Commercial Poultry
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Legal Services Directory Available for Farmers
University of Maryland, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Legal Services
Directory Available
for Farmers
Ag Advisory Group
Begins Work on
Proposed MD
Phosphorus
Management Tool
Regulation
Lowering Broiler
Lighting Costs
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Delmarva Counties
Among America’s
Leaders in Meat
Chicken Production
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Hurricane Season is
Upon Us - Be
Prepared
October Meeting of
Interest to Growers
"From the outset of the Agriculture Law Education Initiative, one of the resources
Maryland farmers requested most often was a directory of Maryland lawyers working
in agriculture law," says Barbara Gontrum, associate dean at the University of
Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. "By supporting the private bar, the
Agriculture Law Education Initiative hopes to build capacity in agriculture law in the
state and help meet the legal needs of farmers."
“This important step is a testament to our sincerity in providing resources and
guidance for Maryland’s agriculture community,” said Dr. Moses Kairo, dean of the
UMES School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences. “Now all that’s left to do is to
make the 2014 Legal Services Directory available to every farm home in the state!”
In 2011, the Maryland General Assembly gave the University System of Maryland a
new assignment: preserve Maryland's family farms; help their owners address the
complicated legal issues associated with agricultural estates and trusts, regulatory
compliance, and other public policies that comprise what is known as agriculture law.
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Ag Law Infoline
Chicken Festival
Press Release
The Agriculture Law Education Initiative in conjunction with the newly formed
Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) Special Committee on Agriculture, has
published the 2014 Legal Services Directory, to better serve the needs of Maryland
farmers. The Directory lists the 2014 Members of the Committee who provide services
and information related to the law and agricultural practices. The directory includes full
contact information, practice areas, counties and states served. Dr. Cheng-i Wei, dean
and director of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources notes that “this
directory will be a valuable resource to the Maryland agricultural community. I'm
proud of the leadership being provided by AGNR alumni in the formation of the
Special Committee on Agricultural Law. I look forward to many more successful
collaborations between the Agriculture Law Education Initiative and the Maryland
bar."
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“As an animal sciences alum and a practicing attorney, I am delighted that the
University is establishing such an outreach mechanism to the agricultural community
from the legal community. I am proud to be a part of a group of people who are
committed to serving an industry that is so important to the state and whose legal needs
are so often unmet,” said Kim (Pardoe) Manuelides, Co-Chair of the MSBA Special
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Legal Services Directory (continued)
Committee on Agriculture. Co-Chair Kathleen Tabor said the Committee “is excited to have the opportunity
to better serve the ag community by providing this legal assistance resource.”
The Agriculture Law Education Initiative is collaboration under University of Maryland: MPowering
the State. The Initiative combines the expertise and efforts of three distinguished Maryland institutions - the
Francis King Carey School of Law at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), the College of
Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), and the College of
Agricultural and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES). It is committed to
providing Maryland farmers with the information they need to prosper while complying with the complex
network of laws and policies protecting the integrity of the state's food system and environment.
For more information go to: http://www.mpowermaryland.com or contact: Paul Goeringer, Extension
Legal Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Resource, lgoering@umd.edu, 301-405-3541.
Dr. Cheng-i Wei, Dean & Director, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland
Extension, University of Maryland, College Park, wei@umd.edu, 301-405-2072.
Agricultural Advisory Group Begins Work on Proposed
MD Phosphorus Management Tool Regulation
Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. - June, 2014
After weeks of delay, the Salisbury University study on the economic impact of a proposed Maryland
Department of Agriculture (MDA) phosphorus management tool regulation has begun.
Soon after MDA agreed to hire Salisbury University to conduct the analysis, Delmarva Poultry Industry
Inc. (DPI) suggested to project leader Dr. Memo Diriker that he form an agricultural advisory group to help
educate him on the chicken industry, manure issues, and the economics of a new regulation, in whatever
form it might take. DPI recommended 25 persons and all were accepted, along with dozens of others
recommended to or invited by Dr. Diriker.
At the group’s initial mid- May meeting, Dr. Diriker explained the process that would be used over the
next few months. He said the study will:
Collect, compile, categorize and analyze all available economic and financial data and information related to
the proposed phosphorus management tool implementation, potential costs, potential benefits, intended and
unintended consequences and other related decision-points, from the perspective of all interested persons.
The study will look at the overall environmental benefits of the reduction of phosphorus in the
Chesapeake Bay and look at the variety of different scenarios to find the impact on individual farmers.
In late July, a final draft report will go to MDA and meetings with the advisory committee will be held to
discuss the draft report. In early August, the draft report will be reviewed by peer reviewers. No later than
September 11, the final report will be delivered to MDA. In October through December, public outreach and
presentations will be held.
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Lowering Broiler Lighting Costs
Bill Brown, Poultry Extension Agent, University of Delaware
Newly emerging lighting technology now exists to significantly reduce energy cost. Energy audits and surveys
of local broiler farms indicate that as much as 25-30 percent of the farm’s annual electrical cost is directly
attributed to lighting. The reason is that the incandescent bulb, also known as the Edison bulb, is still used on
many Delmarva broiler farms. These bulbs use over 80% of the energy they receive to produce heat verses light.
