COE Scholarship/Internship Opportunity!

The Midwest Poultry Consortium offers up to 30 scholarships for undergraduate students to take a curriculum of three poultry science classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison through the Center of Excellence Scholarship/Internship program (COE). Classes are taught by faculty from participating land grant universities and poultry industry experts. Up to nine credits can be earned for each summer session; credits transfer to the students’ home universities and are accepted towards graduation. Paid internships are provided by MPC member companies to students accepted into the program.

If you are an MPC-member company and have employees whose children are undergraduate students enrolled in one of our affiliated land grant universities and have an interest in a career in the poultry industry, be sure to have them submit an application to the COE. This one-of-kind program offers students an intensive poultry science emphasis which will better prepare them for a career in the poultry industry.

You cannot find an opportunity like this anywhere else! The application deadline is December 5. Students may apply online by clicking here. All majors welcome to apply.

Five Weeks, Nine Universities – Fall Recruitment in Full Swing!

The Midwest Poultry Consortium has been busy at the campuses of our affiliated universities to help spread awareness of the Center of Excellence Scholarship/Internship program (COE), encourage students to apply, and increase interest in the poultry industry overall. MPC staff attends career fairs, visits classes, and creates opportunities to connect students with the poultry industry. MPC conducted two large poultry networking events - North Dakota State University (NDSU) and South Dakota State University (SDSU) Poultry Panels. Click here for the complete article.

Management 301: Lighting for Optimal Production
Ken Risser, VAL-CO

When farmers started bringing hens indoors in the 1940s, it was to protect their flocks from extreme weather conditions, illnesses, and predators. Over the past 50 years, farmers have done an amazing job of producing safe, affordable eggs while raising healthy hens. Recently, under scrutiny of animal welfare groups, businesses have promised to source only cage-free eggs. Though armed with good intentions, egg farmers have been under a tremendous strain to keep those promises as the market struggles to maintain its balance. The switch to cage-free egg farming is imminent, but many farmers have never raised hens outside of cages. So where do they begin? Click here for the complete article.

Four Steps Poultry Companies Should Take Now to Prepare for New VFD Regulations

Poultry producers should be taking steps now to prepare for the new veterinary feed directive (VFD) regulations that kick in January 2017, advises Jon Schaeffer, DVM, PhD, director of poultry veterinary service, Zoetis. Click here for the complete article.

Iowa Egg Association & Iowa Egg Council Name New Executive Director

After a nationwide search, the Iowa Poultry Association and Iowa Egg Council have hired Kevin Stiles as executive director - an agriculture industry veteran to lead the organizations.

Stiles most recently served as Senior Vice President Business Development for Midwest Dairy Association. He was responsible for managing business development staff in a 10-state area, and working with industry manufacturers, processors, retailers and other channel partners. He led the team in efforts to drive innovation and enhanced industry marketing by providing product and nutrition research information along with consumer and marketing insights to key Midwest Partners. Stiles' career also includes experience working for a marketing communications agency, a state trade association in California and more than six years in export marketing.

"We are ecstatic to have Kevin on board," said Bruce Dooyema, a producer who serves as a chairman of the Iowa Egg Council. "His high level of experience, leadership, and willingness to work with other states and agriculture organizations is a breath of fresh air, and is just what the Iowa Egg Council needs."

Lohr Named Poultry Hall of Fame Person of the Year

Congratulations to Thomas Lohr of Henning Construction, named the Poultry Hall of Fame Person of the Year 2016 by the Iowa Poultry Association!

As director of domestic and international poultry sales with Henning Construction Company and CEO of Iowa Cage Free, Mr. Lohr has built a prominent reputation in the egg and poultry industries. Lohr has helped in the design process and construction of 16 new hatcheries and a 3 million bird pullet rearing and laying complex in China. Lohr is highly accomplished in the areas of strategic planning, team building and biosecurity.

MPF Convention to Open Registration/Hotel Reservations November 3

The Midwest Poultry Federation Convention is opening registration & hotel reservations earlier than ever! The 2017 Midwest Poultry Federation Convention will mark the 20th & last year in Saint Paul, so you won't want to miss it!

Be sure to watch MidwestPoultry.com for details on the education program, exhibitors, and schedule and mark your calendars for November 3, when registration and hotel reservations will open online for attendees.

Thank You for Using AmazonSmile to Help MPC!

As the holiday shopping season approaches, please keep in mind the Midwest Poultry Consortium is registered with the AmazonSmile program. If you are an Amazon shopper, please use AmazonSmile and make MPC your charity. A big 'thank you' goes to all of the Amazon shoppers who have already designated MPC as their Amazon beneficiary. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to MPC.

AmazonSmile is the same as Amazon, it just allows you to support MPC at no cost while you pay the same amount and have the same selection as on Amazon.com. The next time you shop on Amazon, use this link smile.amazon.com to support MPC!