New laws affect local egg farms
State and federal regulations, as well as two lawsuits, are under way that could change how eggs are produced and sold in the former egg basket of the world – and how much they cost. The changes are widening the market for smaller egg producers who raise their hens in a "pastured" environment where the birds are free to roam and eat insects and grasses, while causing Petaluma’s more traditional farms to struggle to continue providing low-cost eggs.
UFCW, Food Manufacturers form alliance on Senate immigration bill
The United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and the Food Manufacturers Immigration Coalition (FMIC), including NCC, today announced their partnership on comprehensive immigration reform in a letter sent to the Senate "Gang of Eight," praising them for their efforts on S. 744. The labor-business coalition is also seeking improvements to the Senate bill in the areas of visa allocation and employment verification.
UC Davis media sources on H7N9 avian influenza
The following UC Davis faculty members have expertise regarding the H7N9 avian influenza virus and related influenza viruses in humans, poultry, wildlife and other animals. With its research and clinical […]
It’s corn planting season: let the rollercoaster begin
It happens every year. It’s too dry. It’s too wet. It’s too early. It’s too late. After last year’s unusually early planting season due to warm, dry conditions, this spring’s […]
Study finds more flu virus infections in China hogs
Scientists said that flu infections are rising among pigs raised for slaughter on farms in south and southeastern China. And the risk of spillover to humans was "constant or growing”, […]
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
China bird flu strain can’t cause pandemic … yet: CDC
The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the current strain of bird flu that is causing illness and deaths in China cannot spark a pandemic […]
Livestock and poultry groups provide comments to the House Energy and Commerce Committee
National Turkey Federation refutes alarmist “study” on ground turkey
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) strongly disputes the misleading findings of a Consumer Reportsarticle about ground turkey, which makes a number of alarming claims based on an extremely small sampling […]