The perceived advantage to the Edison bulb is that it is inexpensive and easy to manage. The problem with using
these bulbs is that energy rates have increased, making these inefficient bulbs very costly to operate.
The path to broiler lighting efficiency, however, has not been without problems and disappointment. Many
producers who converted away from incandescent bulbs quickly returned to using them again. In the late ‘80s and
‘90s, compact florescent light bulbs, better known as CFLs, emerged. This technology could reduce energy
consumption by 65%, which attracted many farmers. One florescent products in particular called CCFL or Cold
Cathode, held great promise. CCFL demonstrated even greater energy efficiency. These bulbs were 85% more
efficient than the Edison bulb.
While these products were significantly more efficient, these bulbs quickly lost light output (40% in 12 months) and many bulbs failed. Many growers felt that they exchanged a
reduction in their electric bills for a higher maintenance bill (that of replacing bulbs).
In the past 10 years a completely new lighting technology has emerged in the broiler
lighting market. The LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs have now been developed specifically to be used in the broiler house environment. Many modifications have been made to these bulbs to make
them broiler house friendly. Improvements in light distribution, heat dissipation, dust and moisture protection, and
dimmer compatibility have yielded bulbs that can perform well in a broiler house environment. Research indicates
many of these bulbs lose only 4 to 8% of their light output per year and have low failure rates. In addition, these
products have increased their lumens per watt, increasing their efficiency and reducing the purchase price. A number of A-19 LED bulbs now retail in the $12-$16 price range. Current research on a broiler farm in the Milford
area indicates over a 90% reduction in energy consumption and no loss in broiler performance or bulb failure.
Managing energy costs on the broiler farm is challenging. Today, rapidly developing LED products are
certainly providing some “low fruit” managing opportunities for broiler growers.
Delmarva Counties Among America’s Leaders
In Meat Chicken Production
Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. - June, 2014
The 2012 Census of Agriculture data have been released and they show that some of the Delmarva Peninsula’s
counties are among the national leaders in meat chicken production.
Sussex County, Delaware remains #1, as it has been since the USDA began collecting data in the 1930s. Kent
County, Delaware moved from #83 in the 2007 Census of Agriculture to # 57 in 2012.
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Delmarva Counties (continued)
The top Maryland counties in the 2012 Census of Agriculture were:
Somerset #18 versus #25 in 2007
Caroline #20 versus #40
Wicomico #28 versus #36
Worcester #29 versus #26
Dorchester #82 versus #63
Queen Anne’s #124 not listed in 2007 census
Talbot #235 not listed in 2007 census
In Virginia, Accomack County ranked #64 in America versus #72 in 2007 while ranking #2 in the Commonwealth in 2012.
More information about the meat chicken industry in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia is available through
the Facts section of the DPI website www.dpichicken.org.
Hurricane Season is Upon Us - Be Prepared
Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.
Delmarva’s chicken industry has been spared serious problems from hurricanes in recent years, but that
could change this year. The hurricane season runs from June 1 until November 30.
Here are things to do if a hurricane is headed our way.
• Make sure you check your back-up generator. Have adequate fuel and filters for several days of operations.
Make sure automatic starting systems are ready to go.
• If you have no electricity whatsoever, monitor house conditions more frequently and make adjustments as
needed.
• Make sure you have adequate propane gas and arrange an earlier-than-normal delivery if necessary.
• Check your feed inventory and notify your chicken company if you believe a delivery will be needed before
the next normal delivery.
• If strong winds knock down trees, make your farm lanes and houses accessible to delivery vehicles.
• Secure outside objects so they don’t blow and cause damage.
• Make sure cell phones are fully charged and have extra charged batteries on hand in case land-line telephone
service is lost.
• Check security of roofing materials, chicken house siding, and windows/doors to make sure they will not
blow off or blow open. Corners and edges of buildings are particularly vulnerable.
• Make plans for larger than normal carcass disposal. Consider in-house composting if practical.
• Be prepared to keep birds longer than normal in case processing plants are unable to operate.
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October Meeting of Interest to Growers
Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.
The DPI sponsored National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing, and Live Production will have topics that
should be of interest to most chicken growers and growers are encouraged to register and attend. The Live
Production Session of the meeting will be held Wednesday October 8th in Ocean City, Maryland.
The exact agenda has not been completed, but you can mark your calendars for the dates. Details will be
distributed this summer. Here is the tentative line-up of speakers and topics.
Managing Attic Vents Mr . Mike Czar ick Univer sity of Geor gia
Practical Strategies for Controlling Ammonia Mr . Bill Br own Univer sity of Delawar e
Biosecurity on the Poultry Farm Dr . David Shapir o Per due Foods LLC
Managing Mortality Freezers Mr . R.C. Willin
Tunnel Ventilation Update Mr . Mike Czar ick Univer sity of Geor gia
The Future of Broiler Genetics Dr . Mar k Cooper Cobb-Vantress, Inc.
