Is the demand for cage-free eggs disrupting technology? Is it causing big producers to abandon technology they have been using for the last 40 years with caged hens?

During the past year alone, Summit Livestock has been the subject of a great deal of buzz in the protein industry, and a lot of that excitement has centered on new innovations in cage-free egg production facilities. Wrap-the-Equipment™ is innovation.

Timing is everything and it’s one year closer to 2025. That’s the deadline that McDonalds set for sourcing 100% cage-free eggs. As if egg production wasn’t challenging enough, the complication of new designs to assure bird health, sustainable practices, and production efficiencies could easily slow how quickly egg producers can meet demand of companies like McDonalds.

It’s not uncommon. Partners in livestock production are part of the way we get this work done. For some, it’s a spouse, a sibling, or a parent they partner with in the farm operation. Some might say they look at their banker as a partner. You work with a variety of partners to help you run your business, help you manage risk, do some of the work, and give you time to spend for yourself.

Those migratory birds up above just might be off course. According to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), severe weather in the upper eastern and western borders of the US and food sources depleted in the south by this last season’s hurricanes are causing migratory birds to veer off their normal routes. And because migratory birds carry diseases such as avian influenza (AI), now is the time to be even more diligent about protecting your flocks with biosecurity measures.

We’ve been talking about Summit Livestock’s sustainable approach to livestock buildings. It’s a three-pronged approach, protecting and supporting social, environmental and economic aspects of protein production.

Keeping your birds safe and away from infectious diseases means a vigilant and ongoing commitment to biosecurity. Summit Livestock Facilities looks at the facts along with the challenges producers face in implementing effective biosecurity measures. Looking at these factors together, we help our customers develop specific innovations and unique solutions to help you meet your business and operational goals. It’s about the health of your hens and the health of your investment.

Which way the wind blows does matter to cattle producers. Getting cattle out of mud, rain, snow many times influences profitability. And wind is just one of those important factors to consider when choosing a monoslope building for your operation.