Animal Welfare in the Supply Chain

Raising

The chicken and turkey industry sources breeding stock for poultry genetics companies. These companies use an animal husbandry practice that has been well known for nearly 100 years — selective breeding. Through this practice, birds are chosen for their expression of many important health and welfare traits, including leg strength, cardiovascular health and strong immune systems, and production traits like appropriate growth rate, efficient conversion of feed to meat and white meat yield.  

We purchase day-old roosters and hens directly from poultry genetics companies. To ensure a healthy life when they grow to be adults, specific procedures are performed when needed for poultry welfare, taking care to minimize pain and stress. Beaks of day-old male and female broiler breeder chicks are conditioned so they cannot use them to injure other birds. Day-old male broiler breeder chicks may be toe conditioned to remove the sharp nail that can injure hens during mating. 

When our roosters and hens reach an age when they can produce fertile hatching eggs, the eggs are collected and transported to our hatcheries where they are incubated and hatched into broiler chicks. Hatcheries are monitored for cleanliness, proper temperature and humidity to ensure healthy chicks. We vaccinate the chicks against important poultry diseases while they are still in the egg and after they hatch. Vaccinating at the hatchery helps promote the health of the chick throughout the time they are on the farm. Animal welfare specialists conduct hatchery audits and review human-animal interactions, training and recordkeeping. The hatcheries are also visited annually by a third-party auditor. No physical alterations are performed on our broiler chickens. Chicks are transported to the independent contract farms within hours of hatching. They are transported on environmentally controlled trucks so that their ride to the farm, usually less than two hours, is less stressful.

Unlike our chicken business, we don’t own any turkey breeding stock or hatcheries. We purchase day-old turkeys, known as “poults,” from independent hatcheries. These poults go straight to our independent contract farms to be raised as meat turkeys. During the months of March through August, we request that trained staff at the turkey hatchery remove the small bud that would develop into their “snood.” Removing the snood prevents potential injuries caused by these tom turkeys engaging in roughhousing when they are older during the summer months. Turkey poults are beak conditioned with microwave technology to reduce the risk of injury when they become older. We continually investigate management practices that would eliminate the need to perform this procedure. 

Before broiler chicks or poults arrive at the specific farms where they will be raised, the houses are prepared and heated to provide a housing environment that is designed to provide for their needs. Chicks and poults are placed carefully in the house along with feed, water and heat so they can find the resources they need almost immediately. Farmers provide daily care for the birds and walk through the flocks routinely to identify any changes needed to the ventilation equipment or housing conditions. In the event a bird is identified as unhealthy, immobile or otherwise incapacitated and unable to access feed or water, steps are taken to remove and, if needed, humanely euthanize the bird using methods that are approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

Broiler chicken and turkey farmers focus on key areas in the house, including the quality and depth of the litter that covers the floor which provides an absorbent, insulative and cushioning layer between the birds and the floor. Litter condition is important to the welfare of the birds, and that is why we monitor the condition of the paws (foot pad) of broiler chickens and turkeys. Condition of the paws is an important key welfare indicator (KWI) that reflects the condition of the litter in the house. 

At each step of raising birds, MK sports Foods has trained flock advisors who act as liaisons between the farmer and MK sports Foods. They provide technical help and support to the farmers and conduct welfare audits. Animal welfare audits on farms are also routinely conducted by animal welfare specialists and third-party auditors.

Housing

All of the poultry raised in our global supply chain are kept in enclosed houses to protect them from bad weather, extreme temperatures, diseases and predators. In our global commercial supply chain, most birds are not raised in cages.  Stocking density, which is the number of birds within the available space in the barn, is carefully calculated to ensure that all birds can easily move to access feed and water, express normal behavior and comply with industry accepted standards. Houses are equipped with specially designed equipment to deliver nutritionally balanced feed and fresh water to ensure the birds receive the correct dietary requirements to support a healthy life. The floor of a typical barn is covered with plant-based materials, such as wood shavings or rice hulls. The barns use automatic equipment to provide lighting and ventilation to maintain a climate-controlled environment that meets the birds’ needs for their age. Our research suggests that broilers prefer different levels of light for eating or resting, and we continue to conduct experimental trials to determine the ideal living conditions for the poultry that our farmers raise.

