Poultry Industry Articles

View the article at as a presentation at
http://egg-cite.com/presentations/CageFreeEggProduction/default.aspx

Or download as a PDF file at
http://egg-cite.com/presentations/CageFreeEggProduction/CageFreeEggProduction.pdf

The C+R study classified consumers into four group according to their approach to labels:

• The Vigilante comprising 20 percent of the sample payed close attention to product labels.  Most of this category are represented by boomers. 
• The Balancers comprising 15 percent of the survey pay attention to labels but they are not as concerned over specifics.  This group also includes boomers some of whom follows the philosophy of  “eating everything in moderation”
• The Keep-it- Simple category comprising 47 percent vaguely want to eat healthier but do not want to invest time in either study or reading labels.  This group was represented by Generation Y or Millennials.
• The Unconcerned representing 17 percent of the sample are more interested in value and convenience then health.  This group comprise Generation Y consumers who are interested in value especially when raising children.

The study showed that specific nutrients are of concern to different age demographics.  Sugar is a factor however common to all generations. Sodium is important to boomers, trans fat to Generation X’ers and boomers and the descriptor “all natural” to millennials and Generation X’ers

Boomers who have more health concerns based on their age and in many cases have more time to shop indicated that they are concentrating on specific foods based on labels. 

Of interest from the study is the surprising finding that over a third of those surveyed did not consider GM status as affecting their purchased decisions.  This finding was common across all four generations. 

The most important label indications influencing the purchase decision included sugar, sodium, fat, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and trans fat. Attributes or nutrients of less concern included probiotics, prebiotics and organic status.

The series of four trials was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Termin-8® on inactivation of an H5 strain of LPAI virus added to feed under controlled experimental conditions.  The secondary objective was to demonstrate the residual effect of Termin-8® on inactivation of AIV in feed. 

The model used by Dr. Toro comprised contamination of a layer feed with a low- pathogenic AIV, strain H5N9 isolated from turkeys in Wisconsin in 1968.  The presence of virus in feed was identified by an extraction process followed by treatment with antibiotic to destroy bacteria and then centrifugation and filtration.  The presence of influenza virus was identified by inoculating processed supernatant into embryonated specific pathogen-free eggs with subsequent demonstration of viral RNA in allantoic fluid using RT-PCR.

In the first experiment to determine effectiveness of Termin-8® it was demonstrated that the concentration of virus was reduced after 4 hours following inoculation of feed previously treated with Termin-8® at the rate of 2 pounds per ton.  In a second trial to evaluate survival of AIV in either feed or corn, it was demonstrated that relatively high levels of virus were maintained following inoculation for 24 hours with a decline to undetectable levels after 48 hours.

Termin-8® effectively reduced the concentration of AIV in feed within one hour by a level of 6 LOG₁₀ compared to untreated feed.  After six hours there was a significant difference in concentration of AIV between the treatment and control with the feed devoid of Termin-8® showing levels ranging from 4 to 8 LOG₁₀ per gram of feed.

The residual effect of Termin-8® was evaluated by adding the compound to feed seven days before inoculation with AIV.  Control and treated feed were assayed for the presence of AIV after six hours.  Concentration of virus in the untreated control feed ranged from 2 to 8 LOG₁₀ program compared to undetectable level in the feed treated with Termin-8®.

The series of trials conducted by Dr. Toro demonstrated the effectiveness of Termin-8® in suppressing AIV in feed. In addition the compound was effective for at least seven days after being added to feed.

Although feed is not regarded as a primary route of introducing AIV onto farms, a coordinated program of protection should include suppression of possible transmission associated with delivering contaminated feed to susceptible flocks.

The hen population has fluctuated over the past six years.  In 2010, Germany banned conventional cages approximately two years before the EU deadline.  This necessitated importation of eggs from Holland and Spain with a resulting rise in the number of hens to 52 million.  Following installation of new housing in Germany, demand for imports fell negatively impacting producers in Spain. At the present time there are approximately 1,150 egg farms with an average of 40,000 hens in each facility with 90 percent held in enriched colony modules.

Spain did receive a benefit from the 2015 U.S. outbreak of avian influenza which impacted the breaking industry disproportionately to shell eggs.  Between late June and early October, USDA Agricultural Marketing Services issued import licenses for approximately 12 million dozen eggs for breaking, representing approximately one-third of U.S. imports of breaking stock.  Given the restoration of flock numbers in 2016 and the consequential collapse in the price of breaking stock, exports to the U.S. have ceased.  In 2014, the USDA-FAS estimated a net export of 147,000 metric ton of eggs from Spain representing 204 million dozen.

The downturn in the EU economy has apparently reduced consumption from 239 eggs per capita to 206 in 2013 constituting a 14 percent decline.  The net result of decreased exports to the U.S. and European nations together with competition from the Ukraine has produced a crisis with extreme competition among producers and cooperatives for the available market.  The combined effect of reduced exports to Germany together with a shortage of capital to replace conventional cages resulted in a reduction in flock size from 51 million in 2010 to 39 million in 2013.  Some relief has been gained through developing export markets outside the EU including North Africa.  There has been an increase in the production and shipment of egg products to alleviate the over- production of shell eggs.

The following images illustrate packaging at the supermarket level with prices converted to U.S. $ per dozen.

Eggs displayed at the St Joseph Market Barcelona. Price range $1.70 dozen on 30-egg tray upwards

Eggs displayed at the Barcelona El Corte Ingles supermarket. Not refrigerated

Roig Brand 6-pack in plastic with cardboard sleeve incorporating a handle $5.50 dozen

Pazo de Vilane free-range brand in cardboard 6-pack $6.60 dozen

El Corte Ingles private-brand generics in PET carton with sleeve. $3.56 dozen

Coren Free Range 6=pack in fibrer with outer sleeve $4.20 dozen

Finca  Arcadia Organic with printed paper overwrap $6.60 dozen

In compliance with EU regulations all eggs packed commercially in Spain are stamped with an inkjet code.

