Bird Flu Detected in Several U.S. Commercial Turkey Flocks Last Week

Last week, several commercial turkey operations spanning four states reported positive detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), a highly contagious and often fatal disease in birds. 

HPAI can be spread by direct or indirect contact with infected domestic or wild birds including ducks and geese. The disease can also be spread by contact with the virus on surfaces such as hands, shoes, clothing, and animal fur.

Poultry owners are urged to increase their biosecurity practices to protect their flocks, especially with fall migration underway.

California 

On October 26, HPAI was detected in...

USDA Launches Effort to Strengthen Substantiation of Animal-Raising Claims

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. This action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels and to implement President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy.

“Consumers should be able to trust that the label claims they see on products bearing the USDA mark of inspection are truthful and accurate,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA is taking... 

Cargill to Sell China Poultry Unit to Private Equity Firm DCP Capital

U.S. agribusiness giant Cargill said it is selling its poultry business in China to private equity firm DCP Capital, exiting a Chinese meat market that has become increasingly challenging, especially for foreign players.

The sale of the unit known as Cargill Protein China is subject to regulatory approvals but is expected to close this year, Cargill said in a statement on Wednesday.

It did not give a transaction price and DCP declined to comment on the deal.

China is the world's No.2 poultry producer after the...

Handsome Brook Farms Partners with Soil Carbon Initiative to Implement Regenerative Agriculture 

Handsome Brook Farms, a leading national pasture-raised organic egg producer, is partnering with Green America’s Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI) to accelerate regenerative agriculture on layer hen farms across the country.

Launched in 2022, SCI’s Go-To-Market Pilot Program supports and incentivizes farmers to adopt regenerative practices at increasing scale. Regenerative agriculture refers to farming and grazing practices that, among other benefits, build soil health, increase biodiversity above and below ground, and reduce agricultural nutrient runoff.

Handsome Brook Farms joined Soil Carbon Initiative’s Pilot Program as a...

PERDUE Launches Custom, Summer Ale Expertly Crafted to Make the Perfect Beer Can Chicken

Just in time for summer grilling season, PERDUE®, the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., is making chicken the star of the grill with the launch of PERDUE® Beer Can Chicken Beer, a honey double-citrus summer ale brewed with classic grilled chicken seasonings like rosemary, thyme, and pink peppercorn to help backyard grillers make the perfect beer can chicken.

Created in partnership with Torch & Crown Brewing Company, PERDUE®’s custom Beer Can Chicken Beer is tangy, juicy, and has...

Drake’s “Dave’s Hot Chicken” Named America’s Fastest-Growing Restaurant Chain

In May 2017, four friends scraped together $900 to purchase a fryer, and served up the best-tasting hot chicken tenders around to those willing to venture to their East Hollywood parking lot pop-up. The proprietary hot chicken recipe was so good that, in 2021, Drake took notice, and became a significant investor in the concept, Dave’s Hot Chicken. The company recently celebrated its 6th anniversary by hosting a pop-up in the East Hollywood parking lot where it all began, passing out free food to customers both... 

Wingstop Achieves 2,000th Restaurant Milestone, Continuing Accelerated Pace of Development

Wingstop today announced the opening of its 2,000th global restaurant in Pittsburgh, PA. This milestone comes on the heels of continued, industry-leading momentum, having delivered 20% same-store sales growth in the first quarter of 2023 and achieving its 19th consecutive year of same-store sales growth in 2022. With significant whitespace ahead, this development milestone is one step in Wingstop's journey to Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand status, with a goal of over 7,000 restaurants globally.

"I'm proud of our team and Wingstop brand partners for driving Wingstop's...

Tyson Foods Shares Shed Nearly 16% Following Q2 Loss

U.S. stocks closed mixed on Monday and are lower so far Tuesday as traders continue to digest the recent developments from major corporations including Tyson Foods and S&P 500 company Catalent, Inc. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.2% lower yesterday while the S&P 500 was fractionally higher. The Nasdaq Composite gained 0.08% on Monday but has since turned weaker in early trading action Tuesday. The indices rounded out last week with gains following the latest U.S. jobs data, which showed 253,000 jobs added in April.

