MARCH 2017 Publication Agr. No: 40068941 EFO ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH CANADIAN WOMEn’S CURLING CHAMPIONS gg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) is proud to announce a new Championships in Beijing, China March 18-26, where the Epartnership with Team Homan – the #1 ranked women’s Get Cracking® logo will be prominently displayed on the lead curling team in the world in the Order of Merit and the 2017 knee of the players pants. Scotties Tournament of Hearts champions. For more information about the team, please visit The team consists of Rachel Homan (skip), Emma Miskew www.teamhoman.com. Watch for more information in (third), Joanne Courtney (second) and Lisa Weagle (lead). upcoming editions of The Cackler. They are heading to the 2017 CPT World Women’s Curling IN THIS ISSUE UPCOMING: UPCOMING BOARD • Comments from the Coop 52nd Annual Meeting Highlights OF DIRECTOR’S by Scott Graham, EFO Chair • Enhanced biosecurity during spring MEETINGS: April 6 & 7 migration May 4 & 5 • EFO recipe outreach THE CACKLER NEWSLETTER - MARCH 2017 COMMENTS FROM THE COOP WHAT A DIFFERENCE The work on this issue took place against a background that included A YEAR MAKES our sector’s decision in February 2016 By Scott Graham, EFO Chair to begin phasing-out of conventional housing and the final stages of the My column in The Cackler one year process leading to the new Code of ago was entitled Time to speak up for Practice being introduced in April 2017. our hens and it reflected my serious concerns at that time about the need A few of our main objectives are to: for action to deal with developments • Proactively tell the real story of egg in the egg marketplace that could be farming to take back the negative for every stakeholder in the high-ground on hen welfare. Ontario egg sector. • Provide consumers with credible media coverage and 24/7 social media During 2016, some grocery retailers information showing that eggs can discussions. and foodservice operators made public be humanely produced in all housing As egg farmers, we recognize our statements about their future egg systems approved in Canada’s newly reputation is our stock-in-trade. We purchasing plans, some in defense of updated Code of Practice for the need to look at our farms through attacks by activists expressly opposed Care and Handling of Pullets and consumers’ eyes and be what might be to animal agriculture. Laying Hens and supported by called “camera ready” at all times. excellent industry standards such as This is not driven by what is best for the our on farm food safety and animal A number of television shows in recent birds or by consumer demand. These care programs. years have proved that images of statements also ignore egg affordability, modern farming can be taken out of sustainability and the environmental Retail, restaurant, fast food, foodservice context and we must battle this with footprint of egg production. and institutional egg buyers all would the facts. At Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO), benefit from a more sustainable position Egg and pullet farming has and will we decided we needed to take direct in the marketplace than “cage free” continue to change. Productivity has and concrete action. So EFO made a commitments. The workable solution increased, but more importantly, commitment to a multi-year effort to will be a positioning that works for our farmers are meeting the new proactively engage stakeholders and retailers – and the consumer messaging opportunities presented by the consumers to preserve their choice and transparency is to support retailers. changing expectations of consumers, of eggs in the marketplace from the The bar of public perception continues media, government and anyone who various approved hen housing systems to be raised against the background wants to know what, how and why we included in the Code of Practice. of the potential for sensationalized do what we do on our egg farms. EGGS ON THE MENU EFO PoLICIES, PROGRAMS WITH AT THE RESTAURANTS AND PROCEDURES ARE CANADA SHOW ONLINE THIS ISSUE Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) was a Reminder: New policies and • Trailer Operator presenting sponsor for the Breakfast procedures will be updated and posted of Champions event at the 2017 on EFO’s farmer website Job Description Restaurants Canada Show, February www.getcracking.ca/members/ • 2017 Premier’s Award 26-28 in Toronto. operations-quota as they come into The show is targeted to restaurant for Agri-Food Innovation effect and will no longer be mailed to and foodservice operators with an all farmers. Excellence Info Sheet attendance of 30,000 visitors over the Policies, procedures and documents three-day event. posted on EFO’s farmer website EFO also participated in the Ontario contain the most up-to-date versions Pavillion with