APHIS publishes final rule on traceability for livestock moving interstate
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today published in the Federal Register its final rule on traceability requirements for livestock moved interstate. Though the final rule mainly focuses on cattle, it leaves in place existing poultry-related traceability regimes and requires records be retained for poultry for two years.
Mexico reports bird flu outbreaks at two egg farms
FARM BEAT: President of Modesto-based squab processor to retire
Bob Shipley meant to go to law school but ended up in the company of young pigeons favored by fine chefs.
He will retire Friday after 32 years as president of Squab Producers of California, a Modesto-based outfit that is the nation’s largest processor of this kind of poultry. Shipley has seen it through good times, when a strong economy built demand, and tougher times more recently with the rising cost of corn, which is 90 percent of the birds’ diet.
Perception of healthy eating shifts
Consumer attitude toward healthy eating has changed, according to a new trend report from market research firm Technomic. While more consumers prize proper nutrition, their perception of what is healthy has shifted toward products labeled: local, natural, organic or sustainable. "More consumers than ever before tell us that eating healthy and paying attention to nutrition is important," said Darren Tristano, vice president of Technomic.
Secretary Vilsack highlights USDA achievements
In a series of January 3rd postings on the USDA website (www.usda.gov) Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack outlined achievements of his Department and the Administration during the first term of […]
Three New Year’s resolutions to reduce feed cost
If this new year is anything like the previous one, and there is no indication it will be any better, most pig and poultry producers will continue to face the […]
Canada: Salmonella in 13% of feed despite zero tolerance
Higher corn prices hit stores, chicken farms
On November 11, the Desert Condor steamed into the port of Brunswick and unloaded 40,000 tons of Brazilian corn – the first time corn has ever been imported into Georgia.
China shuts poultry farms over use of excessive antibiotics
China’s agriculture authority today shut down poultry farms in an east province where the chickens were reported to have been given excessive amounts of antibiotics.
Last week, Chinese media reported that some poultry farmers in Shandong Province had given their chickens excessive amounts of antibiotics, including amantadine and ribavirin, to help them survive in overcrowded chicken farms, triggering nationwide concern about food safety.
State ban on arsenic in poultry feed takes effect
Maryland’s ban on the use and sale of poultry feed containing roxarsone or any other additive that contains arsenic went into effect this week.
Last year, Maryland became the first state to pass a bill banning use of the additive.