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29 February 2012

MSD Animal Health updates poultry vaccines guide

//28 Feb 2012 MSD Animal Health has updated its safety guide for the use of inactivated poultry vaccines. The wallet-sized guide has become popular with poultry managers seeking to remind staff of the potential dangers from accidentally self-injecting and the immediate steps which should be taken in the event that this unintentionally occurs. Many MSD Animal Health poultry vaccines contain an oil-in-water emulsion designed to promote effective immune response following vaccination. Inactivated vaccines are commonly used in animal health and livestock production. The specific MSD Animal Health vaccines are listed in the guide. Key information on what immediate actions to take should accidental self-vaccination occur are explained. Dr Sarah Rennie, Integrated Livestock Marketing Manager at MSD Animal Health explains, “Accidental self-vaccination is rare but should it happen staff need clear direction on the correct action to take. Producers in the UK recognise their responsibilities in ensuring that staff handle and apply vaccines safely. The purpose of this guide is to provide the necessary detail enabling all staff to understand the risks and implement appropriate safety protocols.” Poultry producers, consultants and vets can request a free copy of the guide by contacting MSD Animal Health Source: MSD Animal Health

EU meat consumption and production falls

//29 Feb 2012 Both meat production and consumption in the EU are expected to decrease in 2012, according to a recent report by the European Commission. Overall meat production in the EU is expected to decrease by 1.1% in 2012 and remain stable with a further small decrease of 0.1% in 2013, while a decrease in total EU meat consumption is foreseen of 0.7% in 2012 and 0.4% in 2013, the EC’s Short Term Outlook for February 2012 stated. The EU meat sector in 2011 was supported by a relatively strong level of demand on the world market characterised by the quite favourable global economic situation. Global import demand increased, partly as a consequence of animal disease related supply constraints in the Far-East. Overall supply of meat was further constrained by high feed costs despite the reasonably good harvest in the EU, US, Canada and Russia. As a consequence world prices increased which contributed to the continued good performance of EU exports. The outlook is characterised by a further contraction in total EU meat consumption, which is expected to decrease by 0.7% in 2012 and 0.4% in 2013. Only poultry meat has proven to be resilient, with consumption estimated to have grown slightly in 2011 and expected to increase further over the outlook period given its healthy image. The total consumption of poultry meat is expected to increase in 2012 by 0.8% in the EU mainly triggered by a higher domestic demand and relatively cheap availability. World demand for poultry meat is growing everywhere except in the US where the demand is likely to remain weak. Global production should grow except in the US where poor profitability led to a cut in production since the second half of 2011. Net production in the EU is expected to grow slightly by 0.6% in 2012 and by 0.7% in 2013 compared with the years before. Concerning the trade flows in 2012, our exports are expected to decline by 1.2% and this tendency should continue in 2013 with imports remaining at the same level in 2012 as in 2011.

28 February 2012

Homemade yoghurt for piglets

//28 Feb 2012 Among Danish piglet producers, it’s well known, that sour milk products as yoghurt has a beneficial impact on the intestinal function and hereby on the health and welfare of the piglets. That is why yoghurt products are widely used for piglets suffering from digestive disturbances, for large litters and in periods when the sow does not produce sufficient amount of milk in order to support a healthy growth, and at the same time to keep the use of antibiotics low, especially at weaning. The new product, YoghurLac, is designed to have the same texture and acidity as yoghurt products, when the 125 grams of the product is mixed into 1 litre of lukewarm water. Besides active lactic acid bacteria, YoghurLac contains high contents of milk powder and lactose, providing the piglets with easily absorbable nutrient at the same time as the milk acidification ensures a low pH in the intestinal tract and thus damaging E.coli and other gram negative bacteria. The thick texture of the mixture and the both fresh and sweet taste from the acidified milk powder ensures that the piglets eat willingly the homemade yoghurt and “splashing” will be avoided. The advantage of YoghurLac is further more a long shelf life, 2 years, and it is ready to mix and use when it is needed. It need not be refrigerated and does not occupy space in the refrigerator. The product is available in 8 kg buckets, enough for production of 64 litres of homemade yoghurt, for a price approximately 25% below the dairy yoghurt products. YoghurLac is manufactured by NutriScan a/s, Denmark: www.nutriscan.dk

New vaccine alternative helps fight against PRRS

//28 Feb 2012 Fostera PRRS, a modified-live vaccine for growing pigs from Pfizer Animal Health, helps to fight the costly battle against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) respiratory disease. Pfizer Animal Health's research and development team created unique cell lines that were able to express a newly discovered key receptor protein for the PRRS virus (PRRSv). This was pivotal in bringing Fostera PRRS to the pork industry. "With more than half of weaning-age PRRSv-negative pigs becoming infected before going to market, this vaccine option helps growing pigs defend themselves against a PRRSv challenge," says Steve Sornsen, DVM, MS, senior director, Veterinary Business Solutions at Pfizer Animal Health. A challenge study demonstrated that Fostera PRRS, which is the first and only PRRSv vaccine to earn the label claim aid in prevention of PRRS respiratory disease, reduced lung lesions by 84 percent and reduced overall respiratory clinical signs by 80 percent. Additionally, results showed vaccination with Fostera PRRS improved average daily gain by 2.5 times compared to pigs in the placebo group. "Fostera PRRS helps optimize performance by minimizing the adverse affects of a subsequent PRRSv challenge, thereby allowing growing pigs to maximize their post-challenge weight gain," says Doug King, DVM, senior veterinarian at Pfizer Animal Health. Fostera PRRS is the second product to launch under the Fostera brand name and is supported by in-field support, resources and diagnostics to help veterinarians and producers tackle this critical disease challenge.

27 February 2012

50,000 birds abandoned at US poultry farm


//27 Feb 2012
US poultry producer, A&L Poultry could face criminal charges after it was revealed that the company had abandoned 50,000 chickens, leaving them unfed for two weeks.
Authorities were forced to euthanise nearly 48,000 of the chickens on the Californian farm, leaving approximately 2,000 to be treated at sanctuaries.

The company has since issued a formal apology, claiming that they planned to ship the chicken’s to a third party in the course of shutting down its egg production.

The company stated the chickens were abandoned by accident: “An attempt to arrange for delivery of the chickens to a third party in order to avoid the usual business practice of euthanising the chickens resulted in an unacceptable situation A&L Poultry did not intend, and profoundly regrets.”

According to reports a prosecution of the owner of A&L Poultry, Andy Keung Cheung, will follow next week. When operational the company produced between 12.5 million and 15 million eggs a year.

Source: msnbc.com

US support for welfare legislation gains momentum


//27 Feb 2012
In the US, 64 egg producing companies collectively representing over 90% of shell egg production have expressed their support for the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendment (HR 3798), the United Egg Producers has confirmed.
Prominent research specialists have also added their endorsement of the proposed legislation. Dr Jeff Armstrong, President of California Polytechnic State University and previously affiliated to Michigan State University, has stated that he supports enriched colony cage housing and also passage of HR 3798, based on his scientific appraisal of the system. Dr. Temple Grandin of Colorado State University, and a prominent authority on animal welfare stated, “enriched colony cage housing is a system that the egg industry should adopt”.

The American Veterinary Medical Association Executive Board has voted to support HR 3798. Their statement included “the Executive Board deliberated extensively over opposition on this legislation, but ultimately believed that the welfare of the animals was the most important factor, even though they have significant concerns about the implications of establishing federal oversight for animal housing and management on the farm”.

A number of influential newspapers have editorialised in support of the legislation representing both coasts. Positive support was expressed by the New York Times, The San Diego Union Tribune, The Oregonian, Los Angeles Times and the News Tribune.

The Consumer Federation of America and the National Consumers League, representing purchasers of eggs have also expressed positive support for legislation which will force egg producers to switch to colony housing that will provide egg-laying hens with twice the amount of room they currently have or make a switch to cage-free housing.

Source: EggCite

26 February 2012

Brazilian poultry production on the rise


//24 Feb 2012
Despite revised downward broiler production estimates for 2012 to 13.3 million metric tons, Brazil still looks to set a new record up 3% from 2011. The increase in production is mostly driven by domestic demand and a small recovery in exports.
Broiler production is now estimated to grow by only 3% in 2012, as compared to an initial forecast of 5% growth, according to figures in a recent USDA Gain Report. Production estimated at 13.3 million metric tons reflects the current view of industry leaders given the world economic uncertainties derived from the European Union financial crisis and its impact on Brazilian broiler export markets.

Domestic consumption
In addition, the production growth has slowed due to an overvalued Brazilian currency and restrictions from trade partners. Another important factor is a slowdown in the rate of growth of domestic consumption combined with higher costs of production due to higher corn prices.

Domestic consumption of broiler meat in 2012 is projected to increase by 3% to 9.9 million metric tons, which is below the initial forecast of 10.1 million metric tons. The growth in exports in 2012 is likely to be driven by higher sales of whole broilers in general, and chicken parts, in particular, to China and Hong Kong. Trade sources also expect higher exports to Egypt and Iraq.

Broiler exports
Nonetheless, Brazilian exporters have currently three major concerns affecting the outlook for broiler exports in 2012: 1) the continued overvaluation of the Brazilian currency, although this factor did not prevent record exports last year; 2) uncertainties derived from the world financial crisis, mostly in Europe, and its impact on importing markets; and 3) specific issues with major trading partners such as the Russian Federation (slow relisting of Brazilian poultry plants) and South Africa (application of antidumping tariffs on Brazilian broiler of 62.92% on whole broilers and 46.59% on chicken parts). South Africa was the 7th largest market for Brazilian broiler exports in 2011 with shipments of 195,416 metric tons (PWE).

In 2011, the total volume of broiler meat exports, including chicken feet and paws, reached 3.7 million metric tons, an increase of 3.3% from 2010. However, the value of exports increased by 22% to US$ 7.6 billion due to the increase in the average price of broiler meat in the world market.

