An air of excitement and optimism is setting the tone for poultry production in 2019, as the new year brings fresh thinking and updated, more integrated strategies to help operations stay at the top of their game.
Major trends such as reduced antimicrobial use, the rise of branded retailer programs, enhanced sustainable production standards and a raft of welfare-friendly innovations continue to take hold. New rules as part of the now fully implemented Veterinary Feed Directive in the U.S. are having widespread impact. In Canada, the major phase of new antibiotic rules including increased veterinary oversight came into effect Dec. 1, 2018, running parallel to the next phase of the landmark Chicken Farmers of Canada Antimicrobial Use Strategy targeting the discontinuation of any preventative antimicrobial use in poultry production by the end of 2020.
At the same time, the wealth of knowledge and toolbox of options is expanding to help poultry farms transition to the future, to not only survive but thrive in this new environment. “Change is a constant every year,” says Shawn Fairbairn, lead nutritionist with Poultry Partners. “But entering 2019 I think it’s fair to say the pace of change is at a high level compared to previous years. Poultry operations are facing an expanding number of demands and requirements. But we are also seeing the emergence of a new level of improved knowledge, tools and related strategies to help them meet these challenges.”