California Poultry Letter

University of California - Cooperative Extension - November/December 1999

New Egg Refrigeration Regulations

Californians Win Multiple Honours in Louisville

W.D. (Bill) McKeen 1936-1999

Milo H. Swanson 1916-1999

E-mail News List

Calendar

New Egg Refrigeration Regulations

At the recent "UC Egg Processors' Workshop" Don Dixon, USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) presented results of his department's recent activity to measure temperatures in California post-processing egg storage rooms. Don pointed out that the Agricultural Marketing Service is not responsible for enforcement of the new egg refrigeration regulations. Enforcement is the responsibility of the USDA, Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). FSIS has requested that AMS measure temperatures in egg rooms, check egg packaging and report the results to the appropriate FSIS regional office. The new regulations require eggs to be stored in rooms held at or below 45^oF and egg packages must have a "Keep Refrigerated" label. Producer-packers with less than 3,000 hens are exempt from the federal regulations.

At least initially, egg rooms will be checked once each quarter. Monitoring was started October 1, 1999. Temperatures are taken with a digital Pacer thermometer which has been pre-cooled in the egg room for at least 10 minutes. Tempera-tures are taken at five locations in each room and these are averaged to get the official temperature.

After sampling 57 post-processing egg storage rooms about 44% were found to exceed the 45^oF temperature required by the new regulation. Several plants were also found to have egg packages without the proper "Keep Refrigerated " label.

If your egg room didn't pass, where can you get help?

UC Cooperative Extension Engineer, Jim Thompson has offered to assist any processing plant operators who feel they have a need to make equipment changes to meet the new regulation. Jim has extensive experience assisting agricultural processors to develop effective cooling systems. Recently he has participated in a research project to evaluate forced air and room cooling systems for shell eggs. You can reach Jim at 530/752-6167 or e-mail: jfthompson@ucdavis.edu. After discussing this with Jim, I believe that it would be advisable for processors who are considering changes in their egg refrigeration system to consult a knowledgeable engineer before investing in new refrigeration equipment. In addition to cooling capacity of new equipment you need to consider operating costs, maintenance costs and opportunities for energy savings.

Ralph Ernst, Poultry Specialist

Both of California's champion 4-H poultry teams were recognized during the 4-H National Poultry and Egg Conference in November. Starting off with individual honours, Amanda Lahmon was the 9th high individual in the nation for Market Poultry. She and teammates Tim Bloomgren and Jonathan Withrow, captured 10th place team in Market Poultry.

Avian Bowlers Nicole Kennedy-Grant, Amelia Paukert (Captain), Daniel Ryan, and Jonica Vice captured the national title in Avian Bowl. Their top competitors were Minnesota and Kentucky, who finished second and third, respectively.

Special congratulations to hard working coaches, Jan James (Poultry Judging) Louise Jenkins (Avian Bowl) and Sherry Paukert (Avian Bowl).

We would like to thank our California sponsors: the California Poultry Federation, California Egg Commission and Chilson's Management Controls. These kinds of 4-H activities help us to get young people interested in careers in the industry.

Francine Bradley

Ralph Ernst

Extension Poultry Specialists

Bill McKeen, retired UC Poultry Farm Advisor, San Bernardino County, died at his home on Friday, October 8, 1999. Bill had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. Bill had retired October 31, 1993 after a career of over 30 years with the University. He was best known in the egg industry for his applied research on fly control, external parasite control, feeding, waste management, molting and laying flock management. Bill was a member of the PePa Scientific Advisory Committee for many years and remained an active participant on this committee until his death. He was a member of the Poultry Science Association and the World's Poultry Science Association. He will be greatly missed by his many friends in the poultry industry.

The family has suggested that memorial contributions could be made to the PePa Scholarship and Research Foundation to create a scholarship in Bill's name or to the American Cancer Society. Cards can be sent to Bill's wife Faye at 3307 North Sierra Way, San Bernardino, CA 92405.

Milo H. Swanson 1916-1999

Milo was Extension Poultry Specialist at the University of California, Riverside from 1965 until he retired in 1980. During this time he made major contributions to the egg industry through his leadership of extension programs and his research on egg quality, force molting of hens, nutrition and flock management. During his career he served on many University and industry committees and worked with the poultry industry on several special projects.

Milo was a graduate of Balaton High School in Balaton, Minnesota. He received a bachelor's degree in agricultural education, a master's degree in poultry nutrition and a doctorate in poultry science, all from the University of Minnesota. He served as a lieutenant in the Army from 1942 until 1946. He was an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota from 1952 until 1965 when he moved to California. Milo received several honors during his career. In 1965 he received the Ranelius Award from the Minnesota Turkey Growers' Association; in 1970 an Award of Merit from the Pacific Egg and Poultry Association; in 1971 the Poultry and Egg National Board Egg Science Award; in 1973 the Poultry Science Association Pfizer Extension Award and in 1978 was named a "Fellow" of the Poultry Science Association.

Milo is survived by three children Carol (2944 Hyde Park Circle, Riverside, CA 92506-4445), Ron and John. He was diagnosed with lymphoma in November of 1998 and passed away November 16, 1999. Memorial contributions can be made to the Hope Lutheran Memorial Fund, Hope Lutheran Church, 2882 Arlington Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506 or to the PePa Foundation.

E-mail News List

The UC Poultry Workgroup has developed an e-mail list for new information releases put on our Web Page. Releases include meeting notices, newsletter postings and new publications. If you would like to be added to this list please e-mail Ralph Ernst at raernst@ucdavis.edu and ask to be added to our list for new releases. When we make newsletter releases we also include the list of the topics in the newsletter.