The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak has become the largest animal health emergency in US history. As of February 2017, the USDA reports 233 detections (212 commercial facilities and 21 backyard flocks) affecting approximately 50 million birds in 22 states. To date, over $950 million federal dollars have been spent on disease control efforts and indemnities.

WALBRIDGE, OH—The Jones-Hamilton Company recently appointed Josh Payne, Ph.D., as the new Technical Services Manager of the Agricultural Division. Payne will be responsible for supporting territory managers with on-site technical guidance as well as providing oversight of field and laboratory trials. He brings nearly 20 years of poultry litter management experience with a focus on nutrient management, pathogen control and water quality.

Cargill’s Shady Brook Farms brand is the first line of turkey products to earn the Certified Responsible Antibiotic Use (CRAU) designation, which complies with the School Food Focus program’s K-12 meal eligibility requirements across the United States, the company announced.

George’s Inc., one of the nation’s largest privately held poultry companies, recently announced that Brian Coan has joined the George’s team in the newly created role of chief customer officer. While leading the areas of sales, marketing, product development and customer service, Coan will be focused on executing an aggressive growth strategy.

In response to customer demand and through intensified selection work focused on Yield and Conformation, Hubbard’s R&D department has developed the “Hubbard M22” male.

The highly competitive Hubbard M22 builds upon the performance and FCR advantages offered by Hubbard’s existing male lines such as the Hubbard M99 optimized for total yield and market-leading FCR, while producing more than 1.0% to 1.5% additional breast meat yield.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas, USA: The increasing strength of Cobb in the Asia-Pacific region was highlighted by general manager Pelayo Casanovas at the biennial gathering of team members at the Plantation Bay resort of Cebu in the Philippines.

“Cobb has been growing market share in Asia Pacific substantially over the last three to four years, and we are on target in 2017 to become the breed of choice in the region,” he said.

ASSUMPTION, Illinois (January 24, 2017) – Three new technologies for improved efficiency and performance within poultry production environments are being introduced by Cumberland Poultry, a division of GSI. Included are:

Wayne Farms announced J. Clinton Rivers becomes its CEO effective April 1, replacing Elton Maddox who led the company as CEO for 21 years and will now assume the role of executive chairman and continue to serve as chairman of the Wayne Farms board of managers.  

The transition is part of a planned succession that began with Rivers’ promotion to chief operating officer in April 2014.

Washington, D.C. - January 25, 2017 - Americans’ consumption of the unofficial staple of Super Bowl Sunday – the chicken wing – is projected to hit 1.33 billion wings, according to a National Chicken Council (NCC) annual report.

NCC’s 2017 Wing Report, released today, estimates that Americans will eat 1.33 billion wings during Super Bowl LI weekend, as the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots battle for the Lombardi Trophy.  That figure is up 2 percent, or 30 million wings, from 2016's report  – and up 6.5 percent, or 80 million wings, from 2015's report – revealing a steadily growing love for America’s favorite Super Bowl menu item.

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas, USA: Two new appointments are announced by Cobb Europe — Russell Jones as commercial manager and Nigel Strain as broiler specialist for the region.