Shares of Catalent, Inc. lost over... 

New York State Announces New Grant Opportunity to Expand Meat Processing Industry

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball and the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) today announced a grant opportunity totaling $5 million for projects to expand existing or establish new meat processing facilities. The Meat Processing Expansion Grant Program aims to address the nationwide shortage of affordable meat available to consumers, increase capacity of New York’s processing facilities, and support agribusinesses.

Commissioner Ball said, “One of the biggest lessons we learned from the...

NW Natural Begins Producing RNG at Second Tyson Foods Facility

NW Natural, a subsidiary of NW Natural Holding Company, and BioCarbN, a developer and operator of environmental infrastructure projects, began production at a second renewable natural gas (RNG) facility, as part of an innovative project partnership with Tyson Foods.

The facility is located in Dakota City, Nebraska, with NW Natural investing approximately $12 million to convert methane captured from the facility’s operations into RNG to heat homes and businesses. The first project began at Tyson’s Lexington, Nebraska operations in January 2022...

Wingstop Inc. Reports Fiscal Quarter 2023 Fiancial Results

Wingstop Inc. today announced financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended April 1, 2023.

Highlights for the fiscal first quarter 2023 compared to the fiscal first quarter 2022:

• System-wide sales increased 30.4% to $821.6 million
• 37 net new openings in the fiscal first quarter 2023, resulting in an increase in unit count of 11.4%
• Domestic same store sales increased 20.1%
• Domestic restaurant AUVs increased to $1.7 million
• Digital sales increased to 65.2%
• Total revenue increased 42.7% to $108.7 million
• Net income increased 80.6% to... 

Butterball Launches Bun-Length Hearty Turkey Sausage Links

Butterball, LLC has launched Butterball Hearty Turkey Sausage, an innovative new product in the protein space perfect for every season, every day. The butcher-style turkey sausage link is bun-length and offers the same taste and texture of its pork counterparts, but with 70% less fat than pork and beef smoked sausage*. It is available in two flavors: Old World Smoked and Polish Style.

"The fully cooked smoked sausage category needs some sizzle, and we are going to deliver," said Michelle Lieszkovszky, leader of new consumer solutions at Butterball...

JBS USA Announces New CEO

JBS USA today announced that current Chief Executive Officer Tim Schellpeper has made the decision to retire from his role effective May 1, 2023.

Wesley Batista Filho, with more than 13 years of experience in the company, will assume the role of CEO of JBS USA.

“We thank Tim for all of his contributions to the success of JBS USA during his tenure,” said Gilberto Tomazoni, JBS Global CEO. “Tim came out of retirement to join our team, producing record results as the head of our Fed Beef business...

GHSW, LLC. Issues Allergy Alert for Undeclared Sesame in Turkey and Havarti Sandwich

GHSW, LLC. is voluntarily recalling 8.55 oz packages of Turkey and Havarti Sandwiches due to undeclared sesame in bread. People who are allergic to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The recalled product was shipped to Dillon stores in Kansas, Baker’s stores in Nebraska, Gerbes stores in Missouri, as well as Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana from 01/01/23 to 4/24/23.

The recalled Turkey and Havarti Sandwiches are packaged in 8.55 oz clear...

Tyson Foods to Eliminate 10 % of Corporate Jobs 

Tyson Foods Inc will eliminate about 10% of corporate jobs and 15% of senior leadership roles, Chief Executive Donnie King told employees on Wednesday. The layoffs are the latest cost-cutting move for the biggest U.S. meat company by sales as it grapples with declining profits and struggles to improve results in its iconic chicken business. Discussions with most affected employees are slated to take place this week, King said in a memo to employees seen by Reuters.

"We will drive efficiency by focusing on fewer initiatives with greater intensity...