POULTRY BRIEFS

TheMinneapolis (Minn.) Star Tribunereported thatCargill Inc. resumed ground turkey grinding operations at its Springdale, Ark., plant that was the source of a massive recall. Spokesman Mike Martin, told the newspaper that USDA approved additional measures at the plant including a 25-percent increase in anti-bacterial wash for just-slaughtered birds and adding two new anti-bacterial baths during the evisceration process.


Atlanta chicken processorCagle's, Inc. said it reported a net loss of $5.7 million or $1.24 per share during its fiscal first quarter ended July 2, 2011 compared to net income of $3.5 million or $0.75 per share for the quarter ended July 3, 2010.

Cagle's said net sales for the first quarter were $81.9 million, up 4.2 percent from $78.6 million, reflecting an increase in pounds sold of 14.9 percent and a decrease in sales price for poultry of $0.059 per pound as compared to the same period of fiscal 2011.

Cost of sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 27.1 percent as compared with the same period last year, from $68.2 million to $86.7 million, the company said. Feed ingredient prices for broilers processed in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, which represented 46 percent of the total cost of sales, increased 68.3 percent or $16.3 million as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2011.

J. Douglas Cagle, chairman, CEO and president, said Cagle's and the industry's profitability continue to be challenged by high feed cost accentuated by broiler markets pressured by over production. As a result, Cagle's plans at the end of August to cut production by 22 percent at its Pine Mountain Valley, Ga.,  plant.

"Towards the end of July our industry had begun to react in similar fashion with egg sets 6 percent less than the same period in 2010. These industry cut backs should have a positive effect on markets and final margins in the coming months," said Cagle.