re hatched,’
is it cost effective?
EMILY PARCELL POULTRY TIMES CONTENT WRITER EMILYPARCELL@POULTRYTIMES.COM
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — With the continual rise of backyard flocks, is it more cost effective to have your own birds or not?
Starting a flock holds many considerations, including what kinds of chickens you want to have, and whether they will be broilers or layers. Within the category of layers, you can pick between white, brown, or colored “eggers.” Between hatcheries there are varying prices even on the same breed of chicken, prices can range from $1.90 to $12.38; so, doing your research can be a cost-effective measure.
Typically, people think of turning to local suppliers such as Tractor Supply Co., but even they are facing high demand and large tanks that are typically full of chirping birds sit empty. Even hatcheries like Meyer Hatchery, which sells about 75 percent of its chick inventory to individuals, quickly ran out of stock this year.
“We sell the same number of chicks in a year no matter what, since chickens can only lay and hatch a set number each week, but we sold out into the fall within a matter of days a few weeks ago,” Meghan Howard, Meyer Hatchery director of sales and marketing, said.
Other price considerations include housing (coops and layer boxes), feed, and even electricity.
“A mini coop around here will set you back about $1,500 to $2,000,” said Jim Parcell, an Indiana farmer. “By mini I mean big enough for 6-8 birds. Then you have feeders, waterers, chicks, and not to mention feeding chicks for 16-plus weeks until they start laying. Unless you’re doing them large scale, you’re in the hole. Also, feed, sawdust, and running a heat-bulb on baby chicks while brooding. Even when they’re adults and laying they need artificial light to maximize production, or they will stop laying and molt.”
Despite these numbers, the question remains; is it more economical to have your own backyard flock for meat and eggs, or to continue buying from stores?
Across the board, egg prices have fallen in the past few weeks with the average price hanging around $5.09 per dozen of store
“We sell the same number of chicks in a year no matter what, since chickens can only lay and hatch a set number each week, but we sold out into the fall within a matter of days a few weeks ago.”
brand large white eggs. Meat prices averaged $13.70 for boneless/skinless chicken breasts, $6.25 for drumsticks, $8.70 for tenderloins, $9.70 for thighs, and $9.32 for whole chicken.
The average egg price in the United States continues to fall as the USDA’s $1 billion program shows progress in just a month since its announcement. As of March 19, wholesale egg prices dropped nearly 50 percent. The U.S. has also imported eggs from other countries including South Korea and
Turkey, and with a recent request sent to Brazil which is the world’s largest exporter of chicken meat.
“Egg prices are falling, farmers are getting the relief they need, and we are seeing meaningful progress in the fight against avian flu,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said. “USDA is making targeted investments and driving innovation to keep our food supply strong and affordable –delivering real results for American families and producers.”
AEB ad shares a message of gratitude and patience
DAVID B. STRICKLAND POULTRY TIMES CONTENT EDITOR DSTRICKLAND@POULTRYTIMES.COM
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The American Egg Board shared a “thank you” message from the nation’s egg farmers in a full-page advertisement in The Wall Street Journal on April 10.
“This has been an incredibly challenging time for the egg industry,” Emily Metz, AEB president and CEO, said. “Our egg farmers are in the fight of their lives.”
This national advertisement was placed by the group to express consumer appreciation on behalf of U.S. egg producers, as well as to the foodservice, manufacturing and retail businesses who all rely on the egg supply.
“We know how frustrating it is when people find empty shelves or unusually high prices at the store,” Metz noted. “And we know our restaurant, grocery and food manufacturers are frustrated, too. Egg farmers feel the same way, and we’re working on solutions. These challenges are especially difficult during spring celebrations like Easter and Passover, when eggs hold such an important place in cherished family traditions.”
AEB also notes that it continues to work with federal and state government leaders, veterinarians and experts to combat the continuing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza which has greatly impacted the nation’s table egg producers.
Since its beginning in 2022, more than 130 million egg-laying hens have been lost to bird flu. For just this year, more than 31 million egg-laying hens have been lost, the group adds.
For current production numbers, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that, “United States egg production totaled 7.85 billion during February 2025, down 9 percent from last year. Production included 6.67 billion table eggs, and 1.18 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.09 billion were broiler-type and 93.4 million egg-type … Total layers in the United States on March 1, 2025, totaled 351 million, down 8 percent from last year. The 351 million layers consisted of 285 million layers producing table or market type eggs.”
The USDA has also announced a $1 billion action plan to combat bird flu that includes research, biosecurity and disaster relief initiatives.
“The administration’s plan to combat avian
“It’s been very difficult to keep store shelves full right now, but we are working together so you can get the eggs you need for your family.”
influenza is a road map toward restoring the egg industry,” Metz added. “While there is no quick fix to recover from an outbreak that is now in its fourth year, focusing on these innovative strategies is a critical step forward
in addressing this unprecedented systemic disruption in our egg production systems.”
For more information about how the egg industry is working to combat the bird flu outbreak, visit https://www.incredibleegg.org/ valueofeggs/.
“It’s been very difficult to keep store shelves full right now, but we are working together so you can get the eggs you need for your family,” AEB Chairman Alex Simpson, Simpson’s Eggs, a fourth-generation egg farmer from Union County, N.C., said.
“Egg farmers are doing all they can to restore the egg supply and get those eggs back to stores and to our customers at a more affordable price,” Metz said. “We could not be more grateful for the outpouring of concern from everyone who loves eggs — from grocery shoppers to our valued business partners. Egg farmers want everyone to know how much that matters, to say thank you in a very public way, and to ask for America’s patience as they fight this terrible disease.”
BUSINESS
Resilient through challenges, Delmarva’s chicken community has $4.8B sales year
DELMARVA CHICKEN ASSOCIATION
GEORGETOWN, Del. — The Delmarva chicken community raised 613 million chickens, produced 4.6 billion pounds of shelf- and table-ready chicken, and generated $4.8 billion in sales in 2024, new economic statistics show. The annual figures, compiled by Delmarva Chicken Association, measure the broad, stabilizing contribution that the chicken community makes to Delmarva’s economy.
