2. EARLY PRODUCTION YEARS
In the early 1900’s chickens
where mainly raised for
household egg production
The birds were kept as
backyard flocks
Primary focus was on
breeding
The meat was a by -product
of male and culled females
It was more of a
delicacy for Sunday Dinners
rather than an everyday meal.
Year round poultry
production was limited.
3. EARLY PRODUCTION YEARS
In 1923, Mr s. Wilmer Steel of
Delaware became the pioneer of
the commercial broiler industr y.
She received a flock of 500 chicks
instead of 50 chicks.
She raised them as meat
chickens, now known as the
broiler.
Her little business was so
profitable that, by 1926, Mr s.
Steele was able to build a broiler
house with a capacity of 10,000
birds.
By 1928, there were 500 farms in
the Delmar va peninsula with an
average capacity of 2,000 birds
per farm.
By the 1930’s, poultr y production
increased tremendously.
The increase in production raised
more concern about disease.
4. THE MISSISSIPPI POULTRY
IMPROVEMENT PLAN
In 1935, the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) was
initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide
better control and eventual eradication of disease.
Mississippi adopted the guidelines from the NPIP to form the
Mississippi Poultry Improvement Plan, which was
administered through Mississippi A&M College (Mississippi
State University) and the Mississippi Livestock Sanitary Board
(Mississippi Board of Animal Health).
In 1937, the Mississippi Poultry Improvement Association was
formed to promote, advance and protect the poultry industry
in Mississippi by enforcing the federal and state poultry
improvement plans.
The Mississippi Poultry Improvement Association is now
known as the Mississippi Poultry Association (MPA).
5. 1940’S-1950’S: THE START OF AN
INDUSTRY
WWII promoted larger flocks for
eggs and meat to feed troops;
rationing of meat increased egg
consumption.
Due to the increased demand for
poultr y production, the industr y
expanded from the Delmar va
Peninsula down into the southern
United States.
This shif t was caused by the high
demand for poultr y in order in to
fill soldier s’ rations while at war.
Mississippi’s poultr y industr y had
already begun to grow as poultr y
companies emerged in the state
in the late 30’s and early 40’s.
Mississippi State Univer sity
established the Poultr y Science
depar tment in the 1946 -47
School Session
6. 1950’S-1970’S: INDUSTRY
INTEGRATION
Production was all over the
state
Feed companies began to
dominate the industr y
Feed companies introduced
“ser vice men” who would of fer
advice to grower s
Contracts with grower s became
more prevalent, in order to
guarantee payments
The companies owned the
chickens, supplied feed, and pay
based on weight.
Growers built the houses and
provided maintenance and
utility costs.
Consumers began to demand
chicken par ts rather than whole
chickens.
8. 1950’S-1970’S: INDUSTRY
INTEGRATION
In 1954, The National Broiler Council was established to stimulate
consumer demand. In 1990, the name was changed to the
National Chicken Council.
In 1957, commercial egg production begins in Mississippi
Vertical Integration and consolidation became a big part of the
industry in our state.
In the 1960’s and 70’s the industry matured.
Several companies were purchased by larger companies in order to
improve efficiencies or increase production.
Companies began to handle the production, processing and
marketing of birds.
Also, new pharmaceutical, biological and production technologies
allowed the growing industry to become more efficient, responsive
and profitable.
Companies began to build brand recognition with private labeling.
9. 1970’S-1990’S: ECONOMIC AND
TECHNOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS
Un i ver sit y re s e a rc h c o n duc te d o n
di s e ases, g e n et i cs, h o us i ng, l i g ht ing a n d
ve n t ila t ion i m provement s.
Co m pa nies we re c o n s t a nt ly s e a rc h in g fo r
way s to ke e p t h e c o n s um er’s c o s t s l ow.
Rus s ian m a rket o pe n e d fo r U. S. l e g
q ua r te r s .
In 1 9 8 0 , fur t h e r pro c e s s e d po ul t r y i s
i n t ro duc e d
Co n sume r pre fe re n c es s h i f t towa rd
c o nvenien ce i te m s ( c ut - up m e a t a n d
fur t h e r pro c e s s e d) a s c o m pa re d to
purc h a s ing w h o l e bi rds
In 1 9 8 5 , c o n s um er de m a n d fo r po ul t r y
s urpa s ses po rk
Po ul t r y be c a m e t h e to p a g ri c ul t ural
c o m m odit y i n M i s sissippi.
Co n sume r de m a n d ex pl o de d w i t h fa s t
fo o d
Chicken Nugget
Buffalo Wing
10. 1990’S: GROWING PAINS
The industry in the state
continued to grow.
New companies entered the
state, causing the number of
plants and growers to grow.
The vertically integrated
industry in Mississippi is
located in Central and
Southern Mississippi.
The poultry industry continued
to be the largest income
producing agricultural
commodity in Mississippi.
In 1996, the poultry industry
produced $1 .35 billion in
farm value products and
contributed more than $8.5
billion dollars annually to
Mississippi’s economy.
11. 2000’S: CONTINUED GROWTH
Technology continued to
improve by building upon
the advances of the
1990’s, the industry moved
toward automation and
innovative technology.
Chicken houses become
computerized to maintain
optimal conditions.
Exports count for nearly
20% of poultry production
nationally.
Mississippi becomes 4 th in
broiler production
nationwide.
12. ECONOMIC IMPACT
Mississippi has 2,000 poultry growers who are paid more than
$2.5 billion annually.
There are 22 processing plants, which create hourly wage and
salaried jobs for many workers.
More than 55,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created
in the state
Total economic impact is between $6 -$8 billion annually.
On average, Mississippi can produce 800 million broilers per
year, or close to 1 ,500 per minute.
Mississippi is home to the largest egg processor in the world.
Mississippi poultry has a national and global reach, reaching
many dif ferent states and foreign countries.
13. 2012 AND BEYOND: LOOKING INTO THE
FUTURE
The change in demand has become more event driven over the
years
The Mississippi poultry industry will continue to adapt and be
on the forefront of creating and adopting new technology to
improve ef ficiency and add value.
Consumers can remain confident that chicken and egg
products will remain a safe, delicious and economical protein
source for future generations.
Research is being tested for alternative energy sources made
from broiler litter, solar energy and plant sludge. Using these
alternate sources will help growers and integrators remain
competitive in strenuous economic conditions.
Stewardship of the environment and natural resources will
continue to be a top priority for the poultry industry.
14. Looking Back
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO
at the years
CONTACT:
Mississippi Poultry Association, Inc. (MPA)
110 Airport Road South, Suite C
Pearl, MS 39208
(601)932-7560
OR ON THE WEB AT:
www.mspoultry.org