From the editors of Feedstuffs
By Krissa Welshans
Cal-Maine Foods, the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States, announced it has completed the previously announced acquisition of Tyson Foods’ shuttered broiler processing plant, hatchery, and feed mill in Dexter, Missouri.
When the deal was originally announced in December, the Missouri Department of Economic Development said Cal-Maine will invest $13 million to repurpose the assets for use in egg and egg products production. Cal-Maine said it will initially convert the broiler processing plant to an egg grading facility but anticipates making additional investments in the facilities. Potential future expansion includes egg products processing capabilities, such as hard-cooked eggs.
“We are pleased to join the Dexter community and are excited about the opportunities to expand our operations. We intend to partner with the existing strong network of local contract growers who can support our shell egg production capabilities,” said Sherman Miller, president and chief executive officer of Cal-Maine. Related:Cal-Maine acquiring shuttered broiler processing assets from Tyson Foods
Cal-Maine expects to enter into agreements with certain of Tyson’s former contract farmers to convert their operations to support its cage free, free range, or pasture raised egg production operations. The facility is expected to begin operations in summer of 2024.
Federal funding boosts plans for $160m USDA research facility at UNL
The bipartisan federal spending bill recently signed by President Biden includes $25 million for construction of a USDA Agricultural Research Service facility located at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Innovation Campus. The federal funding was championed by Sen. Deb Fischer in the Senate and Rep. Mike Flood in the House, but all members of Nebraska’s federal delegation have supported plans for the facility being located in Nebraska.
“This is a remarkable investment that will further Nebraska’s status as a world leader in agriculture,” said University of Nebraska Interim President Chris Kabourek.
Kobourek continued: “Agriculture has always been, and will always be, foundational to the University of Nebraska’s work. I could not be more pleased that all of Team Nebraska — from our board of regents, to our federal partners, the governor and legislature, donors, farmers and ranchers across the state, and our incredible faculty, staff and students — is working together to keep us on the forefront in meeting the needs of our state and feeding the world for generations to come.”
Cargill shares testing results for first wind-powered ocean vessel
Cargill has revealed exciting results of the six-month test period of the Pyxis Ocean, underscoring the potential for the wind assisted propulsion technology in moving the shipping industry toward renewable energy use. The MC Shipping Kamsarmax vessel retrofitted with two WindWings—large solid wind sails developed by BAR Technologies—has achieved performance consistent with what was predicted which is equivalent to an average of 3 metric tons of fuel per day.
“We are encouraged by the results and have learned a great deal about implementing wind assisted propulsion on dry bulk vessels,” said Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business. “We could never have done this alone – BAR Technologies and MC Shipping and have been fantastic partners in making the Pyxis Ocean a reality as well as the captain and crew. We are on the leading edge of change in the shipping industry and believe technologies that harness the wind could be an important, cost-effective way to achieve our decarbonization goals in the short, medium, and long-term.”
The Pyxis Ocean hit open waters in August 2023 and during the first six months of testing it has sailed the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, North and South Atlantic, and passed Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope. The ship was retrofitted with two WindWings, which measure 37,5 meters in height and resemble large airplane wings. The wings are installed vertically to catch the wind and propel the ship forward, allowing the ship’s engine to be turned down so that the ship can travel at the same speed as a conventional ship using less fuel.
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Wayne-Sanderson Farms Danville begins construction of new feed mill
Wayne-Sanderson Farms is constructing a state-of-the-art feed mill at the company’s Danville, Arkansas, Fresh Processing Complex, and it’s not just chicken feed. Purpose-designed and built to serve 125 family farm partners in the region, the new mill will provide complete nutrition solutions for local farmers. The $43 million facility will be located on 21 acres adjacent to the main processing facility and has the capacity to produce more than 8,500 tons of feed weekly. Read more
Celebrating nearly 120 years of leadership on behalf of North America’s meat companies, the Meat Institute (formerly the “North American Meat Institute”) has unveiled a new logo and brand identity reflecting its dynamic, forward-looking approach to ensuring meat remains at the heart of nourishing the present and sustaining the future.
The new logo evokes the shape of a plate, with the open frame indicating transparency and inclusiveness. The varying thickness of the plate’s border brings a sense of movement, signaling constant evolution and pursuit of continuous improvement.
“Sustaining meat’s future is central to the Meat Institute’s mission and vision, building on our 120 years of leadership and meat’s centuries of contributions to healthy diets and strong communities," said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. "Our updated logo is fresh, open, and keeps meat at the very center of nourishing today and sustaining tomorrow.”
In addition to the new logo, elements of the Meat Institute’s brand evolution include:
New brand colors: The logo is composed of a dark blue that provides solidity and weight to the association’s name and history, with a fresh new Meat Institute Blue serving as the primary framing color. New brand colors also include an energetic pastel blue and a modern orange accent that serves as an updated nod to the association’s previous maroon brand.
New brand purpose statement: The Meat Institute’s brand identity will include a new tagline that summarizes the association’s mission and purpose - “Nourishing Today. Sustaining Tomorrow.”
Tyson Foods and JBS will pay $72.25 million and $55 million, respectively, to settle a class-action lawsuit that alleged the two companies, along with several other companies, engaged in a conspiracy to keep wages low. According to the court filing, the latest settlements, which bring the total amount of settlements to $138.50 million, “represent a significant increase in the valuation of the case and in the financial compensation and cooperation benefits for the settlement classes.”
