Chicken industry margins have recovered, analyst says (free registration required) (2/3/2012)

The total protein availability of beef, pork and chicken is expected to drop 3.2 percent to the lowest level since 1991, although the average chicken producer is back in the black. Operating margins (based on spot chicken prices and rolling spot feed costs) have recovered and are currently running at about $0.05 per pound, according to one industry analyst.

USDA to close 259 offices in nationwide overhaul (free registration required) (1/10/2012)

USDA late Monday released what it calls its Blueprint for Stronger Service, a widely anticipated overhaul of the agency’s operations, which among other changes will close 259 domestic offices, facilities and labs across the country and seven foreign offices.

FDA prohibits use of cephalosporin drugs (1/6/2012)

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The US Food and Drug Administration on Jan. 4 prohibited certain uses of the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial drugs in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys effective April 5.

Chick placements down 3 percent in 2011 (free registration required) (1/5/2012)

Commercial hatcheries in the 19-state weekly program set 194 million eggs in incubators during the week ended Dec. 31, 2011, down 4 percent from the eggs set the corresponding week a year earlier.