News & Updates
- March Madness season has a ‘wing up’ from PerdueSALISBURY, Md. — March Madness is upon college basketball fans. Perdue Farms has a big surprise for fans who love wings, basketball, and air fryers. For this basketball season, Perdue Farms also announced the introduction of “The Wing Sleeve.” According to information from the company, “The Wing Sleeve a limited-edition compression sleeve designed for those clutch moments when your wing game is strong, but your arm isn’t, it will help prevent fatigue caused by performing a repetitive wing-eating motion. Limited quantities of The Wing Sleeve were available in pairs for free on a first-come, first-serve basis at perduewingsleeve.com, but the supply has now run out. “This year, thanks to our new Air Fryer Ready Crispy Wings, fans have a better option than ordering soggy takeout wings or squeezing into a packed sports bar,” Cody Walter, Perdue Foods senior marketing manager, said. “We created The Wing Sleeve so that fans at home would be able to protect their ‘wings,’ just like their favorite team’s on-the-court stars, against the strain of a buzzer beater or a broken bracket all while enjoying our crispy, restaurant-quality wings from the comfort of their own home.” Perdue notes that it’s the number one brand ... read more
- Hormel announces Clark as SVP and chief communications officerAUSTIN, Minn. — Hormel Foods announces that Katie Clark has been appointed to the role of senior vice president and chief communications officer. In this role, Clark will oversee the company’s global communications, including external media relations, internal communications, global impact communications and corporate reputation. Clark will report directly to Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and CEO at Hormel Foods. “I am delighted Katie is joining us at Hormel Foods. She is an impressive leader with well-rounded communications experience across several industries, and her perspective will be an asset to our company,” Snee said. “I look forward to working closely with her to continue our company’s journey to make a difference for our customers, team members, consumers, shareholders and the communities where we live and work.” Clark brings more than two decades of communications experience from various industries, including CPG, retail and healthcare. Recently, she was named a 2024 “Top Woman in Communications” by Ragan Communications and PR Daily. Prior to joining Hormel Foods, Clark served as vice president of communications for Mattress Firm, the nation’s largest mattress retailer with more than 2,300 stores across the United States. She joined the company in 2020, leading internal ... read more
- ‘Power of Meat’ report looks at evolving consumer trendsGAINESVILLE, Ga. — Every year the Meat Institute and FMI, the Food Industry Association release their “Power of Meat” report. This year marks the 19th annual report. The information gives insight into consumer habits and spending.
According to the account, the percentage of people who eat and purchase meat has remained high and steady since 2023. People who eat meat is approximately 80 percent, while the number of purchasers is at 98 percent. Baby Boomers are the largest demographic that regularly purchases meat — 53 times a year. Generation X or the “middle child generation” supplies 32 percent of the proportion of sales. Millennials average $17 per meat purchase. A rough economy has changed the way consumers spend money on dining out and other meal options. Forty-three percent of people are not dining out and 75 percent are attempting to reinvent restaurant meals at home. Americans have made changes to their meat purchases in light of saving money. Most people are changing the quantity of meat they buy. Thirty percent of people are buying lower quantities of meat; however, 42 percent would rather purchase meat in ... read more - USPOULTRY Foundation supports Latin American student attendance at 2024 IPPEATLANTA — As part of its ongoing commitment to bolster the recruitment and education of talented students while advocating for careers within the poultry and egg industries both domestically and internationally, the USPOULTRY Foundation invited 20 students and advisors from seven universities across Latin America to attend the 2024 International Poultry Expo, a part of the International Production & Processing Expo. The students engaged in the USPOULTRY Foundation International Student Program, affording them valuable opportunities to interact with companies that have global operations, the foundation noted, adding that they were also able to explore the large IPPE trade show floor, showcasing the latest advancements in modern, sustainable poultry technology. The students also took part in the Latin American Poultry Summit, jointly sponsored by the IPE and the Asociación Latinoamericana de Avicultura (ALA), where they were recognized during the summit luncheon. “ALA is committed and thankful for the opportunity to participate in this educational program. It has been an enriching experience that has expanded knowledge and skills to Latin American students,” Dania Ferrera, ALA executive director, said. “The resources provided by the USPOULTRY Foundation have been invaluable, and the interactions with mentors and fellow participants have been insightful. Thank you ... read more