Delmarva’s chicken companies spent $1.3 billion on corn, wheat, soybeans and other feed ingredients in 2024, and paid their employees $902 million in wages, excluding benefits.
The family farmers who contract with the companies to raise chickens earned $327 million in contract payments, or 1.8 percent more than in 2023 on an inflation-adjusted basis. Altogether, 1,206 farm families and 17,947 chicken company employees worked hand-inhand to produce delicious Delmarva chicken.
For more than 100 years, raising and harvesting chickens has been an important part of Delmarva’s economy. Delmarva’s five chicken companies — Amick Farms, Allen Harim, Mountaire Farms, Perdue Farms and Tyson — have a direct and induced economic impact of $17.4 billion on Delmarva, according to the National Chicken Council, and they pay $1.1 billion in state and local taxes. People working in industries as varied as banking, real estate, accounting, veterinary science, and printing all depend on the chicken industry for their livelihood.
“Delmarva’s chicken growers and companies have been able to produce more food today than in the past for a rapidly growing region, even while farmland is lost to development, and we’re doing it in an environmentally responsible way,” Holly Porter, DCA’s executive director, said. “Last year, growers and businesses overcame multiple challenges to keep feeding America and the world, in-
A typical-size chicken farm surrounded by vegetative buffers and using solar energy in Centreville, Md. In 2024, Delmarva’s chicken community produced 4.6 billion pounds of chicken worth $4.8 billion, employed nearly 18,000 people and relied on more than 1,200 independent family farmers in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
cluding inflation that made energy and farm equipment more expensive, and the expense and hard work needed to keep our flocks safe from avian influenza. As a result, Delmarva continues to be a leader in the U.S. chicken industry.”
“As a family farmer, raising chicken is one of the most important things I do in my community,” Mary Lou Brown, DCA’s president, added. “It’s heartening to know the more than 1,200 chicken growers, like myself, here on Delmarva make this much of an impact on our economy.”
Chicken companies also spent $187 million on capital improvements to processing plants, hatcheries and wastewater treatment systems in 2024, and invested $392 million in packaging and processing supplies. On farms, many growers invested in conservation practices to protect water quality, including vegetative environmental buffers, stormwater management, and pollinator-friendly areas.
DCA, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay,
and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance are partnering with chicken farmers to invest $2 million in cost-share programs to accelerate the adoption of sustainable and resilient chicken farming practices and improve riparian buffers, precision nutrient management, conservation drainage and litter management.
The three-year effort is backed by a $997,327 grant from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation through NFWF’s Chesapeake Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants Program, a partnership between NFWF and the Environmental Protection Agency. DCA, the state of Maryland, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance are contributing a combined $1 million in matching funds to the initiative, and DCA is working with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance to implement conservation measures.
For more information, visit the Delmarva Chicken Association at www.dcachicken.com.
POULTRY TIMES
Photo: Delmarva Chicken Association
Cal-Maine acquiring Echo Lake Foods for $258M
RIDGELAND, Miss. — Cal-Maine Foods announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Echo Lake Foods for approximately $258 million, excluding expected tax assets resulting from the transaction, to be funded with available cash on hand.
Echo Lake Foods was founded in 1941 and acquired by the Meinerz family in 1981. Based in Burlington,Wis., Echo Lake Foods produces, packages, markets and distributes ready-to-eat egg products and breakfast foods, including waffles, pancakes, scrambled eggs, frozen cooked omelets, egg patties, toast and diced eggs.
Echo Lake Foods had annual revenues of approximately $240 million in 2024 with a five-year CAGR of approximately 10 percent. The transaction has been approved by both companies’ Boards of Directors and is expected to close by the end of fiscal 2025 following completion of regulatory approvals and subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction is not subject to shareholder approval.
Echo Lake Foods will operate as a standalone component of Cal-Maine Foods’ integrated operations with its four production facilities located across the Midwest. Kathy Brodhagen, current CEO of Echo Lake Foods, is to join Cal-Maine Foods’ senior management team as president of Echo Lake Foods.
“This transaction represents an exciting growth opportunity and important inflection point for Cal-Maine Foods, advancing our strategy to expand and diversify our product portfolio and customer mix,” Sherman Miller, Cal-Maine Foods president and CEO, said. “Echo Lake Foods is a leading innovator with a long history of providing quality ready-toeat egg products and breakfast foods to a blue-chip customer base. The combined product lines and capabilities of the two companies are highly complementary and, importantly, we share similar values of pursuing operating excellence and meeting the needs of our customers. We believe the potential acquisition of Echo Lake Foods meets our disciplined set of investment criteria, including relevant geographic markets, operating synergies, product mix, proximity to customers and expected financial returns.”
“The addition of Echo Lake Foods will supplement our other readyto-eat egg product offerings, including hard-cooked eggs for retail, quick service restaurant and other foodservice needs from our expanded MeadowCreek Foods operation, and ready-to-eat egg products including egg wraps, protein pancakes, crepes, and wrap-ups from our joint venture with Crepini Foods LLC,” Miller added.“Importantly, diversifying our product portfolio offers a strong, high-return potential that complements our existing organic growth opportunities. The Echo Lake Foods team has built a terrific business, and we look forward to working together on a successful integration and delivering on a unique opportunity for our customers and shareholders.”
“We are excited to have the opportunity for Echo Lake Foods to join Cal-Maine Foods and continue to expand our market reach for quality ready-to-eat egg products and breakfast foods,” Brodhagen said. “This business combination will benefit everyone associated with Echo Lake Foods, especially our dedicated employees and valued customers. As the leading producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the nation, CalMaine Foods has an excellent reputation with a proven record of success. We are extremely proud to join their team, and we look forward to the
significant growth opportunities ahead of us.”
USPOULTRY and Foundation approve $380K in new research grants
TUCKER, Ga. — The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved $380,000 for four new research grants at four institutions through the Comprehensive Research Program.
The research funding was approved by the Boards of Directors of both organizations, following recommendations from the Foundation Research Advisory Committee (FRAC). This committee assesses research proposals to evaluate their potential impact on the industry and subsequently advises the boards on funding decisions. Composed of experts from diverse sectors of the poultry and egg industry, the Committee includes professionals from various scientific disciplines.
