Protein News covers the production, processing, and distribution of protein-rich foods derived from animals, including meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. This section explores the entire supply chain, from farming practices and animal nutrition to processing methods and market trends. It also delves into sustainability, animal welfare, and innovations in protein sources, including alternative options like plant-based, insect, and lab-grown proteins. The Protein category is essential for understanding the role of all protein types in global nutrition, economic impacts, and evolving consumer preferences.
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Dr. David Buckley is a principal scientist with Diversey’s Global Research and Development Innovation Team. In this interview, he details the threat avian influenza poses to processors and shares steps they can incorporate to minimize their risk and exposure to the disease.
Here’s a recap of the top daily seafood stories from Monday, Sept. 9: […]
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Price rises were linked to the demand
After moving down in July, average prices of chicken meat in Brazil in the wholesale market increased in August, reported Reuters.
Price rises were linked to the demand, which was firm especially in the first fortnight of the month, and to the restricted supply in the domestic market.
Source: National Farm Animal Care Council Code of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals – Dairy Cattle, Section 2.4
Ventilation
Good ventilation, whether natural or mechanical, brings in fresh air and effectively removes dust, airborne pathogens, gases, and excess heat and humidity (6). Dust and ammonia irritate animals’ eyes and respiratory tracts and can make cattle more susceptible to respiratory infections. However, definitive thresholds for cattle have not been established, including for ammonia (6).
The risk of pneumonia and other calf diseases can be dramatically reduced through good ventilation (without drafts) and the provision of adequate air space (i.e., at least 6 m3 [212 ft3] per calf up to 6 weeks of age and 10 m3 [353 ft3] per calf up to 12 weeks of age) (22). One of the biggest pneumonia risks for young calves is sharing airspace with older cattle (23).
Temperature and Relative Humidity
Mature dairy cattle are generally able to tolerate low temperatures better than high temperatures (6). When the ambient temperature is above the thermoneutral zone, heat stress occurs because heat load (accumulated both metabolically and from the environment) is higher than the animal’s ability to dissipate heat (6). The specific ambient conditions (temperature, humidity) that lead to heat stress vary based on the cow’s previous temperature acclimation as well as level of milk production, breed, and other factors (6). High-producing cows are most susceptible to heat stress due to the increased energy demands of milk production (6).
The thermoneutral zone for young calves (up to 3 weeks of age) is 15–25°C (6). Particular attention should be paid to temperatures inside calf hutches, which can far exceed ambient temperatures on hot days (6).
REQUIREMENTSFacilities, including hutches, must provide cattle with fresh air; prevent the build-up of harmful gases, dust, and moisture; and minimize the risk of heat and cold stress. |
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES
When facing cold stress:
When facing heat stress:
US bought 6% of the volume sold by Brazil
The importance of beef in exports of agribusiness products from Brazil has been growing. Among the countries responsible for the volume increase are China, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, United States and Egypt, according to a recent marketing report from Cepea.
From January to July, the Brazilian industry exported 32% more than in the same period of 2023, but the revenue in dollar rose less, 21%, due to the 8% decrease of the average prices, according to data from Secex.
China has been demanding less of the Brazilian beef. From 2019 to 2023, the country boosted purchases in 271% (in volume). In the partial of 2024 (up to July) against the same period of 2023, the increase is 13%, which leads China as the responsible for 49.8% of Brazilian in natura beef exports this year. Prices in dollar, however, dropped 12% – data from Secex.
Other important destinations are the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Secex data indicate that these three countries purchased 13% of the in natura beef shipped by Brazil this year, 83% more compared to the same period in 2023.
In the accumulated of 2024, the United States bought 6% of the volume sold by Brazil to the international market, moving up 54% against that in the same period last year.
ATLANTA — Papa John’s International Inc. appointed Kevin Vasconi as chief digital and technology officer, effective Sept. 9. In his new role, Vasconi will be responsible for guiding the development and execution of Papa John’s long-term strategy across the entire digital and technology ecosystem, including customer-facing, restaurant and corporate technology.
Vasconi will oversee enterprise architecture, engineering, data analytics, enterprise technology, information security and the advancement of scalable, cost-effective technology capabilities for the franchise system globally. He will work closely with the marketing team and restaurant operations to develop innovative solutions to deliver superior quality pizza to Papa Johns customers worldwide.
Vasconi will report to Todd Penegor, president and chief executive officer of Papa Johns, and serve on the Papa Johns executive leadership team.
