Jim Winter
Verified- Digital Content Director, Poultry International
- Digital Content Director, Feed Strategy
- Digital Content Director, Poultry USA
- Digital Content Director, WATTPoultry.com
Dubuque, Platteville
Articles by Jim Winter
US egg prices hit 20-year lows as feed costs expected to rise
U.S. egg producers have gone from historically high prices in 2025 to some of the lowest inflation-adjusted egg prices in two decades in 2026, while an expected increase in feed costs could put additional pressure on producer margins.
Hormel plans to buy Brakebush for $1.06 billion
Hormel Foods Corporation on September 30 announced it will buy family-owned Brakebush Brothers, LLC, a leading value-added chicken company, from the Brakebush family for $1.06 billion. The acquisition advances Hormel Foods’ strategy of investing in growing protein categories and will expand the company’s position in value-added chicken.
Fire damages Amick Farms plant in South Carolina
A fire on January 25 destroyed the Amick Farms poultry processing facility in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. Investigation by emergency crews is showing the fire may have been caused by an electrical issue, according to The Post and Courier newspaper. Firefighters from five departments arrived on scene around 9:30 p.m. It took almost 19 hours to contain the blaze, according to Saluda County Emergency Services. The fire damaged about 10,000 square feet of production space.
Ingham's, employees reach three-year deal, ending strike
A strike that started over the weekend is over at Ingham’s two poultry plants in Australia. More than 1,000 employees Ingham’s at two sites – a processing plant at Bolivar in Adelaide's north, and at Osborne Park in suburban Perth, have agreed on a three-year deal that will increase wages 5.12% the first year and 4% the second and third years, according to a report on 7News.com.au.
Pay dispute sparks strike at Ingham's poultry facilities
Workers at two Ingham’s poultry facilities in Australia have gone on strike, threatening supplies of poultry meat on the continent. The strike action comes amid a pay dispute, according to a report on ABC’s Australian news outlet. Workers are demanding a 6% pay increase annually over the next three years, which has not been agreed to by Ingham’s management. Negotiations have taken place since the beginning of the year.
The Driftless Digger
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Interview with Author and Detectorist Terry Shannon
Terry Shannon is a recognized name in the metal detecting community. His love of the hobby shines through the books and videos he has authored. Recently, he released his fourth and fifth books titled “Turf to Surf” and “Metal Detecting a Beginner’s Guide“. If you haven’t read “Turf to Surf” yet, it highlights Terry’s detecting ventures off Florida’s Treasure Coast. It also discusses metal detecting old cellar holes, abandoned mining towns, and private properties.
A Metal Detectorists Guide to Finding History in Places that Lack It
The key to success in metal detecting is the research you put into picking the spots you choose to detect. The majority of intermediate to advanced detectorists already know and use Topo Maps and Historical Aerials. However, we are going to discuss taking the research beyond the common ways most detectorists use and discovering the history that isn’t well documented. I am also going to discuss finding history in newer developments and cities.
Tips for Cache Hunting
Have you been asked to find a treasure cache, either coins or jewelry or both, with your metal detector because a family member or local told you about a treasure cache that needs to be found on their property? Or could it be that you are chasing one of the many documented, lost treasures that haven’t been found yet and want to hone your treasure caching skills? There are times humans needed to bury valuables out of necessity.
Improve Your Relic Hunting with These Minelab Equinox Tweaks
Sean Haymes-Maree, known for international artifact recoveries, is based in Florida and detects around the world, both beach and relic detecting. He owns both the Minelab Equinox 800 and the CTX 3030. You can find him on Instagram using the handle “Hunting4History” where he shares some of his finds. Sean uses the Equinox 800 mainly for relic hunting and the CTX 3030 for the beach.