Source: USDA Gain Report

South African ostrich industry hit hard by HPAI


//24 Feb 2012
A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza is devastating the South African commercial ostrich industry with 41,000 birds already been reported culled.
Officials say the H5N2 virus, which was first detected in the Western Cape Province last April, does not pose a threat to humans but could mutate and affect poultry.

African authorities have imposed an exports suspension of ostrich products and banned restocking until the entire region is declared virus-free. Officials say farmers whose animals were culled have received compensation of 50 million rand ($6.5 million) but warn that the impact on the industry, which accounts for up to 80% of the world's ostrich products, is still severe.

"The industry estimates that it is losing more than 100 million rand ($13 million) per month which is very serious," says Wouter Kriel, the spokesman for the Western Cape Provincial Department of Agriculture. "The situation cannot continue indefinitely and we very urgently need to try and get the industry back on its feet again".

South Africa is the global leader in ostrich farming. Its industry exports 90% of its output, generates about 1.2 billion rand ($155 million) a year and provides thousands of direct job opportunities.

Anton Kruger, head of the South African Ostrich Business Chamber, the business body representing the industry, says that meat-exporting farms that were spared the virus are also suffering the strain, hit by the European Union import ban on all ostrich meat from the area.

Last month, authorities announced that the seventh round of surveillance for the H5N2 virus were negative. If the next round of tests also yields negative results, then the government can deem the outbreak to be over - it is only then that South Africa can apply to the European Union, their biggest importer of ostrich meat, to lift their ban and farmers can start restocking.

But Kruger says even if the ban is lifted "it will take at least three years for the industry to recover," affecting the livelihood of the area's farmers.

Source: CNN / OIE

Russia announces use of microchips to fight African Swine Fever


//23 Feb 2012
Russian authorities have decided to implant an innovation microchip in the ear of every pig, which will contain all the information about the animal. The new microchip will provide information about changes in the health of the pig and will help farmers to timely detect the infection of the animal with African Swine Fever.
It is assumed that each company must be equipped with the latest electronic technology, which will be regularly read information from all microchips and deliver it to a single computer.

According to Eugene Gromyko, deputy governor of Kuban, the area most affected by African Swine Fever (ASF), this measure will help curb the spread of a dangerous virus. It is assumed that in some areas in southern Russia in the first place in the Krasnodar chips will be implanted around the pig livestock within three years. In the future a similar measure will be implemented in other regions of Russia.

Modernisation cost
According to preliminary expert estimates, such modernisation, which will become mandatory, will cost the average company about 150 million roubles (US$5 million). Not every one farm has such funds and therefore it is predicted that more than 90% of pork production enterprises will be forced to leave the market. Thus, the Russian authorities are planning through the economic measures leave only large pig farms in the market.

Looking back to December 2011, authorities in some regions of Russia took a decision in an administrative order to limit the number of pig livestock on private farms to three. This caused a lot of disturbances and protests of the small and medium-sized manufacturers, which results that due to the pressure of public opinion this measure was abandoned.

Study: New swine flu virus – pandemic potential


//24 Feb 2012
According to a new study, flu viruses of swine origin that caused infections in the United States late last year appear to have pandemic potential. The findings are based on a transmission study in ferrets.
The new study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, involves work with an H3N2 swine virus — now called an H3N2 variant — that has caused sporadic human cases in the United States, with some limited person-to-person spread.

In the H3N2 variant study, the researchers didn't need to force the viruses to mutate so that they were able to infect ferrets. The viruses already seem well-adapted to infecting mammals, senior author Terrence Tumpey said.

The M gene
The study looked at H3N2 variant viruses from 2009, 2010 and 2011. Over those years, the viruses changed. In particular, in 2011 the virus picked up a gene — the M gene — from the H1N1 virus that caused the 2009 pandemic.

The M gene, when tested in guinea pigs, seems to make flu virus more transmissible. That led flu scientists to hypothesize that the M gene might make it easier for the swine viruses to infect people and might explain what appeared to be an increase in human cases last year.

This study actually questions that finding, noting that H3N2 variant viruses from 2010 were as transmissible in ferrets as the 2011 version. "It is unclear whether the acquisition of the M gene… enhanced the ability of A(H3N2)v virus to spread in pigs and infect people," the study said.

Tumpey, a microbiologist, said these viruses — which are distant cousins to human H3N2 viruses — attach to the same cell receptors that human flu viruses attach to. Avian influenza viruses attach to different receptors which aren't common in the human respiratory tract, which is thought to be why H5N1 viruses don't infect humans more frequently.

"Overall, for the more recent ones, the 2010 and 2011 viruses, we are seeing very efficient transmission events, similar to what we see with seasonal H3N2 viruses," Tumpey said of the H3N2 variant viruses.

"These viruses have the pandemic potential, but we also need more data to really understand the cross-reactive immunity in the general population to the H3N2 (variant) viruses."

Source and for full article: Brandonsun

USA: Price takes on greater role when purchasing pork


//24 Feb 2012
The impact of the economy and higher prices for meat and poultry products are making a significant difference for consumers at the meat case.
Price has taken on an ever-greater role in the meat purchasing decision process, as price per pound has solidified its number-one ranking as the most important decision factor for consumers, while total package cost is now the second most important decision factor, surpassing product appearance, according to the seventh annual Power of Meat study.


The study, conducted by 210 Analytics, was commissioned jointly by the American Meat Institute (AMI) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) with generous sponsorship by Sealed Air's Cryovac Food Packaging Division.


The report, which details the findings of a national online poll of 1,340 consumers conducted in November 2011, was released this week at the 2012 Annual Meat Conference in Orlando, FL.


Top money-saving behaviours
Shoppers who try to save money on groceries typically resort to a variety of money-saving measures both pre-trip and in the store. However, for the first time this year, the share of shoppers simply opting to buy less (and thus spend less) equalled the share using lists, coupons and other saving measures.


In terms of meat and poultry, dollar sales increased by 2.5%, but volume sales decreased by 5.3% as a result of inflation across proteins. Consumer focus on price and value is further underscored by the growing share of shoppers engaging in pre-trip research and planning meals around promotions. However, an even greater share compares prices while in the store. The end result is greater shopper flexibility to adjust purchases to spend less.


Meal purchasing patterns
Full-service supermarkets continue to be a stronghold for fresh meat and poultry, with high retention rates and a pick-up of shoppers from other channels, especially supercenters.

The emphasis on in-store purchasing decisions makes clear signage and effective operations all the more important. Price-related promotions are especially effective for steering people to a certain kind of meat or poultry and slightly less effective for the amount purchased.


Private-brand meat and poultry remains popular. However, rather than an outright preference, it is better defined as a greater willingness to purchase private brands. This led to an increase in the share of ‘switchers’ - shoppers who do not have a preference for national or private brand, but choose based on other factors, predominantly price. Meanwhile, shoppers' reduced interest in volume-based discounts, such as bulk and buy-one-get-one free, as measured last year, did not rebound any this year.


Despite economic pressures, natural and organic meat and poultry experienced an uptick in the number of buyers over the past year to 24 percent of shoppers. Additionally, 90% of shoppers predict they will buy about the same (70%) or more (20%) next year.


Meat's role on the dinner table
Meat and poultry play an important role at the American dinner table, with chicken and beef making up the largest share of purchases. The fresh category continues to be much larger than the heat-and-eat and ready-to-eat categories, but the latter continue to show signs of strength for the convenience-oriented shopper.

Another area of growth is marinated meat and poultry, with an increasing share of shoppers preparing their own mixes or purchasing marinades or spice mixes along with the meat/poultry.


Related website
• American Meat Institute (AMI)

UK pork sales up 0.8% in volume in 2011


//24 Feb 2012
Pork sales in the United Kingdom have been up 2.4% in value and 0.8% in volume in 2011.
These positive figures were released by the British Pig Executive (BPEX), in its latest BPEX Quarterly Report. It also included figures of the full 52 weeks ending Dec 25, 2011.

The report, which covers both home-produced and imported, shows, for example, for sausages and bacon, both expenditure and volume are up.

BPEX head of supply chain development Andrew Knowles said: “The report paints a picture of the sales of pork, bacon and ham in figures. It shows the top four retailers are responsible for 72% of all the pork sold in this country. It is an important publication for people in that sector as it gives them the background information they need to read the market.”

The report can be found by clicking this link.

Related website:
• British Pork Executive (BPEX)


Taiwan: Pig farmers suspend major protest



//21 Feb 2012
Taiwan has been in the spotlight recently, with the issue of ractopamine taking centre stage and the US urging the country to change its zero tolerance policy on the feed addtive in meat. A major protest has been planned for 5 March, against ractopamine meat entering the country from the US.
Ractopamine has been banned in Taiwan, however, the US (where the drug is legal for use as a feed additive) wants Taiwan to accept US beef containing ractopamine, and this may lead to US pork products containing the feed additive.

The planned protest has been put on hold, according to The Republic of China Swine Association chairman of the association, Yang Kuang-chang. A report by taiwanfocus stated that the 10,000-man protest was to take place following the reports that the Taiwan government could give in to US pressure to lift the ban on US beef containing ractopamine, and that US pork products containing the feed additive could follow suit.


Also, the association chairman stated that Chen Bao-ji, minister of the Council of Agriculture (COA), said it was Premier Sean Chen who was making decisions, so it was meaningless to stage a massive protest against the COA.

Ractopamine is used as a feed additive in pig and cattle feed, promoting lean meat. Yang added that the association would still protest against the lifting of the ractopamine ban if the government allowed the inclusion of ractopamine.


"If the government moves further to damage the hog industry, the association will lead hog growers to travel to Taipei to protest," Yang commented.


First phytogenic performance enhancer approved for use in piglets in EU


//24 Feb 2012
Phytogenic performance enhancer Fresta F, manufactured by Austrian feed additive company Delacon, has been approved in the European Union for use in piglet feed.
The brand is the first phytogenic (or plant-derived) product to be registered as a zootechnical additive in the EU. The approval by the European Commission means that the product is safe and efficacious.

