A research team at the University of Minnesota (UM), College of Veterinary Medicine recently published on studies conducted to determine the extent of dissemination of avian influenza virus from infected flocks.*

SPRINGDALE (Jan. 17, 2017) – Whitbeck Laboratories, Inc., a full-service independent commercial laboratory offering a unique mix of microbiology, chemistry and serology testing to an international clientele, will celebrate its new 7,500 square foot research and testing facility with a Grand Opening Wednesday, January 18. The new facility is located in the Springdale Technology Park.

Garner, N.C.-based Butterball has promoted Jay Jandrain to chief operating officer, following the retirement of Joe Nalley, who led the company’s operations for 10 years. The company also announced Al Jansen has been promoted to executive vice president of sales, Jandrain’s prior role. 

Pilgrim's has completed its acquisition of Minnesota-based poultry processor GNP Company.

The acquisition was completed on January 6 in an all-cash, $350 million transaction, according to a press release issued by Pilgrim’s.

Former State Senator, Neely Cassady of Nashville, AR. will be one of five inductees into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame.  Cassady operated a hatchery for many years, establishing an integration which eventually was incorporated into Tyson Foods.  He served for 14 years in the Arkansas State Senate and is a past president of the Arkansas Poultry Federation and was a member of the Board of Directors of Tyson Foods.

TUCKER, Ga. – Jan. 9, 2017 – U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is releasing a new video series highlighting companies with exemplary performance at water reclamation facilities serving the poultry industry. The first video in the series features one of USPOULTRY’s Clean Water Award winners, Simmons Foods, Inc. of Southwest City, Mo.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 11, 2017 – NCC urges consumers, the foodservice and retail industries, and non-governmental organizations to invest in studying the impact in the U.S. of the growing market for “slower growing” broiler chickens.  A study released today by the National Chicken Council (NCC) details the environmental, economic and sustainability implications of raising slower growing chickens, revealing a sharp increase in chicken prices and the use of environmental resources - including water, air, fuel and land.  NCC also calls for more research on the health impact of chickens’ growth rates, to ensure that the future of bird health and welfare is grounded in scientific, data-backed research.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas, USA Cobb-Vantress has become the first company in Brazil to receive certification for poultry compartmentalization for avian influenza and Newcastle disease from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA). 

“Under the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) and agency regulations, live poultry must be handled in a manner that is consistent with good commercial practices, which means they should be treated humanely,” said Edward Surgeon, DVM, of the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Sam Houston State University’s Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Technology recently received a $2,300 student recruiting grant from the USPOULTRY Foundation. The grant was made possible by an endowing Foundation gift from Jerry Moye, president of Cobb-Vantress, and his wife, Cherie.