Nutritional studies reveal cat characteristics
Cats are unique, complicated creatures. Researchers continuously conduct studies to learn more about felines. Professionals shared the results of some of those studies on September 24, 2021 at Petfood Forum in Kansas City. Aging in the domestic cat; a lifetime study Like humans, pet cats and dogs are living longer. “It’s not uncommon for a cat to live up to 17 years of age and similar life spans are true for smaller dogs,” said Emma Birmingham of AgResearch Ltd.
Experts share insights on safety, technology topics at Petfood Forum
Safety and technology are two essential topics for the pet food industry. On Thursday, September 23, speakers touched on these topics in a roundup session at Petfood Forum in Kansas City. Mitigating the risks of unconventional and novel proteins ingredients to ensure safe pet food Ray Mutulka, director of toxicology at Burdock Group Consultants shared questions to answer to characterize the ingredient and mitigate potential risks when bringing novel protein ingredients into the market.
Are pet food companies prepared for next pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic affected pet food plants to varying degrees. Some plants weren’t prepared for the effect of the pandemic on their workforces, ability to receive raw materials or ship out the finished product. Judi Lazaro, senior category directory for food safety at AIB International, said it’s only a matter of time before the next pandemic hits. Lazaro shared how to prepare for the next pandemic during a session at Petfood Forum in Kansas City on Sept. 23.
Farmers Hen House to add farms to operation
Farmers Hen House President Ryan Miller talks about the plant's daily egg output. (Photo by Jim Winter) Farmers Hen House President Ryan Miller speaks fondly of the farmers who send their eggs to the Kalona, Iowa, plant. He sees them as family. “We try to foster a feeling of working together for the same goals,” Miller said.
WATT Global Media’s digital editions upgraded
WATT Global Media’s digital edition titles recently received an upgrade. Beginning with the April issues and going forward, our digital editions feature a responsive version created specifically for mobile platforms like smartphones and tablets. All titles are also available in the traditional replica, or flipbook version, better suited for desktops. Viewing our digital editions on smartphones and tablets is more engaging and reader-friendly than before.
Questions to ask when choosing prebiotics, probiotics
(Krugloff | iStockPhoto.com) A vital part of poultry health is knowing what prebiotics and probiotics to give the birds, and when. Lisa Bielke, assistant professor at the Department of Animal Sciences at Ohio State University, spoke about the use of prebiotics and probiotics for control of Salmonella and Campylobacter on the farm at the Processing for Antibiotic Free Production Workshop on January 30 at the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta.
Donohue shares poultry statistics worth consuming
News and analysis on the global poultry and animal feed industries. Home » Donohue shares poultry statistics worth consuming IPPE News / Industry News & Trends on January 29, 2020 Agri-Stats vice president turns statistics into knowledge during Poultry Market Intelligence Forum at IPPE Among poultry professionals, Michael Donohue talked about his yearly efforts to shave running time off his long races.
Poultry, egg groups collaborate on what's best for birds
Home » Poultry, egg groups collaborate on what's best for birds IPPE News / Poultry Welfare on January 28, 2020 International Poultry Welfare Alliance, U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs working to further sustainability and welfare across the poultry and egg value chain What do birds prefer? This philosophical question is a driver of the International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA), a multi-stakeholder initiative that supports sustainable poultry production.
Poultry, egg groups collaborating on what's best for birds
Home » Poultry, egg groups collaborating on what's best for birds IPPE News / Poultry Welfare on January 28, 2020 International Poultry Welfare Alliance, U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry & Eggs working to further sustainability and welfare across the poultry and egg value chain What do birds prefer? This philosophical question is a driver of the International Poultry Welfare Alliance (IPWA), a multi-stakeholder initiative that supports sustainable poultry production.
Father’s Day reflection: A father helping out a father
My current house is a split foyer. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of split foyer homes in Dubuque. It seems to be the most popular style. So, when I put my house on the market in March, I knew there was competition out there. I take care of my living space, and I was assured given some of the amenities my house had, a remodeled downstairs bathroom, a four-season room, a nice yard, it would sell with no problem. We had a record number of showings, but after one week, no offers.
