Attendance at the 2010 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo was up over last year at approximately 19,000. In 2009 attendance was just 17,800 due to the overall downturn in the economy and higher input costs. So, things are looking up for the poultry industry right now.

At the expo, I had the opportunity to chat about chicken with Novus International Vice President of the Americas Dan Meagher about poultry before he headed out to the Cattle Industry Conference in San Antonio to talk about their commitment to the beef industry. Dan says the outlook for the poultry industry is better than it was last year.

“I see poultry rebounding. I’m very bearish on poultry – both broilers and layers,” Dan told me. Even though consumption has been down in the poultry sector, with the economy the way it is and the world population growing, he believes the consumption outlook is very positive.

Meanwhile, lower feed and energy costs are helping the industry, but the aggressive tactics of animal activists are causing the industry to have to defend its production practices and Dan says Novus has a role in helping producers to that. “Number one, we need to help our customers advance the enhancement nutritionally of their product down the food channel,” Dan said. “Secondly, we’re very active in supporting the industry because we believe in the message that needs to be communicated. We have a very sustainable platform and our job is to make sure that we be a partner with our customers and with the industry on education.”

Listen to my interview with Dan Meagher of Novus here: