Alabama Poultry July/August 2017

July / August 2017 Vol. 12 No. 4

Kenneth Sanders Takes Charge

Meet AP&EA’s President and First Lady

Address Service Requested AP&EA P.O. Box 240 Montgomery, AL 36101

Board of Directors

Officers Kenneth Sanders President, Brundidge* Mitchell Pate, Vice President, Auburn* Jason Spann, Treasurer, Hanceville* Jason Shell, Secretary, Huntsville* Harold Hunt, Immediate Past President, Gadsden*

Directors Greg Abercrombie, Valhermoso Springs Johnny Adcock, Woodland Lou Ayers, Jasper Richard Curvin, Ashland Cory Early, Albertville Tim Esslinger, Huntsville Dale Gambrill, Snead Ben Gore, Cullman Lane Holladay, Tyler Tim Holmes, Decatur Casey Jones, Hoover* Clint Lauderdale, Hanceville Neil Martin, Dothan David Massey, Enterprise Kevin McDaniel, Huntsville Dr. Shannon Morgan, Huntsville Mike Pigg, Montgomery John Pittard, Guntersville John Roberts, Cullman Keith Rhodarmer, Collinsville Eric Rotermund, Russellville Roddy Sanders, Gordo Steve Smith, Hanceville Rod Thomas, Montgomery Ryan Turner, Guntersville Stanley Usery, Athens* Brad Williams, Troy Len Windham, Ariton Advisors Vernon Abney, Auburn Dr. Don Conner, Auburn University James Donald, Auburn University Dr. Joe Hess, Auburn University Jacob Davis, Montgomery Dr. Tony Frazier, Montgomery *Executive Committee Members

AP&EA STAFF

Johnny Adams – Chief Executive Officer Wanda H. Linker – Administrative Director Ray Hilburn – Associate Director Huck Carroll – Communications Director/Editor Jennifer Shell – Support Director

Alabama Poultry Magazine is published by the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association 465 South Bainbridge Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: 334-265-2732 Fax: 334-265-0008

Send editorial and advertising correspondence to: Alabama Poultry Magazine Editor P.O. Box 240 Montgomery, AL 36101

Advertising rates and closing dates available upon request.

Editorial matter from sources outside AP&EA is sometimes presented for the information and interest of our members. Such material may or may not coincide with official AP&EA policy. Publication does not necessarily imply endorsement by AP&EA.

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President’s Message

It is indeed an honor and privilege to assume the role of president of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. First I would like to congratulate Harold Hunt on an outstanding year. It has been my pleasure to serve under 13 presidents, including Harold. Many of my priorities as president will be to continue the work that Harold and others have accomplished over the past years.

I’d like to briefly share a few of the priorities that I would like to see accomplished over the next year: 1. Membership – Every grower in Alabama should want to be a member of the association. I am going to do my best to encourage that while I am president. I intend to visit every area association meeting at least once in the year.

Growing membership will be a priority.

2. Communication – There is an unintentional lack of communication between the companies and the growers. We are all in this together and the better communications we have the better our experience will be.

3. Best Management Practices – Adopted in 1995, these BMPs need to be revisited, and if needed, revised. Communication plays a big part here.

4. Disease Avoidance and Prevention – Dr. Tony Frazier has done an outstanding job of making us aware of the need for vigilant biosecurity through grower meetings, board meetings and seminars. Disease can put us out of business; biosecurity is something that we need to be constantly reminded of, so we won’t let our guard down.

I am also looking forward to continuing our close relationship with the National Poultry Technology Center and Auburn University department of poultry science. I am especially excited about the expansion of the Charles C. Miller, Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center to house the Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame.

I pledge to be accessible to staff, directors, and growers at all times. There will likely be other issues that will arise and we will address those as they occur.

This is an ambitious agenda so I will need the help of all AP&EA committees, our board of directors and all our members. With your help I know we will be successful. I look forward to serving you over the next year!

Featuring This Issue

Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame Association News Annual Meeting Presidential Profile: Kenneth and Susanne Sanders VIP Profile: Guntersville Sheet Metal Industry News Practical Applications Calendar of Events

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Association News

Alabama’s Poultry Hall of Fame Finds Home at Auburn’s Charles C. Miller, Jr., Poultry Research and Education Complex

Alabama’s poultry industry pioneers and leaders will have a place of honor in a new state-of-the-art facility boasted to be the “best in the nation for poultry research and education,” said Dr. Paul Patterson, dean of Auburn University College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.

