Shell quality is impacted by numerous factors, including, genetics, nutrition, feeder management, body weight and age at light stimulation, heat stress, egg gathering, egg belts, de-escalators, processing equipment, disease, and gut health. The following article is a discussion of some of these factors.

Want to learn more? For a more detailed paper, please contact your Wenger’s service person, sales representative, technical services, or e-mail: webmaster@wengerfeeds.com.

Implied copyright. This article first appeared in Wenger's Millogram newsletter, 18.2.

The relatively high calcium and phosphorus levels in layer feeding programs designed to improve shell quality in breeds with lower shell quality characteristics may adversely impact the utilization of inorganic mineral sources such as manganese and zinc, both of which are very important in bone and eggshell metabolism. Deficiencies of both manganese and zinc will decrease shell quality. Anecdotal testimony and two research studies presented at the 2002 International Scientific Forum in Atlanta indicated that 40 parts per million (PPM) supplemental zinc and manganese in the form of amino acid complexes was effective in maintaining good egg production levels and shell quality in ISA White layers and an unspecified brown egg layer breed.

Given the financial importance of shell quality and skeletal integrity, we conducted two studies at the Wenger’s Feed Mill, Inc. research farms to see if we could replicate the results reported at the 2002 International Scientific Forum. In the first study, we evaluated the impact of amino acid complexed zinc and a combination of amino acid complexed zinc and manganese on the performance and shell quality of Hy-Line W-98 layers from 88 to 101 weeks of age

Want to learn more? For a more detailed paper, please contact your Wenger’s service person, sales representative, technical services, or e-mail: webmaster@wengerfeeds.com.

Implied copyright. This article first appeared in Wenger's Millogram newsletter, 17.2.

As we were all reminded during the summer of 1999, heat stress (>87°F) is a severe physiological stress and is a major factor in the failure of many pullet and layer flocks to achieve breeder standards for growth, maturity, and performance. Now that we are approaching the time of the year when pullet and layer performance can be adversely impacted by heat stress, I would like to briefly discuss the physiology of heat stress and basic management techniques to minimize its impact on performance.

Want to learn more? For a more detailed paper on the feeding and management of pullets and layers in hot weather, please contact your Wenger’s service person, sales representative or technical services.

Implied copyright. This article was first published in Wenger's Millogram Newsletter, 14.1.

Implied copyright. This article was first published in Wenger's Millogram Newsletter, 17.2.

INTRODUCTION
With approximately 65% of the cost of producing eggs being feed cost, maintaining good feather cover is of considerable economic importance to the pullet and layer industry. Poorly feathered layers will have increased body heat loss and elevated feed intake with poor feed efficiency. Factors influencing feather cover include housing density, group size, mechanical wear (rubbing against cage mates or cage sides), feather pecking, beak trimming, molds and mycotoxins, and nutrition.

Want to learn more? For a more detailed paper on the feeding and management of pullets and layers in hot weather, please contact your Wenger’s service person, sales representative or technical services.

Implied copyright. This article was first published in Wenger's Millogram Newsletter, 17.4.

INTRODUCTION
Molting is a natural process in which the bird takes a break from egg production, renews its feathers, rebuilds its calcium stores, and regresses and rebuilds its reproductive tract. Because a molt can be induced by a number of influences, one can always find some birds within an egg laying flock that are going through a molt. Induced molting is the process in which the egg producer uses management and nutrition tools to coordinate all of the birds within a flock to molt at the same time. Many researchers have investigateed alternative molting techniques, including numerous marginal dietary treatments such as low sodium, low energy, corn alone, high fiber, high aluminum, high copper, and low protein.

Want to learn more? For a more detailed paper on the feeding and management of pullets and layers in hot weather, please contact your Wenger’s service person, sales representative or technical services.

Implied copyright. This article was first published in Wenger's Millogram Newsletter, 14.3.

INTRODUCTION
High environmental temperature (>87F) is a severe physiological stress and is a major factor in the failure of many pullet and layer flocks to achieve breeder standards. Now that we are approaching that time of the year when pullet and layer performance can be adversely impacted by heat stress, I would like to briefly discuss heat stress and basic management techniques to minimize its imipact on performance.

Want to learn more? For a more detailed paper on the feeding and management of pullets and layers in hot weather, please contact your Wenger’s service person, sales representative or technical services.

Implied copyright. This article was first published in Wenger's Millogram Newsletter, 16.2.

INTRODUCTION
Vaccines and antibiotics were very important pieces of the puzzle that enabled the poultry industry to move from a backyard flock-based industry to the large scale production facilities of today. It is estimated that 17% of the antibiotics used in animal production are used at sub-therapeutic (growth promoting) levels. Public health professionals have suggested that the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotics in animal agriculture may be partially responsible for the development of antibiotic resistant bacterial populations. This has led to the increased regulation, and in some cases, the banning of the use of growth promoting antibiotics in animal agriculture.