Vanessa Iseri, PhD. Kemin Industries, Inc.

Introduction

Due to customer demands, producers have been asked to change the way they grow production animals, specifically through the removal of antibiotics. With this need comes necessary changes to animal production as a whole, starting with management, feed, and vaccination programs. To make those changes, an endless number of alternatives are being considered in order to meet the same feed efficiency, growth rate, and egg production standards that are accomplished with antibiotics. With that, comes a need to better understand how gut health is affected by these alternatives.

Factors that Contribute to Gut Health

Gut health in both human medicine and animal health has been defined in various ways. It was initially described that good gut health was the absence of illness. However, through our development of molecular tools and a better understanding of intestinal biology, it is clear that there are many factors that contribute to gut health. The intestinal barrier, microbiota and intestinal immunity can be considered the three main factors that attribute to gut health, but more importantly the interactions of these systems.

Soon after hatch, the chick’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract comes into contact with exogenous microorganisms and quickly develops into a complex microbial ecosystem. Each section along the intestinal tract contains distinct microbial communities, in which multiple species of Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Clostridium mostly populate the ileum as opposed to species of Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Clostridium in the cecum. The relationship between the host and microbiota can be described has a symbiotic one, in which both benefit. The host provides a protected, nutrient-rich environment which allows the microbiota to establish a diverse, yet remarkably resilient ecosystem. In return, the microbiota provides resistance to the colonization of pathogenic microbes, aid in the development and maintenance of intestinal and systemic immunity, support intestinal structure development, and produce nutritional factors.

Any dramatic shifts in the microbial population due to dietary changes, or pathogens can be detrimental to the host. The epithelial barrier has the large task of absorbing nutrients, yet at the same time protecting the host from invading pathogens, toxins, and antigens, as well as the abundant microbial populations in the intestine. Besides nutrient absorption and host protection, enterocytes are capable of acting as frontline sensors to microbial encounters in order to guide immune response. Specialized epithelial subsets enteroendocrine cells, goblet cells, Paneth cells, and M cells also contribute to maintaining a physical (i.e. mucus) and chemical barrier (i.e. β-defensins) between the outside environment and the host.

An important component to maintaining the intestinal barrier are tight junctions, which are made up of multifunctional protein complexes. Tight junctions seal the paracellular space between epithelial cells, thus preventing the translocation of microorganisms and other antigens across the epithelium. Tight junctions are highly dynamic structures, and their permeability is regulated by various factors such as diet, microbes, inflammation. With the continual exposure of microbiota and both dietary and environmental antigens, the intestinal immune system must balance between tolerance and responding to challenges. Thus, the intestinal immune system plays a huge role in overseeing the interactions between the host and the microbiota, through a network of immune cells, cytokines, chemokines and other immunological mediators.

Hooper and Macpherson describe the intestinal immune system as having three levels of protection each with distinct mechanisms. The first layer of protection is the secretion of chemical barriers, such as secretory IgA, that minimize the ability of bacteria to adhere to the epithelial lining. The second layer is the detection and elimination of bacteria that has translocated by phagocytic cells in addition to their role in intestinal wound healing. The third layer is the network of cells and immune proteins that allow the intestinal immune system to quickly respond to infection using minimal inflammation, and containing the infection at the intestinal level.

As mentioned above, the microbiota, epithelial barrier, and intestinal immune system are key factors that affect gut health, and the interactions of all three of these systems are necessary for both the development and maintenance of gut health. Key examples that illustrate this point are the development and maturation of the intestinal immune system through its interactions with the microbiota; epithelial homeostasis is based on its interactions with the microbiota; and the interactions of the intestinal immune system and epithelial barrier allow for the containment and stability of the microbial populations.

Introduction

Vaccination was one of the more contentious issues arising from the Spring 2015 epornitic of HPAI in upper Midwest states. The infection was and still is regarded as an exotic disease necessitating eradication. Despite widespread and intensive depletion of affected farms following rapid diagnosis, cases were diagnosed on large units on a daily basis in late April, May and early June. This resulted in turkey and egg producers at risk to request the USDA-APHIS to allow the use of inactivated vaccine as a component of the control program. As it turned out a decision was made not to introduce vaccination. This was due to strong opposition from the broiler producers who were completely unaffected and were justifiably concerned over losing their export markets for leg quarters estimated at close to 3 million metric tons and valued at $4.5 billion in 2015.

Fortunately the efforts to eradicate infection through quarantines and depletion of affected farms by the USDA-APHIS together with cessation of shedding of virus by waterfowl carriers in April and enhanced biosecurity resulted in an end to incident cases by mid-June. The USDA APHIS has confirmed that in the event of a future serious outbreak, possibly involving the broiler and turkey-producing states under the Atlantic flyway, vaccine would be employed as a component of a control program.  To this effect, contracts have been awarded to two manufacturers to create a stockpile of H5 vaccine.  The role of vaccination in the control of avian influenza has been reviewed on poultry-related websites and periodicals and was the subject of a recent webinar Vaccination as Part of an Avian Flu Eradication Plan with three speakers considering vaccination as a control measure from their respective experience.

The concept of the biosecurity evaluation relates to assessing the risk of introduction of disease into an operation and the subsequent dissemination of disease among complexes. A maximum score would be assigned if there was no appropriate conceptual approach, structural installations or operational procedure.

The auditor would assign a facility score less than the maximum risk score based on experience and comparisons among U.S. egg-production operations.  For example any specific complex in Darke County, OH. or Sioux County, IA. would probably be assigned a score of 200 for “population density” since these areas have a high concentration of hens and turkeys operated by different companies located in close proximity.  In contrast an isolated complex in Arizona or Utah would be assigned a score of 0 to 10 on population density since it is the only facility with commercial poultry within 250 miles.  It is therefore obvious that facilities which operate with a high level of conceptual, structural and operational biosecurity will have low risk scores compared to what may be regarded as the maximum value of risk given the provisional scoring.

