Dear CPF Board Members, Allied Members and Friends
Our first meeting for 2013 is set for Tuesday, March 12 at the Piccadilly Inn on Shaw Avenue in Fresno. We kick off the meeting with a buffet breakfast and conclude before noon. CPF members will receive an email tomorrow morning with meeting details, however, as always, we will take your meal, room and meeting reservations by phone
or email.
Perdue purchases Draper Valley Farms assets
Perdue Foods, a division of Salisbury-based Perdue Farms, announced Monday that it has purchased the leased assets of its Draper Valley Farms operation in Washington State. Perdue acquired Draper Valley Farms – and the leases – as part of its June 2011 purchase of Coleman Natural Foods. Perdue’s announced purchase of assets includes a processing plant in Mount Vernon, a feed mill in Chehalis and several company-operated poultry farms.
Ag economist urges Congress to begin extensive reform of the Renewable Fuel Standard
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is broken, but Congress can fix the rule by acting now and opening an inclusive, robust debate that leads to extensive reform," said Dr. Thomas Elam, president of FarmEcon, LLC, today at a media briefing with approximately 50 reporters. Dr. Elam presented his remarks on behalf of the National Chicken Council and National Turkey Federation. Congress in 2005 enacted the first RFS which mandated levels of ethanol to be blended with gasoline. In 2007 that ethanol mandate was expanded, and biodiesel was added. Dr. Elam noted in his remarks that 2007 was a game changer, referring to it as a "Hail Mary." "We did not then, and still do not today, have the volume of agricultural raw materials, or the required cellulosic ethanol technology, to meet the 2007 RFS goals," he said. "Nearly six years later, it’s still not a commercial reality. The courts just a few weeks ago ruled this to be the case, as well." Read More
EPA proposes Renewable Fuel Standard for 2013
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 31 proposed the required quantities for the various categories for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2013. A Federal Register notice is to be published shortly with a 45-day comment period. For total renewable fuels, EPA is proposing 16.55 billion gallons; for advanced biofuels, the proposal is 2.75-billion gallons; for biomass-based diesel, the quantity is 1.28-billion gallons; and for cellulosic biofuels, it is 14-million gallons.
USPOULTRY recognizes six family farm environmental winners
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association recognized six poultry farms who received the annual Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award at the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2013 International Production & Processing Expo. The award is given in acknowledgment of exemplary environmental stewardship by family farmers engaged in poultry and egg production.
Adams, New U.S. Poultry & Egg Association Chairman
James Adams, Wenger Feeds, Rheems, PA, was elected chairman of the board of directors of U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). The board meeting was held during the International Poultry Expo, part of the 2013 International Production & Processing Expo. He previously served as vice chairman. Adams was presented with the time-honored "working man’s gavel" by 2012 chairman, Mark Waller.
More than 25,000 attendees & 1,189 exhibitors at the 2013 International Production & Processing Exo
The 2013 International Production & Processing Expo exceeded its goal with more than 25,000 poultry, meat and feed industry leader attendees from all over the world. In addition, the show had 1,189 exhibitors with more than 430,000 net square feet of exhibit space.
The truth about the Super Bowl ‘Chicken Wing Apocalypse’
NCC announces animal care review panel for broilers
The National Chicken Council, partnering with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, has initiated a process through The Center for Food Integrity that will provide a balanced analysis of potential undercover video investigations. The Animal Care Review Panel engages recognized animal welfare professionals to examine video and provide expert perspectives for food retailers, the chicken industry and the media.
Hidden camera investigations have heightened public attention on animal care issues.