A lot of different phytogenic feed additive products have entered the market in recent years, mainly as a consequence of the EU ban on usage of antibiotic growth promoters in 2006. Delacon speaks of a ‘milestone’, being the first in that phytogenic market to have an approval in the European Union. “It marks the first time a regulatory body has accepted that a phytogenic feed additive delivers safe, effective and proven results.”

In a press release, the company describes the product as ‘a combination of standardised, plant derived substances, developed to improve the performance of piglets’. The product affects the excretion of digestive juices and enzymes and thus increases the nutrient digestibility, the main reason for the proven performance enhancing effect.

The European Commission approved the product for use in piglet feed after a safety, quality and efficacy evaluation process that lasted about two years. The product has been in use worldwide for many years.

Related website:
• Delacon

23 February 2012

COA: No evidence that ractopamine kills more pigs

//21 Feb 2012 Helena Bottemiller of Food Safety News wrote a report which claimed that ractopamine had "sickened or killed more than 218,000 pigs as of March 2011, more than any other animal drug on the market" since its approval for pigs in 1999 in the US. This led to the Council of Agriculture (COA), stating that it had not found evidence in the US to back up the claim. Ractopamine, is a drug used as a feed additive to promote lean meat in pigs and cattle, and the drug is permitted in about 20 countries globally, including the US. According to statistics from the US Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), since ractopamine was first used in the US in 2000, there has been no increase in the death rate of pigs, the COA said. These figures show pig mortality rate in the US, according to the COA: •0.3 percent in 1998 •0.28 percent in 1999 •0.29 percent in both 2000 and 2001 •2002-2008 the rate was between 0.22 and 0.2 percent •2010 it was 0.17 percent Bottemiller cited the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) records, and said that ractopamine was fed to 60% - 80% of pigs in the US and pigs fed this drug ‘suffered hyperactivity, trembling, broken limbs, inability to walk and death.’ According to a news report by focustaiwan,Taiwan's health inspection bureau Huang Kuo-ching said that even though FSIS statistics did not back the statements in Bottemiller's report, they did not oppose her arguments either. Ractopamone is currently banned in Taiwan. The US has urged Taiwan to change its zero-tolerance policy on ractopamine recently. It is therefore thought that the Taiwanese government might apply different ractopamine standards to local pork products and imported ones. •For full article by Bottemiller: Dispute over Drug in Feed Limiting U.S. Meat Exports •Also read: Taiwan may give into US demands concerning ractopamine in meat Source: focustaiwan

Thai poultry quota with EU set


//23 Feb 2012
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has confirmed the results of negotiations with the EU on allocation of processed poultry import quotas.
The quota for Thailand is 30,810 tonnes or 31.5% of the total quota for six categories of poultry including processed chicken, processed duck and raw and cooked ready-to-eat products that have chicken or duck as an ingredient.

The cabinet approved the agreement and will later submit it to parliament. The EU is expected to implement the new quota system by July 1. Negotiations took two years and were concluded late last year. The EU wanted to change tariff duties on eight categories of poultry.

Under the agreement, Thailand will receive a quota of 16,100 tonnes of processed chicken. Processed chicken within the quota will be levied a 10.9% duty. After that, the tariff will be 2,765 (112,000 baht) per tonne.

For processed duck, Thailand's quota stands at 14,700 tonnes, also at a 10.9% tariff. For raw duck, Thailand received a 10-tonne quota. The tariff rate is 630 a tonne, with 2,765 a tonne above the quota amount. Since 2007, Thai exporters fully utilised the 160,033 tonnes of cooked chicken meat quota the EU allocated each year to Thailand.

Last year, the country exported 200,000 tonnes of cooked chicken meat to the EU. However, the country did not fully utilise the 92,610-tonne raw chicken meat quota.

22 February 2012

Australian egg consumption on the rise



//22 Feb 2012
Australians have increased their egg consumption with gusto, eating seven percent more eggs in the past year, according to statistics released by the Australian Egg Corporation Ltd.
The Australian egg industry has responded by producing a total of 392 million dozen eggs during 2011 or 12.9 million eggs each day. This represents an increase of 10% on 2010 levels and up by 22% on the 5-year average or an increase of 51% since 2000.

AECL Managing Director, James Kellaway said that in the past year, each Australian ate on average a whopping 213 eggs, up from the 198 eggs consumed in 2010.

“These statistics prove that the humble egg has become a central part of the diet of Australians – be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, eggs are a versatile, nutritious and very affordable food that Australians are eating... with great gusto!” Kellaway said.

Egg retail sales
In terms of retail sales, a total of 128.4 million dozen (worth $523.5 million) were sold, which is up by 5% on the volumes sold in 2010 and up by 19% on the 5-year average with long term annual growth also averaging 5% each year. This compares to population growth in Australia that averages 1.5% each year.

“We believe the increased consumption is due to a growing awareness of new science that proves that eggs do not increase cholesterol as previously thought and that people can safely eat six eggs a week (according to the Heart Foundation). Not only that, new science shows that egg consumption can help people with diabetes and assist reduce obesity in the community,” Kellaway said.

On a segment basis, cage egg retail sales totaled 71 million dozen, down by 1% on 2010 levels but up by 2% on the 5-year average. Free range retail egg sales reached 43 million, up by a massive 24% on 2010 levels and up by 64% on the 5-year average. Barn-laid retail egg sales fell to total 11 million dozen, down by 3%, but increased by 64% on the 5-year average.

Free range eggs
“The increase in free range retail sales was driven, in part, by the lowest free range retail prices since 2006. In terms of market shares in 2011, cage eggs owned 55% of the retail market with free range eggs representing 34%. Barn-laid eggs remained subdued at 9% of the retail market with organic and other specialty eggs representing 2% of the market,” he said.

“While Australians have increased their egg consumption in the past two years, Mexicans and Japanese eat considerably more eggs than us. According to the International Egg Commission, Mexicans ate a whopping 365 eggs while Japanese people ate 324 eggs in the past year,” he said.

Source: Australian Egg Corporation Ltd

21 February 2012

US universities bring out DDGS dietary calculating tools


//21 Feb 2012
Several US universities are developing Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) calculators to help farmers weigh the costs, the National Hog Farmer reports.
Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) are figuring highly in US pork producers' dietary supplements for their herds, by some estimations at 5 million tonnes.

Replacing corn with the byproduct of the ethanol process cost effectivly requires time and calculation.

To help with that step, several midwestern universities offer free, online calculators to aid the decision-making process when figuring out the potential cost savings from using DDGS at varying levels.

The calculators
Kansas State University provides an online spreadsheet calculator that takes variables such as DDGS prices, the cost of corn, soybean meal, monocalcium phosophate, L-lysine HCL and limestone into account. Click here for more info.

Iowa State University Iowa State provides a similar online DDGS Calculator that gives producers the opportunity to investigate DDGS inclusion rates for nursery, grow-finish, gestation, lactation and even boar feeding regimens.Click here for more info.

South Dakota State University as an online calculator where producers can enter their own ingredient costs in the colored cells on the site, and the calculator shows the most economical outcome. Click here for more info.


US universities bring out DDGS dietary calculating tools


//21 Feb 2012
Several US universities are developing Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) calculators to help farmers weigh the costs, the National Hog Farmer reports.
Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) are figuring highly in US pork producers' dietary supplements for their herds, by some estimations at 5 million tonnes.

Replacing corn with the byproduct of the ethanol process cost effectivly requires time and calculation.

To help with that step, several midwestern universities offer free, online calculators to aid the decision-making process when figuring out the potential cost savings from using DDGS at varying levels.

The calculators
Kansas State University provides an online spreadsheet calculator that takes variables such as DDGS prices, the cost of corn, soybean meal, monocalcium phosophate, L-lysine HCL and limestone into account. Click here for more info.

Iowa State University Iowa State provides a similar online DDGS Calculator that gives producers the opportunity to investigate DDGS inclusion rates for nursery, grow-finish, gestation, lactation and even boar feeding regimens.Click here for more info.

South Dakota State University as an online calculator where producers can enter their own ingredient costs in the colored cells on the site, and the calculator shows the most economical outcome. Click here for more info.


ASF outbreaks continue in Russia


//20 Feb 2012
A new outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has recently been reported at a hunting farm in Zamurovskoe, Volgograd region in the south of Russia, according to the representatives of the Regional Office of Rosselkhoznadzor.
"At the Volgograd Regional Veterinary Laboratory during the research of samples of pathological material selected from the eight dead pigs from the hunting farm, the genetic material of ASF has been found," an official statement said.


The samples of pathological material have been sent at the All-Russian Research Institute of Veterinary Virology and Microbiology to confirm the diagnosis.


According to experts, local pig enterprises in the Volgograd region are not only unprepared to deal with the ASF - they simply do not comply with basic sanitary and epidemiological requirements.
In order to prevent the spread of the ASF virus the group of specialists organised by the Rosselkhoznadzor recently carried out checks at nearby farms. To date, nine enterprises have been checked, and 8 of them have been ordered to close because of the flagrant violations of safety regulations.


"Even if they do not fence their territory properly: there is often no any sanitary isolation, and the production area is full of rats. This is mostly happens because of blatant negligence and incompetence of the managers and individual employees. Lawlessness and irresponsibility, which, I believe, must be assessed and controled by the police," said the specialists group leader Shamil Vakhitov.

(By Vladislav Vorotnikov)

Taiwan: Pig farmers suspend major protest


//21 Feb 2012
Taiwan has been in the spotlight recently, with the issue of ractopamine taking centre stage and the US urging the country to change its zero tolerance policy on the feed addtive in meat. A major protest has been planned for 5 March, against ractopamine meat entering the country from the US.
Ractopamine has been banned in Taiwan, however, the US (where the drug is legal for use as a feed additive) wants Taiwan to accept US beef containing ractopamine, and this may lead to US pork products containing the feed additive.

