Cal-Maine Foods Inc., the leading producer of fresh shell eggs in the United States, has temporarily suspended production at one of its facilities following the confirmation of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak. The affected facility, situated in Kansas and home to approximately 684,000 laying hens, has prompted the company to implement measures to ensure continued production from alternative facilities, minimizing disruption for its customers.
The Ridgeland, Massachusetts-based company is actively maintaining stringent biosecurity measures across all 42 of its shell egg production sites. While there have been no positive HPAI tests reported at other locations thus far, Cal-Maine is taking additional precautions at a nearby layer complex, which houses around 1 million hens. Collaborating closely with federal, state, and local government authorities, as well as poultry industry groups, the company is working to mitigate the potential risk of further outbreaks.
Cal-Maine has disclosed that the birds affected by HPAI at the Kansas facility constitute approximately 1.6% of the company’s total flock. The precise number of confirmed cases will be updated in the company’s forthcoming quarterly report, scheduled for submission to the Securities and Exchange Commission in January. Notably, Cal-Maine has opted not to provide interim updates unless deemed “material.”
This development underscores the significant implications of avian influenza outbreaks on the poultry industry, necessitating collaboration between companies, governmental agencies, and industry stakeholders to manage and monitor the situation effectively.