Colonization of the beneficial organism established in the hatchery is then reinforced and extended by administration in feed during the growing period. Effective administration of PoultriMax® which incorporates a live Lactobacillus animalis in feed for growing flocks is achieved by using a patented post-pelleting application process.

The introduction of “beneficial” microorganisms into the pioneer flora should enhance protection against pathogenic food-borne bacteria and enhance production. The Food and Agricultural Organization defines probiotics as live micro-organisms, which when consumed in adequate amounts, can elicit beneficial health effects for the host.

The FAO has determined the following characteristics of acceptable probiotics to achieve a beneficial effect:-

• The probiotic strain must remain stable during preparation, reconstitution and administration and retain inherent beneficial metabolic characteristics after ingestion.
• The strain must reach the intended site in the intestinal tract to achieve beneficial effects, despite exposure to an acid environment in the stomach and potential degradation by digestive enzymes.
• Probiotics must exert a beneficial effect without any deleterious side effects.

Testimony was also provided by Jim Dean, Chairman of United Egg Producers, Brad Moline representing the National Turkey Federation, Ken Klippen of Egg Farmers of America and Dr. Thomas Elam an agricultural economist who reviewed the financial impact of the 2015 HPAI outbreak.

The Spring 2015 H5N2 outbreak in the upper Midwest was the most extensive and costly animal health emergency in the history of the U.S. It is now evident that the disease has been contained with no new cases reported for 20 days.

From the outset, clear and unequivocal messages from the USDA, state officials and the CDC were instrumental in reassuring the public that the infection was not transmissible to humans and the virus was not carried on eggs or turkey meat entering the food chain.  In his testimony, Dr. Clifford emphasized that the outbreak did not impose any risk to either food safety or public health.

Disposal of caged flocks in Iowa with the largest number of birds euthanized is moving ahead with two landfills now accepting bagged hens. Two small incinerators are in operation with a third unit due to come on line.  At this time among layer chickens and pullets, 7.5 percent of all flocks depopulated are pending disposal with 4.4 percent in Nebraska and 2 percent in Iowa involving four and three premises respectively. Losses to date represent 10 percent of average layer inventory and five percent of average pullet inventory. 

Backyard flocks and hatcheries distributing eggs and chicks still represent a potential problem.  One operation in Iowa recently shipped fertile eggs and chicks to 35 states in 100 consignments.

Trapping rodents on a farm which has been infected with HPAI will not be very helpful since the quantum of virus shed from over 2 million hens will ensure saturation of the environment. The findings as with previous studies on pasteurellosis will not differentiate between whether the rodents acquired the infectious agent from their environment or whether they serve as shedders capable of transferring virus among farms. These objectives would be better accomplished under controlled laboratory conditions. The important questions are whether rodents or endemic passeriforms (sparrows, pigeons and crows) can be infected and if so, the duration of shedding and if not how long they may serve as potential mechanical vectors.

Turkey and egg producers representing different segments of the industry need to know the risk factors contributing to outbreaks in order to plan and implement appropriate and effective protective measures.  There are currently a number of theories being  advanced by poultry health professionals, wildlife biologists, owners of farms and regulatory officials.  Infection of a specific type of farm is obviously subject to a range of factors possibly synergistic in action.  By determining the contribution of each possible factor will requires detailed field investigation with on-site observation.

Using a mailed-out survey is guaranteed to generate a result. The validity of conclusions, if apparent, will be weaker than using trained observers using a structured questionnaire and documenting findings relating to affected and unaffected farms using a case-control approach.  The results of a rigorous epidemiologic investigation should be provided to the industry as soon as possible to guide implementation of effective preventive measures which will require capital expenditure and changes in operational procedures.

OvoControl G is a feed containing 0.5 percent nicarbazin in kibble form to be consumed by adult breeding geese with an intended intake of 50 grams per day. Nicarbazin was originally registered in 1955 as a feed additive to prevent coccidiosis in chickens.  The compound when ingested by mature breeding birds interferes with the development of the vitelline membrane and eggs from treated geese do not hatch.

The use of OvoControl G was evaluated by Innolytics in cooperation with the National Wildlife Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  The EPA registered OvoControl G (EPA Reg. No. 80224-5) but imposed a number of restrictions limiting the use of the product. These onerous requirements effectively resulted in commercial failure of OvoControl G for a number of reasons. The product requires at least three years to reduce resident populations of geese in an area by approximately 50 percent.  This is due to the fact that geese breed annually over an eight-week period and have a lifespan of up to twenty years in the absence of predators.  This means that the product does not result in rapid removal of a population such as would be desired on a golf course or airport.

Part IV of Layers 2013 attempts to characterize the structure of the organic segment of U.S. egg production within the limitations of participation. Only 7.3 percent of farms but understandably a very small proportion of the total number of hens, were classified as independent with respect to ownership and marketing. About 75 percent of farms operated under a contract arrangement with a packer or marketing company.  As opposed to the pattern in the EU, farmer-owned (horizontal) cooperatives involved 11 percent of farms although hen numbers were not stated.   

Approximately 76 percent of farms had only one house operated for organic productions and six percent had six or more houses. These represented the few in-line units in production other than the largest operations which did not participate in the survey.  The capacity of houses ranged from 1,000 to 30,000 hens over 90 percent of the producers.  The fact that seven percent of houses held between 30,000 to 100,000 hens reflect the disparity in size between the family-farm/contractor producers and the in-line intensive operations most of which are equipped with aviary installations.

