Who are we?
The Poultry Protein & Fat Council grew out of leadership action by the poultry rendering industry. The initial group convened as the By-Products Committee to draft recommendations to the Southeastern Poultry & Egg Association board of directors (now U.S. Poultry & Egg Association).

Nineteen representatives of poultry rendering companies met in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 14, 1988, to evaluate the existing production and marketing of byproducts and to review research results from cattle feeding. They also discussed other needs of the rendering industry.

The highlight of that meeting was an "eye-opening" study on feather meal for beef cattle, with data showing protein value twice that of soybean meal. The implication was that feather meal would be equally as valuable for dairy cattle.

The renderers concluded that new market potentials should be developed and that feeding the products to poultry may not be the most profitable market.

A By-Products Advisory Council, later changed to Poultry Protein & Fat Council, was formed to guide the association in providing needed assistance. Renderers agreed that research was an urgent and vital need, with feeding of feather meal receiving first priority.

What do we offer members?
The feather meal "advantage" for renderers is just one of the many pluses of membership in the Poultry Protein & Fat Council. The council sponsors educational seminars for members and provides speakers for meetings of potential buyers (such as cattle feeder groups, state feed associations, animal nutrition conferences, pet food associations, etc." The group also sponsors generic advertising in feed publications for renderer members, focusing on product values. In addition, the council is working to provide educational exhibits for customer trade shows.

The volume of rendered products continues to grow. The need for outlets for end-product is an obvious concern of renderers. Membership in the Poultry Protein & Fat Council gives a company a "front-row seat" as the beneficiary of valuable information in all areas of research, marketing, education, environmental concerns, and image enhancement.

<<back