Tyson Foods Hosts Contract Poultry Farmer Advisory Council

Leadership Meets with Contract Poultry Growers for Insights and Listening Sessions

Tyson Foods leadership and the company’s Contract Poultry Farmer Advisory Council recently met to discuss issues most important to the farmers who grow chickens for Tyson. The meeting was held Nov. 8-9 and was the first council meeting after a two-year pause due to enhanced safety protocols during the pandemic.

“The success of Tyson Foods depends on the hard work and dedication of our contract growers. We also appreciate that animal husbandry isn’t simply a job..."

U.S. Poultry Industry Provides 2 Million Jobs and $556 Billion in Economic Impact

The U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and United Egg Producers have released an updated economic impact study that highlights the positive impact the poultry industry has on jobs, wages, and federal and state revenue in the United States. A dynamic and integral part of the national economy, the U.S. poultry industry provides 2,012,269 jobs, $125.6 billion in wages, $555.9 billion in economic activity and $33.7 billion in government revenue.

The study breaks down poultry into three subcategories...

NCC Delivers Comments on FSIS Proposed Salmonella Framework

The National Chicken Council (NCC) today delivered public comments at a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) virtual meeting about the agency’s recently announced regulatory framework for Salmonella in poultry products. NCC’s comments addressed each of the three components the agency said it is currently considering as part of a new strategy.

Food safety is a top priority for the broiler industry, and NCC supports changes in food safety regulations that are based on sound science, robust data, and are demonstrated to positively impact public health...

Perdue Farms Shares Progress on Industry-Leading Animal Care Initiatives During Animal Care Summit

Perdue Farms hosted its seventh annual Animal Care Summit near its Maryland headquarters this year, after two years of hosting the annual event virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since announcing the company's Commitments to Animal Care in 2016, the summit has been a key part of Perdue's animal care strategy.

"Now in our second century of business, we at Perdue Farms are proud to continue making advancements and leading our industry in the standards to which we raise our animals," said Mark McKay, President of...

Remembering William Harold (Bill) Prestage

William “Bill” Harold Prestage, the founder in 1983 of USAPEEC member Prestage Farms, died on Oct. 10 in Clinton, N.C. He was 87. A Michigan native, Prestage moved South to the Carolinas where he sold feed in the 1960s and then partnered with chicken and hog producer Otis Carroll to form Carroll’s Foods. With his wife, Marsha, and sons Scott and John, he started Prestage Farms when he was 48. Today it is one of the largest family-owned and family-operated...

Wayne-Sanderson Farms Senior Vice President Inducted into Mississippi Poultry Hall of Fame

Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ senior vice president and general manager of retail, Bob “Pic” Billingsley, has been inducted into the Mississippi Poultry Association’s Hall of Fame during the association’s 85th annual convention. With this induction, Billingsley becomes the 36th member of the Mississippi Poultry Hall of Fame, which is comprised of individuals who contributed to the growth of the poultry industry as the state’s largest agricultural commodity.

“It is an honor to be inducted into the hall of fame where many accomplished industry leaders have been recognized for..."

NAMI Calls for Swift Senate Approval of Esteban, Taylor and McKalip Nominations

The North American Meat Institute (NAMI or the Meat Institute) called for swift consideration of three nominations critical to the meat and poultry industry pending before the full Senate: Jose Emilio Esteban to be Undersecretary of Agriculture for Food Safety, Alexis Taylor to be Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs and Doug McKalip, nominated to be Chief Agricultural Trade Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

“The meat and poultry industry supports...

Poultry Quarterly Q4 2022: Keeping Chicken Affordable in Times of Major Cost and Supply Challenges

The outlook for the global poultry industry is for strong market conditions, despite ongoing operational challenges.

Report summary

The outlook for the global poultry industry in Q4 2022 and early 2023 remains strong, despite the big challenges across global poultry as well as some recent setbacks in North America. From a market perspective, a weaker economic climate with pressure on spending power will lead to more price-driven consumer behavior, which supports poultry consumption as it is the cheapest meat protein option...

NCC Voices Strong Opposition to Proposed Poultry Contracting Rule

The National Chicken Council (NCC) today voiced strong opposition to the “Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments” proposed rule and called for its withdrawal, in comments filed with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

NCC is deeply concerned that the proposed rule would have a devastating financial impact on the U.S. chicken industry by raising costs and administrative burdens, contributing to increased food prices for consumers, and ultimately destabilizing a successful compensation system for our growers.

“This isn’t about transparency,” said NCC President Mike Brown...

Perdue Recognized as Leader in Poultry Workplace Safety

The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council has awarded nine of Perdue's facilities its Award of Distinction, the Council's highest form of recognition for consistently implementing innovative and effective workplace safety health processes and systems. They were among 33 Perdue facilities across 14 states that received workplace safety awards at the 2022 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry in Destin, Fla.