“Kevin and I worked together at The Wendy’s Co., where I experienced first-hand his ability to lead technology innovation that delivered significant impact for our customers, team members and franchisees,” Penegor said. “His experience spans a number of industries, though his leadership in QSR, in particular, has been recognized in the industry and has served as an inspiration for other peers in our category. I look forward to Kevin’s partnership across our leadership team to build on the success Papa Johns has had in the digital space, while also leveraging technology to develop even better platforms, partnerships and systems to enable us to build for the future.”
Most recently, Vasconi served as chief information officer for The Wendy’s Co., where he tripled its e-commerce business over three years through a customer-centric focus that leveraged technology to build brand loyalty. Previously, he worked at Domino’s for eight years, serving as executive vice president and chief information officer. Vasconi has had a career in technology spanning over 35 years.
“I am excited to join the talented team at Papa Johns and lead our technology strategy as we look to create great experiences for our customers and team members around the globe,” Vasconi said. “I have a passion for the restaurant industry, where I’ve spent the past 12 years of my career, because of our ability to impact so many consumers through technology every day.
“Papa Johns is a brand I’ve admired given its continued innovation in the technology space. With the digital space in QSR becoming more competitive than ever, there’s both great challenge and opportunity ahead. I’m looking forward to working with the executive team and our technology team to unlocking growth for Papa Johns.”
Additional changes to the current executive leadership team include the expanded roles of Ravi Thanawala and Joe Sieve, effective immediately.
Thanawala has been named chief financial officer and executive vice president, International. Through his expanded position, he will now manage the company’s international business, which includes markets outside of the United States and Canada, along with his CFO responsibilities.
Sieve has been appointed chief restaurant and global development officer. He will now oversee all global development, as well as corporate and franchise restaurant operations.
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THE Australian beef producer’s share of retail dollar spend on beef has tracked sideways, after hitting all-time historical lows back in the December quarter.
The recent release of June 2024 quarterly Consumer Price Index data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics provides the opportunity to update the quarterly producer share of retail dollar calculation (see details below) published jointly by Episode3 and Beef Central.
As can be seen on the graph above, the recent recovery in saleyard cattle prices during the second quarter has helped maintain retail beef market share for producers, currently sitting at 35 percent for the second quarter, down marginally from 35.2pc in the March quarter, due to sideways movements for both saleyard and retail beef prices.
March was the best result seen for producer share since the second quarter of 2023, but a long way off the long-term trend line growth seen since the late 1990s.
Back in December the beef producer share of retail $ dropped to its lowest point since the data-set began back in 1998, at just 25.8pc. Back in 2022-23 when cattle prices approached record levels, the producer share index soared to almost 60pc.
In the graph above comparing the saleyards cattle price index versus the retail price index (1998 providing the benchmark at 100 for both), the saleyard index was little changed in the June quarter, having lifted 30pc between December and March from 271 to 352. Retail beef prices mirrored the sideways movement seen at the saleyard with the index increasing by just 1 point over the June quarter from 258 to 259.
Background to the producer share of retail prices calculation
In collaboration with analyst Matt Dalgleish from Episode 3, Beef Central last year launched a new quarterly series looking at trends in the beef producer’s typical share of the retail consumer’s spend on beef products.
A similar analysis was compiled by MLA for four years, before being discontinued by the industry service delivery company back in December 2016. The project was originally launched as a result of producer requests during the 2012 MLA annual general meeting.
Beef Central sought, and gained MLA’s blessing to resurrect the discontinued series, based on clear reader interest. The same formula is used to compile the new set of results as originally used by MLA (see explanation of the calculation below).
Episode 3 and Beef Central now jointly publish a quarterly report, soon after ABS quarterly retail beef price data is released.
The exercise sees national saleyard cattle prices in carcase weight terms being converted into an estimated retail weight equivalent and compared to average retail beef prices, as reported by ABS .
About the producer share of retail spend calculation
The beef producer share of the retail dollar is calculated using a range of assumptions:
The producer share is calculated by dividing the estimated retail weight equivalent livestock price by the indicative retail price.
Click the links below to read earlier reports in this series:
March quarter 2024
Should cattle producers be paying more attention to retail margin share?
The idea that meat infected with African swine fever (ASF) might be getting into the country unchecked and circulating freely is a terrifying one for the pig sector.
According to Lucy Manzano, head of Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA), the ASF threat is now coming as much from commercial meat imports due to the flawed implementation of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), as it is from illegal meat imports.
This, she believes, is largely down to the previous government’s decision to build a brand-new border control post (BCP) 22 miles inland at Sevington to carry out sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks for goods arriving at Dover Port and via Eurotunnel, rather than at the point of entry at Dover, where a perfectly good BCP already exists.
“The implementation of the BTOM at the Short Straits is not working effectively or consistently,” Ms Manzano told Pig World.