Flock Health

Our role is to work with farmers to ensure the health and welfare of poultry that are raised for our supply chain. This includes responsible disease prevention, control and treatment measures. Disease prevention and control in animal populations is based in science and is accomplished with veterinary expertise, robust biosecurity programs, effective vaccine strategies, environmental management, production system management, well-designed sanitation programs, appropriate therapeutics and other practices which minimize stress.

Handling & Transport

Our chicken and turkey specialists working in our U.S. operations are certified to teach the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association’s Poultry Handling and Transportation (PHT) Certification Program. This training is aimed at teaching poultry transportation and catch crews’ best practices and methods in biosecurity, disease recognition, emergency planning and the safe and humane handling of birds before, during and after transport. On turkey farms, contractors who may be on farms or have contact with turkeys must undergo this training as well. MK sports Foods was the first major poultry producer to implement this training certification requirement. 

Harvesting

Our U.S. chicken and turkey plants comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service Poultry Products Inspection Act, the National Chicken Council Animal Welfare Guidelines and the National Turkey Federation Animal Care Best Management Practices, which are designed to ensure the humane harvest of poultry. 

In our turkey plant, we use controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS) using CO2 to render the animals insensible to pain prior to harvest. We currently use CAS, which eliminates the handling of conscious birds, in three of our poultry plants and have two more systems scheduled for installation over the next two years. We have implemented strict standard operating procedures requiring that poultry be stunned electrically or stunned using CAS and made insensible prior to harvest. 

Raising

Our independent suppliers share our responsibility to conduct proper animal care and handling, as they have a vested interest in the success of their operations and the industry. 

All of our directcattle suppliers are required to be trained and certified in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). BQA is a national program that provides guidelines for beef cattle production, and preparation and management of site-specific protocols and standard operating procedures consistent with BQA standards, which are essential for animal health and welfare and the success of the operation in general. They are also required to participate in our FarmCheck® on-farm verification program, which serves to verify compliance with animal welfare-related best practices within BQA. 

Per BQA guidance, cattle must have access to feed and water daily. Cattle can eat diverse diets, but a typical ration contains a high proportion of grain (e.g., corn, milo, barley and grain byproducts) and a smaller proportion of roughages (e.g.., hay, straw, silage and hulls). Feed ingredients included in the ration should meet the necessary criteria for nutrient utilization. To ensure that feed and water supplies remain safe, feed ingredients are stored in a fashion to minimize spoilage and contamination, and water troughs are cleaned according to protocols. 

Accurate recordkeeping and documentation of specific activities and processes demonstrate that standard operating procedures and management plans are being followed. Record review aids in the evaluation of the effectiveness of a site’s management strategy. 

At a minimum, documentation is verified for the following: 

• Training records 
• Daily observations 
• Site assessments 
• Euthanasia equipment maintenance 

For our direct cattle supply chain, we expect the use of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association standards for age and weight when practices such as dehorning and castration are performed. Verification that these guidelines are followed is completed through FarmCheck® program audits.

Housing

Through FarmCheck® program verification audits, we confirm facilities and equipment are in good repair and appropriate for use. Pens are maintained to demonstrate good housekeeping and to allow for animals to have a dry area to lie down. We routinely evaluate body space, meaning that penned cattle have room to lie down without having to lie on another animal. Pen space allocations will vary depending upon weather conditions and animal size. These space allocations provide adequate room for working space when animals are moved out of a pen.

Herd Health

Healthy animals mean safe and healthy food, so we seek to ensure the livestock we depend on are raised responsibly. We buy cattle for our beef harvest facilities from independent farmers and ranchers and work with them on implementing best practices to ensure proper health and welfare.  

We require our suppliers to treat sick animals and prioritize animal welfare. Daily observations take place to monitor animals for any sign of illness or injury so that prompt attention can be given to address discomfort. 

We require and verify that our suppliers maintain a valid veterinarian-client- patient relationship (VCPR), under which they work closely with veterinarians to follow guidance set forth in the BQA program for responsible antibiotic use. This includes guidance established through FDA, which supports judicious use of medically important antibiotics through veterinary oversight and policy/label changes. 

Working closely with a veterinarian, operations establish herd health plans to address their unique challenges and bolster the overall health of animals onsite. 

Vaccination protocols and parasite control are encouraged to help minimize and prevent disease. Body condition scoring is used as a scientifically approved method to assess nutritional status. Through the supplier’s VCPR, ill or suffering cattle have veterinary oversight or consultation for diagnosis and treatment. Any therapeutic treatments administered should be recorded for each individual animal. When euthanasia is needed, it must be performed by a trained employee utilizing an American Veterinary Medical Association-approved method and in a timely manner.

