Mark ClementsMark Clements is the editor of Poultry International. To contact Clements, email [email protected].From the Author - Page 2PoultryOpportunities ahead worldwide for poultry and egg producersLooking back on 2012, the poultry industry has not been without its difficulties. Unfavorable climatic conditions have continued to add to feed price inflation, the economies in developed nations have been sluggish at best, and demands for producing taking ever greater account of animal welfare showed few signs of abating.PoultryThe companies at the top of the poultry industryWelcome to the October edition of Poultry International, which is our regular look at the World’s Top Poultry Companies. The industry continues to evolve and so have we, and we hope that you will find our new format easier to use and more informative.PoultryWhy invest in the poultry industry?Investment, when properly applied, creates wealth, and this wealth can facilitate further investment. What happens when there is a failure to invest?HomeSuccesses, progress in animal feed industryWith the highs in animal feed ingredient prices it is easy to focus on the negative, but, as this issue shows, there have plenty of positives. The commonest headlines over the last months may have focused on inflation and volatility, but looking back at reports from around the world, there have also been consolidations, acquisitions and expansions along with investments.HomeDrought, shortages strain Russian feed industryRussia will experience feed shortages during 2011 due to the severe drought in the Central, Volga, and Ural districts in 2010, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service. In 2010, grain production dropped by more than 30% to 60 million metric tons.HomeResumption of Russian grain exports does little to help feed industryWith Russia lifting its grain export ban on July 1, there will at least be new supplies of grain coming onto the market. Russia may need to impose duties on exports to cap domestic prices, so the return of Russian exports, combined with other difficulties in the market, is going to do little do bring down prices and may simply act to offset difficulties in other areas.HomeGermany’s dioxin incident leads to tougher rules for feed manufacturersThe repercussions of the dioxin contamination that emerged in Germany in December last year will have far greater consequences than a simple dip in consumer confidence, as stricter regulations governing feed fats are being discussed by both the German authorities and EU officials.HomeBrazilian feed industry faces uncertain outlookWhile the outlook for the Brazilian feed sector this year remains uncertain, the industry has started the year with a degree of optimism. Last year saw the feed industry return to positive territory, following the contraction of 2009.HomeTime to dare to resolve feed industry’s difficultiesUnsurprisingly, the high price of feed and the difficulties this is causing animal production were a common topic of conversation at the recent edition of VIV Asia, which took place in Bangkok, Thailand, during March. While demand for animal feed is rising globally, the increase in crop yields, while continuing, is failing to keep pace.Animal Feed Regulations & SafetyEuropean zero-tolerance of genetically modified material in feed to continue – for nowThe European Union hit stalemate in February on the issue of traces of genetically-modified crops in imports of animal feeds.Feed Mill ManagementVolatility in feed markets likely to continueAs I write, much of the UK is blanketed in unseasonal snow. While the view from my window may be appealing, the change in the seasons is not without its difficulties.Previous PagePage 2 of 2