Background

Advances in meteorology and allied disciplines have increased the precision and reliability of short-term weather forecasts. Only recently has it been possible to predict global weather patterns on a seasonal or annual basis. Remote sensing by weather satellite and the deployment of remotely-operated buoys and weather stations reporting oceanic and atmospheric data have created new opportunities to study weather patterns. Advances in computerized processing of large databases and the development of models with increasing complexity and refinement can correlate predictions with actual climatic events. The purpose of predicting major changes in rainfall pattern and temperature are evident.  These include selection of appropriate crops, provision for enhanced storage and handling of products. Contingency plans for disease outbreaks and disruption of infrastructure can be completed in advance of severe changes in weather patterns in order to reduce their impact.

The severe El Nino event extending through 1997 and 1998 illustrates the global effect of profound weather changes and the various responses that were applied at the international, regional and local levels.  Evidence that a new ENSO event is developing suggests the need to understand the causes, development and consequences of an alteration in weather patterns affecting the Americas, Africa, Australia and parts of Europe.

The company also macerates weak and culled poults following industry practice as endorsed by the AVMA.  This is contrary to the practice in the broiler industry, where culled and wet “floor chicks” are subjected to euthanasia using carbon dioxide prior to maceration. This procedure was apparently not in operation in the poult hatchery and should be adopted.

There was a time in our culture when many consumers were more connected to food and agriculture. Citizens knew a farmer or grew up near a farm, milk was delivered directly to people’s doorsteps, and consumers regularly visited their neighborhood butcher.

Yet business consolidation, innovation and technology dramatically changed this way of life, seemingly right before our eyes.

Similarly, animal welfare in food production is no longer just about farmers and ranchers and the way they treat their animals. It is now part of a comprehensive food system that includes consumers, retailers and restaurants, government and regulatory agencies, NGOs, auditors and certifiers, and educators. Our food system is predicated on a model of safety and affordability while aspiring to a balance that is moral and defensible.

If the digestive system is compromised, its requirements for energy and protein increase sharply. This can severely diminish the nutrients available to the bird for growth and thus slow weight gain, leaving a plunge in feed efficiency. In addition, most intestinal challenges will lead to reduced feed intake that can further impact bird performance.

In Germany, Paragraph 6 of the Animal Protection Code bans beak trimming although exceptions can be allowed, subject to approval by state veterinary authorities.  Shortening of the beak will be allowed for the next four years but the procedure must be performed before the 10^th day after hatch.

The Nordic nations and Switzerland completely forbid any beak treatment.  The Netherlands has announced a ban which will take effect in 2018.  In the UK, cessation of beak trimming is scheduled to commence in 2015. The RSPCA which is the leading arbiter of welfare in Great Britain allows commercial layer hatcheries to apply the Infrared Beak Treatment system for pullets destined for production under the Freedom Food Program.

According to USDA Economic Research Service projections, the industry produced 2.64 million metric tons of processed turkey in 2013. This will increase by approximately 1.4 percent in 2014 to 2.68 million metric tons.  In reviewing expansion, it is noted that since 2010 the industry has recorded less than a 1 percent average annual increase to date.  Exports have increased from174,000 metric tons representing 7 percent of output in 2010 to 355,000 metric tons projected for 2014 comprising 13 percent of production.  Over the past five years, exports have increased at approximately 20 percent per annum albeit from a small base.

ISA (Institut de Selection Animale), with headquarters in the Netherlands, was founded in 2005 after the merger of ISA of France and Hendrix Poultry Breeders of Holland. Today ISA manages large North American and European -based layer gene pools consisting of ISA, Babcock, Shaver, Hisex, Bovans and Dekalb genetics.

At the time of the merger in 2005, ISA had been evaluating pure-line performance to 80 weeks of age for several years, and Hendrix Poultry Breeders in the Netherlands had operated a parallel program for over a decade. After the merger, the testing duration was extended to 100 weeks of age. As George Ansah, Senior Geneticist at ISA, comments: “The extended production cycle adopted in our tests is the real key to realize our mission to breed layers capable of laying 500 first quality eggs, because what we have learned from past observations is that birds that produce the best eggs at 60 weeks are definitely not always the birds that also produce the best eggs at an older age”.

Bioplex® supplied iron and copper at a level of 5 ppm and manganese and zinc at 20 ppm in diets. Selenium was supplemented in the form of either selenate or the commercial Sel-plex® additive at 0.3% in diets to provide 3 ppm selenium.

Accelerating Selection

Earlier this year Hendrix Genetics introduced a new Medium Density Chip with 60,000 SNP markers to replace the previous version. The latest SNP Chip was custom made for ISA and will be proprietary to the Company. The main advantage of this chip is that it is more suited to the specific genetic make-up of ISA chickens.

All chickens in the ISA genomic selection program will now be genotyped using this new chip, which will significantly improve the depth and precision in understanding the chicken genome. The new chip is considerably more sensitive in identifying genetic variations within a flock. This will facilitate selection of birds that express the specific traits required by the egg industry. The new technology goes beyond conventional production traits including egg numbers, egg size, feed conversion ratio and daily gain.

ISA can now select for issues such as flock interaction and behavior, skeletal integrity and locomotory function, keel bone strength and susceptibility to specific diseases among other traits. The new chip can be compared to an update of a satellite navigation system. New points of interest have been added, which increases the available amount of genomic information. Geneticists will be able to assess a greater quantity of data and to obtain more accurate information required to select the next generation of world-class hens.

The UEP has appointed two experienced professionals to improve service to members. EGG-CITE takes this opportunity to introduce them to Subscribers.

In developing plans, management were advised to consider:-

• Recognition of the core competency of a company
• Clear understanding among upper level of management as to the nature of the core and mission of the company
• To relate the core activities of the company to the needs of customers. This allows the company to grow through adjacencies, concentrating on activities and ventures which reflect the core and draw on resources and capabilities in place.

The report faults the federal agencies involved in investigating and controlling food-borne outbreaks for their tardiness in identifying the source of infection and taking appropriate action.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service apparently took 22 weeks following the first reported case to identify the contaminated food vehicle.  On August 3^rd 2011, Cargill began a recall which ultimately extended to 36 million pounds of ground turkey, much of which had in fact been consumed.

