IARN — United State livestock producers have experienced significant losses due to backlogs in processing and restaurant closures. Unsurprisingly, poultry producers have fallen victim to such challenges.
Kevin Stiles, chief executive officer and executive director of the Iowa Poultry Association, says, “Like many in agriculture, particularly livestock agriculture, it’s a challenging time.”
“As food service shut down, that created many challenges for our Iowa egg producers. Markets went away and they were unable, in most cases, to pivot to a retail market,” Stile said. “They didn’t have the equipment, packaging, relationships, customers, and their product was not produced in a form that allowed it to be sold at retail.”
Producers not only face economic losses, but tough decisions, such as whether or not to euthanize their flocks, Stiles adds.
“Some of those birds have been able to go to rendering ahead of when they normally would have been sent, at the end of their productive life,” Stiles said. “There also have been some birds that have been euthanized using protocol set forward by the American Veterinary Medical Association.”
One market holding strong is retail, according to Stiles. He says, “We have been fortunate, and appreciate consumer’s passion for eggs.”
“Early on, we saw record egg purchasing. Fortunately, people recognized the value of protein and nutrients in eggs. And the flexibility that eggs have,” Stiles said.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
