Official Website of the California Poultry Federation

USA Poultry and Egg Export Council on Tuesday assured Russia that U.S. poultry is safe and not affected by the salmonella outbreak that has forced the recall of more than a half billion U.S. table eggs. "The poultry meat and egg segments of the U.S. poultry industry are completely separate entities. The products never come in contact with each other and are produced at separate facilities remotely located from one another, which fully excludes any possibility of cross-contamination," USAPEEC President Jim Sumner said in a statement to Russia. Reuters, Aug. 25

A type of high-tech imaging can be used to distinguish the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter from other microorganisms as quickly as 24 hours after a sample is placed on solid media in a Petri dish, according to a study published by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists. USDA ARS, Aug. 25

Chester "Chet" Gibson, a Lincoln farmer and turkey breeder who developed the type of broad-breasted bird often enjoyed at Thanksgiving dinner, died Aug. 9 of health complications related to age. He was 92. Mr. Gibson began cross-breeding smaller white turkeys with large bronze birds in 1952 to create a white turkey without dark quills. The result was the Rose-A-Linda strain of turkeys, a meaty, high-yield bird popular with processors and consumers. Rose-A-Linda Turkey Farms and Hatcheries grew to include hatcheries and ranches in Placer County and Missouri and Indiana. The company - named for his first hatchery in Elverta, halfway between Roseville and Rio Linda - also authorized dealers who produced poults in six states and Canada. Mr. Gibson's turkeys won grand champion trophies and ribbons at shows in California, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri. In addition, he bred "Gibson Angus" cattle that won awards at county fairs, the San Francisco Cow Palace and the California State Fair. The key to success for Rose-A-Linda turkeys was Mr. Gibson's insistence on hand- selecting birds for breeding. A licensed pilot, he flew his own Beechcraft planes thousands of miles annually to farms nationwide to examine and choose every hen and tom. "My dad's work ethic was second to none," said his son, Allen. Sacramento Bee, Aug. 25

USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service late Friday posted a list of U.S. chicken processors now eligible to resume exports to Russia. On the list, based on the Russian-approved roster in effect as of Dec. 31, 2009, are 27 facilities including slaughterhouses owned by Pilgrim's Pride, Tyson Foods and Sanderson Farms. Products produced or originating at plants on the list on or after July 14 can be certified for export to Russia, FSIS said on its website. Meatingplace, July 27

New federal data show chicken production on the rise, which means prices probably will fall -- bad news for chicken producers. KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst Akshay S. Jagdale told clients in a note Monday that the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show supply may be trending upward. The government released data on pullet placements and breeder flock -- indicators of chicken supply. Business Week, July 27

Turkeys from the Presidential Turkey flock will be making their first public appearance at the Stanislaus County Fair. Foster Farms has the distinct honor of being invited to raise the Presidential Turkeys, emphasizing the important role the Central Valley's agriculture plays in the national landscape. The birds will be presented to President Obama this Thanksgiving where they will be pardoned during an official ceremony in the White House Rose Garden. The turkeys will be available for public display Friday, July 16, 2010 to Sunday, July 25, 2010 during fair hours. Foster Farms, July 15

U.S. Poultry & Egg Association announces the appointment of Dr. Henry Marks as Research Coordinator.  He succeeds Dr. Charles Beard, who continued in this role after his retirement as USPOULTRY vice president for research.  Dr. Marks will administer the Association’s comprehensive research program that encompasses all aspects of poultry and egg production and processing.  Approximately $23 million has been invested in research funding since the program was established by Association leaders in 1962.

Among Dr. Marks’ extensive experience, he was a research geneticist with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Head of the Poultry Science Department at the University of Georgia, and Acting Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Georgia College of Agriculture.  He is a past president of the Poultry Science Association, and former board member of both the World Poultry Science Association and editorial board of the Poultry Science Journal.  He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in poultry science from Virginia Tech and his Ph.D. in poultry genetics from the University of Maryland.

Dr. Marks will work with Dr. Beard on this year’s research competition round, then assume the coordinator position.  He will work with the Association’s Research Advisory Committee, receiving and evaluating research proposals and making recommendations to the board of directors for funding approval.

“We are pleased and fortunate to have Dr. Marks join us in this vital research role,” said USPOULTRY chairman Steve Willardsen, Cargill Value Added Meats, Wichita, KS.  “He has a longstanding background as a poultry scientist, and has been widely recognized for his research work.  We look forward to his contribution to our research efforts,” he said.

“U.S. Poultry & Egg Association welcomes Dr. Marks as our research coordinator,” explained John Starkey, Association president.  “He will ensure the continued integrity and veracity of our research.  Dr. Beard constantly re-focused and sharpened the program, and Dr. Marks will help us maintain it as one of the most effective and valuable research programs in the poultry industry.  We also thank Dr. Beard for his excellent work and dedication, and we wish him the best in his retirement,” Starkey said.

Russia may export 60 times more pork and poultry by 2020, even as it seeks to build its food security by reducing dependence on imported meat, Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik said Tuesday. New technologies have made Russian meat more competitive on the international market, Skrynnik said a meeting of the State Council's presidium in the Belgorod region village of Malobykovo. "We're keeping pace with the times and the technological process. By our estimates, export volumes could be up to 400,000 tons of poultry and 200,000 tons of pork. That's $1.5 billion to $2 billion a year," she said, compared with a combined 10,000 tons of exports last year. Moscow Times, July 13