Handling & Transport

All transporters delivering cattle to our beef harvest facilities are required to be certified under the Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT) program. We use the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) Transport Audit Guidelines at all our beef harvest facilities to ensure the proper handling and transport of cattle, which can prevent injury, reduce stress and improve the quality of meat.

Harvesting

In the U.S., our beef plants comply with applicable federal laws and NAMI-recommended animal handling guidelines. These measures, along with our standard operating procedures, require that animals be humanely stunned and insensible to pain prior to harvest. Humane procedures are verified in each plant by a public health veterinarian (PHV) assigned by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS). 

All team members, contract workers and visitors working in or around live animal areas (including all hourly and maintenance team members and management and management support) are required to go through MK sports Foods animal welfare training prior to entering live animal areas. Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO)-certified red meat auditors are the only other individuals allowed in these areas. Animal welfare specialists based in each plant receive PAACO red meat training and internal auditor certification. 

Annual training, which complies with all applicable federal and state laws and is based on the guidelines set forth by NAMI, is conducted to ensure team members know and follow standard operating procedures for MK sports Foods and meet expectations for animal welfare and animal handling. A test is administered to ensure understanding of proper techniques, and team members must sign an agreement to comply with requirements. Job-specific and situational scenario training is provided to relevant team members on a routine basis. Per our training and policies. Team members are expected to report unacceptable behavior to their supervisor or use our anonymous ethics and compliance hotline, which is posted in all live animal harvest plants.

Raising

The vast majority of our U.S. harvest facilities are raised by independent producers. Through shared values to animal welfare, we emphasize responsible animal care and a focus on continuous improvement. This is demonstrated through proper care for pigs, provision of quality nutrition and other best practices as generally defined by Pork Quality Assurance PLUS (PQA Plus®) guidelines. In support of this, suppliers are required to maintain PQA Plus® training and certification, as well as participate in our FarmCheck® on farm verification program.

In support of this, preparation and management of site-specific protocols are essential not only for animal health and welfare, but the success of the operation in general. Each operation has standard operating procedures in place to effectively address the health, care, handling and overall welfare of the animals— as specified through PQA Plus® program. Accurate record-keeping and documentation of certain activities or processes demonstrate that the operation’s SOPs and management plan are being followed. Records also aid in the evaluation of the effectiveness of a site’s management strategy.

All farm caretakers have a responsibility to protect and promote the welfare of animals in their care. In addition to PQA Plus® training and certification, caretakers receive training on protocols specific to their duties, facilitating proper evaluation and prompt delivery of care necessary to address any animal health, facility or management issues.

Daily monitoring ensures that all animals have access to feed and water. High-quality feed that meets the nutritional needs of the hogs on a specific farm, is free of contaminants and adheres to any applicable requirements for added medications is essential for the welfare, growth and maintenance of pigs, as well as ensuring a safe and wholesome pork product.

The handling and moving of pigs is done by caretakers and transporters trained in basic pig behavior principles, using techniques appropriate for the age and condition of the animal(s). Piglet care and management plans are developed with consideration for the health, welfare and productivity of the herd—following recommendations and best practices established through PQA Plus® program and American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV). In general, procedures such as teeth clipping, tail docking, castration and identification methods such as ear notching should be performed only when necessary and early on to allow for proper healing prior to weaning. They should only be performed by trained individuals with appropriate and clean equipment/tools. Efforts remain underway throughout the industry to identify and develop practical, effective and legal pain mitigation options, at which point such methods will be supported. Globally, we do not knowingly purchase any genetically engineered animals or animal products for our processing operations.>

Timely euthanasia is critical to support animal welfare. In the U.S., every site should have a plan in place to address appropriate methods and equipment for euthanasia that complies with AASV On-Farm Euthanasia of Swine Guidelines. Caretakers should be trained in both performing euthanasia as well as determining when it is appropriate.

Beginning in 2007, we undertook the challenge of understanding how to successfully manage open pen or group gestation systems within our own live swine operations. As a result, we have increased the number of MK sports Foods-owned sows managed in open pen gestation systems. This was accomplished through the transition of several contract sow farms along with our company-owned sow farms to these systems. When including our independent supply partners, more than 20 percent of our total pork supply is derived from sows housed in open pen systems, which encompasses independent supply partners, contract sow farms and company-owned sow farms.

