Important PAC reception in Fresno next Monday evening
The California Poultry Federation’s March board meeting is coming up next Tuesday morning. The Poultry PAC reception is set for Monday evening at the Piccadilly Inn on Shaw Avenue as well, and this is an important event I urge you to attend. You can contribute to either the state or federal PAC and also have the opportunity to bid on some silent auction wine selections. The poultry industry faces some interesting, but tough challenges this year, and as always your participation helps us in both Sacramento and Washington, DC.
Efforts to avoid sequester fail; USDA says it will work to minimize
Today (March 1) is deadline day for the sequester, the automatic budget cuts of $85 billion that will hit the Pentagon and federal agencies. The sequester becomes official today when President Obama will be required by law to issue a sequestration order by 11:59 p.m. tonight. Meanwhile, Congress yesterday abandoned efforts to avert the sequester and left Washington.
IFT study shows benefits of traceability
The Institute of Food Technologists conducted two pilot projects to test and study various tracing practices for chicken, fresh produce and other processed foods, finding that if a food company […]
Shutdown of kosher chicken plant stirs supply concerns ahead of Passover
Empire Kosher was expected to resume production Monday at its Mifflintown, Pa., plant following a short-term closure last week that had Passover celebrants worried about supply for their Seder meals. […]
NCC President Brown outlines principles of food manufacturers immigration coalition
In testimony delivered today to the U.S. House Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, National Chicken Council (NCC) President Mike Brown testified on behalf of a broad food manufacturers coalition, including, about the need for a stable and permanent workforce that can help sustain the rural communities where meat and poultry facilities operate. Today’s hearing, "From H-2A to a Workable Agricultural Guestworker Program," is the second in a series of several hearings on immigration issues in the subcommittee.
Promoting poultry health through diet
Developing strategies to increase the amount of saleable product while reducing dietary inputs is a priority for animal scientists. University of Illinois researchers have been looking at how dietary components […]
Senators seek details on possible meat inspection furloughs
A group of U.S senators led by Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is asking USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to clarify how meat inspectors can be furloughed under sequestration and provide the legal […]
DATA Act would monitor antibiotic use
Two members of the US House of Representatives introduced a bill that would require "large-scale" meat and poultry producers to give detailed information to the Food and Drug Administration regarding the type and amount of antibiotics given to animals.
HR 820 – or the Delivering Antimicrobial Transparency in Animals (DATA) Act – also would require drug manufacturers to submit to the FDA information on how their antimicrobial drugs are used in food animals. Rep. Henry Waxman, Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member, and Rep. Louise Slaughter, Rules Committee Ranking Member, introduced the legislation. Read More
Senators recognize importance of biosecurity and agro-defense
U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R., Kan.), Jerry Moran (R., Kan.), Roy Blunt (R., Mo.) and Claire McCaskill (D., Mo.) introduced a resolution Feb. 28 to recognize the importance of biosecurity and agro-defense to America’s national and economic security.
"This resolution will remind my colleagues in Washington that addressing critical vulnerabilities to our food supply and agriculture economy remains a top priority," Roberts said. "As we consider measures to improve biosecurity and protect plant and animal health, I will work hard to ensure that our nation has the best resources to do the job.
Zacky Trust keeps turkey company in family
Zacky Farms, the Fresno County turkey producer that filed for bankruptcy last fall, will remain in family hands after all. The Robert and Lillian Zacky Trust successfully won a bid to purchase the company, according to court documents filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Bankruptcy Court in Sacramento. The trust, which had backed out of negotiations to buy the company several weeks ago, offered about $38.8 million in credit, cash and notes in its winning bid. The sale is for "substantially all of the" Zacky Farms assets, including turkey processing plants in Fresno and Stockton, corporate offices in Fresno, two Fresno warehouses, a turkey hatchery in Kerman and 16 company-owned ranches in Fresno and Kings counties, court records show.