EGG-CITE has chronicled the introduction and subsequent financial debacle created by TESCO following entry into the U.S. market with the Fresh and Easy chain.  The most recent commentary in EGG-CITE dated February 11^th documented the unfavorable performance of the U.S. subsidiary and noted the Corporate decision to dispose of their liability in the U.S. on December 10^th 2012.

Uncertainty exists as to weather conditions which will determine size of the 2013 corn crop.  At the recent USDA Annual Outlook Conference, Dr. Brad Rippey an agricultural meteorologist claimed that the 2012 drought was a “once in a lifetime occurrence”. If in fact global warming is a reality, the events of 2012 may well reoccur before 2099.  We have had far too many “once in a century” floods, tornados and hurricanes during the past decade.  Commenting on future rainfall based on past patterns might well be analogous to determining the performance of the stock market based on previous trends.  Sometimes a correlation with past patterns may be accepted if there is some definable basis such as transition from an El Nino to a La Nina. These events clearly follow cyclic patterns which can be used to predict rainfall in broad areas of both hemispheres.

By: Anthony Quant, Ph.D., Paul M. Kalmbach, M.S.

Introduction

In today’s health conscious society, there is an increasing demand for eggs fortified with omega-3 fatty acids. This is due to the fact that omega-3 fatty acids, notably 18:3n3, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and 22:6n3 docosohexanoic acid (DHA), have been suggested as being beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in humans. Traditionally, fortifying eggs with omega-3 fatty acids has been accomplished by feeding hens whole flax seed. A proportion of the omega-3 oils in flax seed are converted to DHA and deposited in the egg yolk by the hen. With current high ingredient prices, there is increasing demand for high-value feed ingredients for the egg industry, especially for the production of value-added omega-3 enriched eggs. OmEGGa^® is a cost-effective source of omega-3 fatty acids for laying hens.

Dr. Richard Gast of the Egg Safety and Quality Research Unit USDA-ARS Russell Research Institute in Athens Georgia recently published on the infectivity of SE under experimental conditions*. A slide presentation with commentary on this topic was posted on EGG-CITE on October 29^th 2012 under the “Presentations” tab.

A number of publications contributing to our understanding of the epidemiology of SE are based on previous papers authored by Dr. Gast and his research team.  A significant question raised relates to the oral dose in relation to vertical transmission.  Previously high doses, in the region of 10⁷ to 10⁸ were administered to hens to study infectivity.

Dr. Eric Gingerich presented the results of a survey covering members of the Association of Veterinarians in Egg Production at the meeting of the U.S. Animal Health Association meeting on October 22^nd 2012. Members of the AVEP were asked to rate the prevalence of common diseases of pullets and hens held in either caged or non-confined systems.

Among caged pullets, yolk infections and “starve-outs” were regarded as the most significant conditions recorded. This reflects adversely on the quality of pullets delivered to farms. Among caged-pullets, Marek’s disease and E. coli were ranked 3^rd and 4^th respectively. In non-confined pullets, coccidiosis and Marek’s were the 3^rd and 4^th highest ranked conditions of significance.  Mid- ranked conditions included infectious bronchitis, ILT and Ms.  It was significant that Mg was not regarded as a common infection responsible for losses.

Vitamins which are predisposed to oxidation include Vitamin A, Vitamin E (especially in the alcohol form) and Vitamin K all of which are fat soluble.  Some B-Group vitamins including thiamin and folic acid are degraded when subject to the Maillard reaction at high temperature.

Faced with the inevitability of having to convert 15 to 20-year old high-rise units to more welfare-friendly housing, Jacques Klempf of Dixie Egg Company opted to convert these units at his Humpty Dumpty farm to non-confined systems. The four houses selected for conversion were conventional 600 ft x 50 ft high-rise houses each holding 72,000 hens fitted with four-tier A-frame cages.

Alternatives considered included installing enrichable cages with the option of later converting to an enriched configuration or to opt for a non-confined system.  Based on the demand for cage-free and especially organic in the market served by the Dixie, Klempf and his team devised a two-level design which could be used to house either organic or cage-free production.

According to the National Chicken Council, Washington Report of July 20^th Dr. Thomas Elam, President of Farm Econ LLC., has recently completed a study on the economic impact of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS).  The study was funded by the National Chicken Council, the American Meat Institute, California Dairy Inc., the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Pork Producers Council and the National Turkey Federation.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY.) an implacable opponent of antibiotics in food production, has released findings from a survey regarding antibiotics used in the production of food from flocks and herds.  The questionnaire was sent to 60 QSRs and FMI members requesting details of their policies on antibiotics. In commenting on the survey, Slaughter stated   “the food industry has provided us with valuable information and with that knowledge we must act”. From the sentiments expressed by the worthy Congresswomen it is presumed that the answers to the questionnaire were predictable and represented an oversimplification of what is otherwise an extremely complex situation.

The survey demonstrated acceptance by the food industry of preventive and therapeutic administration of antibiotics which are administered in consistency with FDA approvals. To obtain a license, applicants must supply extensive data demonstrating effectiveness, safety and freedom from residues.  The question of drug resistance is now emerging and has added a new dimension to the issue.

Gertrudes Corção PhD
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande Do Sul

The following presentation was delivered at the 2012 Alltech Symposium and is reproduced with edits for readers of EGG-CITE.com.

“Farm-to-Fork” traceability in food production requires that animal feeds should be produced using high standards of hygiene.  Preventing microbial contamination of diets in feed mills is essential to prevent pathogens and toxins from entering the human food chain.

