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Rice farming with ducks in Vermont
Traditionally thought of as a warm climate crop, Boundbrook Farm, located in Vergennes, Vermont symbiotically raises rice and ducks. Known as “aigamo” in Japan, this method of using flocks of ducks in rice fields helps control weeds and pests organically while at the same time fertilizing crops. Since rice is a slow growing crop, ducks help rice by eating its competitors.
According to their website, “Since 2010, we have been working towards an adaptive model for heavy soils and a changing climate and we grow rice using organic methods.” Working with rice varieties from northern Japan, they are expanding ecological cold climate rice farming to a commercial scale. They think they are the largest rice fields in the Northeast.
To learn about a vineyard in South Africa that uses the same system, visit: https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/poultry-101/ducks-in-vineyard/
Source: http://www.vermontrice.net/
“Stranger Things” star Noah Schnapp serves chicken for delivery only
Schnapp, who plays Will Byers on Netflix Weird things He is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania studying Business Administration. His new venture has him selling America’s #1 protein choice: chicken. According to their Instagram page, they “serve regular or vegan chicken, 7 days a week, late at night, even on Sundays. Fries ride the gun.” This chicken delivery service can only be purchased through TenderFix.com, and will be delivered by DoorDash, UberEats, GrubHub, and Postmates. TenderFix is part of Nextbite that partners with nearby restaurants using their kitchens because TenderFix is a “Virtual Restaurant”. Nearly 1,000 IHOP restaurants now cook TenderFix.
Schnapp also founded TBH—a cacao nut spread that unlike its main competitor doesn’t contain palm oil—an ingredient known for deforestation and loss of orangutan habitat.
Source: https://www.tenderfix.com/
The Egyptian government requires citizens to eat chicken feet
The National Institute of Nutrition has called on citizens to eat chicken feet and cattle hooves during the current currency and inflation crisis. While chicken feet are the cheapest piece of poultry, they are generally considered animal feed for dogs and cats. In the NNI publication they recommend taking in addition to the nutritional facts. According to CNN, “Authorities say nearly 30% of Egypt’s population lives below the poverty line. However, the World Bank estimated in 2019 that “about 60% of Egypt’s population is either poor or vulnerable.”
Source: https://www.facebook.com/NNI.EG
Tyson Foods closes two facilities to streamline its poultry business in the United States
Tyson says it plans to close its processing, broiler and hatching operations in Glen Allen, Virginia, and a plant in Van Buren, Arkansas. The closing is scheduled to take place on May 12. This will affect 1,600 employees. With the facility closed, Tyson is investing $70 million in building a hatchery in Hope, Arkansas, to replace its current facility and triple its capacity. Construction of the facility is expected to take about two years and is scheduled for completion in late 2024. Tyson blames operating inefficiencies for the last fiscal quarter, which was 68% lower than expected.
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/15/1163660388/tyson-foods-closes-poultry-plants-virginia-arkansas
The USDA announced an investment of more than $43 million in meat and poultry processing research, expansion, and innovation
The $43 million investment is part of the USDA’s ongoing effort to transform the food system at every stage along the supply chain. As part of this overall investment, the University of Arkansas has received a $5 million grant from the Center of Excellence in Meat and Poultry Processing and Food Safety Research and Innovation (MPPFSRI). In addition, $13.9 million in grants from the Meat and Poultry Processing Research and Innovation Program – Small Business Innovation Research Phase III – has been awarded to 14 small and medium-sized meat and poultry processors. These scholarships are administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture.
In addition, a $25 million Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP) grant was awarded to Wholestone Farms for the expansion of a major plant in Fremont, Nebraska. This grant was administered by the US Department of Agriculture for Rural Development.
“Farmers are relying on technology to become more efficient and profitable,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration and through historic funding investments, the USDA continues to invest in expanding research processing that will create new and better markets and expand opportunities for small businesses and rural communities. This investment will help realize that vision.”
https://www.usda.gov/media
Originally published in the June/July 2023 issue of Backyard poultry.