"Workplace safety is an absolute at Perdue, including an unwavering commitment from management and an ongoing safety culture that engages all associates in maintaining a safe workplace environment," said...

Poultry Quarterly Q3 2022: Bullish Outlook With Strong Demand and Big Operational Challenges

The outlook for the global poultry industry for 2H 2022 is bullish, despite significant cost pressures and other operational challenges.

Demand is strong, with most countries open after adopting ‘living with Covid’ strategies. This is pushing up poultry demand, while global pressure on spending power and high food prices are also leading consumers toward the lowest-priced meat protein: poultry.

The biggest challenge for the industry is on the operational side. Feed and energy prices are higher than they have been in many years...

Nationwide Survey Reveals 81% of Americans Want Clearer Product Labeling of Plant-Based ‘Chicken’

The National Chicken Council (NCC) today announced findings from a recent national survey* of Americans regarding consumer attitudes about chicken and plant-based ‘chicken’ alternatives. Survey participants included individuals who consume meat and animal products, along with flexitarians, vegetarians and vegans. The results indicate the majority of Americans want clearer product labeling and separate shopping sections for plant-based products.

“When shopping for chicken to grill this Fourth of July weekend, people shouldn’t have to waste time at the grocery store dissecting whether they’re about to..."

North American Meat Institute: Meat and Poultry Industry is Resilient

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released the following statement in response to a U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service report on Agricultural Competition and the first in a series of rules changes the Administration is proposing under the Packers and Stockyards Act:

“Despite what the White House says, the meat and poultry industry proved to be remarkably resilient during the pandemic,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “Following the challenges of the spring of 2020, the industry acted immediately to reduce..."

Warren/Rounds Resolution Myth-Facts

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released the following Myth-Fact resource debunking the mischaracterizations about beef and cattle markets in a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Mike Rounds (R-SD):

Myth: In the press release announcing the resolution, Senator Warren says beef companies have lowered wages for workers. This assertion is completely false.

Fact: The meat and poultry industry values its workforce and, according to Rabobank and other well documented sources, average starting hourly wages for workers have increased from $14.60 to $22.00 an hour...

Worker Health and Safety is First Priority in Meat and Poultry Industry

The North American Meat Institute, the nation’s trade association for meat and poultry packers and processors, today said the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis’ partisan report distorts the truth about the meat and poultry industry’s work to protect employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following is a statement from Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute:

“The Meat Institute and its member companies voluntarily provided hundreds of thousands of pages to the Committee..."

Meat Institute to House Ag Chair Scott: Packer Margins Since 2015 Due to Increased Herd Size

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today answered questions asked of meat and poultry industry companies by House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott during a hearing on beef and cattle markets:

“The analysis of beef and cattle market margins from 2015 are not in dispute,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “Cattle prices hit record highs in 2014 and 2015, when the overall cattle herd was at its smallest since 1952 (for context, that was during the Truman...

Applications Being Accepted for New Poultry Industry Innovation in Safety & Health Award

The Joint Industry Safety and Health Council is currently accepting applications for a new Innovation in Safety & Health Award program. The program is open to National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF) and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) members and is intended for poultry and egg industry members that have made a significant advancement in operational excellence in a safety and/or health innovation.

Award applications can be entered in the industry categories of Poultry Processing (NAICS 311615), Poultry & Egg Production (NAICS 1123)...

Poultry Quarterly Q2 2022: Strong Market Conditions Continue, Despite Impact of War in Ukraine

Global poultry demand and trade will remain strong this year. The industry, however, will face challenges related to historic high cost inflation and logistic disruptions, which will especially impact low income countries.

Report summary
In most regions, supply is relatively tight and prices are strong. The war in Ukraine has led to an increase of 20% to 40% in global grain prices, and the poultry industry will be challenged to pass on all of these higher costs to consumers. This will likely be possible in developed...

Pilgrim’s Pride Announces Michael Cooper to Retire from Pilgrim’s Board of Directors

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation today announced that Michael Cooper will retire from the Pilgrim’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) effective on April 27, 2022, the date of the next Annual Shareholders Meeting, following 13 years of service to Pilgrim’s and over 25 years in the poultry industry.

Initially appointed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court as one of a two-member equity committee, Mr. Cooper was a key influence behind the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy while retaining the viability of Pilgrim’s initial stock...

NTF in Focus: Women in the Turkey Industry

Women play a major role in the turkey industry and throughout agriculture. Whether it’s on the farm, working the line in the plant, sampling products for quality assurance, developing animal health solutions in the lab or performing a plethora of essential duties, our mission of delivering safe, nutritious products to the table wouldn’t be possible without the women in the turkey industry. Women do it all!

We’ve always said what makes NTF great is its people. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we wanted to highlight a few of the talented...