Farm Safety and Security Mr . Fr ank Cr uice Per due Far ms Inc.
Broiler Lighting Update Delmar va Univer sity Extension Resear cher s
DPI’s Generator Demand Response Program Mr . Ed J ackson Affinity Ener gy Management
Alternative Broiler Bedding Update Dr . J on Moyle Univer sity of Mar yland
A Delmarva Environmental Update Mr . Bill Satter field Delmar va Poultr y Industr y, Inc.
Farm-scale Manure to Energy Ms. J ane Cor son-Lassiter Natural Resources Conservation Service
Ag Law Infoline Phone Number
Available for Maryland Farmers
University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Agriculture Law Education Initiative has recently launched an Infoline phone number for the agricultural
community to call. The Infoline phone number will direct callers to legal information resources related to their
agricultural operation. The Infoline, (410) 706-7377, is currently answered by staff at the University of
Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. "A central goal of the Initiative is to assist in the preservation of
family farms. The Infoline will help link family farmers with useful resources to further this goal,” says Barbara
Gontrum, associate dean at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
In 2011, the Maryland General Assembly gave the University System of Maryland a new assignment:
preserve Maryland's family farms by helping their owners address the complicated legal issues associated with
agricultural estates and trusts, regulatory compliance, and other agricultural law issues. The Infoline will run as
an initial 6-month pilot to gauge its effectiveness in servicing Maryland’s agriculture community. To learn more
about the Agriculture Law Education Initiative please visit www.umaglaw.org.
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Final Delmarva Chicken Festival Goes Out with a Ban
DPI Press Release
Georgetown, DE - Jun. 21, 2014 -- Near perfect weather, huge crowds, delicious chicken prepared in more than a
dozen ways, hatching and baby chicks, musical entertainment, fun and games, and vendors with a variety of products
and services combined to make the 2014 Delmarva Chicken Festival in Queen Anne's County, Maryland a tremendous
success. Attendance far exceeded the organizers' expectations. From the opening ceremonies until the final entertainment
on Saturday night, the focus was on Delmarva's chicken industry for the more than 30,000 people who attended.
The event was sponsored by Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc., the non-profit trade association working for the local
chicken industry, and hosted by Queen Anne's County. This was the 65th and final Delmarva Chicken Festival. Many
visitors said they were attending because it was the last festival. Hundreds of volunteers worked hard in the last year
planning the event and making it happen. Members of the QA's County Farm Bureau were kept busy throughout the
weekend preparing the chicken that was served to thousands of guests who stood in long lines to taste the delicious
chicken cooked in the giant fry pan. Longtime observers could not recall the length and duration of the lines being any
longer than this weekend. If fact, there was concern that there would not be enough chicken to meet the demand.
During opening ceremonies, DPI President Keith Moore welcomed visitors and explained why this was the final Delmarva Chicken Festival. He said the festival has been a well-received chicken industry promotion in eight decades, "but
as times and industry challenges have changed, so must our ways of supporting our industry." Maryland Secretary of
Agriculture Buddy Hance told the crowd that there's a bright future for the poultry industry in the region and said all
grain farmers in the MidAtlantic area depend upon the chicken industry. He praised farmers for their environmental
stewardship, not just now but for past generations.
The major attraction was the giant fry pan, operated at every Delmarva Chicken Festival since 1950. Propane gas
supplied by the Mid Atlantic Propane Gas Association, seasoning supplied by The English Company, and a more
healthful type of soybean oil, Plenish, supplied by Perdue Agribusiness and DuPont Pioneer, contributed to the success
of the estimated five tons of mouthwatering Perdue fried chicken.
One of the most popular exhibits was coordinated and staffed by extension educators from the local land grant universities. Foremost among the attractions was the chick hatching and chick petting area. Additionally, a historic perspective
of Delmarva's chicken industry from its early days in the 1920s until the second world war (available from the DPI office
at $5.00 per disc), was well received.
A popular attraction was the Mountaire Farms Chickin' Pickin' in which dozens of contestants in a timed competition
picked meat from whole chickens with the winner being judged by how much meat was removed. Maryland State Senator Steve Hershey was the winner.
The festival was co-chaired by Dr. Faith Elliott-Rossing and Debbie Birch of the Queen Anne's County Department
of Economic Development and Tourism and when it concluded at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 they pronounced the
festival a great success and a tremendous way to bring to an end a 65 year Delmarva Peninsula tradition.
Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. no longer will host a Delmarva Chicken Festival. Various individuals and groups
have expressed hosting their own chicken festivals in the years ahead. No decisions have been made on the future of the
giant fry pans that have been in use since 1950. The original pan, used from 1950 to 1987 and housed at the Historical
Society of Delaware in Wilmington and the 1988 replacement pan, will remain in storage while the leadership of Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. decides their fate and possible new homes. Persons interested in taking ownership of the
newer pan, which still can be used, and the older pan that can be used just for display purposes, should submit their detailed requests, including how they will use the pans, to the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. office via e-mail at
dpi@dpichicken.com.
“University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all people and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age,
sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, or national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation, or gender identity and expression.”