ZOETIS has launched a reformulated synthetic coccidiostat offering another tool for control programmes. The pathogens Eimeria maxima, Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria tenella are three species that commonly cause coccidiosis in broilers, which can have significant economic impacts. See also: Farming unions fire warning over end of poultry sector energy support Ionophores are widely used for control, but resistance can build up over time. Zoetis has announced the new synthetic coccidiostat Avi-Deccox to counter this build-up of resistance as part of an overall control programme. It is a reformula ..read more

Poultrymeat production has dropped in the first two months of this year, when compared with 2022. Broiler chick placings during January and February combined were down by 3m, or nearly 1.5%, compared with the same period in 2022, according to Defra figures. See also: Higher soya price halts drop in poultry feed costs At the same time, turkey poults fell by 225,000, or nearly 11%, compared with January-February a year earlier. In both sectors, these are the lowest Jan-Feb totals since before the onset of Covid, and reflect a deepening lack of confidence caused by inflationary pressures and worr ..read more

SWABBING drinkers could offer an early warning that avian influenza is circulating in a flock, according to research from German farms. Sampling from drinkers on turkey farms conducted by turkey breeder Moorgut Kartzfehn has suggested it could prove an effective early detection of the disease. See also: Latest EU avian flu analysis reports fewer cases but more focus on mammalian detections Detecting the disease as early as possible is a priority for producers and authorities both to maximise compensation for losses and control further spread. Dr Barbara Storck, presenting a paper at the Turkey ..read more

A DUTCH vaccine study looking at the effectiveness of four vaccines against highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has found two to be effective. Under laboratory conditions, two vaccines offered protection against both disease symptoms in laying hens and prevented the spread. See also: Coffey rejects calls for higher bird flu compensation The vaccine study was carried out at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, part of Wageningen University & Research (WUR), in collaboration with Utrecht University, Royal GD and WUR, on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (L ..read more

DEFRA secretary Thérèse Coffey has rejected calls from MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee to improve compensation for poultry farms hit by avian influenza. Ms Coffey said there were no plans to make further changes to how compensation was paid at present. See also: Dutch vaccine study finds two effective against bird flu MPs had written to the secretary of state in December calling for payments based on the number of birds alive in the affected flock at the point of disease notification rather than the number of birds culled. In her reply, Ms Coffey said the compen ..read more

As traditional turkey hatcheries set their prices and start to plan for the year ahead, their producer customers still face a “perfect storm” of potential problems in Christmas 2023, say suppliers of traditional poults. According to Paul Kelly of Farmgate Hatcheries, the coming Christmas is likely to be beset by the same problems as in the one just gone, which led to a fall of 10% in sales. See also: Europe’s latest avian flu assessment shows fewer cases but more mammal detections This decline took them back to 2019 or pre-Covid levels, which Mr Kelly puts down to “more families eating out, pr ..read more

THE European Food Safety Authority, along with other agencies, have released their latest assessment of avian influenza, covering early December to March last year. The report says that, between 3 December 2022 and 1 March 2023, there were 522 cases of HPAI H5N1 reported in domestic poultry and 1,138 detections in wild birds in 24 countries (including the UK). See also: WATCH: King Charles visits APHA to thank staff for tackling avian influenza France was the hardest hit, with 191 cases, followed by Poland with 88 cases before numbers dropped off – Hungary had the third highest number of cases ..read more

KING Charles has paid a visit to the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s Weybridge headquarters to thank staff who are tackling the biggest ever outbreak of avian influenza that the UK has faced. The King met with scientists and staff to learn more about how avian influenza has affected the UK, with a record 332 cases across the country since October 2021. See also: Defra opens consultation over compulsory poultry registration Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: “Today’s visit really is about recognising the last 18 months of remarkable work and the APHA staff who have worked day ..read more

NOBLE FOODS is now running a cohort of 30 apprenticeship placements across its workforce. Spanning Noble Foods’ Poultry, Milling, Consumer Foods and Central business units, the apprenticeships cover a wide range of skilled roles, from engineers and drivers to HR and poultry technicians. See also: How Noble Foods developed its first line of carbon-neutral eggs The biggest single group of apprentices are part of Noble Foods’ poultry business, located in Gainsborough. With the youngest colleague aged 16, it’s hoped that this is the beginning of many more positions for school leavers. In addition ..read more

EGG prices are up by an average of 30% across the EU according to new data released by the European Commission. Eurostat said the rise, over the 12 months to January, made eggs one of the food products with the highest price increases. See also: Day-old pullet placings on the up again By contrast, in the 12 months prior to January 2022, prices were up just 7%. There was a broad range of price changes across the bloc. In Germany, for example, prices rose by just under 20%. In Hungary, however, the price of eggs was up by close to 80% over the period. Overall inflation across Europe was reported ..read more