The planned protest has been put on hold, according to The Republic of China Swine Association chairman of the association, Yang Kuang-chang. A report by taiwanfocus stated that the 10,000-man protest was to take place following the reports that the Taiwan government could give in to US pressure to lift the ban on US beef containing ractopamine, and that US pork products containing the feed additive could follow suit.


Also, the association chairman stated that Chen Bao-ji, minister of the Council of Agriculture (COA), said it was Premier Sean Chen who was making decisions, so it was meaningless to stage a massive protest against the COA.

Ractopamine is used as a feed additive in pig and cattle feed, promoting lean meat. Yang added that the association would still protest against the lifting of the ractopamine ban if the government allowed the inclusion of ractopamine.


"If the government moves further to damage the hog industry, the association will lead hog growers to travel to Taipei to protest," Yang commented.

19 February 2012

UK researchers aim to breed Campylobacter-resistant chickens

//17 Feb 2012 Eliminating the most common cause of food poisoning from the food chain is the aim of new Roslin Institute research funded by the BBSRC and poultry breeding company Aviagen. Campylobacter is responsible for more than 300,000 cases of food poisoning a year in England and Wales and is estimated to cost the UK economy up to £600 million a year. It is usually passed to humans via poultry meat which has not been cooked or handled properly. While good hygiene and thorough cooking kills the bug, preventing it entering the food chain in the first instance would dramatically reduce the risk of infection. To this end, BBSRC and Aviagen have awarded Roslin Institute researchers £1.3 million to map genes responsible for resistance to the bug with the view to being able to breed Campylobacter-resistant chickens in the future. Campylobacter in the gut Chickens are able to tolerate relatively large amounts of Campylobacter in their guts without harm which allows the bacteria to thrive. However, some breeds of chicken are able to naturally resist the bacteria’s colonisation – reducing the chances of it entering the food chain. Now researchers from The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, a BBSRC-funded institute, will spend the next three years mapping the genes and gene mutations responsible for increased resistance to colonisation of Campylobacter in chicken guts. “We already know from our previous work with non-commercial birds that some chickens are able to reduce the levels of bacterium in their guts by 10-000 fold relative to other breeds”, says Professor Peter Kaiser, from The Roslin Institute, who will lead the study. “We have already identified four regions of the genome that contribute to this resistance. This new research programme should allow us to locate the actual genes responsible for this increased resistance.” “Our work offers the potential to develop a quick and targeted approach to breeding poultry that are more resistant to Campylobacter colonisation and so prevent it from entering the food chain.” Jim McAdam, Aviagen’s UK Breeding Programme Director, said: “We are very pleased to have joined forces with BBSRC to be able to make this award in a very important area of food security. While steps can and are being taken to reduce the chances of Campylobacter reaching peoples’ plates, this research aims to get to the very heart of the problem – reducing the amount of Campylobacter in the poultry population through breeding for increased resistance to colonisation.” This research is funded by a BBSRC-LINK grant which promotes academic and industrial collaboration in pre-competitive research. Source: The Roslin Institute

Important step made towards Salmonella vaccine

//17 Feb 2012 An international research team led by a University of California, Davis, immunologist has taken an important step toward an effective vaccine against salmonella. The research team has identified a set of antigens — molecules in the invading bacteria that trigger an immune response — that is common to both mice and humans. “These antigens will provide the research community with a foundation for developing a protective salmonella vaccine,” said Stephen McSorley, an immunologist and associate professor in the UC Davis Center for Comparative Medicine, which investigates diseases that afflict both humans and animals. There are currently no vaccines for the strains of salmonella that cause these type of illnesses. Furthermore, salmonella bacteria increasingly are becoming resistant to existing antibiotic treatments. And no new, effective antibiotics are on the horizon. In an effort to identify those antigens, the research team created an array, or collection, of 2,700 proteins, representing approximately 60 percent of all proteins produced by salmonella bacteria. The researchers found that 117 of those proteins behaved as antigens when mixed with blood serum from salmonella-infected mice, triggering an immune response to defend against the bacterial infection. Fourteen of those proteins were common to all four strains of mice involved in the study. The researchers also identified 14 proteins that served as antigens in the blood serum from Malawian children infected with salmonella. Eight of those 14 proteins, or 57%, were among the 117 antigens identified in the mice. “Discovery of the eight antigens in both mouse and human infections suggests that some of these antigens might be successfully used in developing a vaccine to protect against salmonella and that the mouse model of salmonella will be useful before vaccine research moves into clinical trials,” McSorley said. Also collaborating on this project: UC Irvine; the University of Malawi, Chichiri, Malawi; Novartis Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Sienna, Italy; and the University of Birmingham, England. The researchers’ discovery will be published in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Source: UC Davis

16 February 2012

Brazil approaches WTO about SA poultry tariffs

//16 Feb 2012 Brazil’s poultry association has said it will ask the government to approach the World Trade Organization about South Africa imposing higher tariffs on its poultry imports. These are “flagrant violations of the WTO’s anti-dumping agreement,” Ubabef markets director Francisco Turra said in a statement. “It’s clear that South African importers’ responses and information from Ubabef about how the costs of the Brazilian products are calculated weren’t considered, besides other technical failures.” Import charges of 6-63% have been imposed on the poultry for six months, as initial information showed Brazilian producers are dumping products in South Africa and neighboring countries, Francois Dubbelman of Pretoria-based FC Dubbelman and Associates, which represents the South African Poultry Association, said yesterday. South Africa imports 16% of all chicken consumed in the country, with 70% of that coming from Brazil, according to Ubabef. Brazilian exporters include BRF Brasil Foods SA, the world’s biggest poultry exporter, and Seara Alimentos, the pork and poultry unit of Marfrig Alimentos. Ubabef’s marketing relations manager, Adriano Zerbini, yesterday questioned the process of the investigation. "Those products account for only 3% of total consumption in SA, that cannot possibly constitute dumping. The industry will be consulting with government to take the matter to the WTO." South Africa’s International Trade Administration Commission, which asked for the tariffs, will finalise its findings once interested parties have commented on the preliminary outcome. Source: Bloomberg

Thai Ag Secretary Limlangthong opens Victam Asia

//16 Feb 2012 Yukol Limlamthong, Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, took the honour to open the Victam, FIAAP and GRAPAS Asia at the Bitec Exhibition Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, which commenced on February 15. Victam Asia 2012, Asia Pacific premier exhibition and conferences for the animal feed, petfood, aquatic feed and biomass technology, that will bring together exhibitors, conference delegates and visitors worldwide from these industries and Thailand once again is proud to have the event as the Asia hub of the animal feed and aquafeed industries. “Presently chemical free meat commodities become an important issue of the world,” Limlamthong said. “Animal feed then is considered as a source of quality of livestock food productions both in terms of taste and quantity and the most concern is the safety from chemicals and residues. “With the concern in quality and safety of agricultural products, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives realizes that it is important to simplify technical knowledge and modern technology in production of raw material procurement, ingredients, manufacturing, technology, machinery, processing, storage and agriculture to primary producers. “This all to be able to ensure and solidify our quality and safety of the exported agricultural commodities as well as to protect and maintain our sustainable environment and ecology,” the Secretary said in his opening speech. After the ribbon cutting ceremony with the Victam Board the doors to the exhibition were opened and visitors from all over the world flooded the floor.

Bayer HealthCare SEA consolidates its animal nutraceutical business

//16 Feb 2012 At Victam Asia 2012 Bayer HealthCare together with Dr. Eckel GmbH announced to further extend the efforts of establishing a high class animal nutraceutical-portfolio and customer services in Asia. The umbrella incorporates with Clariant (former Südchemie AG) and Agraquest Inc two more technology platforms. •The crew of the Bayer HealthCare group presenting at Fiaap Asia. On the far right hand side Dr Jan Koesling, regional business development manager Animal Nutrition & Aquaculture. The newest product in the joint portfolio is Pecutrin, a feed additive from Dr. Eckel and was recently launched in India. Pecutrin is an innovative product which prevents common metabolic disorders in ruminants leading to better health and improved performance parameters. To further diversify the portfolio in 2012 both companies actively progress nutraceutical business development of phytogenic and enhanced prebiotic brands. Additive portfolio Further products marketed in the field of high class feed additives comprise Baymix Aqua 200 and Latibon Plus ME from Dr. Eckel, Baymix Grobig BS from AgraQuest, and a claim extension of Toxisorb Premium from Clariant. The products launched in the region in 2011 develop well and are gaining importance in the market of animal nutraceuticals. “We want to consolidate our activities in the feed additive business together with our partners under one umbrella. Our customers appreciate being offered different technologies from one provider, supplying the best solutions for their individual needs”, states Rajesh Aggarwal, Head of Region South East Asia from Bayer Animal Health. “With Bayer as our strategic partner in Asia we aim to expand our position as provider of innovative solutions for the feed industry.” says Andreas Lewke, Director of the newly opened Representative office of Dr. Eckel in Bangkok. “We will actively pursue the joint development of a range of new products to meet the specific demand of our Asian customers.” In cooperation with Bayer Technology Services Bayer HealthCare launched end of 2011 in Asia as a customer service pilot of the Bayer Quality Analyser operating the Bayer Microlabs establishing novel diagnostic standards in mycotoxin detection within feed raw material quality control.