- Simpson named AEB chair for the second yearMONROE, N.C. — Alex Simpson was named the chair of the American Egg Board for the second year. Simpson, who oversees the day-to-day operations of Simpson’s Eggs in Monroe, N.C., is also the president of the North Carolina Egg Association. The organization was proud to announce that he had been chosen to be the AEB chair again. The American Egg Board consists of 18 producer members and their alternates. AEB announced the vote for Simpson during its recent annual meeting in San Antonio, Texas. “The American Egg Board is tasked with advancing the interests of egg farmers across the United States,” the North Carolina Egg Association noted in a release. “Annually, the Secretary of Agriculture appoints half of the board members for two-year terms from nominees provided by eligible producer organizations. Following this process, the board nominates and appoints its Executive Committee, a responsibility that was fulfilled during the recent meeting.” With this continued appointment, Simpson will work with egg farmers to assist the AEB effort of enhancing the egg and egg product market both nationally and internationally. He is an egg producer through and through. He is a fourth-generation farmer. His family are well-known egg producers. ... read more
- Recognizing agriculture’s importance during ‘National Agriculture Week’WASHINGTON — This week, March 17-23, all Americans are encouraged to take a moment and recognize how the nation’s agricultural industries contribute to all our daily lives, in so many aspects, from food, to fuel, to fiber. More than 22 million full- and part-time jobs are related to agriculture and the food sector, which equals about 10 percent of all of the nation’s employment, the USDA’s Economic Research notes, adding that there are about 2.6 million on-farm jobs in the U.S., which represents just over 1 percent of U.S. employment. Yesterday, March 19, was this year’s National Agriculture Day, with the theme of “Agriculture: Growing a Climate for Tomorrow.” There were several in-person activities in Washington, D.C., where high school and college students delivered messages to legislators on the importance of agriculture. “Students are interested in advocating on behalf of agriculture and their future roles in the industry,” Jenny Pickett, Agricultural Council of America president, said. “Their participation in National Ag Day activities provides a glimpse of the future of agriculture. It’s exciting to learn from the students what they think agriculture will be like in the years ahead, and how their involvement will shape the industry and America ... read more
- Tyson Foods reports first quarter 2024 resultsSPRINGDALE, Ark. — Tyson Foods Inc. reports its first quarter 2024 highlights. Among these include: sales of $13.319 billion, up 0.4 percent from prior year; GAAP operating income of $231 million, down 51 percent from prior year; adjusted operating income of $411 million, down 9 percent from prior year; GAAP EPS of 30 cents, down 66 percent from prior year; adjusted EPS of 69 cents, down 19 percent from prior year; total company GAAP operating margin of 1.7 percent; total company adjusted operating margin (non-GAAP) of 3.1 percent; liquidity of approximately $3.7 billion as of Dec. 30, 2023. “Our team executed well in the quarter and delivered tangible results, including our third sequential quarter of adjusted operating income growth,” said Donnie King, President & CEO, Tyson Foods. “We saw the benefits of our diverse protein portfolio and realization of operational efficiencies from the strategic decisions we made in the past year.” “Although we still have work to do, I am pleased with our first quarter results and am confident we are on the right path to deliver long-term shareholder value,” King added. “Going forward, we will continue to prioritize our liquidity and financial health, our focus on operational ... read more
- Texas wild turkeys are strutting into springCOLLEGE STATION, Texas — More Texans may encounter the distinct vocalizations and dramatic strutting of male turkeys seeking a mate this spring thanks to ongoing education and research collaboration by Texas A&M AgriLife and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Dr. Jacob Dykes, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service wildlife specialist, Corpus Christi, said thanks to the state’s diverse ecoregions, Texas supports three of the five total subspecies of wild turkey found in North America — the Rio Grande turkey, eastern turkey and Merriam’s turkey. Rio Grande turkeys prefer the arid and brushy environments found throughout the Rolling Plains, Edwards Plateau, southern Post Oak Savanna and the South Texas plains, while eastern turkeys prefer areas with higher rainfall, such as the Piney Woods and bottomland hardwoods of East Texas. Merriam’s turkeys, the least common, prefer the ponderosa pines found in the Trans-Pecos mountains. “We’re fortunate that Texas offers such a wide range of ecosystems that support diverse wildlife species like these turkey,” said Dykes, also an assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management. “While we’ve come a long way in restoring turkey populations across the state, there is ... read more
