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NestFresh Introduces Certified Humane® Packaging

NestFresh Introduces Certified Humane® Packaging
Jul 11, 2025
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Eggs From In-Ovo Selected Hens Hit Shelves in July

NestFresh is rolling out Humanely Hatched™ egg packaging in early July 2025, setting a new standard in ethical egg farming. 

The company now uses in-ovo sexing technology to avoid hatching and euthanizing male chicks—an industry issue long criticized by animal welfare groups.

This proprietary program, backed by Certified Humane® standards from Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), ensures that only female embryos are incubated. The eggs are laid by hens whose lives began with greater compassion.

“NestFresh didn't just adopt this technology—we spearheaded the effort to bring it to market in the U.S.,” said Jasen Urena, Executive Vice President of NestFresh.

The in-ovo system, called Cheggy, was developed by Agri Advanced Technologies (AAT). It enables producers to determine chick sex before incubation, preventing unnecessary waste and improving overall hatchery practices. AAT’s solution has been used globally with over 230 million eggs.

Farmers like Joe Klein are proud to be involved. “It gives me a lot of pride to know that we are doing something really important with Humanely Hatched hens on our farms,” he said.

The new cartons are also made from recyclable materials. Products under the Humanely Hatched™ label will be available at nationwide retailers including Whole Foods Market and Publix.

Photo Credit: NestFresh-Humanely-Hatched-packaging


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Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

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The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.