Study: Improving sow colostrum and milk immune quality

//16 Feb 2012 Results of an innovative large-scale study on sow colostrum and milk immune quality were presented at the latest ‘Journées de la Recherche Porcine’ (swine research days- JRP) in Paris, a major event for the pig industry to stay abreast of swine research(1). One of the main conclusions of the study was that sows diet supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (Levucell SB), effectively improved colostrum immune status: the level of IgG and IgA are improved by 21 and 18% on average, respectively. In milk, the IgA level was also significantly enhanced by 18%. A second study presented at the same congress (2) provided further insight into piglets’ ability to quickly reach the udder, based on their vitality at birth, and its link with subsequent performance. The authors of the study concluded that: “Colostrum antibodies levels were significantly enhanced by Levucell SB supplementation in the sow diet”, adding that: “If we can demonstrate that the piglets immune status were consequently improved, in particular at weaning, this could represent a potential alternative to antibiotic usage in piglet, a practice increasingly questioned due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance and associated diarrhoeas outburst.” Unlike in humans, there is no transfer of maternal immunoglobulins (Ig) to the foetus during gestation: newborn piglets are totally deprived of antibodies. In fact, their early immunity depends on immunoglobulin G (IgG) intake through colostrum and then milk, a process known as passive transfer of immunity. Consequently, piglet immunity in the first days of life depends on their colostrum intake and colostrum IgG content (Le Dividich et al., 2005), which are highly variable from farm to farm and even from sow to sow. Moreover, it is known that passive immunity level reached during the colostral phase favours the development of active immunity and the level of immune protection at weaning (Rooke et al., 2003). Thus, enhancing the colostrum and milk IgG content through sow diet design appears as a good strategy to optimise piglet’s protection and health pre and post-weaning. Moreover, the observed effects of Levucell SB upon colostrum and milk antibodies levels are in-line with the well-described benefits of this probiotic in maternity upon piglets’ health (reduced mortality in maternity, reduced neonatal diarrhoea...) and performance up to weaning (improved ADWG and litter weight...) What’s more, this large-scale experimental study enabled to update the literature on sow colostrum, a poorly studied, although essential aspect of pig production. The study presented at the JRP was conducted on 66 sows in total in a French pig farm, and provided a wealth of data on colostrum immune status (evolution of IgG, IgM and IgA contents post-farrowing), while the references available on the subject were scarce, with studies performed on a much more limited number of sows (Salmon-Le Gagneur 1962; Klobasa et al., 1987; Le Dividich 2001). The second significant and innovative study from Lallemand team that was presented at the JRP Congress (2), proposed an update of our piglet vitality scale (3), incorporating the time to reach the udder after farrowing (INRA method). This study showed the relevance of this updated assessment method, which appears easy to implement in commercial pig farms when studying the peri-partum phase. It also confirmed the link between vitality at birth and subsequent piglet zootechnical performance (ADWG). These conclusions concur with the precedent study, emphasizing the importance of colostrum intake on piglet subsequent performance. (1)Influence of feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii on immunoglobulins of sow’s colostrum and milk, by David Guillou, Audrey Sacy, Dominique Marchand, Yannig Le Treut, and Jean Le Dividich. 44th Journées de la Recherche Porcine, 7-8th February 2012, Paris. (2)Relationship between piglet vitality at birth and time to reach the udder: consequence on subsequent performances, by Yannig Le Treut, Audrey Sacy, Eric Chevaux, David Guillou. 44th Journées de la Recherche Porcine, 7-8th February 2012, Paris. (3)Piglets signs of immaturity at birth Audrey Sacy, Yannig Le Treut, Philippe Schmidely, Eric Chevaux, 42e Journées de la Recherche Porcine, 2 -3 February 2010, Paris.

Pigs with built-in defence against diarrhoea

//16 Feb 2012 Scientists at Aarhus University are investigating whether genetic resistance to E. coli infections is a sustainable approach to fight diarrhoea in pig production. If all pigs could avoid the diarrhoea caused by E. coli infections, life would be a lot easier for millions of pigs and for thousands of farmers. Whether this is just wishful thinking or can become reality in the pig production of the future is something that scientists from Aarhus University and the University of Southern Denmark are looking into in a new project. “Diarrhoea caused by E. coli is very costly in Danish pig production. If pigs with an inbred resistance to E. coli could be selected for breeding this would have a large impact on the control of diarrhoea in young pigs,” says senior scientist Emøke Bendixen from Aarhus University, who is the leader of the new project. The resistance to E. coli is caused by a mutation on the FUT1 gene, but there has been no strategy to include this mutation in the breeding programme. The crucial issue before you can start this is to look at whether the resistance to E. coli could have other significant biological side-effects on the animals. This is what the new project will examine. The scientists will compare the pigs that carry the FUT1 mutation with pigs that do not carry the mutation for a number of different parameters. They will, for example, examine how the FUT1 gene affects the colonisation of the intestines with beneficial microbiota, as this colonisation is crucial both for the health of the gut and for the pig’s health generally. The composition of the gut flora will be mapped for each pig in the experiment using modern technology such as genomics and proteomics. The scientists will also examine how the proteins that have an important role to play in the attachment of pathogenic and beneficial organisms to the intestinal walls are affected by the mutation on the FUT1 gene. “The knowledge that we gain is important for us to assess the advantages and drawbacks of genetic selection for the FUT1 mutation in pigs and will in the longer term help reduce diarrhoea caused by E. coli in pig production,” says Emøke Bendixen. The additional knowledge about the structure and function of specific receptor molecules that the scientists will obtain can be used to develop new preventive and therapeutic medicines for E. coli infections in both animals and humans. (Text: Janne Hansen) For further information: Senior scientist Emøke Bendixen, Department of Animal Science, e-mail: emoke.bendixen@agrsci.dk, telephone: +45 8715 8001. Source: Aarhus University

People: Pfizer AH appoints new senior director

//16 Feb 2012 Pfizer Animal Health announced the appointment of Steve Sornsen, DVM, MS, to senior director, Veterinary Business Solutions. In this newly created role, he will be responsible for leading and implementing efforts for the US Pork Business Unit to help expand veterinary customer relationships. He will also provide new, innovative practices and customized solutions for customers' businesses and the clients they serve. "Steve has always been a great source of leadership and knowledge," says Gloria Basse, group director, US Pork Business Unit. "With this exciting new role, he will utilize this expertise to develop a wide array of strategic solutions for our veterinary customers. Our goal is to be the complete solutions provider for veterinarians, and Steve will help us achieve this goal." Sornsen most recently served as senior director of Pfizer Animal Health's US Pork Technical Services. In this role, he was responsible for all technical related issues for the US Pork Business and led the highly qualified Pork Technical Services team. Sornsen has been with Pfizer Animal Health for 13 years. Basse adds, "Steve is always focused on providing value to customers and continually strives to bring improvement to the industry. He has been a strong advocate of our Commitment to Veterinarians program and is a great asset to not only Pfizer Animal Health, but to the entire veterinary community. We look forward to the new business opportunities he'll help develop for our customers."

14 February 2012

Vietnam reports PRRS

//14 Feb 2012
In the north western province of Lao Cai, Vietnam, Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) has been reported.
Six pigs have been found to be affected with PRRS, they have thus been destroyed, according to Lao Cai City's Animal Health Department.
 
This is the first report of the disease for this year in Lao Cai province, however, last month there were suspicions  of a PRRS outbreak in Bao Yen District Ha Commune.
 
Areas where PRRS was found, are currently under stricter inspections.
 
Source: vietnamnews
 

13 February 2012

Urea poisoning killed Mexican cattle

//13 Feb 2012
The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (SAGARPA) has confirmed that the death of 600 head of cattle in Actopan was caused by urea poisoning through poultry manure.
Poultry manure contains large amounts of urea, which is transformed into ammonia inside the stomach of the animal and generates amino acids or proteins, substances that cause excessive intoxication.

The delegate of SAGARPA, José Vicente Ramirez Martinez, said the death of 600 cows in the municipality of Actopan was caused by poisoning by consumption of a cheap food of bad quality called ‘pollinaza’ (manure), which the stock ranchers gave to their livestock without realising the consequences.

“After conducting a study of dead animals, it was discovered that cause of death was the consumption in excessive quantities of a feed comprising a cheap and shoddy chicken litter which poisoned the animals that died,” he said.

“The results showed traces of urea, which involves a pattern of intoxication, however, independently of this we are awaiting the outcome [of the investigation] of the manure," explained the federal official.

Methionine rule affects organic poultry farmers

//09 Feb 2012
The US Department of Agriculture published on February 6, 2012 a proposed rule that would continue the allowance of synthetic methionine in organic poultry production but at reduced levels from the current allowable levels.
The current allowance for synthetic methionine expires on October 1, 2012 and allows 4 pounds per ton (2 kg/t) of feed for laying chickens; 5 pounds per ton (2.5 kg/t) of feed for broiler chickens; and 6 pounds per ton (3 kg/t) of feed for turkeys and other poultry.

The proposed rule would permit organic poultry producers to use synthetic methionine after October 1, 2012 at maximum levels of 2 pounds per ton (1 kg/t) for laying hens and broiler chickens and 3 pounds per ton (1.5 kg/t) for turkeys and all other poultry.

Methionine is classified as an essential amino acid, and is required for proper cell development and feathering. Poultry animals cannot biologically produce methionine on their own.

The proposed rule reflects the recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board, an independent body of organic industry and stakeholder representatives that advises the Secretary of Agriculture on aspects of the USDA organic regulations.

The board determined that the proposed reduced levels of synthetic methionine, developed in consultation with animal welfare experts and nutritionists, are sufficient for poultry maintenance, but do not enhance animal growth.

The recommendation is designed to continue to provide for the basic maintenance requirements of organic poultry, satisfy consumer preference to reduce synthetic methionine use, and allow the organic poultry industry time to research and develop commercially sufficient sources of allowable natural methionine.

Victam Asia

Wed 15 February 2012 until Fri 17 February 2012

Victam Asia 2012 - Asia Pacifics premier event for the animal & aquatic feed, petfood and biomass technology.


FIAAP Asia 2012 - The only specialist trade show to offer complete coverage of the Asian/Pacific market for ingredients and additives used in the production of animal feeds, petfood and aquafeed.

GRAPAS Asia 2012 - South East Asia's premier event for the flour milling, noodle production and grain & rice processing industries.

