Facebook-f Twitter

Category: Newsflash

In Sacramento, students call foul on poultry plumping

The poultry production technique known as "plumping" involves injecting chicken or turkey with saline solution, chicken stock, or seaweed extract. This widespread but legal practice is used by some companies for the purposes of adding weight to their finished product, drawing scorn from consumer groups and health advocates alike. But now, thanks in part to the determined efforts of a few Windward middle school students – and the support they raised from lawmakers and health advocates – "plumped" chicken may soon disappear from public cafeterias and concessions across California.

Fresno State students visit Maple Leaf Farms West Tranquility Ranch

Fresno State’s poultry science class recently visited the Maple Leaf Farms Wes Tranquillity Breeder Ranch in California. Led by Professor Michelle Ganci, the 36 class members donned biosecurity gear in order to be led on a tour of the duck breeding farm by MLF West Division Manager Brian Lee, Breeder Supervisor Mario Placencia and Bio Lab Technician Vicky Lee. "This was one of the most attentive and inquisitive bunch of kids that I have ever conducted a tour for," said Lee. "We toured our developer, breeder, egg wash and lab facilities." 
 

Livestock and poultry groups provide comments to the House Energy and Commerce Committee

Seven livestock and poultry groups submitted comments to the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the negative effects the federal Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) has had on agriculture, including the high cost of feed facing livestock and poultry producers. The comments answer several questions posed by the Committee on the impact of the RFS. "The RFS has been the major driver in increasing corn use for ethanol production, and causing corn stocks to decline to crisis levels," the comments state. "In a market-driven world, ethanol would be priced competitively with gasoline. That has never been true in the entire history of the industry."  Read More 

Agriculture students learn off-campus

The education of Fresno State students is not restricted to the library or chemistry labs. Through various opportunities students can gain knowledge working in the same field in which they hope to build a career after graduation. Randy Perry, a professor in animal science and agricultural education who specializes in beef cattle, said that for students interested in agriculture have a first-rate classroom in Fresno County.

Family farmers need Congress to pass ‘Egg Bill’ to survive

Egg farmers say they need Congress to include the Egg Products Inspection Act ("Egg Bill"), introduced recently in Congress, as part of this year’s Farm Bill or many of them may soon be forced out of business. "Most egg farms are family-owned, independent businesses which provide an essential low-cost source of protein to 300 million consumers every day," said Chad Gregory, president of United Egg Producers which represents farmers producing 90 per cent of the eggs in the US.

Food Manufacturers Immigration Coalition applauds introduction of agricultural worker bill

The Food Manufacturers Immigration Coalition, including NCC, today praised the introduction of legislation that would assist in establishing a stable workforce that can help sustain the rural communities where farmers, ranchers and food manufacturers grow and process the nation’s and world’s food supply. "The introduction of this legislation, and the bill introduced in the Senate, are important first steps in the immigration reform process, which will be a dynamic debate featuring many proposals to reform our flawed immigration process," the coalition said.

Ag-gag bill fails in Indiana

The Indiana General Assembly failed to pass a bill that would have outlawed undercover videotaping on all private property, whether it be a farm or a business. House Speaker Brian […]