The UEP board and committees focused on important issues affecting egg production at the Annual Board Meeting and Executive Conference, which was held October 14-17 at The Greenbrier. UEP members, staff and consultants reported significant updates at the committee briefings and speakers provided relevant information on topics affecting producers and egg production now and in the future.

• Nancy Himmelfarb, Dr. Brett Kaysen, Tim Lambert and Matt Sutton-Vermeulen shared their expertise on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in agriculture.
• Distinguished scientist Dr. Rudolf Preisinger presented alternatives to male chick culling.
• Will Daniels and Michael Taylor spoke about challenges associated with whole genome sequencing and how to reduce the risk of food safety problems.
• USDA Agriculture Marketing Services personnel reported on USDA egg purchases, sanitation inspection updates, and USDA trade mitigation initiatives.
• The UEP Board, recognizing the expanded role of the taskforce, transitioned Animal Health and Biosecurity to a standing UEP committee.
• The board elected the following officers: Tom Hertzfeld, Jr. as chairman, Craig Giroux as vice chairman; Mike West as treasurer; and J.T. Dean as secretary.
• Three leaders in the egg community, Brian Barrett, Des Yawn, and Jeff Goward, received awards at the banquet for their contributions to the egg farming community.