Marvin L. Childers
Marvin Childers oversees the Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri operations for the Poultry Federation, where he promotes and protects the poultry and egg industry.
Childers has been president of the Poultry Federation since 2007. He served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2001-06. Before he was elected to the House, he was an attorney for several years at Friday Eldredge & Clark LLP of Little Rock and began his career at the Burrow & Harlan Law Firm in Blytheville.
Childers has a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the University of Mississippi and a law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law.
What is the federation doing to improve and expand markets? Where is the greatest potential for growth in the poultry industry?
Arkansas is fortunate to have six of the top 10 chicken companies with a presence in Arkansas and three of the top five turkey producers with a presence in Arkansas. We also have the nation’s largest egg producer with a presence in Arkansas, and Arkansas is home to one of the world’s leading broiler breeding genetic companies.
We work alongside each company as they look for opportunities to expand into new markets. We examine trade agreements, trade restrictions due to bans for disease, biosecurity plans and other obstacles that may prevent open free trade. We also work with our members to maximize incentives, tax savings measures and compliance with all rules and regulations as members look to expand. We believe there is significant potential for growth within the industry.
What potential is there in Cuba for the poultry industry in Arkansas?
The recently announced reforms are positive for agriculture and our members. Many of them have been doing business with Cuba under the existing rules, and we welcome any reforms that will help simplify these transactions in the future. We currently export to Cuba; however, financing and trade restrictions limit our ability to competitively serve the market because other countries do not face the same restrictions. Because of our proximity, we would welcome the opportunity to provide more of our safe, wholesome and high-quality poultry to the Cuban people.
What’s the effect of consumer demand for antibiotic-free chicken on the poultry industry? What’s the effect on poultry producers’ bottom line?
First, let me define “antibiotic-free.” Any animal that receives antibiotics during the course of its life is receiving FDA-approved antibiotics and is subject to FDA-approved withdrawal periods prior to processing. The USDA routinely tests for antibiotic residues in meat; therefore, the chicken you buy in the store is essentially “antibiotic-free.” What I think you mean is “no antibiotics ever.” If that’s your meaning, different members have different experiences.
It’s important to note that not all companies will have a “no antibiotics ever” product to offer. Some see it as a market with growth potential. Generally, the cost of producing poultry with the use of fewer or no antibiotics has decreased in recent years. Probiotic alternatives and modifications to growing practices in diet and housing don’t come with huge one-time production costs. It takes time to make changes. That gives companies an opportunity to absorb some of the costs — but remember, those products also cost consumers more, so increases get passed on to them.
Even though no-antibiotic-ever poultry is a growing consumer segment, poultry companies still place the health and well-being of their birds at the top of their lists. Sometimes antibiotics are necessary to treat sick birds, and we support judicious use policies for that reason.
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