- Meat Institute unveils new logo and brand identityWASHINGTON — Celebrating nearly 120 years of leadership on behalf of America’s meat companies, the Meat Institute (formerly the North American Meat Institute) has unveiled its new logo and brand identity reflecting its dynamic, forward-looking approach to ensuring meat remains at the heart of nourishing the present and sustaining the future, the group announced. The new logo evokes the shape of a plate, with the open frame indicating transparency and inclusiveness. The varying thickness of the plate’s border brings a sense of movement, signaling constant evolution and pursuit of continuous improvement. The new brand identity will be featured this week at the Annual Meat Conference March 18-20 in Nashville, Tenn. “Sustaining meat’s future is central to the Meat Institute’s mission and vision, building on our 120 years of leadership and meat’s centuries of contributions to healthy diets and strong communities,” Julie Anna Potts, Meat Institute president and CEO, said. “Our updated logo is fresh, open, and keeps meat at the very center of nourishing today and sustaining tomorrow.” In addition to the new logo, elements of the Meat Institute’s brand evolution include: · New brand colors: The logo is composed of a dark blue that provides solidity and ... read more
- Iowa State University awarded recruiting grant from USPOULTRY FoundationTUCKER, Ga. — The USPOULTRY Foundation has awarded a $7,000 student recruiting grant to Iowa State University to assist with enlisting students with an interest in poultry to become future industry leaders. With Iowa State’s Robert T. Hamilton Poultry Teaching and Research Facility and the Stanley L. Balloun Turkey Teaching and Research Facility, many opportunities exist for students to gain hands on experience in both the laying hen and turkey industries while completing their degree at Iowa State. The funds will be used for the annual FFA Poultry Career Development and Educational Competition and the “Flock to Your Future” event, held in conjunction with the Iowa Egg Symposium. The funds will also assist in engaging young learners through Animal Science Learning Day, as well as by directly engaging with the poultry industry through industry trips to tour processing plants and allied poultry companies throughout the state of Iowa and Midwest. “These tours allow students to engage with the industry and observe new trends in poultry production and processing,” Dawn Koltes, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science and Poultry Interest Group advisor, said. “Additionally, with the assistance of extension program specialist, Amy Powell, this funding will support ... read more
- Take a ‘PEAK’ at this year’s Midwest showMINNEAPOLIS — Progress, Experience, Advancement and Knowledge — what do these words represent? They represent some, but not all, of the aspects of this year’s “Midwest Show.” PEAK 2024, the annual convention of the Midwest Poultry Federation, is getting geared up for three days packed full for all attending this regional trade show that organizers note as being, “the nation’s largest trade show and convention focused exclusively on the business and food production of poultry.” This year’s PEAK, April 17-19, is changing up its schedule of days, shifting to a Wednesday to Friday format featuring a trade show floor, numerous educational sessions, as well as several networking opportunities. “PEAK is the ideal place to connect with professionals, researchers, and industry experts to exchange ideas with others in the poultry industry,” Ross Thoreson, MPF president, whose company, Best Veterinary Solutions, is a long-time show exhibitor, said. “PEAK attendees stay informed about industry trends, scouring the trade show floor for the latest innovations, technologies, and trends in the industry that will benefit their farm businesses and help them stay competitive.” There are many educational sessions to take part in during this year’s convention. Beginning with the annual Pre-Show Nutrition and ... read more
- Wayne-Sanderson Farms provides meals to Texas wildfire victims and respondersBRYAN, Texas — As the Smokehouse Creek Fire continues to impact Texas, Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Bryan Processing Complex has donated 20,000 pounds of fresh chicken and 500 cases of ice to help feed local families and first responders. Company representatives delivered the chicken to the Borger Salvation Army, which is working with local officials to provide relief to victims and emergency responders. The blaze has become the largest fire in state history, engulfing over a million acres and burning across several towns along the Texas Panhandle. “We are thinking of our neighbors in Texas and are glad to provide some support to those impacted by this devastating fire,” said Allen Laughlin, Wayne-Sanderson Bryan Processing Complex manager. Wayne-Sanderson Farms partners with hundreds of local family poultry farms and operates four poultry processing complexes in Texas, including feed mills, production facilities and hatcheries. The post Wayne-Sanderson Farms provides meals to Texas wildfire victims and responders appeared first on poultrytimes.com. ... read more