The association’s Comprehensive Research Program dates to the early 1960s when funds were first approved for poultry disease research. It gradually grew into an all-inclusive program incorporating all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.
Since the inception of the research program, USPOULTRY has reinvested more than $37 million, or $65 million adjusted for inflation, into the industry in the form of research grants. More than 50 universities and federal and state facilities have received grants over the years.
“One of the many pillars of USPOULTRY’s and the Foundation’s service to the poultry industry is research,” Jonathan Cade, Hy-Line International, and USPOULTRY chair, said. “Evaluating the multitude of research projects requires not just time, but a deep commitment to understanding their potential impact, as each decision shapes the future of innovation and progress in our industry. Members of the FRAC spend countless hours reviewing and evaluating the proposals before making recommendations for funding, and we appreciate their time and commitment.”
The research grants for each institution include:
• “Digital PCR Method for the Detection and Estimation of Salmonella Load in Poultry Samples,” Florida State University.
• “Dual Biocontrol of Salmonella in Poultry: Targeted Killing Plus Vaccination,” USDA Agricultural Research Service.
• “Investigating the Contribution of Satellite Cell Heterogeneity to Wooden Breast Myopathy,” Ohio State University.
• “Deboning Salmonella Contamination: Does Cross-Contamination During Debone Contribute to Salmonella Contamination in Ground Turkey?” Kansas State University.
More than 600 ingredients drive $51.7B pet food sales, IFEEDER report shows
ARLINGTON,Va. — The Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER) unveils a new report that quantifies the hundreds of safe ingredients used in dog and cat food diets. This new report is released in collaboration with the American Feed Industry Association, North American Renderers Association’s research arm the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation and Pet Food Institute.
The report estimated that dog and cat food sales stood at $51.7 billion in 2024, with much of the 9.8 million tons represented coming from more than 600 plant- and animal-based ingredients.
“The latest IFEEDER pet food consumption report showcases the
essential role that U.S. pet food manufacturers play in boosting the rural economy,” Lara Moody, IFEEDER executive director, said. “Through purchases of crop and
animal-based food ingredients and securing needed materials and services up and down the agriculture supply chain, this report demonstrates that the pet food industry
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provides our pets with complete and balanced meals. On behalf of project partners AFIA, FPRF and PFI, IFEEDER hopes dog and cat owners will better grasp the ex-
pansive variety available in their pets’ diets, and national leaders will gain a better understanding of the industry’s contributions to their local economy and food security.”
Decision Innovation Solutions conducted the study using a recipe reverse engineering model to quantify the use of ingredients in dog and cat dry and wet foods and treats. The model allowed the researchers to use a variety of data, such as product UPC codes, nutrition labels, guaranteed analyses, sales and product weights, to determine overall cat and dog food diets by ingredient, without revealing proprietary pet food company data.
The 2025 report expanded on DIS’s 2020 report for IFEEDER, capturing a new category of “fresh” pet foods (i.e., those pet foods which are generally made with human-grade, fresh ingredients, cooked at low temperatures and delivered to the owner in a refrigerated or frozen state), and online sales, in addition to data from instore sales. The expanded dataset
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used as the basis for the 2025 analysis broadly reflected the researchers’ and project partners’ interest in exploring anecdotal understanding of how consumers’ preferences have shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic toward more convenience options and premium ingredients.
Overall, the report found that in 2024, chicken and chicken-based ingredients were the most used ingredients in dog and cat foods by weight, but marine ingredients, such as salmon and cod, were the leading ingredients by value.
Since the 2020 report, which used 2019 data, the popularity of certain, high-value ingredients among consumers has increased, such as by 95 percent for marine ingredients and 34 percent for meat and poultry ingredients. Only two ingredient categories saw dips since the 2020 report, including a decrease of 22 percent for water and 12 percent for animal protein meals and fats.
Though cats are carnivores, and most U.S. dogs are served nutritious meals with meat, chicken or other animal-based ingredients to make up their daily protein requirements, both pets also consume a healthy variety of fruits and vegetables along with other essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids, IFEEDER noted.
In 2024, corn stood as the leading plant-based ingredient, peas the leading specialty ingredient, soybean meal the leading legume and cranberries the top fruit for both dogs and cats. As expected, given the fact that dog breeds can range in healthy weights from only a few pounds to large dogs at over 100 pounds, dry dog food clinched the top spot, by both volume and value of product sold, in 2024.
For the first time, the DIS researchers looked at the use of “upcycled” ingredients, which are nutritious ingredients that humans do not eat (e.g., organs, bones) or co-products from the human food industry or other industrial processes that might otherwise go to landfills.The report found that pet food is sustainable, with more than 3 million tons and more than
1 million tons, respectively, of upcycled ingredients purchased for dog and cat foods.
“The pet food industry is committed to partnering with farmers, bakeries, breweries, food processors and other businesses to make use of leftover, nutritious ingredients that would otherwise go to waste,” Moody added. “It’s certainly nothing to bark at that the pet food industry helps sustain our four-legged animal companions and the environment, while providing complete and balanced food options at a variety of price points.”
Overall, pet food manufacturers across 43 U.S. states generated economic value throughout the supply chain in 2024, by purchasing $13.2 billion in farm products, leading to the production of 9.8 million tons of dog and cat food and $51.7 billion in pet food sales.
The farm purchases would not have been possible had farmers not bought $9.8 billion in materials and services from their farm suppliers, which purchased $7.6 billion in materials, services, equipment and labor from other industries, IFEEDER added.The leading states that drove farm purchases to support the production of pet food ingredients in 2024 were Missouri at $1.05 billion, Kansas at $1 billion, Pennsylvania at $800 million, Iowa at $603 million and California at $601 million.
The full report, along with infographics and a multimedia map that allows users to search by species, state or ingredient, is available at www. ifeeder.org/research/pet-food-report/.
Cal-Maine Foods reports its 3Q financial results
RIDGELAND, Miss. — Cal-Maine Foods Inc. has reported financial and operational results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 ended March 1, 2025.
Third quarter highlights include:
• Quarterly net sales of $1.4 billion and net income of $508.5 million, or $10.38 per diluted share.