“We are aware that illegal imports of commercial meat are coming through in significant and concerning volumes and without appropriate intervention at Sevington.
“In addition, IT systems continue to work ineffectively and do not communicate with each other as required or expected – and Port Health controls in place at Sevington are not identifying and controlling consignments as they should be.
“We are being notified of goods being called for examination that don’t arrive, or do arrive and are turned away, or arrive and then sit there for long periods of time and have then been told to leave without checks at all.”
She said the inherited imported food system now operating at the Short Straits was based on flawed Defra data assumptions – a poor understanding of the type of food and the volumes coming through – and not opening a BCP at the border in Dover.
“As such, controls aren’t working as they should, the impact of which is a big hole in this critical border, which means meat is getting in unchecked or, if it is, checked in a very inconsistent and ineffective way,” she said.
Defra has stressed that it is operating a risk-based approach that will see a significant reduction in the number of checks at Sevington.
It has also said the checks are being gradually phased in since April, although it has given no further indication of how it will up the frequency.
But in a recent letter to Defra secretary Steve Reed calling for action to address the situation, the UK Livestock Chain Advisory Group (LCAG), a coalition of 26 farming and meat industry bodies, said less than 10% of about 100 physical checks that should be taking place each day are happening.
British Meat Processors Association chief executive Nick Allen said only around 2% of goods coming through are being checked at Sevington. “How is that effective as a control?” he said.
This is partly due to the option of auto-clearance at the BCP, which means loads can be auto-cleared two hours prior to arrival.
Loads are auto-clearing through Sevington even if they’re entering via a different port as they know no physical checks will take place, according to LCAG.
Ms Manzano added: “Goods that should categorically not have come in have done so and with commercial papers.
“Our work has and continues to identify that commercial meat from ASF-restricted areas is clearly coming in at the straits without the checks required – exactly as we said would happen at the very beginning and warned the previous government of.”
Meanwhile, Dover Port Health Authority, in conjunction with UK Border Force, continues to carry out checks for illegal ‘personal imports’ of meat at Dover Port.
“We have teams down there now, as we speak, on the tourist lanes carrying out ASF checks for, technically, personal imports, but they are largely not what we would consider personal imports.
“This is predominately illegal meat deliberately brought in, often in very large volumes, from those ASF-infected areas,” Ms Manzano added.
About 100t of illegal meat has been seized at Dover over the past two years, but it is widely acknowledged that this represents just the tip of the iceberg.
Yet Defra told DPHA in December that it was cutting its budget for this work from £3.2m to £1.2m in 2024-25, starting in April, and then to nothing in 2025-26. Despite this, the requirement for Dover Port Health to complete ASF controls has been extended to Coquelles, in France.
Funding of this critical work remains unconfirmed. “We are fully committed to completing these extended checks, and working with the new government, but we can’t do this critical work for GB biosecurity without the funding required to deliver the service,” Ms Manzano said.
“We have put forward funding models to be able to effectively control the risk at Dover and Coquelles. We await responses from the new government.”
DPHA has also written to Mr Reed calling for an urgent review of how the BTOM is operating at the Short Straits and the biosecurity value it is delivering for GB at this critical border.
“The current system is failing. It is absolutely not operating in the best interests of GB biosecurity and, as the Port Health Authority, it is our responsibility to be really clear about what is and isn’t working and to help the new government identify what needs to change, and to make some really swift adjustments to plug those holes,” Ms Manzano added.
The authority, and wider industry, is hopeful, that as parliament returns to full swing in the autumn, they will see some action from Defra ministers.
After all, food security minister Daniel Zeichner showed an active interest in the situation while in opposition and, since the election, Defra ministers have identified addressing border control flaws as a major priority.
“We are hoping that as they return in September, they move forward quickly with a review and start to unpick what is happening here now,” Ms Manzano said.
“We have lost sight of the purpose of border controls – it is not a documentary process. It is about keeping the bad things out. We want to see consistent and transparent checks of biosecurity value, carried out at the point of entry at Dover, our greatest line of defence. The move to Sevington is exposing us to entirely unnecessary and needless risk.
“It must be addressed before it’s too late and, as the port health authority at the border, we cannot sit back and ignore what is happening, especially when there are relatively simple solutions that could be activated quickly to secure this border and GB biosecurity.
“Dover Port Health’s objective is to keep GB safe and fix these glaring holes. If we don’t, the outcome could be catastrophic for us all, but especially for the UK pig industry.”
Ms Manzano’s comments reinforce the sentiments of the LCAG call to action for Defra ministers to address the risk posed by both commercial and illegal imports.