The feed industry operates in a dry production environment which should limit microbial growth.  A nidus of infection with bacteria or fungi may develop in areas of a mill due to moisture from condensation, structural defects or residual water after wet cleaning.  Bacteria may form biofilms in these locations which allow persistence of microorganisms in biofilms which are refractory to disinfection.  Neglect of cleaning and disinfection may lead to the accumulation of organic material including dust and feed residues.  The efficiency of many disinfectants is reduced in the presence of organic material. 

Patrick G. Wall PhD.
University College Dublin

This edited version of the presentation made by Prof. Patrick Wall is based on a paper delivered at the 2012 Alltech Symposium.

Given the projected growth in global population, the long-term outlook for the agri-food sector is promising.  Huge opportunities are presented by emerging markets for dairy products, eggs and meat.  Genetic selection is creating the potential for animals with greater efficiency with respect to growth, reproduction and conversion. New technologies pioneered by Alltech including programmed nutrition will contribute to achieving genotype. To attain gains from improved genetic strains, management, housing, health and welfare must be optimized.  In addition, consumer perception of how food is produced is crucial if the image, or the reality, of wholesome, natural, environmentally friendly and sustainable output is to be achieved.

Horacio Santiago Rostagno PhD
Universidade Federal de Viçosa

The summary below highlights the presentation by Prof. H. Rostagno delivered at the 2012 Alltech Symposium.

A series of research studies was conducted to update and improve on the Brazilian Tables for feed composition and nutritional requirements for poultry.  In the new 3^rd edition of the Brazilian Tables* requirements for the most important nutrients are tabulated as daily amounts to optimize performance.  A factorial method was applied when possible, following the model: Nutrient requirement (g/day) = g for maintenance + g for production.

Peter Ferket Ph.D, Professor, North Carolina State University

Genetic selection is continually changing the production potential for the poultry industry. Expression of genetic potential is the prime driver of performance and profitability.   Early-life programming can turn on “thrifty” genes that permanently reprogram normal physiologic responses. These contribute to survival following exposure to environmental stressors, including moderate nutrient deficiency.  This increases the probability that genes are passed on to the next generation.  Poultry can be programmed to express desired phenotypic traits by modifying nutrition during the perinatal period, extending from 4 days before and after hatch. 

View the slide presentation at http://egg-cite.com/presentations/Ferket2012/slideshow.aspx

INTRODUCTION

Konos Inc. was established in the mid-1940s by Howard and Alida Vande Bunte in the town of Martin located in the Southwest corner of Michigan near Kalamazoo.  Paul and Tim, sons of the founders, who respectively serve as president and vice president of the Company represent the second generation of ownership.  They were recently joined by Rob Knecht grandson of the founders and nephew of Tim and Paul.

The name Konos is derived from the biblical Greek Diakonos which means to serve with a willing spirit. The philosophy of the Vande Bunte Family has been to always operate according to the most ethical principles to provide consumers with a safe quality product and to interact and contribute to the community in which they are located.

Chad Gregory now serves as the Senior Vice President of United Egg Producers, our industry organization representing over 90% of the Nation’s production.  Chad grew up in the egg business as his father Gene, the current President and CEO of the UEP who has been involved with U.S. egg production for over 50 years. 

Chad earned a baccalaureate degree with a double major in management and marketing from Southern Illinois University. He has been affiliated with the UEP for over 14 years and when he was the Director of Membership he visited farms and plants operated by virtually all members of the UEP.  Most recently he served as the UEP representative in discussions with the HSUS which led to the agreement which will hopefully be codified in H.R. 3798, the Egg Products Amendments Act of 2012.

Two complementary papers presented at the 2012 Western Poultry Disease Conference (WPDC) reviewed the advantages and applications of lateral flow immunoassay test kits in relation to compliance assays mandated in terms of the FDA Final Rule on Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE)

Dr. M. Muldoon of SDIX, Newark, DE, provided data on the sensitivity and specificity of the SDIX RapidChek® SELECT ™ Detection System.  This kit approved by NPIP, FDA and the AOAC incorporates a 2-stage enrichment applying bacteriophages in a medium requiring 48 hours, followed by detection in a 10-minute assay. 

The 2012 Western Poultry Disease Conference, held this year in Phoenix AZ. included some important presentations of interest to egg producers. Highlights are posted today but more detailed interpretive reviews will appear in EGG-CITE.com in succeeding issues.

The 2012 Symposium on Food Safety Challenges in the Poultry Industry organized by the American College of Poultry Veterinarians was held on April 1^st in Scottsdale AZ. The topic was selected by the Program Committee based on the intensity of regulatory activity affecting poultry meat production by FSIS action and in the case of egg production, by the FDA.

A number of speakers representing industry and academia considered aspects of research and practical control measures to improve compliance with federal regulations, to control diseases of public health significance and to reduce the financial impact of recalls and legal action following episodes of foodborne infection.

Dr. Kenneth Anderson of the Department of Poultry Science North Carolina State University presented data on a random sample test which compared the performance of two commercially available brown feathered hens with a Barred Plymouth Rock, heritage breed.  The commercial brown feathered strains were reared either on range, as cage-free or in cages to ensure that the rearing system was compatible with the laying system with respect to subsequent performance. 

The Humane Farming Association (HFA) has come to prominence opposing the recent HSUS/UEP Agreement and H.B.3798 which they refer to as the “Rotten Egg Bill”.  The HFA is actively campaigning and encouraging its members to sign petitions against the proposed legislation. They apparently ignore the obvious advantages which are intended to improve management and welfare of flocks and provide stability for the industry as a secure supply of a nutritious product to consumers.  The objectives of the HFA are furthered by Dr. Nedim C. Buyukmihci, an Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis who states “the cage as defined by the legislation will in no meaningful way reduce the unimaginable suffering endured by the hens”.  

Kathi Brock has guided the Welfare Certification Program of the American Humane Association (AHA) since the original program was developed in 2000.

Recently EGG-CITE.com had the opportunity to discuss the AHA program with Kathi (KB).

EGG-CITE: Please tell us a little of the history and objectives of the AHA.