• Strong consumer demand during the quarter led to record total dozens sold, as the company honored long-standing pricing frameworks with valued customers.
• Significant progress on proactive steps to help mitigate the tight egg supply situation across the country, resulting in: a 14 percent increase in the average number of layer hens during the quarter compared to the prior-year quarter, reflecting both organic and inorganic expansion. A 33
BUSINESS
Italy and Spain.
“We are experiencing tremendous growth both domestically and internationally, with Europe playing a key role in our expansion strategy,” Roland Gonzalez, CEO of Church’s Texas Chicken and Texas Chicken, said. “The European QSR (quick service restaurant) market is evolving rapidly, driven by a growing demand for convenience and quick-service restaurant options.We see huge potential to bring the Texas Chicken experience to new guests across the continent, and this is just the beginning.”
During the past year, Church’s Texas Chicken and Texas Chicken opened 60 new locations in 14 markets worldwide, strengthening the company’s global reach. The latest new development agreements will extend Texas Chicken’s footprint into five new countries, including Germany, Hungary, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Morocco, with more than 900 new restaurants planned during the coming years. With many additional deals in the pipeline, the company is on track to grow its international presence by more than 50 percent in the next four years and increase system sales to $2 billion by 2028, it announced.
“We have been strategic in our approach around entering new international markets, thoroughly assessing both the needs and benefits that Texas Chicken can provide to potential franchisees and guests,” Eric Hanson, Church’s
Texas Chicken’s vice president of international development, said. “Through our research, we discovered an underserved segment of the marketplace that craves affordable, high-quality chicken. We are proud to fill that gap, offering exceptional taste and value in every meal while continuing to elevate our one-of-a-kind experience to more guests around the world.”
More details on franchising opportunities are available at https:// franchise.churchstexaschicken.com.
Egglife Foods named to Bain & Co.’s ‘Insurgent Brands List’
CHICAGO — Egglife Foods Inc. has been named to Bain & Company’s 2025 Insurgent Brands List. The list identifies companies that are redefining growth in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.
Egglife Foods is one of only 14 new food brands on this year’s
list, which combined have driven more than 27 percent growth despite representing less than 1 percent of market share for their category. With its flagship product, egglife® egg white wraps, the brand has delivered 30.1 percent growth year-to-date and expanded its footprint to 15,000plus retail locations.
“We are honored to be recognized by Bain & Company on this
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year’s Insurgent Brand List,” David Kroll, Egglife CEO, said. “Our incredible team has worked tirelessly to disrupt legacy flour-based foods with game-changing innovations that transform the way consumers think about proteinpacked, low-carb options. egglife egg white wraps are just the beginning of our success story.We can’t wait for the next phase of growth, as consumers get the chance to
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Bain & Company defines insurgent brands as those that generate more than $25 million of annual revenue in tracked channels, have grown more than 10 times their category’s average growth rate during the past five years, and maintained positive growth during the past two years.
Egglife Foods photo
UGA: this year’s best performing tunnel ventilation fans
By Michael Czarick University of Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. — When building a new house or retrofitting an older one, tunnel fan selection is one of the most, if not the most important decision a producer has to make.
A house’s fans are essentially the engine of the ventilation system and as a result have a significant effect on a producer’s ability to maintain the proper environmental conditions throughout the year.
Furthermore, with rising electricity prices, selecting the right energy-efficient fan can save a producer thousands of dollars a year. As a result, when selecting fans it is crucial that a producer compares fans not just on initial cost, but on fan performance and operating costs as well.
The University of Illinois BESS Laboratory website is the leading source for agricultural fan performance data (www.bess.uiuc.edu). Along with a fan’s air-moving capacity at various static pressures, BESS Laboratory provides producers information on a fan’s energyefficiency rating (cfm/watt), air-flow ratio (an indicator of how well the fan holds up under high static pressures), shutter location/type, motor model number, fan speed, and a variety of other potentially valuable details.
When selecting a tunnel fan it is crucial to know the maximum static pressure the fans will be operating under. For broiler houses,
Table I. Air velocity and corresponding design static pressure for a traditional tunnel-ventilated broiler house.
the maximum static pressure typically ranges between 0.10” and 0.20”. Though factors such as pad area/maintenance, deflector-curtain installation, and tunnel door installation/operation will have an effect on the maximum operating static pressure, the primary factor which determines the maximum expected static pressure is air speed.
Table 1 illustrates the typical pressure range the tunnel fans will experience under various design air velocities. The actual maximum pressure experienced can vary significantly with the aforementioned variables as well as house length, fan maintenance, and house tightness.
A fan’s energy efficiency rating is similar to a car’s mileage rating. Instead of speaking in terms of miles per gallon, when comparing fans we look at how many cubic feet per minute the fan can move with a single watt of power (cfm/watt). As with a car’s mileage rating, the higher the cfm/watt the more energy efficient the fan.
A fan’s air-flow ratio is another important factor to consider when purchasing a fan. A fan’s air-flow ratio is an indicator of how well the fan will hold up as static pressure increases due to factors such as dirty shutters, dirty pads, or the presence of baffle curtains.
A fan’s air-flow ratio is determined by dividing how much air it moves at 0.05” by how much air it moves at a static pressure of 0.20”. The higher the rating the less the fan is affected by high static pressure.
For the top performing tunnel fans (48” to 61”, fixed speed, 230V/ Single phase, 60 hz) based on the published test results produced by the BESS Laboratory through December 2024, visit https://www. poultryventilation.com/wp-content/uploads/vol37n3.pdf.
These fans have an energy-efficiency rating of at least 20.8 cfm/watt @ 0.10” static pressure and have an air-flow ratio of at least 0.76, representing approximately the top 10 percent of all tunnel fans tested by the BESS Laboratory.
Though fan performance is of course very important, it is equally important to keep in mind that there are other factors to consider when purchasing a fan, such as quality of construction, local dealer reputation, warranty, and type of shutter.
Michael Czarick is an Extension engineer and senior public service associate with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension. More information can be obtained at www.poultryventilation.com.