Paul Bosveld "I had a fear...
"I had a fear of heights going into the Army. I was in light infantry in Hawaii, and we would scale cliffs and go back down.
Person All Portraits
“I had a fear of heights going into the Army. I was in light infantry in Hawaii, and we would scale cliffs and go back down. We went on alert for Panama, but you know how that went. A couple Marines and some cookies and everything was fine.”
Cody Olds "I haven’t been...
"I haven’t been on my bike since last fall, and today’s a nice day, so I wanted to come out.
Person All Portraits
“I haven’t been on my bike since last fall, and today’s a nice day, so I wanted to come out. I do BMX freestyle competitions in Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago. I get injured every day. Today, I just skinned my knee. A couple years ago I tried to do an acer and busted my head open. I got a concussion and 20 stitches. That didn’t stop me. This is something I love to do.”
Connie and Steve "How long...
"How long have you two been together?" Connie: "About 12 years. We’re both from Indiana. We moved to Mineral Point for the beautiful weather."
Person All Portraits
“How long have you two been together?” Connie: “About 12 years. We’re both from Indiana. We moved to Mineral Point for the beautiful weather.” “You’ve both been through other relationships I’m sure. At your age, what is the secret to staying together?” Steve: “That’s exactly what I was going to say.”
Yes, I’m a snob … a beer snob
I don’t know how it happened, but it’s true. I’ve become a snob, of the beer variety. I didn’t drink in high school; I wasn’t part of the “cool” crowd that did that. In college, we weren’t allowed to have kegs on campus, but otherwise, we could drink openly regardless of our age, as long as we were responsible. I took advantage of that arrangement, as did many other college students on campus.
Winter Wonders, Some tools of the trade. #journalism #inmyblood
One man's observations of the world
humansofnewyork: "I just broke up… well… I just...
One man's observations of the world
I know it’s fake, but it’s still fun
Tonight I round out three days of social gatherings with a small group of friends coming to my house to watch the Royal Rumble. To the uneducated, the Royal Rumble is the second-best pay per view put on by World Wrestling Entertainment. Yep, that’s right. I am having some friends come over tonight to watch grown men and women pretend to pound each other into submission. And here comes the question that always pops up: “You know it’s fake, right?” Of course I know it’s fake.
We never asked him to play
One man's observations of the world
We never asked him to play
We never asked him to play My mom often includes clippings from my hometown newspaper when she sends me mail. A couple days ago, I received my birthday card, and inside was an article about Don Schultz finally gaining admittance into the Illinois Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame. I wouldn’t have known who this man was save for a note my mom attached to the article, indicating this was our neighbor to the north, across Imboden Drive, in Decatur, Ill.
mlb: So long 2013. You were fabulous. We are...
One man's observations of the world
Wow - Winter Wonders
Nissan Rogue car commercial showing vehicle land on train to get somewhere faster: “This is fantasy. Cars can’t jump onto trains.” Then why show it? Makes no sense.
"Happiness is a journey of unknown length and...
One man's observations of the world
2014 - The Year of Doing
Another year is almost over, and it’s therapeutic to reflect. About a year ago, I wrote about 2012, my first full year as a single man after my divorce. It was a good year, and I was hopeful 2013 would be just as good, if not better. The jury is still out on that. Some things I wanted to accomplish in 2013 I didn’t. I had the chance to learn how to downhill ski, but didn’t. I wanted to learn to play the drums, but didn’t. I wanted to learn how to horseback ride, but didn’t. See a theme here? Didn’t.
Back to Chicago, 20 years later
Twenty years ago, as a freshman at Beloit College, I traveled to Chicago, Ill., with my first-year Initiatives class. This past weekend, I returned to the Windy City to visit a good friend from high school. There’s not much I remember from my first trip. I remember going to Chinatown to see the sights. I remember eating lunch in Greektown. I remember going to the Nike store on Michigan Avenue. That’s it.
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