- Mountaire Farms recognized as AFIA’s Integrator Feed Facility of the YearARLINGTON, Va. — The American Feed Industry Association, in partnership with Feedstuffs and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, has named Mountaire Farms’ Scotland County feed mill in Maxton, N.C., as its 2023 Integrator Feed Facility of the Year. Gary Huddleston, AFIA’s director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs, presented the award to plant manager Hector Pacheco during the recent USPOULTRY Feed Mill Management Seminar. “The fact that this facility has been recognized as the Integrator Feed Facility of the Year two years in a row speaks volumes about their dedication to running an excellent facility,” Huddleston said. “Their focus on producing safe quality poultry feed and employee safety is second to none.” In 2022, the feed manufacturing facility produced 1,048,635 tons of feed, with the plant designed for an expansion to increase production capacity to 1.75 million tons of feed annually. The facility is Safe Feed/Safe Food certified through AFIA’s certification program. In addition to excellence in feed production, Mountaire Farms is committed to prioritizing employee safety and philanthropic efforts through two unique programs. The “Goal Zero” program aims for zero workplace accidents, and the “Mountaire Cares” program illustrates the company’s commitment to giving back to its ... read more
- Like a bad penny, talk of reporting ammonia is backTUCKER, Ga. — There’s an old saying, “A bad penny always turns up.” Apparently, the phrase dates as far back as the 1300s and comes from the occurrence of counterfeit pennies in circulation. Now the phrase is often used to describe something that is unwelcome or someone or something that unwantedly re-occurs. This phrase is certainly fitting for the subject of reporting the emission of ammonia from poultry houses. On Feb. 15, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) closed the docket on accepting comments after issuing an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that requested information that would assist the Agency “in the potential development of regulations to reinstate the reporting of animal waste air emissions at farms under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).” EPCRA resulted from Congress’s passing of a federal statute that was introduced after a release of a pesticide in 1984 from an industrial plant in Bhopal, India. One key provision of EPCRA is a requirement to immediately report an accidental release of “Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHSs) and CERCLA hazardous substances. Following the initial notification of an accidental release, the facility must also provide a follow-up written report on the incident. State Emergency ... read more
- PACK EXPO East bringing latest technologies to PhiladelphiaHERNDON, Va. — PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, is bringing PACK EXPO East to the city of brotherly love, March 18-20, for its sixth iteration — and largest show to date. The event represents a comprehensive showcase of packaging and processing technologies. “Philadelphia is a critical innovation hub at the crossroads of some of the world’s biggest brands and many emerging companies,” Jim Pittas, PMMI president and CEO, said. “PACK EXPO East brings cutting-edge technologies to the backyards of those engineers, plant managers, package designers, and other busy brand professionals so they can see up close and in person the solutions that stand to transform their operations.” More than 7,000 professionals are expected to attend, representing a wide range of manufacturing sectors, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, household, industrial and agricultural chemicals, and personal care, toiletries, and cosmetics. Mirroring a series of PMMI Business Intelligence industry-focused reports, PMMI projects the top trends to see are sustainability, automation, and remote services. Sustainability remains central in packaging and processing, driven by increasing government regulations on environmental impact. Companies are not only complying with these laws but also implementing internal strategies to enhance sustainability in their operations and ... read more
- Highly pathogenic H5N2 avian flu confirmed in Alaska
Highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza has been confirmed in a wild mallard duck from a state wildlife refuge in Alaska, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced on August 26 … read more
- 3 Important Biosecurity Concepts for Your Poultry Farm
The effectiveness of any biosecurity program is affected by what is in the program and whether the program is being followed. All it takes is one instance of a policy circumvented … read more
- Arkansas Poultry Industry Braces for Bird Flu
Many Arkansans are looking skyward, eager to see migrating ducks from the north flying though the state when hunting season opens in November. Many other Arkansans are looking … read more