Egg prices were falling ahead of Easter demand, TAMU expert notes
By Adam Russell Texas A&M University
COLLEGE STATION, Texas
— Egg prices have been dropping, and a Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Service expert believes a continued downward trend should follow the Easter holiday.
Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension economist and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Economics, BryanCollege Station, said eggs typically reach a seasonal price peak around Easter, historically followed by price drops at grocery stores.
However, egg prices have already been on a downward trend in recent months. Wholesale prices fell from $8.51 to $3.84, or 55 percent, between March 1 and March 29, Anderson said.
Anderson said he is curious to see how consumer demand plays out leading into the Easter holiday when families typically dye eggs for hunts and bake for gatherings. He is also interested to see how egg prices trend after the holiday, he said.
“For the most part, egg prices have been going down,” he said. “I think the recent downward trend and the previous highs really show the egg market volatility. That’s the nature of the egg market; prices can go up and down really fast.”
For instance, a dozen large eggs that cost more than $5 in December 2022 had dropped to 84 cents per dozen by May 2023, Anderson said.
Avian flu impacts egg prices
Egg prices skyrocketed to record highs as highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, outbreaks in commercial laying flocks impacted supplies. Wholesale prices for large Grade A eggs hit an all-time average high of $6.14 per dozen in January, according to the USDA. By comparison, the same dozen eggs in January 2024 cost $2.52 per dozen. The previous price peak
was $5.38 in December 2022 as the poultry industry grappled with widespread outbreaks of HPAI.
The USDA continues to report “sporadic outbreaks” within commercial meat and egg production flocks. Anderson said there is a clear effort within the industry to add pullet hens, which lay eggs for broilers or meat production, and laying hens for table eggs. Growers added 500,000 new pullets in February, bringing the national total to 131 million on March 1, compared to 124 million at the same time
last year.
But the number of laying hens in production continued to fall, he said. There were 285 million laying hens for table egg production on March 1, down from 294 million on Feb. 1.
Consumer demand for eggs amid high prices
Anderson attributes the downward price trend to low consumer demand. Falling prices amid low laying hen numbers and, subsequently, low egg supplies signal
to him that fewer eggs are being consumed.
He suspects consumers are still buying eggs but have cut back on their purchases due to historically high prices. The question is how long before consumers return to their previous purchasing habits?
The Easter holiday typically spurs a spike in demand, but the high cost of eggs could pressure consumers toward other options.
“Easter is a big holiday; we typically see a price bump based on egg demand for those traditional family gatherings,” he said. “The question is, are people going to put out more plastic eggs for the Easter egg hunt and maybe skip the deviled eggs this year because of high prices?”
Adam Russell is a communication specialist for Texas A&M University AgriLife.
Wet bulb temperature and evaporative cooling
By Michael Czarick & Dr. Brian Fairchild University of Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. — Using evaporative cooling to keep birds cool during hot weather is relatively simple. Water is circulated over paper pads. Tunnel fans pull hot outside air through the pads and into the house. As the air moves through the wetted pads, its temperature decreases. Fairly straightforward.
On the other hand, understanding how evaporative cooling pads lower the temperature of the incoming air can be rather difficult to understand fully, which often leads to mismanagement.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that it’s not the temperature of the water flowing over the pads that is reducing the temperature of the incoming air, but rather, it’s the evaporation of water from the pads that produces the cooling of the incoming air. No matter the temperature of the water pumped to the top of a pad system, by the time it flows a few inches over the pad’s surface, it will warm or cool to the wet bulb temperature (Figure 1).
The wet bulb temperature is the lowest air temperature achievable through evaporative cooling and is determined by outside temperature and relative humidity. You can pump 50 degrees F or 80 degrees F water to the top of a pad; it doesn’t matter, the water will change to the wet bulb temperature long before it reaches the bottom.
Measuring wet bulb temperature is easy. Simply placing a small wet cloth over a thermometer/temperature sensor and blow air over it. As water evaporates from the cloth, heat is “removed” from the cloth, and the temperature measured by the thermometer/ temperature sensor will decrease. The lower the relative humidity, the greater the amount of water that evaporates, the greater the cooling produced, and the lower the temperature that a thermometer/temperature sensor will indicate.
Figure 2 illustrates the wet bulb temperature as a function of air temperature and relative humidity.
Evaporative cooling pads produce cooling by simply evaporating moisture into the incoming air. As water evaporates from the pad into the air, heat is removed from the incoming air, thereby lowering its temperature. The greater the amount of water that can be evaporated into the air as it passes through
a pad, the greater the cooling produced. It is very important to realize that it’s not the fact that the wet pad is relatively cool that is reducing the temperature of the incoming air but rather it is the evaporation of the water into the incoming air that is reducing its temperature.
Evaporating water requires a lot of energy and, therefore, has a tremendous potential to cool hot air. For every 10 gallons of water you evaporate into the air entering a poultry house, approximately 87,900 Btu’s of heat will be “removed” from the air, which is very close to the amount of heat produced by burning a gallon of propane (91,500 Btu’s).
On the other hand, it doesn’t take much energy to heat or cool water. For instance, if the 10 gallons of water is 30 degrees F cooler than the wet bulb temperature, only an additional 2,500 Btu’s of heat will be removed from the incoming air, an increase in cooling of around 3 percent.
As a result, if a pad system normally reduces the incoming air temperature by 20 degrees F, and the circulating water is chilled down by 30 degrees F, it would only increase
cooling by less than one degree.
But, keep in mind by the time the water returned to the sump, it would have been warmed to the wet bulb temperature and would need to be discarded and replaced with 30 degrees F cooler water, which would be very wasteful. The net result is that the cooling produced by a pad system is determined by outside temperature and relative humidity, and the water temperature has no practical effect on the amount of cooling produced by a pad system.
It is important to note that pads are not designed to decrease the incoming air temperature to the wet bulb temperature. Though this would result in maximum cooling of the incoming air, it would also result in the maximum humidification of the incoming air, meaning that the relative humidity of the incoming air would be 100 percent.
Regardless of the amount of air cooling, bringing in air saturated with moisture would compromise the bird’s ability to regulate their body temperatures, resulting in severe heat stress/possible death even at traditional target temperatures.
