NCC staff in the past week traveled to two state poultry association events to give presentations. Ashley Peterson was on hand in Ocean City, Maryland to address the Delmarva Chicken Association’s 61st National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing and Live Production. Meanwhile, Tom Super presented at the California Poultry Federation’s 2026 Annual Conference & Meeting in Monterey, California.
NCC features in a short spotlight column the official representative from each of our Allied Leader and Allied Member companies. This week’s Allied Member Spotlight is Emily Buehler, Associate Vice President – Poultry, at Farm Credit Mid-America.
We asked Emily three questions:
In 2-3 sentences, describe what good or service your company provides to the broiler industry.
Farm Credit Mid-America is a member-owned financial cooperative dedicated to supporting agriculture and rural communities. We provide financing and other financial services that help farmers and agribusinesses invest in their operations, manage risk, and position their businesses for long-term success. We’re proud to partner with America’s poultry farmers and the businesses that support them, helping strengthen an industry that plays a vital role in feeding families across the country and around the world.
Can you briefly describe your position and responsibilities within the company?
As Associate Vice President – Poultry, I work with poultry producers and agribusinesses every day to help them navigate opportunities, challenges, and plans for growth. Whether it’s financing a new project, expanding an operation, or planning for the next generation, I enjoy helping customers find solutions that fit their goals. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is getting to know the people behind these businesses and seeing the positive impact they have on their communities and on consumers across the country.
What is your favorite chicken dish?
Smoked bone-in chicken wings. There’s nothing better than spending a fall Saturday watching Ohio State football with family and friends while enjoying a plate fresh off the smoker.
The San Diego Chicken—also known as The Famous Chicken—was created in 1974 when San Diego State University student Ted Giannoulas was hired by rock station KGB-FM to wear a chicken suit for an Easter promotion at the San Diego Zoo. Before the Chicken, most sports mascots simply waved to crowds. Giannoulas introduced silent comedy routines, improvisational skits, and humorous feuds with umpires and players, establishing the modern sports mascot industry.
U.S. total broiler slaughter data for the week ending September 12, 2026, is estimated by USDA’s Poultry Market News Service to be 158,906,000 broilers, a 9-percent decrease from the same week a year earlier.
The 9-percent decrease in slaughter compares with no change in eggs set in the United States 10 weeks earlier, and no change in chicks placed 7 weeks earlier in the United States. USDA’s latest Broiler Hatchery report can be viewed here.
| U.S. Eggs Set, Chicks Placed, Broiler Slaughter Report | ||||||||||
| Week ending | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Eggs set | Chicks placed | Broilers slaughtered | |||||
| change from | change from | 10 weeks previous | 7 weeks previous | |||||||
| 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | ||||||
| -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | -000- | % | |
| Aug | ||||||||||
| 1 | 252,434 | 101 | 194,575 | 101 |
256,395 | 102 | 198,318 | 102 | 172,471 | 100 |
| 8 | 250,870 | 101 | 195,784 | 101 |
257,558 | 102 | 198,971 | 102 | 172,664 | 101 |
| 15 | 249,495 | 100 | 196,465 | 102 |
257,097 | 102 | 198,693 | 102 | 172,776 | 101 |
| 22 | 251,861 | 101 | 195,188 | 101 |
254,493 | 101 | 197,202 | 101 | 174,016 | 100 |
| 29 | 250,525 | 101 | 194,097 | 100 |
252,943 | 101 | 195,611 | 100 | 171,708 | 97 |
| Sep | ||||||||||
| 5 * | 248,681 | 99 | 193,435 | 100 |
252,451 | 101 | 195,455 | 101 | 174,775 | 108 |
| 12 | 245,722 | 99 | 195,219 | 101 |
251,737 | 100 | 194,607 | 100 | 158,906 | 91 |
| 19 | — | — | — | — |
251,893 | 102 | 194,575 | 101 | — | — |
*Labor Day Holiday Weekend
