Dave Rettig, co-owner and President of Rembrandt Foods, spoke to Rotary on Wednesday, April 27 at the regular noon meeting. Dave shared the history of how the company was started and how it has grown to be one of the largest egg producers in the world. He answered many questions about the company, which is headquartered in Okoboji, and gave many factoids about eggs, such as:

·         In 1968, there were 28,000 egg producers with an average flock of 10,000 birds. In 1990, there were 500 egg producers with an average flock of 500,000 birds.

·         A hen can lay about 250-300 eggs per year.

·         One egg has 13 essential vitamins and minerals for only 70 calories.

·         Today there are 60 egg-producing companies with one million birds and 12 companies with greater than five million layers in the U.S.

·         A hen must eat four pounds of feed to make a dozen eggs.

Rembrandt doesn’t sell eggs retail. They focus on egg products direct to food companies and pet food companies.