Photo: University of Georgia
Figure 1: The temperature of the water flowing over the pad will become wet bulb temperature soon after being applied to the top of the pad.
To avoid saturating the incoming air with moisture, evaporative cooling pads are typically designed for a cooling efficiency of between 70 and 75 percent. This means that they will decrease the incoming air temperature to within 75 percent of the wet bulb temperature. For instance, if it is 90 degrees F outside and the wet bulb temperature is 70 degrees F (RH=35 percent), the typical evaporative cooling pad would decrease the incoming air temperature to approximately 75 degrees F ( (90degrees F – 70 degrees F) X 0.75 = 15 degrees F cooling).
Since the relative humidity will increase by approximately 2.5 percent for every 1 degree F cooling, the relative humidity of the incoming air would increase to approximately 73 percent (35 percent + (2.5 percent X 15 degrees F) = 73 percent).
You can estimate how much cooling a pad system should produce by simply knowing the nighttime low temperature. This is because in humid climates the wet bulb temperature throughout the day will be very close to the nighttime low air temperature. Simply take the outside air temperature, subtract the nighttime low air temperature, and multiply by 0.75, and this should be close to the cooling that will occur as the hot outside air moves through a pad.
Over time, you will notice that the drier the weather, the lower the nighttime temperature, the lower the wet bulb temperature,
and the greater the cooling your evaporative cooling pad system will produce.
Though understanding the physics of evaporative cooling can be difficult to grasp, all you have to keep in mind is that, like their name implies, evaporative cooling pads reduce the incoming air’s temperature through water’s physical evaporation into the air.
The hotter and the drier the air is, the greater the amount of water that can be evaporated into the air, and the greater the cooling produced. The temperature of the
water circulating over a pad is not something you can realistically control, and even if you did, it wouldn’t significantly affect the temperature of the incoming air.
Michael Czarick is an Extension engineer, and Dr. Brian Fairchild is an Extension poultry scientist, both with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension. More information can be obtained at www.poultryventilation.com.
Figure 2: Wet bulb temperature as determined by air temperature and relative humidity.
‘Gator’ Pelletier presented NTF’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
WASHINGTON — The National Turkey Federation announces that J. Walter (Gator) Pelletier III is the recipient of the federation’s prestigious NTF Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his decades of leadership, innovation and commitment to the turkey industry.
Pelletier received his award during the recent 2025 National Turkey Federation Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz. Jay Jandrain, Butterball CEO and newly elected NTF chairman, presented the award.
Pelletier, a native of Maysville, N.C., dedicated his career to advancing best practices in animal welfare, production efficiency and industry collaboration, the federation notes. A graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in chemical engineering, he began his professional journey at Milliken & Company before transitioning to agricul-
ture, where he built a remarkable career at Goldsboro Milling Co. and Butterball LLC.
“Gator’s contributions extend beyond Butterball — he has been a respected leader across the industry, fostering relationships and championing policies that benefit turkey producers nationwide,” Leslee Oden, NTF president and CEO, said. “His influence on live operations, workforce development and biosecurity measures has been instrumental in ensuring the success and resilience of our sector.”
Pelletier joined Goldsboro Milling in 1981, rising to lead its turkey breeder and meat bird operations. In 2006, when Goldsboro Milling acquired its share of Butterball, he became responsible for the company’s North Carolina turkey operations and later oversaw Butterball’s live operations nationwide until his
J. Walter (Gator) Pelletier III, second from right, retired vice president of live operations with Butterball, is this year’s recipient of the National Turkey Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Presenting Pelletier with the honor during the group’s recent annual convention were, left to right, John Zimmerman, P&J Products, outgoing NTF chairman; Jay Jandrain, Butterball LLC, NTF 2025 chairman; and Leslee Oden, NTF president and CEO.
retirement in 2024. His leadership as president of Goldsboro Milling Company, a position he held since 2014, and his continued role on Butterball’s Board of Directors solidify his legacy in the industry, NTF added. Beyond his professional achievements, Pelletier has been an active and dedicated industry advocate. He served as NTF chair in 2009, a role in which
he had the distinct honor of presenting the National Thanksgiving Turkey to President Barack Obama at the White House, NTF noted. Additionally, he has contributed his expertise through service on several boards, including Wayne Country Day School, Wayne Community College Foundation, the North Carolina Poultry Federation, and Mount Olive Pickle.
NTF photo
NTF photo
J. Walter (Gator) Pelletier III is this year’s recipient of the National Turkey Federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Pelletier was joined by several members of his family during the award ceremony at the recent NTF Annual Convention.
Growth rates of broilers contribute to behavior differences
By Maddie Johnson University of Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As poultry companies weigh cost and efficiency with higher animal welfare standards, research comparing conventional and slow-growing broiler breeds showed that the slow-growing chickens displayed behaviors more closely associated with positive welfare.
Broilers — chickens specifically bred for meat production — are typically raised for six to eight weeks, while slow-growing broilers need up to 12 weeks to reach maturity.
Though gaining popularity in some European markets, slow-growing broilers have not seen the same market expansion in the United States, as they take longer to reach market weight than conventional broilers.
“The economic impact to the broiler industry raises the question: ‘Why would you want to use a broiler that is going to eat more food, grow slower and cost more to produce?’” said Rosie Whittle, poultry science postdoctoral fellow with the University of Arkansas Center for Food Animal Wellbeing and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
Whittle, alongside Shawna Weimer, assistant professor of poultry science and director of the Center for Food Animal Wellbeing, set out to explore this question facing industry leaders who are weighing the choice of conventional versus slow-growing broilers.
Weimer conducts research for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, part of the U of A System Division of Agriculture. The Center for Food Animal Wellbeing is a unit of the Division of Agriculture.
Their work explored the impacts of genetic strain, stocking density and, most importantly, the comparison of physiological versus chronological age between the two genetic strains on broiler behavior. Genetic strain, or the specific breed of chicken, defines whether broilers are conventional or slow growing. Stocking density represents the number of birds in a specific area.
Researchers reviewed video recordings of the birds at specified
intervals to track behaviors, such as walking, standing and preening, which are signs of positive animal welfare. Preening is when a bird uses its beak to clean its feathers.