Website: www.victam.com

Venue: The Exhibition will be held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC).
88 Bangna-Trad Road (Km.1), Bangna,
Bangkok 10260, Thailand

Tel: +(66 2) 749 3939, + (66 2) 361 1916
Fax: +(66 2) 749 3949
E-mail : info@bitec.co.th
Website: www.bitec.co.th

Hong Kong biggest importer of Brazilian pork

//10 Feb 2012
Hong Kong was the main destination of Brazilian pork in January, according to data compiled by the Brazilian Association of Producers and Exporters of Pork (Abipecs).
The Brazilian website PorkWorld writes that Hong Kong bought 36.8% of the volume shipped, equivalent to 13,900 tons. In the second and third place were Ukraine and Argentina, with a volume of 5,130 tons (13.61%) and 4,270 tonnes (11.32%), respectively.


In January this year, Brazilian exports totaled 37,750 tonnes of pork and generated sales of US$56,185,800 (BR$96,820,000).
 
Source: PorkWorld
 
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Achieve lower piglet mortality

//10 Feb 2012
Genetics research at Aarhus University can lead to breeding objectives in pig production that also focus on welfare. A drop in piglet mortality has already been achieved.
In Danish pig production almost 25 per cent of piglets die before weaning. Most of these deaths are immediately before or within a few hours or days of birth. There has been a significant increase in mortality rates in the last 20 years. One of the reasons for this unfortunate statistic is that sows have been genetically bred to produce ever larger litter sizes.
 
With knowledge generated by, amongst others, Aarhus University it is possible to save the lives of millions of young pigs. The report (in Danish) “Piglet mortality in Denmark” that was published by Aarhus University in 2010 described a number of alternatives for reducing the mortality rate, one of them being the use of genetic tools. These various alternatives are also mentioned in a new report published in January 2012 by a working group set up by the Ministry of Justice to look at livestock breeding in Denmark. A subsection of this report deals with the breeding of pigs.
 
One of the knobs that you can turn when trying to reduce pig mortality is the one called breeding objectives – and that is what the industry did a few years ago. Previously the official objective of the industry was for sows to produce as many piglets as possible. But in 2004 the focus was shifted so now the aim is for sows to produce as many piglets as possible that survive to day five, which is a crucial milestone for piglets in terms of survival rate.
 
Mortality in breeding herds is reduced
"The report confirms that the introduction of the day five breeding target has reduced mortality in breeding and propagation herds and that this improvement in time is expected to be reflected in production herds," says senior scientist Peer Berg from Aarhus University, who is one of the geneticists behind the founding research.
 
" We can expect that the reduced mortality in the breeding and propagation herds will make it through to the production herds within the next five years," he predicts.
 
The working group at the Ministry of Justice recommends that the industry reports back on the progress in piglet mortality in production herds in a few years’ time to ensure that the day five target is reflected in the production statistics.
 
"The shift from litter size to the day five breeding target shows that, in the view of the working group, it is possible to combine economic and ethical considerations in the breeding work and it is also the view of the working group that it would be very advisable for Danish pig breeding to include animal welfare and ethical considerations in the future," the report states.
 
The working group agrees that the increased focus on health and welfare aspects generally requires a higher level of knowledge and in many instances also of technology for it to be implemented in practice. Knowledge of genomics can, for example, advance the breeding progress in areas such as piglet mortality and nurturing abilities for the benefit of animal welfare and farm economy. 
 
Read the section on pig breeding here. (Danish)
 
For further information please contact: Senior scientist Peer Berg, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, telephone: +45 8715 7576, mobile: +45 22291226, email: peer.berg@agrsci.dk
 
(Text: Janne Hansen, janne.hansen@agrsci.dk)
 
Source: Aarhus University
 
 

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German dioxin plant sold

//09 Feb 2012
Feed manufacturer Harles and Jentzsch in Uetersen, which was the cause of a dioxin scandal in Germany last year, has been sold to the Hamburg company OleoServ. The sale includes 10 employees that will retain their job.
This was announced by an agency on behalf of the liquidator Heiko Fialski. The amount of the sale price is not known. The money goes directly into the bankruptcy fund.
 
Investigation outcome
Due to the nationwide scandal many farms had to be blocked and thousands of animals were destroyed.
 
The aggrieved farmers require a total of about €20 million in damages. The prosecutor Itzehoe wants to reveal its findings mid-February. Then also should the decision will be taken, whether further charges will be filed against former managers of Harles & Jentzsch.
 
OleoServ announced that in future it will offer its services to other companies. These include the handling and processing and storage of vegetable oils, fats and fatty acids and their derivatives.

Taiwan may give in to US demands concerning ractopamine in meat

//09 Feb 2012
The Taiwanese government might apply different ractopamine standards to local pork products and imported ones.
Taiwan might lift a ban on US beef containing ractopamine while allowing imports of pork containing residue of such substances, an adoption of current practise in Japan.
Washington has been pressuring Taipei to revise its zero tolerance policy on ractopamine, which was found in some rejected shipments of beef from the US last year.
 
The issue has become central to the ongoing suspension of talks between Taiwan and the US under the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA 1994).

Taiwan banned the use and mandated a zero-tolerance approach to the feed additive ractopamine ten years ago.
 
Pig farmers have since followed the government guidelines, set up to protect public safety and health, to the point that it is now standard practise.
 
Use of ractopamine was punishable with a fine. If Taiwan lifts the ban on imports, pig farmers in the east and in the south of Taiwan plan to stage protests.

CPF mergers 10 agro-industrial food subsidiaries

//08 Feb 2012
10 operating agro industrial and food businesses have been consolidated into a new firm - CPF (Thailand) Plc, aimed at enhancing business efficiency.
The ten subsidiaries are Bangkok Agro-industrial Products, CP Northeastern, Bangkok Food Products, CPF Food Products, BP Food Products, Rajburi Foods, CP Industry, CP Agro Industry, Klang and International Pet food.
 
CPF (Thailand) received CPF shareholder approval to invest 66.3 billion baht in China and Vietnam, buying  up 74.18% of Hong Kong listed CP Pokphand Co, which has two main enterprises in Vietnam through CP Vietnam Corporation.

 
(By Joyce Rainat)

Bird flu prompts mass poultry cullings in India

//08 Feb 2012
At least 38,000 poultry birds have been culled in and around Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, following detection of the H5N1 virus at the Government of India’s Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO).
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Khurda district administration culled the birds at the farm, which boasts of huge parent stock of poultry and is a major supplier to eastern Indian states. The CPDO has a total stock of 29,000 poultry birds.

Research birds not spared
Furthermore birds reared for research purposes at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) campus have been culled. Researchers at OUAT said a breed of “coloured” hens developed after 16 years of toil have completely disappeared. The breed, referred to as ‘Kalinga brown’ was a mixture of broiler and country hens.

“It had taken almost 16 long years to develop the new variety of poultry bird. It may take another 16 years to re-develop it,” said a OUAT researcher, adding that the sale of the new variety had already begun on an experimental basis.

Sources at the OUAT said the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other agencies engaged in the culling exercise had been requested to spare the poultry at the university farm as none of them had been affected by the dreaded avian influenza. However, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development officials insisted that they were helpless as the OUAT farm was located within the three kilometer radius of the bird flu epicentre-the poultry farm of the CPDO.

The culling operation was undertaken in 29 wards within the 3km radius of the CDPO farm after detection of the H5N1 virus and following the advisory from the agriculture ministry to prevent the spread of the avian influenza.

Uttar Pradesh on alert
In the wake of bird flu cases being reported from Jharkhand and Orissa, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued an alert to all districts to take precautionary measures.

Kanpur Chief Medical Officer Dr Jay Singh said that he, along with other CMOs in the state, have been asked to keep track of any suspected bird flu cases.  There have been no reports of bird flu in the district so far, he said.

Vietnam fears large-scale bird flu outbreak

//10 Feb 2012
Vietnam is at a high risk of a large-scale outbreak of bird flu without drastic preventive measures in the near future, the country’s Department of Animal Health has warned.
Bird flu has been reported in four communes in three provinces of Quang Tri, Thanh Hoa and Soc Trang over the past month, affecting nearly 1,700 poultry and forcing the killing of more than 4,000 domestic fowls, said the department’s deputy head Pham Van Dong at a meeting of the Steering Committee for Bird Flu Prevention and Control.

A number of poultry suspected of catching the disease have started to appear in other localities such as Nghe An, Bac Lieu, Kien Giang, Ha Noi and Thai Nguyen. The outbreak has also resulted in two human deaths in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta’s Soc Trang and Kien Giang Provinces.

The Health Ministry warned of a possible large-scale outbreak of bird flu if the three affected provinces could not keep the disease under control while unfavourable weather conditions, transport and slaughtering of poultry posed a high risk.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development urged localities to immediately vaccinate poultry, increase supervision and tighten management of farms, businesses, markets and slaughtering houses.
Minister Cao Duc Phat ordered cities and provinces across the country to take urgent measures to prevent a resurgence of bird flu.

A mutation of the H5N1 virus has been discovered in the northern region and existing vaccines do not offer protection against the mutant strain, Hoang Van Nam, head of the Animal Health Department, warned. The ministry has called on related agencies to quickly find a new vaccine to replace the existing one.

Source: Nam News Network

Japanese broiler meat sector makes slow recovery

//10 Feb 2012
Japanese domestic broiler meat production fell an estimated 8% in the first half of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, however, production is expected to recover in 2012 and increase by 3%, reaching 1.27 million metric tons.
After the March earthquake in 2011 Japanese consumers temporarily refrained from eating out; consumers avoided perishable food items, including fresh meat and chicken, and instead chose ready-to-eat meals and convenience foods to take back home and eat.

Avian Influenza
Massive outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in early 2011 severely affected the nation’s second largest broiler producing state of Miyazaki, causing a large number of birds to be culled, and reducing broiler meat shipments from the prefecture.

