nutritional benefits & health concerns

How is global meat consumption changing?

Increasing overall and per capita

How do developing nations differ in meat consumption?

Lower calorie intake from animal-based foods compared to industrial nations

What percentage of calories in Western nations comes from meat?

~25%

Why do higher living standards increase meat consumption?

Meat becomes more affordable and preferred as a protein source

What are the primary advantages of animal-based foods?

-good source of digestible, bioavailable protein (94-97%)

-contain all essential amino acids

-rich in limiting nutrients (iron, zinc, B12, calcium)

what does digestible mean?

can be broken down by the body

what does bioavailable mean?

nutrients readily absorbed and used

what does essential mean?

must come from diet, cannot be synthesized

Why is protein important?

Needed for growth, tissue repair, muscles, hair, nails, bone, organs, fluids, and processes like blood clotting

What determines protein quality?

Amino acid composition and digestibility

What are typical digestibility percentages?

-Meat/milk/eggs 94–97%

-beans 78–91%

-soy flour 86%

What does DIASS stand for?

Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score

what does DIASS measure?

measures protein quality based on amino acid digestibility relative to egg protein

What was early farming like in Delaware?

Subsistence farms with outdoor chickens in small coops for eggs and occasional meals

What developments connected Delmarva to city markets?

-Railroad expansion (1859–1884)

-DuPont Highway (1923) connecting Wilmington to southern Delaware

Who started the modern broiler industry?

Cecile Long Steele in 1923 after accidentally receiving 500 chicks instead of 50

What was Steele’s result and impact?

-3-87 birds survived; sold for 62¢/lb

-led to large-scale broiler farming across Delmarva

Why did the Delmarva region succeed in chicken production?

-Mild climate

-sandy soil

-experienced farmers

-cheap pine lumber

-low labor costs

-proximity to major cities

-access to credit

What were early challenges to the broiler industry?

-diseases (Pullorum, Coccidiosis, respiratory illnesses)

-predation

-sanitation

-seed costs

-market fluctuation

What transition occurred in the 1930s?

From selling live birds to freshly killed chickens, reducing transport deaths and adding value

How did WWII affect poultry production?

-Meat rationing increased demand for chicken

-poultry supplied to the military

-automation rose due to labor shortages

What happened to Delmarva’s chicken industry after WWII?

-Government contracts ended suddenly

-price volatility rose

-farmers turned to locally grown feed for sustainability

What are contract arrangements in poultry production?

-Feed companies provide chicks, feed, and supplies

-growers supply labor and housing

-growers receive guaranteed payment and stability

What was a major consumer trend of the 1950s–60s?

-demand for meatier birds and more breast meat

-supported by marketing and festivals

What fast-food brands boosted chicken popularity?

-Chic-fil-A (1946)

-KFC (1952)

-Chicken McNuggets (1983)

What is vertical integration in poultry production?

One company controls hatchery, feed, grow-out, processing, and marketing

Who built Delaware’s first vertically integrated plant?

preston townsend in 1959

What states became major poultry competitors?

-Arkansas

-Georgia

-Texas

-North Carolina

-Alabama

What are modern trends in animal agriculture?

-Research-based management and efficient nutrition

-Genetic improvement for growth and meat quality

-Vaccines to reduce disease

-Automation and food safety oversight (USDA inspection)
-Environmental stewardship and consumer demand for humane, organic, additive-free food
-Fewer farms, larger operations, more specialization and efficiency

What is the overall trend of the poultry industry in Delmarva?

Increased production, consolidation, technological advancement, and adaptation to consumer preferences