6
POULTRY TIMES, June 9, 2014
Business Compiled by David B. Strickland, Editor 770-718-3442 dstrickland@poultrytimes.net
Mississippi poultry growers still reeling from tornadoes The Associated Press
JACKSON, Miss. — Poultry growers are looking for some help after the April 28 tornadoes that caused tremendous damage on farms and the loss of more than a million birds in four Mississippi counties. The Mississippi Board of Animal Health reports more than 1 million birds were lost to the tornadoes or subsequent power outages. Winston, Wayne, Newton and Scott counties reported 58 houses with major damage and 17 houses with minor damage. Tom Tabler with the Mississippi State University Extension Service said many poultry growers have significant recovery expenses but no options for income except disaster money. He said some of them may have lost their homes in addition to their poultry houses. “There will not be any quick fixes for these farm families,” he said. The Extension Service hosted a meeting with poultry growers on May 8. Winston County grower Tim Hobby said he lost 10 broiler houses and 234,000 birds. About half of the birds arrived four days before the storm, and he said the others were placed in the houses about two hours before the tornado barreled through. Hobby said his immediate need is debris removal. “I would need 2 miles of roadside to pile all this within 10 feet of the right of way for the county to pick up. There is just too much for that to work,” he said. Mike Sullivan of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency told growers the agency hopes the livestock indemnity portion of the new farm bill will move along faster than it did in the old farm bill. “These recent tornadoes are the first time we are implementing the new legislation. Unfortunately for Mississippi, but fortunately for those impacted, we have a lot of experience handling disasters,” Sullivan said.
Other Business News Raeford expands cooking operations ROSE HILL, N.C. — House of Raeford Farms, based in Rose Hill, N.C., has announced the opening of a 64,000-square-foot further processing cook plant in Mocksville, N.C. The facility will produce fullycooked chicken products including grill-marked fajita strips and filets; whole muscle and formed chicken tenders, filets, wings, nuggets and patties; and, fully-cooked chicken sausage and burgers. In a related move, the company also acquired the Speedy Bird trademark with the intention of launching many of these items under this brand. In announcing the acquisition, Bob Johnson, House of Raeford president and CEO, indicated that this action supports the company’s strategy announced last year to expand its cooked chicken product lines in conjunction with an increase in chicken production volumes. “Combined with production capabilities at our cook plants in Raeford, N.C., and Hemingway, S.C., we are now in a position to offer our retail, foodservice and co-pack customers an even wider variety of further processed chicken and turkey products at competitive prices and increased supply,” Johnson said. The Mocksville plant began operations in April and plans to grow to more than 200 associates during the next several years. The facility, which has been idle for the past two years, has undergone refurbishing of the building, equipment and grounds. According to Chris Murray, the company’s environmental manager, this includes a revamping of the wastewater and refrigeration systems to provide an environmentally sound and safe operation. “Just as our company does in all of our locations, we look forward to becoming an integral part of the Mocksville and Davie County com-
munity, both as an employer as well as a good corporate citizen,” Johnson added. More information about the company’s new line of cooked chicken can be obtained from Michael Teachey, vice president, cooked product sales, at 910-289-6919 and the Mocksville plant can be reached at 336-751-4752. House of Raeford can also be contacted at www. houseofraeford.com.
Tyson donates $100K to YMCA SPRINGDALE, Ark. — The Wilkes Family YMCA, in Wilkesboro, N.C., recently hosted an event to announce a $100,000 donation from Tyson Foods Inc. The donation will be used to expand and renovate the existing facility. The facility offers a wide range of programs for families in the area, including 7,000 members and 3,000 program participants. “The YMCA is truly a cornerstone of this community,” said Brent West, complex human resource manager for Tyson Foods’ Wilkesboro plant. “We’re proud to be here to present this donation that will benefit our team members and the surrounding community.” Tyson Foods has four facilities in North Carolina and employs more than 5,000 in the state. “For 70 years, the Wilkes Family YMCA has evolved and expanded to meet community needs. We are so grateful that Tyson Foods is supporting the facility improvements that will help the Y serve our community for the next 70 years and beyond,” said Sam Franklin, vice president of operations for the Wilkes Family and Express YMCAs. “The Y is so much more than a place. We are a nonprofit organization that strengthens our community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.” The Y brings neighbors together over shared interests in developing
the potential of children, improving individual health and well-being, and giving back and supporting the community, the organization noted. Activities at the Y range from swim lessons to group exercise classes and youth sports to programs for active older adults. The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina and its branches, including the Wilkes Family and Express YMCAs, offer financial assistance thanks to generous donations from the community, so no one is ever turned anyone away due to the inability to pay. In recognition of the Tyson Foods gift, the YMCA’s Wellness Center will be named in honor of the company.
Carriers of the year For the third year, Tyson Foods Inc. has named a select group of its third-party contract carriers as “Premier Carriers of the Year.” Several of the 19 honored carriers are repeat recipients. Carriers of the Year are recognized for their commitment to customer service, communication, safety, innovation and for being environmental stewards, the company noted. In addition to its own fleet of more than 2,600 tractors, Tyson Foods has relationships with more than l00 third-party carriers to move products and raw materials to its locations and customers. “These carriers have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in every discipline of their business,” said Bryan McDuffie, director of Tyson Foods’ contract carrier division. “They are the very best of the best and we’re pleased to work with all of them.” The following carriers were recognized: Anderson Transportation of Forreston, Ill. Barlow Truck Line of Faucett, Mo. (2 year recipient) Comstar Enterprise Inc. of Springdale, Ark. (3 year recipient) (Continued on next page)