The broiler industry in Tohoku and Kanto regions was also temporarily incapacitated by the March earthquake and Tsunami, contributing to reduced shipments. This was especially true for the Iwate prefecture in the Tohoku region, the nation’s third largest broiler producing state. Some of the production and processing facilities in Iwate, including parental stock operations and hatcheries owned by relatively large scale integrators, were reportedly demolished and washed away by the Tsunami. Miyazaki and Iwate combined for roughly 32% of the total broilers raised in Japan. By summer most infrastructures, including hatcheries and feed manufacturing, had reportedly been restored.

Domestic broiler meat
Increased availability of fresh domestic broiler meat in 2012 (priced lower than the previous year) and higher stocks will likely reduce total imports in 2012. This should encourage Japanese households to look for domestic fresh branded chicken, especially in retail, at the expense of imports. On an annual basis, Japan’s 2011 total broiler imports are projected to reach a 10-year record high of 840,000 MT (broiler meat up 7% to 450,000 MT and prepared products up 6% to 395,000 MT).

In 2012 Japan will continue to remain the major market for Chinese and Thailand prepared (cooked) broiler products in high performing sectors such as fast foods, convenience foods, and ready-to-eat meals. In the retail sector demand for cooked products may slow in 2012 as consumers resume purchases of fresh domestic chicken which was in short supply and highly-priced in 2011.

Source: USDA: International Egg and Poultry Review

Bird flu prompts mass poultry cullings in India

//08 Feb 2012
At least 38,000 poultry birds have been culled in and around Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, following detection of the H5N1 virus at the Government of India’s Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO).
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Khurda district administration culled the birds at the farm, which boasts of huge parent stock of poultry and is a major supplier to eastern Indian states. The CPDO has a total stock of 29,000 poultry birds.

Research birds not spared
Furthermore birds reared for research purposes at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) campus have been culled. Researchers at OUAT said a breed of “coloured” hens developed after 16 years of toil have completely disappeared. The breed, referred to as ‘Kalinga brown’ was a mixture of broiler and country hens.

“It had taken almost 16 long years to develop the new variety of poultry bird. It may take another 16 years to re-develop it,” said a OUAT researcher, adding that the sale of the new variety had already begun on an experimental basis.

Sources at the OUAT said the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other agencies engaged in the culling exercise had been requested to spare the poultry at the university farm as none of them had been affected by the dreaded avian influenza. However, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development officials insisted that they were helpless as the OUAT farm was located within the three kilometer radius of the bird flu epicentre-the poultry farm of the CPDO.

The culling operation was undertaken in 29 wards within the 3km radius of the CDPO farm after detection of the H5N1 virus and following the advisory from the agriculture ministry to prevent the spread of the avian influenza.

Uttar Pradesh on alert
In the wake of bird flu cases being reported from Jharkhand and Orissa, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued an alert to all districts to take precautionary measures.

Kanpur Chief Medical Officer Dr Jay Singh said that he, along with other CMOs in the state, have been asked to keep track of any suspected bird flu cases.  There have been no reports of bird flu in the district so far, he said.

08 February 2012

People: MSD Animal Health recruits coccidiosis specialist

//08 Feb 2012
Andy Payne has been appointed by MSD Animal Health to manage the successful introduction of Paracox 5 coccidiosis vaccination programmes with UK and Ireland broiler producers.
Paracox is a well established vaccine for coccidiosis within the broiler-breeder and layer sectors, with Paracox 5 offering broiler producers protection against the most damaging and economically impacting strains.

Integrated Livestock Business Unit Director David Schofield confirms the appointment, “Interest in the use of Paracox 5 in the UK has continued to increase in recent years. Consistent with our approach of providing a total support package to UK producers we are delighted that Andy is joining the team. His experience and advice will assist broiler producers in preparing for and implementing successful vaccination programmes.”

Payne’s role in the UK and Ireland will include monitoring candidate sites using lesion scoring and oocyst counts, vaccinating chicks, tracking, monitoring and evaluating performance of vaccinated birds right though the production cycle.

Payne has worked in both the layer and duck sectors including management responsibility for a large-scale multi-age layer unit.

Vietnamese livestock firm opens large feed factory

//08 Feb 2012
The Hong Ha Nutrition Joint Stock Co, a private Vietnamese firm, has opened an advanced animal feed plant with a capacity of 400,000 tonnes per year, and thereby becoming the largest feed processor in Vietnam.
The factory is located on a total area of 7 ha, at the Dong Van Industrial Zone, Duy Tien District, in the northern Hanam Province.
 
Last year, the enterprise decided to invest more than VND150 billion (US$7.1 million) in the new production line to reach its current capacity, nearly ten times more than the initial capacity of 48,000 tonnes seven years ago.
 
The event marked a significant milestone as a local private firm reaching such a great capacity, said industrial analysts.
 
Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said that market share of the feed processing sector was mainly dominated by foreign-invested enterprises, including the CP Group of Thailand and Cargill of the US.
 
Therefore, authorities encouraged all economic sectors to tap into this sector. It is essential to map out long-term plans to boost investment of the domestic firms, especially taking bold investments in plantations of corn, soybean and other raw materials.
 
Hoang confirmed that Vietnam would further encourage local enterprises to invest in the sector as the country had advantages in this kind of production.
 
Extra raw material supply
To ensure raw material supply, the factory extended raw material collection, built extra storage near the growing region and supported farmers to reach a high yield of materials. As well, it managed to import high quality materials not available in the country.
 
The firm applied the international standard ISO 9001-2008 in production and management. It sold nearly 200,000 tonnes and reached a revenue at VND1.5 trillion ($71.4 million) last year, contributing to the state budget nearly VND7 billion.
 
With the good performance, it is listed among the Top 500 largest private enterprises in Vietnam.

Bird flu prompts mass poultry cullings in India

//08 Feb 2012
At least 38,000 poultry birds have been culled in and around Bhubaneswar, the capital of the Indian state of Orissa, following detection of the H5N1 virus at the Government of India’s Central Poultry Development Organisation (CPDO).
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and Khurda district administration culled the birds at the farm, which boasts of huge parent stock of poultry and is a major supplier to eastern Indian states. The CPDO has a total stock of 29,000 poultry birds.

Research birds not spared
Furthermore birds reared for research purposes at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) campus have been culled. Researchers at OUAT said a breed of “coloured” hens developed after 16 years of toil have completely disappeared. The breed, referred to as ‘Kalinga brown’ was a mixture of broiler and country hens.

“It had taken almost 16 long years to develop the new variety of poultry bird. It may take another 16 years to re-develop it,” said a OUAT researcher, adding that the sale of the new variety had already begun on an experimental basis.

Sources at the OUAT said the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other agencies engaged in the culling exercise had been requested to spare the poultry at the university farm as none of them had been affected by the dreaded avian influenza. However, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development officials insisted that they were helpless as the OUAT farm was located within the three kilometer radius of the bird flu epicentre-the poultry farm of the CPDO.

The culling operation was undertaken in 29 wards within the 3km radius of the CDPO farm after detection of the H5N1 virus and following the advisory from the agriculture ministry to prevent the spread of the avian influenza.

Uttar Pradesh on alert
In the wake of bird flu cases being reported from Jharkhand and Orissa, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued an alert to all districts to take precautionary measures.

Kanpur Chief Medical Officer Dr Jay Singh said that he, along with other CMOs in the state, have been asked to keep track of any suspected bird flu cases.  There have been no reports of bird flu in the district so far, he said.

Russia may want to change import duties under WTO membership

//07 Feb 2012
The Russian Ministry of Economic Development could ask for reconsideration of the obligations of the Russian Federation within the membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in particular with respect to duties on pigs import.
This was recently announced by the Deputy Head of Product Department of Trade Negotiations under the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia Viktor Batanina at the international conference of agricultural producers and suppliers of capital goods and services for the agricultural sector.

During the conference, chief expert of the Russian Pig Union Nicholas Birulin noted that within Russia's membership in the WTO the duty on import of live pigs will be dramatically reduced from 40 to 5%.

According to Birulin, this change will lead to "explosive growth of imports" of pork. He also added that as a result of all the measures to be implemented in the sector, the minimum loss of pig-breeding companies can be about 20 billion rubles (US$ 66 mln).

Birulin further added that the investment attractiveness of the industry will significantly decrease. "Since 2012 pig farming in Russia will become to stagnated and after that we will see the decline in production. Share of imports by 2020 can grow up to 35-45% out of total consumption."

Experts predict that therefore Russia may raise a question of reconsideration of the obligations for the decrease of the duty for the import of live pigs and pork. Batanin said that Russia has such a right under Article 28 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

(By Vladislav Vorotnikov)

Impacts of ethanol policies on Canada’s pig industry

//07 Feb 2012
A study from the George Morris Centre demonstrates that the growth of ethanol production in Canada has had negative economic consequences for the livestock industry. The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) partnered with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the Canadian Meat Council to have this work done by the George Morris Center to provide the beef and pork industries with analytical information on the implications for the livestock sector of Canadian ethanol policies.
“This careful assessment of the evidence confirms for pork producers what we have felt all along − the rapid growth of ethanol production in recent years has affected the livestock industry by increasing grain prices,” stated CPC Chair Jean-Guy Vincent. “We strongly urge governments – federal and provincial - to take the results of this study into account in considering any further stimulation of ethanol production in this country.”

The hog industry in Canada has undergone a great deal of financial stress due to several factors, including Canadian dollar appreciation, the global economic slowdown, and foreign trade barriers. The George Morris Centre report, however, demonstrates that Canadian ethanol production and policies have contributed to increased feed grain prices in both eastern and western Canada, which has added to already existing pressures on livestock producers to remain in business. “Grain is by far the largest cost component of raising pigs,” added Mr. Vincent, “and marketplace realities are such that pork producers cannot simply pass along added costs to buyers. Margins become
squeezed and producers need to either absorb heavy losses or get out of business.”

The CPC serves as the national voice for hog producers in Canada. A federation of nine provincial pork industry associations, our organization’s purpose is to play a leadership role in achieving and maintaining a dynamic and prosperous Canadian pork sector.