Their study, “Effects of genetic strain, stocking density, and age on broiler behavior,” was published in Poultry Science, an official journal of the Poultry Science Association.
Results of the study revealed that
a larger percentage of slow-growing broilers were observed standing, walking and preening, while more conventional broilers sat in a lateral posture. The effects of stocking density were minimal, so the number of birds in an area did not have a significant impact on broiler behavior.
Detailing bird behavior
Weimer pointed out that “animal welfare is quite dynamic” and emphasized that further investigations of broiler behavior should be undertaken. Whittle also stressed that their research was focused on understanding the effects of growth rate on broiler behavior, not necessarily what is best for companies or consumers.
Whittle also noted that the study focused on two types of broilers, but “all genetics companies have a different recipe for chickens.” Therefore, in tracking behavior, it is important to be aware of the possibility that “one genetic strain of broiler behaves
completely different to the other,” she said.
Whittle said further research is required because “it’s always important to expand so we’re not just generalizing based on two specific genotypes.”
Co-authors of the work included Darrin Karcher and Marisa Erasmus, both associate professors of animal sciences at Purdue University. Weimer serves as corresponding author, meaning she is responsible for communication and questions about the publication.
The project was supported by Purdue University’s Department of Animal Sciences and the Center for Food Animal Wellbeing. The animal care staff at Purdue University’s Poultry Unit — Olivia Walton, Heidi Rinehart and Nathan Griffith — also contributed to the work.
Maddie Johnson is a science journalist with the University of Arkansas’ Agricultural Communication Services.
Rosie Whittle
TAMU team wins 76th USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest
TUCKER, Ga. — Seven universities recently participated in the 76th USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest, held at Mississippi State University. Texas A&M University won the high team overall category, and the University of Arkansas took second place. Additionally, Reagan Barnett from TAMU won the high individual overall category, with Andy Cornell from U of A finishing second.
The program also recognized Dennis Mason, U of A, a long-time poultry judging contest coach for nearly 50 years, on his upcoming retirement.
“Congratulations to the high team overall and high individual overall category winners, and to all of the teams that participated,” Barbara Jenkins, USPOULTRY Foundation executive director, said. “After a long-standing contest at Louisiana State University, MSU hosted its first USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest, and it was a great turnout. We thank MSU for stepping up to support the continuation of the program. We also thank Mr. Mason for his continued support and all his years of service.”
The contest is part of the USPOULTRY Foundation’s comprehensive student outreach program, established to enhance young people’s interest in the poultry industry and encourage student enrollment in poultry science and related studies.
In addition to the Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest, the USPOULTRY Foundation sponsors the annual College Student Career Program, International Student Program and National FFA Career Development Events at the International Poultry Expo, as well as co-sponsors the Ph.D. and Vet Student Career Fair during IPE, part of the Inter-
Texas A&M University, top photo, won the recent 76th USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest overall team and individual competitions. Bottom photo right, left to right, Reagan Barnett, TAMU, was the winner of the high individual overall category, with Barbara Jenkins, USPOULTRY Foundation executive director; and bottom photo right, left to right, Dennis Mason, University of Arkansas, was honored for his long-time as a poultry judging contest coach, with Jenkins.
national Production & Processing Expo. Other youth outreach sponsorships include the National FFA Convention, National 4-H poultry and egg activities, and high school, technical school and elementary school outreach programs. The Foundation also funds student recruiting efforts at colleges and universities from coast to coast.
The program also recognized Dennis Mason, U of A, a long-time poultry judging contest coach for nearly 50 years, on his upcoming retirement.
USPOULTRY photo
Killing H5N1 in waste milk, a pasteurization alternative
By Amy Quinton University of California-Davis
DAVIS, Calif. — Pasteurization is the only widely recognized method of killing H5N1, the virus that causes bird flu, in milk. However, pasteurization can be expensive and fewer than 50 percent of large dairy farms pasteurize waste milk.
Waste milk includes colostrum, the first milk after calving; milk from cows treated with antibiotics or other drugs; or any other factor that can make milk unsuitable and unsellable for human consumption. On farms, raw waste milk poses a potential risk of spreading avian flu, which so far has been confirmed in dairy cattle in 16 states.
University of California-Davis, researchers have found that acidification can kill H5N1 in waste milk, providing dairy farmers an affordable, easy-to-use alternative to pasteurization of waste milk. The Journal of Dairy Science published the study.
“There can be a quite significant cost to have pasteurization as an option on the farm,” said co-corresponding author and veterinary epidemiologist Richard Van Vleck Pereira, with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. “In our laboratory tests, we found that acidifying milk to a pH of 4.1 to 4.2 with citric acid effectively deactivates the virus.”
The UC Davis research team will next conduct on-farm testing of milk acidification in waste milk containing H5N1. They will develop
practical guidelines for farmers to implement acidification of waste milk as a protocol on the farm.
A sustainable solution Pereira said citric acid is inexpensive. Acidified waste milk is also safe to be used to feed pre-weaned calves. The acidification process takes only six hours to fully kill the virus and doesn’t require refriger-
ation, further reducing costs and increasing safety of farm workers handling milk.
Hobby farmers milking one or two cows or large commercial dairy farms could implement milk acidification without having to invest in large equipment.
“When we started this project, we were carefully thinking about not just deactivating the virus but
developing a method that could be affordable, accessible and sustainable for farmers to use,” he said.
Some U.S. dairy farms already practice milk acidification. Lowering milk pH to a level unsuitable for bacterial growth can kill bad bugs and prevent contamination without causing health issues in calves.
“We believe acidification is a novel and effective way to contain the spread of H5N1 on dairy farms and help protect livestock, pets and people,” Periera said.
Other authors of the study include Beate Crossley and Daniel Rejmanek from the California Animal Health and Food Safety Lab at UC Davis, along with Craig Miramontes and Rodrigo Gallardo with the Department of Population Health and Reproduction at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture funded the research.
Amy Quinton is a news and media relations specialist with the University of California-Davis.
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Poultry Times has launched a free email newsletter, The Poultry Report.