The university is preparing to break ground on an 8,000-square-foot administration and education building at the Charles C. Miller Poultry Research and Education Center, a multifacility complex north of the Auburn campus. Approximately 1,200 square feet of the flagship building has been devoted to a visitor’s center featuring an interactive digital installation showcasing members of the Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame.

“Through this display, we will be able to feature the past, present and future of the poultry industry in an interactive and dynamic manner. In doing so, we will have the unique opportunity to fully capture and preserve the stories of these industry pioneers for future generations,” explained Johnny Adams, Alabama Poultry & Egg Association CEO. The Hall of Fame currently honors the contributions of 53 members, a remarkable class of innovators, entrepreneurs, educators, researchers and visionaries, who were instrumental in advancing the state’s poultry industry. The modern Alabama poultry industry is the state’s largest agricultural industry contributing more than $15 billion to the state’s economy.

With humble beginnings in the early 1900s, the industry advanced rapidly after World War II due to innovation and vision. Now Alabama is the second largest poultry-producing state in the country.

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“Many members of the Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame were pioneers of our state’s thriving poultry industry,” explained Adams. “They were true innovators, and they knew the value of grit, determination and hard work.

They built with their own hands and minds what is today Alabama’s leading agricultural industry.”

Development of the Miller Center began in 2016 to equip the poultry industry with the very best in research, technology, innovation and training.

The complex sits on 30 acres and currently consists of the feed mill and animal nutrition center which opened in 2012, and poultry management facilities, and a testing and evaluation center. Current activities include research trials, educational opportunities for industry professionals and student academic programming through Auburn’s department of poultry science. Future facilities will include a hatchery, a processing plant and a research and teaching lab.

Completion of the administration and education building will mark the halfway point in the Miller Center’s

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development.

“The construction of this building will represent a key milestone in fully establishing the Miller Center,” said Dr. Don Conner, head of Auburn’s department of poultry science. “In addition to serving as the flagship facility of the center, it will represent that a majority of the center has become a reality and that we are well on the way to having a premier poultry education and research center where our students and faculty can thrive.”

The Hall of Fame exhibit, a partnership of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association and the AU poultry science department, is slated to welcome visitors in 2018 upon building completion. The partnership according to Adams, “has enabled this unique opportunity to not only honor our rich history and heritage, but also to promote our success story to a wide audience, particularly those future generations to come. Recognizing the founders of our industry is an honor and privilege that we want to share with you.”

Marshall County Poultry & Egg Association Holds Annual Meeting

MCP&EA President Wade Adams

This young fellow might win a scholarship one day.

On Friday, July 28, the Marshall County Poultry & Egg Association held its annual meeting at the Guntersville City Hall instead of the usual location of Civitan Park on Lake Guntersville.

Association President Wade Adams welcomed everyone and introduced the program. He thanked everyone for coming out and announced that dinner was served.

As dinner was being served, new AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders

Scholarship winners: Taylor Holland, Zackary Bardon, Rhea Hill, Ramsey Hill and Redden Hill. Not present: Connor Griffin and Kaitlyn Williams.

spoke to the growers in attendance, encouraging them to become AP&EA members.

When he finished, it was time to award scholarships to deserving grower kids. The money for the $500 scholar-

Dana Knowles took home the John Deere Gator

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ships comes from raffle ticket sales to win a John Deere Gator.

After the door prizes, donated by local merchants, were distributed, the Gator ticket was drawn. The winner: Dana Knowles ... Wow!

Welcome t o the AP&E A Annual Meeting

The weather outside could be frightful at times, but inside the Sandestin Hilton for the AP&EA annual meeting, things were just delightful. On Sunday, July 16, at the “Welcome to the Beach” get-together for sponsors and board members, it was a time to meet new folks and catch-up with friends. The food andconverstion was flowing well when AP&EA President Harold Hunt welcomed all.

The big AP&EA chicken outside the ballroom was also getting lots of attention, as even non-poultry hotel guests were lining up to make photos with the big guy. (His popularity has only increased since two years ago, when, while we were not looking, he was “chicken-snatched” by a group across the hall that was having a dance party. They actually had him out on the dance floor, that is until he was rescued by a hotel security SWAT team.)