“I’d like to think Steve Reed, Dan Zeichner and co are listening here,” Mr Allen said, adding that the expectation is that ‘things will start to happen in early autumn’.
A government spokesperson said: “Protecting UK biosecurity is one of our key priorities, and we are working with BCPs and traders to ensure checks are carried out effectively and swiftly. The UK has never had an outbreak of ASF.
“We are not complacent and suspected illegal meat products are routinely checked at the border to ensure they don’t reach our shores.”
Defra made it clear that it will continue to monitor and review the impact of the new controls, and work with industry, trade partners and enforcement agencies to try and minimise disruption and costs to trade, while protecting biosecurity.
It indicated it will work with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Port Health Authorities and BCP operators to ensure BCPs operate effectively and are resourced appropriately, and that it remains committed to agreeing an appropriate funding model with DPHA to tackle illegal imports, with a focus on the ASF safeguard measures.
Defra remains confident, however, that BCP capacity, including staff resource, is sufficient for the current volume of checks, which it says are operating 24/7 and carrying out the inspections required.
Checks are intelligence-led and based on biosecurity risk, with the risk of legitimate commercial loads not attending Sevington mitigated by ‘robust, data-backed enforcement options’, it said.
Learn more about Aviagen Group’s sustainability traits & environmental sustainability
Editor’s note: This article is an excerpt from the Aviagen Group’s Decades of Breeding for Welfare & Sustainability Report and additional articles will follow. The Report is designed to demonstrate Aviagen’s commitment to genetic improvement of welfare and sustainability of broiler and turkey breeds. Plus, it covers much more like techniques to ensure robustness and new methods to improve selection and genetic progress. To read or download the complete report, click here.
Aviagen has a long history of incorporating welfare and sustainability measurements into its breeding program to drive progress (Figure 4).
The expansion to include turkey breeding programs has allowed sharing of resources and exchange of new ideas and techniques between the breeding programs.
Environmental sustainability has long been a core focus for Aviagen. Whilst increasing flock outputs through improvements in traits associated with weight, livability, egg and meat yield play a key role in this, the amount of feed a bird requires to develop and grow is key to the global footprint of poultry production. FCR is the single most important trait for reducing the environmental impact of poultry production (Jones, 2008).
The improvement seen in FCR within both broilers and turkeys has greatly reduced the carbon footprint of poultry meat and also reduced the amount of environmental pollutants associated with poultry production.
Figure 5a shows Aviagen calculations of the relative environmental impact of broiler production over time. Broiler genetics from 1972 had a 50% higher environmental impact than 2020 genetics and future genetics will have 10% lower carbon footprint by 2030 than the bird today, which is in line with the estimations made by Jones (2008).
Turkey genetics resulted in a 20% lower carbon footprint between 1977 and 2020, with an expected 10% improvement by 2030 because of improvements made in the breeding program (Figure 5b). These improvements of about 1% per year are primarily driven by genetic improvement of FCR.
For decades, intensive selection for improved FCR has resulted in a highly feed efficient animal that is far more sustainable than many alternative meat sources.
This can be seen in the evolution of the performance objectives published for the BUT6 and Ross® 308 (Figure 6).
Historically FCR was assessed by measuring feed consumption and weight of birds in individual pens. Since 2004 in broilers and 2006 in turkeys, Aviagen has pioneered the use of feed stations, which record individual bird feed intake using transponder identification within a group environment (Figure 7).
This allows the selection of birds with genes associated with improved feed efficiency while the birds are free to express natural behavior. The feed station technology has been highly successful and example of its importance can be seen in the 50% increase in testing capacity in the turkey breeding programs since 2018.
The feeding stations have also allowed the study of feeding behavior, which has shown that broilers and turkeys share the same structure of short-term feeding behavior, which is regulated by levels of satiety. This was also observed when comparing broilers, turkeys and ducks to cattle, pigs, dolphins and rats (Howie et al., 2010, Tolkamp et al., 2011). The correlations between feeding and drinking behavior traits with performance traits is low. There is a wide range of feed and drinking behavior strategies in the broiler and turkey populations, which is important for their adaptability to a wide range of environments and production systems. Individual bird FCR alongside livability, robustness and weight have jointly contributed to the significant improvements seen in flock FCR.
Since 2014 in broiler and 2017 in turkeys, Aviagen has been applying genomic selection in its breeding programs. Genomic selection increases selection accuracy which results in greater rates of progress across traits. This has been particularly beneficial for FCR where it is not possible to measure the FCR of every individual and the selection accuracy of unmeasured birds is markedly improved thereby enhancing progress in the environmental sustainability of poultry production.
