WorldPoultry: Cal-Maine launches joint venture with Texan egg producer

LAYERS
US egg producer, Cal-Maine Foods, has entered into a production joint venture with Rose Acre Farms, Inc. Based in Seymour, Indiana, Rose Acre Farms, has 17 processing operations in six states and has been family-owned and operated since 1964.

This new joint venture, known as Red River Valley Egg Farm will build and operate a state of the art shell egg production complex near Bogata, Red River County, Texas.

1.8 million laying hens

The current plans for the new facility provide for capacity of approximately 1.8 million laying hens, however the site is permitted for up to 2.9 million birds. Red River Valley Egg Farm, will license and utilise Rose Acre Farms' patent-pending cage-free aviary designs and systems. Construction has commenced and initial operations of the new complex are expected to begin in August 2015.

Commenting on the announcement, Dolph Baker, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cal-Maine Foods, stated, "We are pleased to enter into this production joint venture with Rose Acre Farms to expand our production capabilities and respond to increased customer demand for cage-free and other specialty eggs."

Large-scale aviary style facility

"Considering the uncertain regulatory framework in our industry right now, it made sense to partner with Rose Acre Farms to share the costs and mitigate the risk of such a large-scale aviary style egg production facility. The additional capacity provided by Red River Valley Egg Farm will significantly increase the availability of cage-free and other specialty eggs and egg products. We look forward to working with Rose Acre Farms on this venture."
by WORLD POULTRY Apr 13, 2015