We have learned that relevant, actionable news and information are absolutely critical to every aspect of the poultry industry as we all navigate very challenging times. With a focus on current industry trends and concise content delivery, The Poultry Report is designed to provide you with a single source of industry insight in an easy-to-digest format.
Delivered free to your email inbox Monday through Friday.
To subscribe, visit https://www.poultrytimes.com/thepoultryreport
Photo: Richard Van Vleck Pereira / UC Davis
Holstein calf feeds from a bottle of colostrum milk. UC Davis researchers have found that acidification of waste milk can kill H5N1, the virus that causes bird flu.
Sundaily breaks ground for China’s largest single-site cage-free egg facility
DAVID B. STRICKLAND POULTRY TIMES CONTENT EDITOR DSTRICKLAND@POULTRYTIMES.COM
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — One of the world’s largest egg producers, Sundaily, has broken ground on what it touts to be China’s largest individual location carefree egg farm. This new facility will begin with 300,000 cage-free hens with plans to expand to 1 million hens in three to five years.
Sundaily’s new cage-free facility is located in Guangyuan City in Sichuan Province. The company, founded in 2001, has partnered with large retailers like Walmart and Sam’s Club, as well as restaurant chains, hotels, and foodservice companies. The company notes that this new cage-free facility will feature state-of-the-art egg processing making it a fully integrated site supplying not only cage-free shell eggs, but liquid and powdered eggs, and processed egg products.
“In recent years, the global egg market
has witnessed a remarkable shift towards cage-free eggs due to a variety of consumer preferences, and growing awareness of
animal welfare,” Lei Bo, Techlex Group vice chairman, said in a statement. Techlex is Sundaily’s mother company. “As the leading egg company in China, Sundaily is always committed to providing the best eggs for Chinese consumers.”
“In 2025, we launched the largest project of cage-free egg farming in Guangyuan China,” Bo added. “We look forward to seeing the rising trend of cage-free eggs in the Chinese market.”
Sixty percent of Chinese consumers note that they want food companies to source only cage-free eggs, and 75 percent said that they are more likely to support brands that use only cage-free eggs, according to a 2021 poll conducted by Lever China, a Shanghai-based consultancy group, along with FTA, a food media agency.
Mutzu Huang, Lever China program director, added, “Sundaily’s new cage-free egg farm is leading the way in setting higher standards for China’s food quality and animal welfare, reflecting the values of today’s consumers and corporate buyers.”
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UGA student wins FABricate competition with poultry processing automation
By Makenna Grace Reavis University of Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. — In the most competitive FABricate contest to date, Sean Snarey, a graduate student in agribusiness in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, took home the $10,000 prize recently for his automated poultry rehanging system.
Through his company, TLS, Snarey is developing a system to automate a labor-intensive step in poultry processing that has one of the highest labor turnover rates in the poultry industry.
Poultry rehanging requires workers to lift partially processed chickens and hang them on shoulder-height hooks around 20 times per minute. This repetitive motion causes muscle strain and fatigue, possibly leading to musculoskeletal disorders, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Snarey’s system includes a robotic arm to pick up and hang the poultry and a locating system that helps the arm position the birds correctly as they move through processing.
Building a business around industry needs
Having worked in the poultry industry, Snarey recognized the need for a better system.
“I was working the poultry production floor, so I was living it,” he said. “I saw the hardships of retention, the turnover. Then I had to fill in for a day doing it because there weren’t enough people there, and it’s hard.”
Snarey’s innovation comes at an opportune time. Recently, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins instructed the USDA to extend line-speed waivers, allowing poultry plants to operate at faster speeds. Automating the process of rehanging poultry would allow these companies to maintain production speeds and reduce costs without causing further strain on the line workers.
Snarey plans to use his winnings to advance his business by hiring a team and screening consulting companies to patent and evaluate the technology.
Empowering innovators
Chris Rhodes, executive director of the UGA Innovation District, works closely with students throughout the contest to develop their ideas and nurture innovation and creativity. Rhodes said he loves watching students develop as entrepreneurs and
young adults, learning to think creatively and cultivating important skills like public speaking and critical thinking.
“FABricate’s not just for yourself and what you want to do with your venture,” Snarey said. “It’s making you a better student.”
The competition gets tighter each year, said Rhodes, adding that the semifinalists in this year’s contest would have been finalists in previous years.
“They all really came with a lot of polish,” he added, remarking on how well-developed each business idea was in 2025.
In addition to TLS, the finalists of the 2025 FABricate contest included:
• Finance major David Gad, founder of P.O.W.E.R Outreach, a nonprofit that provides support resources for widows in Nigeria.
• Mechanical engineering major Brooke Richards, founder of Canopy, an intelligent tree-root locating system to help developers build around mature trees.
• Management major Jehu Tae, founder of Terrafibre, a hemp and bamboo-based cardboard alternative.
• Animal and dairy science major Raine Cox, founder of CAC, a company that helps struggling farmers restructure their business.
• Biomedical physiology majors Lee Fongeallaz and Tyler Holley, cofounders of Dr.
Cal, a lactose-free caffeinated chocolate milk geared towards college students.
• Mechanical engineering majors Ben Pumphrey and Grant Baumann, cofounders of Skyfall Space, a low-cost solution to remove small debris from Earth’s orbit.
One of this year’s judges, Jasmyn Daniels, won the first-ever FABricate contest in 2018 with her online vegan bakeshop, VTasteCakes. A 2018 CAES alumnus in food industry marketing and administration, Daniels said the contacts she made through UGA and the FABricate contest helped her get to where she is today and encouraged participants to hold on to the connections they make in college.
FABricate is an entrepreneurial pitch contest where students develop their ideas for new food products, new agricultural technologies, new food or agricultural-related businesses or new environmental or sustainable businesses. The competition is hosted by CAES but open to UGA students from all backgrounds and colleges within the university.
To learn more about the contest, visit https://www.caes.uga.edu/students/experiential-learning/fabricate.html.
Makenna Grace Reavis is a student writer for the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Photo by Sean Montgomery / UGA
Sean Snarey, second from left, a University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Science graduate student in agribusiness recently took home the $10,000 FABricate prize for his automated poultry rehanging system. FABricate is an entrepreneurial pitch contest for UGA students.