Want to learn more? For a more detailed paper on the feeding and management of pullets and layers in hot weather, please contact your Wenger’s service person, sales representative or technical services.

Implied copyright. This article was first published in Wenger's Millogram Newsletter, 16.6.

Most producers accept the fact that disease and pathogens are a normal part of producing pigs. When morbidity and mortality occur, the usual course of action is to target the pathogen with the appropriate feed medications and possibly follow up with a vaccine program for long-term control, if available. Poor performance is then attributed to the particular disease, and we move on. But how much of this is due to the pathogen itself, and how much is the fault of the animals own physiology?

Want to learn more? For a more detailed paper on the feeding and management of pullets and layers in hot weather, please contact your Wenger’s service person, sales representative or technical services.

Implied copyright. This article was first published in Wenger's Millogram Newsletter, 17.2 & 17.3.

Because the vast majority of local corn and soybeans is used for animal feed and very little goes to the export market, the transgenic planting percentage for corn and soybeans is considerably higher in Southern Pennsylvania than the national average (Table 4).

There are a number of reasons that farmers have endorsed transgenic technology. These include increased crop yields, decreased pesticide usage and cost, decreased herbicide usage and cost, increased planting flexibility, environmental benefits, and improved product.

Increased Yields: Prior to the introduction of Bt Corn, it was difficult to control the corn borer with chemical insecticides and many farmers accepted significant yield losses (3 to 6% per one corn borer per plant) rather than go to the expense of treating crops with chemical insecticides.

Therefore, in areas in which the corn borer is a challenge, the use of Bt Corn will result in significantly increased yields. In the absence of a corn borer challenge, the use of Bt Corn will not impact yield.

The use of herbicide tolerant (Roundup Ready) soybeans results in significant increases in yield.

Decreased Pesticide Usage: In the U.S., Bt Corn and cotton resulted in 3.5 million pounds less pesticide being applied to cropland in 1999. In addition to the cost savings associated with the purchase of the chemicals, the farmer saves on time and fuel with fewer trips into the fields.

Decreased Herbicide Usage: In the U.S., the use of herbicide tolerant soybeans has resulted in a 22% reduction in herbicide use. With the introduction of Roundup Ready soybeans and cotton there has been an increase in the use of Glyphosate (the active chemical in Roundup) and a decrease in the use of other synthetic herbicides such as Imazethapyrn, Pendimethalin, and Trifluralin.

This information has been used to criticize Roundup Ready products as simply a means for manufacturer Monsanto to sell more Roundup. However, there has been a net decrease in total pounds of herbicide applied and Roundup is 3 to 16 times less toxic than other herbicides and is 1.6 to 1.9 times less likely to persist in environment.

As with the insect resistant products, the farmer also realizes cost savings associated with the decreased purchase of chemicals and time and fuel savings with fewer trips into the fields. The farmer also benefits from improved harvest efficiency (fewer weed seeds and decreased foreign material).

Increased Planting Flexibility and Environmental Benefits: The use of herbicide tolerant crops makes it easier to use reduced tillage or no-till method systems, and to rotate crops. This reduces soil erosion and fuel use.

The decrease in the use of pesticides and herbicides associated with the use of transgenic crops is an environmentally positive benefit of this technology.

Improved Product: Due to reduced kernel damage, Bt Corn is healthier, more nutritious, and less likely to be contaminated with molds and mycotoxins than conventional corn

Herbicide tolerant soybeans are healthier and generally of better quality and less contaminated with weed seeds and other foreign material.

Summary: The rapid adoption rate of transgenic crops is evidence that farmers have recognized and realized the many benefits of this technology, including increased yields, decreased pesticide cost, decreased herbicide cost, increased planting flexibility, environmental benefits, and improved product.

For more information I suggest the following web sites: www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/biotechnology , and www.colostate.edu/programs/lifesciences/transgenicCrops/index

Implied copyright. This article was first published in Wenger's Millogram Newsletter, 14.5.

1. What is Foot and Mouth Disease

*Acute infectious viral disease that affects domestic cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and deer. Other cloven-hooved animals, elephants, hedgehogs, and rats are also susceptible to infection.
*Incubation period=2 to 16 days
*Rarely fatal, except in young animals
*Causes decreases in production
*Most frequent lesions include vesicles (blisters) on the tongue and inside of the mouth, inside the nostrils, on the coronary band, teats, udder, snout of pigs, and area between the toes.
*Frequent sequela to disease include: weight loss from painful lesions in mouth causing decrease in food intake; decrease in milk production; chronic lameness from painful lesions on feet; abortions and sterility

