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Page 6 %u2013 National Poultry Newspaper, February 2025 www.poultrynews.com.auWHILE it%u2019s rare for me to lose my appetite for particular foods, I%u2019ve recently emerged from an unexplained short hiatus %u2013 for a couple of months %u2013 from eggs.I didn%u2019t give it much attention yet, for some reason, I haven%u2019t bothered cooking eggs and I haven%u2019t made my regular trips to the Fremantle Egg Company in nearby Munster to buy my usual mega jumbos.Such visits have typically and happily laid me up for many more minutes than the transactions alone required.These were often accompanied by a pleasant chat about all things eggs %u2013 and life for that matter %u2013 with owner and respected %u2018eggribusiness%u2019 leader and lifetime egg farmer Ian Wilson, who recently joined the board of directors of Australian Eggs.Anyway, I am now pleased to report that I%u2019m back on board with eggs and contentedly so.A further inexplicable food confession%u2026 occasionally I go off fresh fish too, sometimes going a few months without supporting my wonderful local fish monger.A few weekends ago, I enjoyed a whole 1.5kg goldband snapper baked in the oven with spuds.My preference was for red emperor but alas it was unavailable, so second choice was acceptable.According to an ABC Rural report on January 10, many Australians were off eggs too, though unlike me, not by choice.An apparent national egg shortage was largely attributed to the legacy of an avian influenza outbreak in mid-2024, which necessitated the killing of upwards of two million chickens.This unsurprisingly caused a shortage of eggs on supermarket shelves, as affected egg producers restock their farms in an effort to get back to previous production levels.The ABC report quoted Egg Farmers of Australia as saying it took time for farmers to move back into full production after being forced into quarantine when hit with bird flu, while other parts of the industry moved to free-range production.EFA chief executive officer Melinda Hashimoto said: %u201cThe egg industry is facing a transitional period as some egg farms transition from caged-egg production to barnlaid or free-range production systems.%u201dIt takes time and capital expenditure to establish new farming infrastructure.For those on the hunt for eggs, the advice was to shop at smaller and local stores.%u201cMajor supermarkets have put up signs apologising for fewer eggs being on their shelves,%u201d Ms Hashimoto said.%u201cThis is because Woolworths and Coles have a policy to mostly stock barn-laid or free-range eggs.%u201cHowever, you will find plenty of eggs at your independent grocery stores or local fruit and vegetable outlets,%u201d she was quoted as saying.I would add to that by suggesting consumers could also seek out conveniently located egg producers who are appropriately geared up to sell direct from farm.Another option is to support local farmers%u2019 markets.Either way, consumers can then enjoy a mutually rewarding and informative rapport with the farmers.This is to be encouraged in order to bring producers and consumers closer, so both can understand and empathise when, inevitably, shortages and such hit.Animosity, often hatched from ignorance and misunderstanding, can then fly out the window. Laying off for a while is rare but realCantCommentby BRENDON CANTSTRENGTHENYOUR FLOCK.Defend against the risk of infectious diseases with Poulvac%u00ae E. coli. As part of a complete respiratory immunisation program, it helps stop E.coli and colibacillosis before they can diminishbird performance and cause costly processinglosses. Get the strength to help protect yourbirds and your bottom line.For more information call Zoetis ProductSupport on 1800 814 883 or contact your localZoetis Professional Sales Representative.Zoetis Australia Pty Ltd. ABN 94 156 476 425. Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes NSW 2138. %u00a9 2024 Zoetis Inc. All rights reserved. ZL1956A healthy start to the day with a brekky of beans and eggs.A quick, simple and nutritious little meal, with eggs taking centre stage.In November, while on a refreshing 10-day ayurvedic retreat at Kerala in south-west India, the author enjoyed a made-to-order omelette at breakfast every morning. So good, backed up with fresh fruit and curries galore.The author%u2019s favourite %u2018omelette chefs%u2019 at Somatheeram Ayurvedic Health Resort worked their magic daily with the freshest of eggs.Now a director of Australian Eggs, Ian Wilson of the Fremantle Egg Company.