For more info: George Morris Centre ( www.georgemorrisb.org)


Source: Canadian Pork Council

Germany: Total number of culled pigs now almost 12,000

//06 Feb 2012
The size of the German feed contamination problem appears to be growing. Last week, the total number of pigs to be culled amounted to 11,900 pigs.
The pigs were known to have been fed feed that contained the antibiotic chloramphenicol, which has been prohibited in the European Union since 1994.

The contamination in pigs was discovered two weeks ago when chloramphenicol residues were found in pig urine, causing the temporary closure of pig farms. Some farms were re-opened after a while; in others, however, the antibiotic was found in the pigs’ urin too.

The source of the chloramphenicol, dairy product manufacturer Ehrmann, used the chloramphenicol as a laboratory safety procedure. The product ended up in feed due to careless treatment of laboratory trash.

The Bavarian state authority for Health and Retail Safety stated that meat from the pig farms involved should not enter the food chain. The Ehrmann company has already indicated that it will compensate pig farmers who have got into trouble due to the contamination.

World enzyme demand to reach $7.6 billion by 2015

//07 Feb 2012
With most countries having begun the process of recovering from the global financial crisis of 2009, world enzyme demand will rise at a healthy pace to reach $7.6 billion in 2015.
Almost all markets will experience average annual growth rates in excess of 5%, with the exception of biofuel production and a few other small industrial enzyme markets.

Reflecting the broad-based nature of the growth, demand will be strong for all enzyme types, especially smaller product categories.

From a regional perspective, the fastest increases will be in the smaller markets of Central and South America, and the Africa/Mideast region.

The Asia/Pacific region will also undergo a rapid increase in enzyme demand due to strength in China and India.

A moderating trend in the developed economies of North America and Western Europe will lead to healthy, though below average growth. In particular, North American enzyme demand will suffer from a slow transition to biomass-based biofuel production, while enzyme consumption in Western Europe will be held back by the impact of the European debt crisis.

Animal feed, food & beverage markets to lead gains
Through 2015 world enzyme demand will average annual increases of 6.3%, led by animal feed and food and beverage enzymes, which will both benefit from the expansion of the middle class in rapidly developing economies.

Diagnostics enzyme demand will also fare well due to expanded access to medical care in developing countries, and the advent of health care reform in the United States.

With pharmaceutical companies having difficulty bringing new small-molecule drugs to market, biotechnology will continue to gain in importance, helping to sustain demand for research and biotechnology enzymes and drive robust growth in biocatalyst enzyme demand.

Among the other industrial enzyme markets, cleaning products will realize the strongest growth as new enzymes continue to be launched in developed countries, and greater market penetration is achieved in developing countries.

Biofuel production enzyme demand, however, will moderate significantly. While the increased use of enzymes in biodiesel and sugar cane-based ethanol production will support growth, the lack of new legislative mandates for grain based ethanol will limit increases in the near term.

While the development of second generation biofuels derived from cellulosic raw materials will help sustain demand growth over the long term, a variety of processes - including some that do not use enzymes - will be employed, restraining advances.

Growth in the various other industrial markets will be below average going forward as market maturity in areas such as textile and starch enzymes limits gains.

Smaller-volume enzymes to grow the fastest
In terms of the enzyme types, the fastest growth will be in smaller volume enzymes such as phytases and some specialty pharmaceutical enzymes for treating lysosomal storage disorders.

Polymerases and nucleases will also have above-average growth due to the strength of the diagnostic and the research and biotechnology markets.

Lipases will be just above average, while proteases and carbohydrases will trail the other types reflecting their greater use in established industrial enzyme markets.

Study coverage
This Freedonia industry study, World Enzymes, presents historical demand data (2000, 2005, 2010) plus forecasts (2015, 2020) by product, market, world region and for 16 major countries.

The study also assesses market environment factors, evaluates company market shares and profiles 33 industry players such as Allergan, DSM, DuPont, Roche, Novozymes and Sanofi-Aventis.

06 February 2012

US begins procedures for ban on laying hen cages

//06 Feb 2012
Moves to ban the use of conventional cages on US egg-laying farms have started in Washington, after politicians tabled an amendment bill to improve hen welfare.
The development has been welcomed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and United Egg Producers (UEP) as it is in keeping with their joint policy of raising standards in egg-laying hens. If approved, the legislation would improve the welfare of 280 million hens involved in US egg production by 2030.

The legislation will:
• Require egg producers to increase the space per hen in a tiered phase-in over the next 15 to 18 years
• Require conventional cages to be replaced with enriched-colony systems over a similar phase-in period
• Require all egg-laying hens to be provided with environmental enrichments such as perches, nesting boxes and scratching areas
• Make labelling on all egg packaging mandatory nationwide, to inform consumers of method used to produce the eggs
• Raise euthanasia standards for egg-laying hens as approved by the American Veterinary Association
• Prohibit feed or water withdrawal molting to extend the laying cycle
• Prohibit excessive ammonia levels in hen houses
• Ban the transport and sale of egg products nationwide which do not meet the above requirements

Previously individual states have approved often-conflicting standards for egg production. But, if passed, the amendment bill would supersede state laws and create a federal standard - something UEP says is the only solution in enhancing hen welfare and ensuring a sustainable future for America's family-owned egg farms.

"Eggs are a national commodity and egg producers should have a level playing field - not have different, costly rules in all 50 states," said Gene Gregory, president and chief executive of the UEP, which represents 88% of the nation's egg producers.

"This agreement between UEP and HSUS represents an important and necessary step in addressing the patchwork of state laws facing the industry and providing stability for farmers moving forward," said Representative Kurt Schrader - one of the four politicians who launched the Bill.

However, the National Pork Producers Council has criticised the legislation, saying it would set a "dangerous precedent" and allow the federal government to regulate production practices.

Source: FWi

Related website:
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
United Egg Producers (UEP)

People: Alltech appoints new vice president for Europe

//03 Feb 2012
Global animal health and nutrition company Alltech has announced the promotion of Patrick Charlton to the position of vice president Europe.
Charlton has been with the company for 21 years, most recently serving as European regional director. He will take the reins from Marc Larousse who has been promoted to the position of Vice President Business Development.

Commenting on the appointment, Alltech founder and president, Dr. Pearse Lyons said, "Alltech is experiencing tremendous progress in Europe. This region has been a vital part of Alltech’s core strategy for many years and now it is time for us to expand. With Patrick’s considerable experience and leadership we are anticipating strong growth and development throughout the Europe region.”

Charlton has worked extensively in Africa, Canada and the Middle East, and was also Global Bioplex Manager responsible for the Bioplex series of organic minerals.

“European agriculture is changing rapidly in response to a growing export market and increased internal regulation and Alltech Europe must grow and expand to keep up with these developments,” said Charlton. “Together we will further the development of new technologies, while continuing to meet the needs of local customers.”

Source: Alltech

More piglets and lower mortality with plasma

//06 Feb 2012
A large pork producer in West Jutland, Denmark reported more piglets weaned, a better growth and lower post-weaning mortality after having used plasma in piglet feed.
Arne Nexø Sinkbæk, located in Bækmarksbro, Denmark, produces 15,000 piglets per year and sold 31.7 piglets per sow per year in 2011. His farm was used as a test location for APC Europe, producer of spray dried blood plasma.

Sinkbæk said, “We started to use plasma for the weaned piglets last spring. At that time the mortality from weaning to 30 kg was about 2%. Now we are down to 0.5%. We also see that the smallest piglets perform much better when there is plasma in the feed.”

Sows
Sinkbæk continued, “The last month we have also used plasma in lactating sow feed. The latest survey shows that we wean on average 11.5 piglets per litter and that is over half a piglet more than before we started to use plasma. At the same time the piglets’ weight gain is in average 500 g better.”

He has been using feed from Danish compound feed producer Vestjyllands Andel, who added the plasma to the feed.

Lactation
Torben Jensen, product manager at Vestjyllands Andel, said, “Some of his sows gave too little milk after farrowing, but their milk production rose immediately when we started to use plasma for them.”

“The sows are given plasma as a top dressing when they are moved to the farrowing pen. That way they have lactation feed with 0.5% plasma in. We have seen similar results in another herd.”

“We are talking about a herd that wean 31-35 piglets per sow per year. […] Use of plasma for piglets has been based on the fact that we have to give the smallest piglets a better start after weaning,” said Jensen.

Balances stressed sows immune system
Henrik Meldahl, APC Europe, Denmark, said not all reasons are known why in-feed plasma has a positive influence on sows and piglets.

He said that the current line of thought is that “plasma balances the sows immune system, so that we don’t see the same stress reactions with diarrhoea and bad growth with the piglets, that else is often seen.”

Environmental impact of UK poultry industry researched

//06 Feb 2012
New research into the environmental impact of broiler and egg production systems is underway, in a project funded by DEFRA LINK, the Scottish Government and DARD Northern Ireland.
As part of the second stage of a multi-partner project, researchers will be looking at how producers can reduce their impact on the environment.

Researchers are using computer modelling to look at environmental impacts of the sector, known as Lifecycle Assessment. They are exploring a wide range of possibilities including diet, husbandry and new technologies to increase energy efficiency.

Partners in the three-year project include: Newcastle, Cranfield and Nottingham universities, Moy Park, O'Kane Poultry, Noble Foods, Aviagen, Harbro, DSM, Waitrose, The Soil Association and The NFU.
The first stage of the project analysed both broiler meat and egg performance across a range of production systems.

"This exciting project will provide invaluable information to the industry on how it can reduce its impact on the environment, something that's of increasing importance to consumers as we strive to produce tasty, high-quality and affordable protein for a growing global population," said NFU poultry vice-chairman Nigel Joice.

"One of the key outputs from the project will be the development of a user-friendly calculation toll to allow poultry farmers to estimate their environmental impact and model how this would change with adjustments to their husbandry or system," he added.

Source: FWi