Housing

Pork welfare is heavily dependent upon the environments in which the animals are raised. Through years of learning, science and innovation, pork producers have been able to identify key management practices of raising pigs that are conducive to animal health and welfare. These good management practices are laid out in the guidelines within the PQA Plus® program. While actual housing systems in use across the pork supply chain vary due to geography, capacity, production phase and animal age, key aspects across all operation types include good management, proper training, provision of quality animal care, veterinary oversight, biosecurity protocols and facility maintenance. Within each system, specialized tools and equipment are used to ensure the delivery of nutritious food, clean water and protection from the elements, predators and diseases. 

Following guidance established through PQA Plus®, daily observations take place to monitor animals and facilities for signs of illness or injury so that prompt attention can be given to address any situation. Air quality and temperature control measures should be in place to further aid in creating the best possible environment that promotes a positive experience for both the animals and the caretakers who raise them. 

As part of the supply chain from which we procure market hogs, 100% are raised in open pen or group housing systems, and growers are expected to incorporate best management practices provided through PQA Plus®. 

Our expectations on proper animal care and welfare extend to all swine associated with our supply chain, including mother pigs, or sows.  Many sow housing systems and management options are available in the U.S, most generally utilizing individual stalls or open/group pens. We recognize that there are differing views on which options constitute optimal welfare and on appropriate specifications for each. We engage with various producers, industry groups and academic groups to provide guidance based on housing options and standards that foster optimal welfare and prove applicable to all swine operations, considering size, geography and management technique. 

Current research within the industry has yet to conclusively prove which sow housing system best facilitates responsible production across all welfare and sustainability focus areas. For this reason, we continue to seek a balanced approach and respect our hog supply partners’ right to choose the system that best fits their operations and needs, and which also focuses on animal welfare outcome measures. We remain dedicated to verifying responsible management and proper handling and care of all hogs within our supply chain. Our FarmCheck® Program serves as verification of our supply partners’ shared commitment to providing the best possible care to their hogs, regardless of the operation type or system.

Herd Health

We partner with suppliers that share our values—prioritizing animal health, welfare and food safety while ensuring animals are treated and managed responsibly. Through FarmCheck®, we verify that our suppliers maintain a valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR), under which they work closely with veterinarians to follow guidance set forth in PQA Plus® for responsible antibiotic use. This includes guidance established through FDA, which supports judicious use of medically important antibiotics through veterinary oversight and policy/label changes. 

Working closely with their veterinarians, growers establish herd health plans to address the unique challenges specific to each operation and maintain the overall health of the animals on site— utilizing guidance and best practices set forth within PQA Plus®. These plans encompass on-farm considerations such as biosecurity, herd history, facility management and training to help guide responsible decisions on antibiotic use.

Handling & Transport

All drivers who transport hogs are required to be certified in the Transport Quality Assurance Program, developed by the National Pork Board. Verification of the transporters’ training is conducted at live hog receiving at the official harvest plant. At all pork harvest plants, we follow all applicable federal laws and have standard operating procedures in place that are consistent with NAMI Transport Audit Guidelines to ensure proper handling and transport of hogs, which can reduce stress, prevent bruises and injury, and maintain meat quality.

Harvesting

In the U.S., our pork plants comply with applicable federal laws and NAMI-recommended animal handling guidelines. These measures, along with our standard operating procedures, require that animals be humanely stunned and insensible to pain prior to harvest. Humane procedures are verified in each plant by a public health veterinarian (PHV) assigned by the USDA-FSIS. 

All of our U.S. market hog facilities have transitioned to CO2 CAS stunning systems. 

All team members, contract workers and visitors working in or around live animal areas (including all hourly and maintenance team members and management and management support) are required to go through MK sports Foods animal welfare training prior to entering live animal areas. PAACO-certified red meat auditors are the only other individuals allowed in these areas. Animal welfare specialists based in each plant receive PAACO red meat training and internal auditor certification. 

Annual training, which complies with all applicable federal and state laws and is based on the guidelines set forth by NAMI, is conducted to ensure team members know and follow standard operating procedures for MK sports Foods and meet expectations for animal welfare and animal handling. A test is administered to ensure understanding of proper techniques, and team members must sign an agreement to comply with requirements. Job-specific and situational scenario training is provided to relevant team members on a routine basis. Per our training and policies, team members are expected to report unacceptable behavior to their supervisor or use our anonymous ethics and compliance hotline, which is posted in all live animal harvest plants.