The Poultry Industry Dr. Michael Smith

U.S. Poultry Industry Broilers Broilers Eggs Eggs Turkey Turkey

U.S. Poultry Industry Highly specialized and efficient set of enterprises. Highly specialized and efficient set of enterprises. Leader in trends of industrialization in agriculture over the last 50 years. Leader in trends of industrialization in agriculture over the last 50 years. Started on family farms in the Midwest – grain production plentiful. Started on family farms in the Midwest – grain production plentiful. Broilers – small flocks; eggs – grocery money. Broilers – small flocks; eggs – grocery money. Spread to east coast – Maine & Delmarva California Spread to east coast – Maine & Delmarva California South – labor plentiful, inexpensive housing, mild climate South – labor plentiful, inexpensive housing, mild climate

Commercial Production Today 95% w/20,000 growers 95% w/20,000 growers 85% of eggs are produced by 2,000 large companies 85% of eggs are produced by 2,000 large companies 20,000 growers provide 18% of production 20,000 growers provide 18% of production

Importance Poultry convert feedstuff to food efficiently. As indicated below, Boilers have the most favorable PER and FC ratio. Poultry convert feedstuff to food efficiently. As indicated below, Boilers have the most favorable PER and FC ratio. Species Feed/ Grain Cattle 6.5 – 7.9 Sheep 6.3 – 7.1 Swine 3.1 – 3.9 Broilers 1.8 – 2.2 Turkeys 2.5 – 3.2

Importance Poultry industry is dynamic Poultry industry is dynamic Short period required for growth and marketing Short period required for growth and marketing Can adjust rapidly to changing economic factors Can adjust rapidly to changing economic factors feed, availability, cost, number of birds on feed. feed, availability, cost, number of birds on feed. Other livestock industries require longer length of time from birth to market (e.g. cattle). Other livestock industries require longer length of time from birth to market (e.g. cattle).

Importance By-product feeds fed to poultry: blood meal, fish meal, meat and bone, distillers grains. By-product feeds fed to poultry: blood meal, fish meal, meat and bone, distillers grains. Not used for human consumption Not used for human consumption

Importance Layers provide a continuous source of food. Layers provide a continuous source of food. Meat animals must be fed for a long period of time before a usable product is obtained. Meat animals must be fed for a long period of time before a usable product is obtained. Layers produce several times its weight in eggs. Layers produce several times its weight in eggs. Products from meat animals are restricted to final market weight. Products from meat animals are restricted to final market weight.

Importance Vegetarians consume eggs. Vegetarians consume eggs. In some countries meat eaters are the minority. In some countries meat eaters are the minority. Religion. Religion. Egg consumption acceptable. Egg consumption acceptable.

Importance Poultry products are relatively inexpensive. Poultry products are relatively inexpensive. Poultry meats are one of the best meat buys in the supermarket. Poultry meats are one of the best meat buys in the supermarket.

Importance Poultry manure as fertilizer. Poultry manure as fertilizer. Organic farming Organic farming Premium price? Premium price? Rich in Nitrogen and organic material. Rich in Nitrogen and organic material. By-product feed for ruminants By-product feed for ruminants

Present Status of the Industry

Broiler Production

Egg Production

Turkey Production

Production Figures

Important that producers have a global perspective Potential competitors Potential competitors Potential markets Potential markets World Poultry Distribution

Retail Price WashingtonD.C.MexicoCityParisRome Stockhol m Tokyo Broilers Eggs

Figure 1. Per Capita Consumption of Poultry in Canada and the United States

Future of the Industry 1. Increased biotechnology. Embrex Inovoject 2. Increased mass production- year round availability of products. 3. More contract and integrated production. Larger integrators. 4. Increased labor- saving device. 5. Sustainable agriculture. 6. Increased attention to poultry behavior and welfare. 7. Increased food safety. 8. Increased quality of products. 9. Increased consumption.

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