According to news reports, a flock of 55,000 birds was depleted in Pueblo State as a result of a positive isolation of H7N3 HPAI avian influenza.  SENASICA attributed the localized outbreak to transfer of second-cycle hens from other states in Mexico with a previous history of avian influenza.

According to Food Market.com Taco Bell will commence testing a waffle containing eggs in their California restaurant chain. Initial customer reaction appears favorable according to a company spokesperson who stated “we are pleased with the initial reaction from our customers and if the Waffle Taco does well in testing we’ll roll it out to all our restaurants that serve breakfast”.

The breakfast segment of the QSR sector is expanding but is highly competitive with offerings from McDonald’s Corporation, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Subway, Panera Bread, Tim Horton’s and local stores.  Increased servings of eggs are obviously beneficial for our industry, and are probably the major factor responsible for increasing per capita consumption in recent years in the U.S.

The USDA Egg Market News Report for Monday, May 20^th confirmed a 14 to 19 cent per dozen increase for Midwest  Wholesale Extra Large and Large sizes over the previous week.

The latest Midwest prices were:-

The USDA Crop Progress Report for May 20th provided conformation of the industry and commitment of our Nation's farmers who advanced corn planting by a record 43% in a week. As of Monday 20th, 71% of the corn crop is now in the ground compared to a 5-year average of 76% but behind May 20th,2012 which recorded 95%.

Approximately 19% of the 2013 crop has emerged compared to a 5-year average of 46% reflecting delays in planting this season.

During the Plenary Session opening the 29^th Alltech International Symposium, Dr. Pearse Lyons, Founder and President of the company commented on the challenge to feed 7.5 billion on our planet by 2020. He listed a number of innovations to be provided by emerging technology:-

• RFD Tags to track animals to allow individualized feeding
• Improved feeding to control harmful emissions from CAFOs
• GPS-assisted fertilization of fields
• Algae to replace fishmeal in livestock and aquaculture diets
• Elimination of antibiotics
• Formulation of enzyme cocktails to maximize the nutrient value of livestock diets

Alltech has awarded the 2013 Alltech Medal of Excellence to Dr. Eugenia Wang, University of Louisville, for her pioneering work in using high-throughput technologies to explore the molecular signatures of Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias and heart disease.

Dr. Wang’s research focuses on investigating the genetic mechanisms that may cause predisposition to infectious diseases, using microarray technology, proteomic profiling and several other high-throughput enabling platforms to study the genetic factors controlling how people respond to environmental exposures and the molecular mechanisms of wound healing, including response to microgravity and radiation.

Alltech's 29th Annual International Symposium kicked off with a Sunday May 19th banquet attended by over 1,500 registrants from 76 nations. The program which will commence on Monday morning will attract over 2,500  attendees representing production, research, teaching and regulation in livestock and crop production

According to a report in the May 15^th UEP United Voices Newsletter, (download PDF) the Senate Agricultural Committee approved the 2013 Farm Bill by a vote of 15 to 5 without including the amendment to the Egg Products Inspections Act. 

This addition was to have been introduced by Senate Committee chairperson Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).  Extreme pressure was placed on the Committee by organized livestock groups to exclude the amendment which would otherwise have scuttled the Farm Bill.

Speaking to a receptive and partisan audience at the Organic Trade Association Policy Conference, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack emphasized the contribution of his Department to advancing the cause of organic agriculture. The Organic Trade Association represents 6,500 organic businesses including farmers associations, importers, exporters, shippers and processors.

He stated “organic is not the same as, it is its own separate commodity and needs to be treated as such”. He added “I am committed to that”. It is general experience from official reports and quotations that Secretary Vilsack is not recognized for his oratory or comprehensibility.

During the past five years there has been a growing movement to maintain a small number of hens in back gardens in urban and suburban neighborhoods.  This raises the question of disease risk to the industry.  At the outset, it is strongly advised that commercial egg and broiler producers in counties where municipalities are considering allowing backyard chickens should not appear to openly oppose permitting legislation.  This will only create antagonism between aspirant poultry keepers and industry.