August 15, 2011

Tyson Foods imposes new poultry provisions to growers

Tyson Foods is requesting contract growers in some of its complexes to lessen the bird weights among other adjustments the company is making to address difficult market conditions, such as oversupply.

"For competitive reasons, we're reluctant to share details, but we can tell you that we're making some adjustments in the weight of the birds we're producing at some of our complexes," spokesman Worth Sparkman said.

According to the Carroll County News, Tyson wants some 230 contract broiler growers in its Berryville-Green Forest Complex in Carroll County, Arkansas, for example, to take one pound off birds.

The Springdale, Arkansas-based poultry giant met with growers Wednesday (Aug 10) in Carroll County to discuss adjustments the company wants them to make. Producing a seven-pound bird instead of an eight-pound bird was one adjustment, the report said.

Tyson said it is giving contract farmers in Carroll County the option of receiving a partial advance payment for birds they raise for the company. The company also is upping the energy allowance for poultry farmers in that complex and providing an allowance for windrowing poultry litter in the chicken houses between flocks.

Sparkman released those details to the Carroll County News following a report on the meeting that quoted many growers who criticised the company for what they called stricter rules and for the difficulty of meeting specifications and paying for premium housing.

Sparkman reportedly said in the statement that premium housing wasn't the purpose of the meeting, but the subject came up during the meetings.

"We indicated that as part of our efforts to ensure our business is running successfully, the company checks for compliance with premium housing specifications," he said. "In order for contract farmers to continue to receive premium housing pay, they must continue to meet the requirements."