2. How is Food and Mouth Disease Transmitted?

*Droplets: Direct contact with incubating or clinically ill animals (saliva, feces, urine, milk, semen). Recovering animals or exposed vaccinated animals may carry the virus in the oropharynx for months and could transmit the virus through the mouth and nose.
*Vectors: Animate (people, other animals such as dogs on the farm, etc.); Inanimate (equipment, tools, boots, clothing, etc.)
*Airborne virus particles

3. Are Humans at Risk?

*Human disease from Foot and Mouth Disease is rare (1 documented case in Great Britain in 1966)
*Symptoms mimicked a mild case of influenza with some blisters
*Mild, self-limiting disease in humans

4. Where has Foot and Mouth been identified?

*Endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America (sporadic outbreaks in free zone)
*Recent outbreaks in the United Kingdom involving 39 locations (pigs, sheep, & cattle) as of March 2, 2001

5. What can be done to prevent and control Foot and Mouth Disease?

*Slaughter of infected, recovered, and susceptible contact animals
*Disinfection of premises and all infected material
*Destruction of carcasses, litter, and susceptible animals products in the infected area
*Quarantine measures
*Control of animal movement across borders from potentially infected areas to disease-free areas

For more information about Foot and Mouth disease, see the USDA's fact site at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/oa/fmd/index.html

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also established a toll-free telephone center to respond to questions from the public, industry, and media regarding USDA's response to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe. The toll-free number is 1-800-601-9327. International callers can reach the center by dialing 01-301-734-9257.

*If a poultry dealer must come to your farm, insist that his crates and trucks are clean. Never allow crates to be put in your house, particularly if any birds are to remain on the farm. The avian influenza virus is consistently found in the New York and New Jersey live bird markets.

*Keep the poultry house locked. Allow only essential personnel into your poultry house. They should wear clean or disposable coveralls, head cover and plastic boots, which can be washed and disinfected. Have a disinfectant footbath that is changed daily at the outside entries to the poultry house and egg room.

*Both domestic and wild waterfowl, including gulls, can be carriers of A.I. virus. Don’t carry feces from these birds on your shoes or equipment into your poultry house.

*Do not spread manure from any flock that has experienced suspicious illness and mortality within at least three weeks after illness unless manure is first composted and covered for several weeks.

*Dispose of dead birds safely – by incineration, burial, composting or rendering. Never pile birds outside a building or dispose of in fields.

*Do not use equipment from another farm on your farm unless it was cleaned and disinfected.

*Egg pickup and feed delivery people should wear protective food covering – either disposable plastic boots that are left on the farm to discard or rubber boots that are disinfected.

*Insist that supplies brought to your farm are either new (if fiber flats) or are clean, washed, and disinfected (plastic flats, carts, shelves or dividers).

*Do not attend auctions where poultry are sold.

*Wild birds (starlings etc.) could spread the AI virus. Keep birds screened out of your houses and work with pest control professionals to try and reduce or eliminate these birds on your premises.

*Growers should not wear poultry house clothing and footwear away from the farm.

*Restrict the movement of all vehicles (automobiles and trucks) entering and leaving your farm. Disinfect the tires, undercarriage (when possible) and floor of vehicles.

*Participate in the statewide Avian Influenza monitoring program. This includes submitting at least 10 and preferably 24-30 eggs (blood eggs are preferable) per month from all laying flocks and collecting 10 bloods at slaughter from meat bird flocks.

*Report any increased illness or mortality to your company or to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (717) 783-8300.

Special notice from the PennAg Poultry Council

The following recommendations are provided for travelers who plan to visit a country that has recently experience an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

*Consider the necessity of the visit

*Whenever practical, avoid visiting premises that have livestock.

*Follow all guidelines and recommendations of the country that you are visiting relative to restricted activities or areas.

*Avoid visiting farms in infected or otherwise restricted areas.

*If you are driving, follow recommended biosecurity measures for the vehicle. IE parking off the premises, spraying/washing tires, washing the vehicle, etc.

*Avoid handling livestock (especially those susceptible to FMD - cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and other even-toed animals.)

*Do not bring food or other articles from the visited farms

*Do not take any articles onto the farms that aren't necessary. All items should be disinfected after the visit.

*If visiting a farm, consider wearing clothing and shoes that you would be willing to discard before returning to the United States.

*Wear outer boots or other shoe coverings when visiting farms. Disinfect boots or appropriately discard disposable shoe coverings when leaving the farm. A disinfectant solution of one ounce of household bleach in a gallon of water may be used.

*Bathe (and shampoo your hair) and change clothing before visiting other premises with livestock.

*Keep a written record of the name, address, and general location of the premises.

*Before, or immediately after, returning from abroad, wash all clothing that was used on farm visits in hot water. Consider adding chlorine bleach to the wash water. Carefully examine and clean all footwear. If practical, disinfect or discard footwear before returning to the United States.

*Assure that children and other members of your party follow the same guidelines.

*If you have come in contact with livestock on an infected farm or in an infected area, you should avoid contact with other livestock for at least 14 days.