Chef Tom Januszewski and should be used for all policy who owns and operates The Egg Man interpretation and quota transactions. food truck. Chef Tom demonstrated Please check this site frequently. on stage how to incorporate eggs If further information or clarification into everyday menu items and was on any matter is required, farmers also a judge for the college student should contact EFO’s office. competition. REMINDER: ENHANCED BIOSECURITY 2017 DURING SPRING MIGRATION PRODUCTION With the recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial STATISTICS breeder flock in Tennessee, an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza in Wisconsin, and with spring migration quickly approaching, all farmers are urged to continue vigilant (in boxes of 15 dozen) on-farm biosecurity measures. Protect your flock and the industry from further Ontario Production incidence of Avian Influenza (AI). (week ending #4) Properly implemented biosecurity is your first-line of defense against infectious 2017 – 1,333,752 diseases. Your farm biosecurity protocols should be well thought-out, stringently 2016 – 1,253,666 implemented and continuously followed. Currently Canada remains AI-free, but with the current Tennessee outbreak in Ontario’s flight path for migratory birds, it is imperative Ontario IP that you not let your guard down. Constant and rigorous biosecurity measures should be (week ending #4) practiced at all times. 2017 – 335,820 2016 – 249,383 The following is a list of suggested biosecurity measures for Ontario poultry farms: • Each farmer, employee and every person entering all poultry barns must put on clean Ontario EFP footwear, protective clothing and follow all biosecurity protocols on every entry into (week ending #4) barns. 2017 – 91,200 • Minimize visits to other poultry production sites and avoid any co-mingling of birds or 2016 – 91,200 contact with outside/wild birds. • Avoid exchanging equipment with other poultry production sites. US Imports to Ontario • Ensure all vehicles/farm equipment that access the barn vicinity are properly washed (week ending and disinfected and that the laneway is restricted/secured. February 25, 2017, #8) • Ensure adequate training of farm and company personnel in biosecurity and disease 2017 – 73,798 prevention. 2016 – 279,287 • Ensure adequate control of wild birds and rodents. • If possible, have a pressure washer or a hose available to wash tires and equipment, and make this available to all service vehicles and visitors. EGG • If possible, “heat treat” the barn/litter ahead of chick or poult placement (to 30°C for CLASSIFIEDS a minimum of 3 days). Farmers should immediately contact their veterinarian and EFO if their birds show any FOR SALE: signs of illness or increased mortality. Used feeding equipment for sale for free run style barn. • 2200’ of Roxell pullet feed lines with round pans, 4 MAKE YOUR TASTE BUDS SHOUT OLE! pans/10’ • 300’ of Roxell pullet feed lines with round pans, 4 pans/9’ • 3 Skov DOL 99 feed weighers • 8 hoppers - approximately 400 lbs. each • 6 hoppers - approximately 300 lbs. each Call or text Adrian at 705-441-6570 or email [email protected]. WANTED: Farmer Automatic manure and Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) has added a Mexican flair to our outreach when two egg escaltor end. To fit cages of our recipes were featured by Home Economist Judy Scott Welden on CTV News 19.75” wide, 23” deep, 18” high at Noon (Kitchener) February 7 during a segment. and manure belt 44” wide. Judy shared with viewers how to make our Mexican Fiesta Omelette and Cinnamon Double scrapper at least 3 tier Streusel Coffee Cake, two of the selections from our 2017 recipe bank. The high required. Egg end at least 3 colourful and tasty omelette was also highlighted in a step-by-step blog post. tier high required. Contact For these recipes and more, please visit www.getcracking.ca/recipes. 519-327-8921 or email [email protected]. THE CACKLER NEWSLETTER - MARCH 2017 EGGS IN THE NEWS FARMER CANADIAN EGGS SALES booMING BIRD FLU foUND IN TENNESSEE Canadians are purchasing historic CHICKEN FLOCK ON TYSOn- NOTICES amounts of eggs. Last year was CONTRACTED FARM the tenth year in a row that retail A strain of bird flu has been detected CHECK YOUR MAIL egg sales grew, with 2016 sales The 2016 Per Bird Levy and increasing 5.6 per cent over 2015 in a chicken breeder flock on a sales -that’s the same as 16.8 million Tennessee farm contracted to U.S. EFP statements (weeks 45-53) dozen eggs. food giant Tyson Foods Inc, and the have recently been mailed out. 73,500 birds will be culled to stop Be sure to check your mailbox One factor is protein, notes Bonnie the virus from entering the food for receipt of this. If you have Cohen, director of marketing and system, government and company any questions, please contact nutrition at Egg Farmers of Canada.