[rant]Cage free eggs[rant]

Egg prices don't seem to be an issue here. But maybe it's because everything else is so much more expensive than in the rest of the country, you don't notice egg prices.
 
I get Avian Flu is hurting the supply of eggs.
But why is the price of chicken meat also not affected?

Tim
 
Thanks for the updates. Very interesting stuff.

What percentage of US egg production is sold to WTO signatories, and do the restrictions apply to fresh and processed product? Is liquid product irradiated or otherwise treated to kill pathogens? Given that they are eggs, is a heat pasteurization possible?

Second, are there insurance products available to mitigate your risk as a producer?

Just anecdotally, we've heard through some Ag contacts here in MD some of the Canada geese showing up at various rescues with signs of infection and are being euthanized. Our friends with dairy cattle are starting to worry seriously about that migrating bird vector. The fields are covered with them.

I would think another not insignificant problem is how to dispose of litter and carcasses of infected flocks. Can't imagine the litter can be spread as nitrogen fertz.
 
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Chip Sylverne said:
Thanks for the updates. Very interesting stuff.

What percentage of US egg production is sold to WTO signatories, and do the restrictions apply to fresh and processed product? Is liquid product irradiated or otherwise treated to kill pathogens? Given that they are eggs, is a heat pasteurization possible?

Second, are there insurance products available to mitigate your risk as a producer?

Just anecdotally, we've heard through some Ag contacts here in MD some of the Canada geese showing up at various rescues with signs of infection and are being euthanized. Our friends with dairy cattle are starting to worry seriously about that migrating bird vector. The fields are covered with them.

I would think another not insignificant problem is how to dispose of litter and carcasses of infected flocks. Can't imagine the litter can be spread as nitrogen fertz.
Click to expand...

Treat the Canadians just like our bombers were treated in WWII:
1740425647787.png
 
tspear said:
I get Avian Flu is hurting the supply of eggs.
But why is the price of chicken meat also not affected?

Tim
Click to expand...

If you get AI in a broiler house you depopulate, clean it, and can be back in full production when chicks arrive and will have fully grown birds ready for market in 6 - 8 weeks. A layer farm won't be back to full output for at least a year.

Also, there is no part of an egg laying hen that ever ends up in the meat supply. Totally different animals.
 
Chip Sylverne said:
Thanks for the updates. Very interesting stuff.

What percentage of US egg production is sold to WTO signatories, and do the restrictions apply to fresh and processed product? Is liquid product irradiated or otherwise treated to kill pathogens? Given that they are eggs, is a heat pasteurization possible?

Second, are there insurance products available to mitigate your risk as a producer?

Just anecdotally, we've heard through some Ag contacts here in MD some of the Canada geese showing up at various rescues with signs of infection and are being euthanized. Our friends with dairy cattle are starting to worry seriously about that migrating bird vector. The fields are covered with them.

I would think another not insignificant problem is how to dispose of litter and carcasses of infected flocks. Can't imagine the litter can be spread as nitrogen fertz.
Click to expand...

US egg exports amount to 3 - 4% of production in a normal year, mostly to Canada and Mexico. Broiler meat is a much higher percentage and vastly higher total dollars. $4B - $10B annually. There are pasteurization technologies available for shell eggs and all egg products are pasteurized. Irradiation has not been marketplace acceptable.




Mass bird die offs have been happening since this outbreak began. It is a serious concern.

The carcasses are generally composted with litter and a carbon source. The piles are temperature monitored to ensure virus elimination and are tested before being utilized as fertilizer.
 
Racerx said:
Id be curious what @James_Dean thought of the secretary's 5 point plan that she laid out the other day.
Click to expand...

I would've liked stronger language about vaccination, but it was several steps in the right direction. I'm a little concerned about the food safety aspects of the imports, but I think that can be safely mitigated in this time of crisis.

IMG_0981.jpeg

That is me with the Secretary last week. They seem to be listening and learning.
 
James_Dean said:
I would've liked stronger language about vaccination, but it was several steps in the right direction. I'm a little concerned about the food safety aspects of the imports, but I think that can be safely mitigated in this time of crisis.

View attachment 138572

That is me with the Secretary last week. They seem to be listening and learning.
Click to expand...
I also thought the vaccination part was weak sauce and sounded like a bit of an afterthought. At least how she said it.
 
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