KB: The American Humane Association was established in 1877 and has been a leader in every major advancement in protecting children and animals from abuse and neglect.  Our mission statement is “To create a more humane and compassionate world by ending abuse and neglect of children and animals”. 

Our programs directed to animals include shelter services, farm animal welfare, the “No Animals were Harmed® Program and the Second Chance® Fund.  Our professional resources include animal behavior and training, humane education.

The AHA circulates various publications including The Link.  We provide resources for shelter professionals and emergency management and response and we have an extensive program of grants for research and evaluation of welfare systems and training.  We are constant advocates for children and animals and our legislative involvement includes providing our Administration and Congress with information to further our objectives. 

We partner with a number of prominent companies and organizations including MetLife, Maddie’s, Proctor and Gamble, the Petco Foundation and U.S. Bank.  Some of our celebrity supporters include Betty White, Chef Fabio Vivani, Dr. Debbye Turner-Bell, Martha Stewart, Dr. Temple Grandin and Whoopi Goldberg.

The 2012 Alltech Lecture Tour will visit 110 locations in 67 nations. It is expected that over 5,000 attendees will hear presentations by teams of Alltech scientists.

The purpose of the lecture tours is to acquaint faculty and students at universities, managers of production operations, regulators, scientists and poultry health professionals with advances in biotechnology and to detail innovations by Alltech.

The program arranged for the North Carolina Triangle took place at the prestigious Umstead Hotel near Raleigh on Friday 3^rd January.

Dr. Paulo Rigolin discussed opportunities in agriculture, a topic of especial interest to the graduate students at North Carolina State University.  The challenges facing production in the proximal decade will be to make agriculture exciting, profitable and sustainable.  An immediate challenge facing the livestock industry is how best to use 53 million tons of DDGS which will be available in 2012.  Projects to add five incremental eggs over the productive life of a laying hen and parallel initiatives in broiler breeders, hogs and dairy were reviewed.  These advances will be achieved through application of nutreogenomics, pioneered by Alltech.  Studies conducted by the Company in collaboration with leading Land Grant universities have led to the principle of Programmed Feeding which has the potential to enhance the quality of beef, broiler meat and eggs.

As part of the Global Competiveness Symposium organized by USPOULTRY at the 2012 IPE Dr. Ferry Leenstra and colleagues of the Wageningen Livestock Research Center in Holland presented data on consumer surveys conducted in Western Europe.

With respect to table eggs the following was determined for consumers in Western Europe:-

• Eggs are purchased when there are only a few left in the fridge
• Egg consumption is generally independent of price
• If a choice is available at point of sale the majority of consumers purchase the cheapest available
• The major purchase determinant of brand or type  is availability on the shelf.

Chapter Four entitled Animal Welfare, An Issue Changing Local Egg Business is incorporated in a market report prepared by Agrivalue S.A. for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation of the Dutch Government

The document which was released during the Summer of 2011 reviewed alternative housing systems including enriched modules now mandated in the EU and the German Kleingruppenhaltung (small group housing) and other non-confined systems including barns and pasture.

The directive EU of 1997/74EC banned cages as of January 1^st 2012 and allowed only enriched modules and alternatives to be used.  The Kleingruppenhaltung is similar to the enriched cage and comprises a group of approximately 50 hens with greater height and floor area per hen compared to enriched modules.  Sweden and Switzerland do not allow any confined system and Germany recognizes only their version of the enriched cage as an alternative to confinement.

BioChek, headquartered in the Netherlands, will soon commence U.S. distribution of a chicken Salmonella serum antibody detection kit applying ELISA technology.  Widely used in Europe, this kit, which is highly sensitive, has the ability to measure the level of antibodies against Groups B and D Salmonella following vaccination.  According to Tim Goode VP and General Manager of BioChek Corp. the U.S. subsidiary located in Scarborough ME, the Company has now received final approval from USDA and will commercial release of the test system.  Kits  were imported into the U.S. during 2011 by vaccine manufacturers under special license for research and evaluation and to monitor the response of flocks to specific vaccines under controlled conditions. 

The test will be offered as a technique to establish the antibody response following administration of Salmonella Groups B and D vaccines to monitor geometric mean flock titer and to ascertain uniformity among vaccinates.  A non-vaccinated flock which screens other than completely negative on assay could be regarded as having been exposed to either a group B or D Salmonella, although the ELISA test kit is not intended as a diagnostic procedure to establish freedom from SE or exposure.  Drag swabs and egg pool assays have been mandated by FDA to determine the SE status of flocks and their environments.

INTRODUCTION

Dr. Nelson E. Ward of DSM Nutritional Products Inc. has recently reviewed biotin requirements for broilers with specific emphasis on integrity of skin and the quality of broiler feet. This has stimulated a consideration of the role and benefits of biotin supplementation in the egg production industry.

Biotin has been recognized as an essential nutrient since 1940 although there was evidence of a nutritional requirement for an unidentified factor from the mid 1920’s onwards.  In 1940 “Vitamin H” which had been described as a factor essential for the development of skin and a second compound “Coenzyme R” involved in plant metabolism, were recognized as a common nutrient. In 1942 the structure of biotin was characterized followed by synthesis of the vitamin in the following year.

Don Bel, Poultry Specialist Emeritus of the University California, Riverside has questioned the  accuracy of the October 2011USDA value of 23.3% posted for the number of flocks in the second cycle of production.

According to Bell a typical molt program extends for 70 weeks to 105 weeks at which time the flock is sold.  The 35 week duration of the second cycle represents 41% of the 85 weeks of production from a nominal 21 weeks through 105 weeks.  It is assumed that 60% of flocks are molted and 21.7% of hens are in a second post-molt cycle at any time.

