What’s important is keeping the birds happy. Happy birds produce better eggs and more of them… right? Right or wrong, the United Egg Producers say, either way, free-range birds aren’t necessarily “happier.”
Animal rights activists have long alleged that hens in modern cages live a horribly stressed life, but new research appears to debunk those claims. Researchers have discovered that free range hens experience just as much or more stress than hens raised in modern, conventional cages.
A recent study conducted by Dr. Jeff Downing at University of Sydney measured corticosterone, a hormone produced in response to stress or fear, in eggs from free range and modern caged hens. The study showed that the levels of the hormone were similar in both types of eggs.
“This study confirms what America’s egg farmers already knew,” said Gene Gregory, president of the United Egg Producers, the nation’s leading trade association for U.S. family egg farmers. “That well-run, clean modern cage housing systems have many benefits for hens as well as consumers.” Separate research studies also show that hens raised in conventional cages tend to have fewer diseases and live longer, Gregory added.Read More
Ali Kauffman is brave enough to start work at the 
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It’s off to Nashville this week and the 
It’s time to hit the agricultural marketing highway once again. Actually I did that Friday when I did some blog training in Kansas City before attending the Beef Breeds Social. This year it was held at the American Hereford Association offices. It was very well attended and we of course ate some very good beef.
Before things got too sociable I did an interview with (r-l) Craig Huffhines, 
The Beef Breeds Social was a lot of fun even if we’re past the holidays. Who says we’re not still in a holiday spirit.
I thought it was interesting to see all these folks from different breed groups get together and just have some fun. They may compete by day but they are friends too.
Those John Deere people are such Finovators!
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