Issues And Challenges In Broiler Production
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The document discusses several key issues and challenges in the broiler production industry. It provides background on the integrated structure of the industry and contract growing system. Some topics covered include animal welfare practices, antibiotic use, food safety and quality improvements, environmental considerations, and factors that have contributed to the popularity of chicken consumption in the United States.
![Thanks! Richard L. Lobb Director of Communications National Chicken Council 1015 15 th St NW, Suite 930 Washington DC 20005 (202) 296-2622 ext. 19 [email_address] www.nationalchickencouncil.com](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/issues-and-challenges-in-broiler-production-1232465598123592-1/85/Issues-And-Challenges-In-Broiler-Production-28-320.jpg)
Issues And Challenges In Broiler Production
- 1. Issues and Challenges in Broiler Production Richard L. Lobb Director of Communications National Chicken Council
- 2. National Chicken Council National trade association for the integrated broiler producer-processor industry Broilers are meat chickens. We don’t do table eggs or turkeys Companies with 95% of broiler production are members We lobby, do marketing, address issues, serve as central industry forum
- 3. “ Integrated” Industry Chicken company controls the process and owns the animal all the way through Owns hatcheries, feed mills, processing plants, distribution facilities 90% of production takes place on privately owned farms under contract with integrated companies
- 4. Origin of Intensive Production Essentially there was no broiler industry before 1920’s Meat chickens were offshoot of layer industry (unneeded males) Mrs. Steele of Delaware often cited as mother of industry – started with 500 birds in 1923, built a house for 10,000 by 1926 Long-distance shipment by 1930’s
- 5. Roots of Integrated System Many small, independent companies by 1940’s Hatcheries or feed millers typically had capital that farmers lacked and could finance flocks based on note paid back when flock was sold Processors needed greater uniformity of product to allow automation and eventually “integrated” hatchery, feed mill, and processing plant under one ownership Integration essentially completed by 1970 Process speeded up by crash in 1959-60
- 6. Contract Grower Independent family farmer holds contract with company; usually stays with same company for years regardless of specific length of contract Owns farm and growout houses; provides water, utilities, labor, management skill Is paid on the basis of his/her success in raising chickens to desired market weight
- 7. Contract growers Approximately 35,000 contract broiler farms in U.S.; some have other animals or row crops, some have only broilers Production of boilers has always been large-flock oriented; there has never been a “backyard” or small-flock broiler industry System allows many farm families to stay on land
- 8. Impact on Farm/Rural Economy (2004 data) Direct pay to growers: $2.1 billion Plant, hatchery, feed mill payrolls: $3.7 billion Purchase of corn and soybean meal: $7.9 billion
- 9. Antibiotics Used as coccidiostats, health promotants, and therapeutically Most coccidiostats (anti-parasitical) are not true antibiotics and are not used in human medicine Trend has been towards less usage as overall animal health improves due to better breeding, better husbandry (such as tunnel ventilation)
- 10. Hormones Below are listed all hormones used in broiler production: (None)
- 11. Animal Welfare NCC has adopted and published an animal welfare program that is widely used in the industry. May be obtained from www.nationalchickencouncil.com Approved by Food Marketing Institute and National Council of Chain Restaurants
- 12. Typical broiler farm In the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
- 13. Brooders and feeders in house Note: Cages are NOT used in broiler production
- 14. Typical modern broiler house
- 15. Interior -- tunnel-ventilated house
- 16. Impact of confined production on animal health Protection from predators and extremes of heat and cold Water provided ad libitum; feed provided frequently In breeder operations, necessary to limit feeding or excessive weight gain would result Health of flock nationwide is extremely good; nutritional status also excellent
- 17. Improvements in recent years Tunnel ventilation has improved atmosphere (cleaner) and condition of litter (drier). Improved ventilation brings immediate production gains (lesser mortality, better feed efficiency) Better foot and eye health Nipple drinkers also keep litter dry and water cleaner
- 18. Outdoor access/free range Niche market for “free range” poultry allowed access to outdoors Has never been typical in industry Most producers would rather not expose birds to predators and wildlife However, some manage this successfully and obtain premium price
- 19. Food safety Raw product sometimes contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria at very low levels; cooking kills bacteria Interventions on farm and at plant used to improve microbiological quality of processed meat Scientific studies and government reports show great improvement, from 30% positive in 1980’s for Salmonella to less than 10% today
- 20. Food quality Quality = conformance to specifications In food, that means consistency so consumer will trust and demand brand name Company controls process by breeding and hatching birds and providing feed to growers. No open market – farmer never owns the birds. Company gets exactly what it wants for particular customers or markets (foodservice, fresh retail, etc.)
- 21. Product mix “ Customer” is foodservice company, supermarket chain, distributors, other large buyers. Customer specifications must be met Decline in fresh, whole-bird sales to cut-up and convenience product
- 22. Consumption in Pounds per Capita, 1972 Chicken was 23% of the Big 3
- 23. Consumption in Pounds per Capita, 2007 Chicken is 43% of the Big 3
- 25. Five factors in popularity of chicken Value/price compared to other foods Good nutritional profile/low in fat Convenience/ease of preparation Versatility Good fit with quick-service and casual dining menus
- 26. Environmental considerations On-farm: growers are encouraged to do nutrient management planning for use of litter as fertilizer to ensure that litter is applied in accord with agronomic needs of crop Litter can also be processed for commercial fertilizer or sold/exchanged to other farmers In-plant: Wastewater treatment facilities are permitted by EPA or state equivalent
- 27. Sustainability Broiler industry raises more food on less land with less input than any other terrestrial food animal industry Land: Intensive production means little land is used Input: Feed conversion ratio is 2:1 or less, best among terrestrial species Highly sustainable model that has worked well for many years
- 28. Thanks! Richard L. Lobb Director of Communications National Chicken Council 1015 15 th St NW, Suite 930 Washington DC 20005 (202) 296-2622 ext. 19 [email_address] www.nationalchickencouncil.com