This calculation does not take in to account the non-producing inter-cycle period of approximately 3 weeks.  If molt is initiated at 70 weeks and flocks are depleted at 105 weeks the second production cycle is 33 weeks in duration or 39% of the entire production period extending from 20 week to 105 weeks.  The assumption that 60% of flocks are molted is always speculative and it subject to considerable differences according to region.  The October 2011 value of 24% posted by USDA incorporates a molt value of 42% for the Northwest region but only 7.1% for the Northeast.  Accordingly the assumption that 60% of flocks are molted is generous in the light of current practice as driven by feed cost and the supply-demand relationship. 

Introduction

Since the inception of the FDA Final Rule on suppression of SE producers have turned to state and commercial diagnostic laboratories to provide rapid, reproducible results on environmental swabs and egg pool assays.  Conducting tests and interpreting results is generally routine but problems may occur as a result of improper laboratory technique or failure to recognize the high sensitivity (see block for definitions) which is required for a screening test.

The SDIX RapidChek® SELECT ™ Test System provides highly sensitive responses.  In the event of a negative result on drag swabs, the environment of a house can be regarded as free of Group-D1 Salmonella.  In the event of a “presumptive positive test” it is necessary to proceed to conventional microbiology using selective media.  In view of the high level of contamination in enriched samples obtained from environmental swabs, the SDIX RapidChek® CONFIRM™ Immunomagnetic Separation Kit has been developed to expedite diagnosis.

Dr. Barbara J. Grabkowsky of Lohmann Animal Health in Germany reviewed disease control in a recent presentation at the 2011 Pennsylvania Poultry Sales and Service Conference. Her observations were based on experience in Europe controlling Salmonella infection.  In response to the demand for advice on suppressing food-borne Salmonellosis, Lohmann Animal Health has embarked on a program of assessing the probabilities of infection occurring on a specific farm.  They have developed a Zoonosis Risk Index (ZRI) in an attempt to develop sanitation and prevention programs.

The approach involves three phases.  The first involves an initial assessment of risks and identifying potential mechanisms for introduction of disease mainly associated with deficiencies in biosecurity.  The second phase involves implementation of measures designed to reduce risk of infection.  The subsequent third phase requires monitoring in the form of audits to evaluate the efficacy of preventive measures.

Fluctuation in commodity prices, abnormal weather conditions, increasing demand from Southeast Asia and domestic recession have all created uncertainty for the soybean production segment of agribusiness.  The United Soybean Board has reported on a commissioned study to evaluate factors which will influence future demand for both meal and oil derived from soybeans.

The study is timely in relation to the projected 8% decline in the 2011 harvest compared to 2010.

A presentation on the impact of the FDA Final Rule on Prevention of SE was made at the 2011 Pennsylvania Poultry Sales and Service Conference held concurrently with the 83^rd Northeastern Conference of Avian Diseases.

The Power Point Presentation: Financial Impact of the FDA Final Rule on the U.S. Egg Industry is available for your viewing, however the main points can be summarized, assuming a 10-house complex of 1,125,000 hens in high rise units:-

A presentation by Dr. Bill Pierson the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinarian Medicine at the 83^rd Northeastern Conference on Avian Diseases reviewed financial aspects of medication.  Dr. Pierson emphasized that antibiotic therapy is an added cost of production and it essential to predict whether treatment will be cost effective.  The paper was based on medication of broiler flocks and accordingly calculations were prepared to determine the potential additional egg production required to cover the cost of feed medication.

In actual practice producers are restrained in their use of antibiotics in feed for laying flocks and are effectively restricted to tylosin during production unless a withdrawal period is allowed.

On June 2^nd USDA threw in the towel and abandoned the much maligned nutritional recommendation based on the “pyramid”.  The new icon comprises a plate with segments designated for major food groups www.choosemyplate.gov.  The old pyramid when introduced in 2005 was confusing and possibly understood only by its creators. 

There are many ways to look at the past: as a list of important dates, a conveyor belt of kings and queens, a series of rising and falling empires or a narrative of political, philosophical or technological progress.  This talk will look at history in another way entirely: as a series of transformations caused, enabled or influenced by food.

The success of organizations operating in complex environments depends on how well supply chains adapt to disruptions caused by unanticipated events.  Building this resilience requires the capability to identify risks and uncertainties and to model the impact of these forces on operations. 

A chronology of food scares, many linked to ingredients in animal feed, continue to generate consumer anxiety and sensational media coverage.  The food chain has became increasing global in scope with more stages that ever before.  With the increasing number of stages there are more opportunities for errors. The more players there are in the food chain, the more likely one of these may be negligent or worse still a criminal.

The American Feed Industry Association is in the process of implementing a major initiative that will lead the industry in meeting long-term sustainability for our producers, customers, consumers, feed industry, food industry and the global environment.  To be successful, we will need to effectively respect and meet the needs of each constituency.

The price of fat has increased from less than 10 cents to over 50 cents per pound over the past five years.  This increase in price has lead to a re-evaluation of this ingredient in U.S. layer diets incorporating corn-DDGS and soybean meal as the main ingredients.

The following presentation at the Alltech 27th Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium has direct application to rearing of pullets especially with floor housing. Recently Runting and Stunting Syndrome has been documented in brown-feathered pullets and may become a problem in the egg production industry.

Recent escalation in the cost of production has forced egg producers to examine all possible areas to reduce expenditure and enhance efficiency.  Robotics offers opportunities in egg packing plants as demonstrated by installations which are yielding an attractive return on investment and acceptable payback periods.  Robots are infinitely superior to mechanical systems for a number of applications in egg handling and packing.

The announcement that Domino Printing of the UK has invested $50 million in a new company to etch individual eggs with a plant code and expiry date is eerily reminiscent of the now defunct Egg Fusion endeavor which failed to gain traction in the egg industry during the mid 2000’s. The joint-venture company has received from private equity investment based on technology developed by NewMarket Impressions.

An interpretive review of presentations at the 60^th Western Poultry Disease Conference in late March is provided for readers of Egg-Cite.