The next morning bright and early the board met to have breakfast and to hear committee reports, as well as reports from governmental, educational and industry leaders. The meeting adjourned in time for everyone to meet their families for lunch and enjoy a little time at the beach before the rain set in again (maybe even get a nap in before getting ready for the evening’s festivities).

As volunteers were setting up for the silent auction in one of the Sandestin Hilton ballrooms, the actual “annual meeting” took place in one of the lower meeting rooms. The purpose was to elect a new association president, new officers and new board members. Immediate Past President Tim Esslinger, as chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented the nominations. They were accepted and elected without opposition. With that business out of the way, it was time to get ready for the banquet and auction to follow.

At 6:30 p.m., as guests entered the ballroom, they were drawn to an astonishing array of silent auction items. There were coolers, firearms, fishing gear, jewelry, Auburn and Alabama tailgating items, and lots more great stuff. Bidding began immediately and was intense. Once dinner was served, the last few bids were tallied and the winners announced as guests stood in the buffet line.

As the sumptuous dinner was still going on, awards were presented, and the AP&EA gavel was passed from President Harold Hunt to new President Kenneth

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Time For Some Business at the Beach

Even as family members were sleeping in or heading to the beach, AP&EA board members, government officials, allied representatives and educators were sitting down over breakfast to talk about what was happening in the Alabama poultry industry.

AP&EA President Harold Hunt, presiding at his last board meeting, welcomed everyone and asked Clint Lauderdale to give the invocation.

Following the invocation, Hunt thanked all of the sponsoring companies and recognized their representatives present, and called for applause.

He commented that he had enjoyed his term as president and thanked the association staff and board for their help throughout the year. He then introduced Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan.

McMillan congratulated the association and the industry on another successful year, saying, “you are growing, with more room to grow.”

Because Commissioner McMillan was scheduled to leave before the evening award banquet, President Hunt

and AP&EA CEO Johnny Adams presented McMillan with the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Distinguished Service Award for his years of outstanding service to the Alabama poultry industry, and his leadership during the recent AI situation.

Next on the agenda, Dr. Paul Patterson, dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture, along with Dr. Don Conner, head of the Auburn University poultry science department, talked about plans for the expansion of the Charles C. Miller, Jr. Poultry Research & Education Center. This new expansion would include a visitor center that would also house the Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame.

Other speakers included John Starkey, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, who spoke on the 2018 IPPE, scheduled for Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. Dr. Paul Brown of ACES also spoke.

There were a number of committee reports and a briefing from CEO Adams on the Alabama Legislature. With that, the meeting was adjourned.

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The AP&EA Awards Banquet

After the silent auction and dinner, AP&EA President Harold Hunt welcomed everyone to the banquet. He introduced the new Association officers and their wives. He also recognized special guests and sponsors. He then began the awards with the presentation of the Presidential Award. The award was presented to Alabama State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier for his outstanding handling of the recent avian influenza outbreak. Dr. Frazier’s preparatory work laid the groundwork for a very workable system of isolating outbreak locations to prevent further spread of the virus.

Earlier in the day Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan was presented the Distinguished Service Award for his years of service to agriculture and promotion of the Alabama poultry Industry.

“Evening of Fun” Ticket Sales Awards

EOF Ticket Sales Chairman Kenneth Sanders handed out the ticket sales awards.

The Top Salesman for $200 Tickets Award goes to Kim Taylor with American Proteins, she is also the Top Rookie salesperson.

The Top Salesman to Broiler Growers Award, also known as the Rhonell Word Award, went to Judy Dutton, Tyson Foods, Snead.

New Purchaser Award went to Shane The Allied Team won the awards for Edwards, Koch Foods, Gadsden.

Top Team for Tickets Sold (451), Top Team Based On Largest Percent of Quota and for Meeting Quota. Accepting the awards was team captain Jason Shell.

Harold Hunt accepts the Team Quota Award for Koch Foods, Gadsden.

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The Top Salesman to Breeder Growers Also accepting the Tyson Team Quota Award, also known as the R. Harold Award were Barry Smith and Judy Robinson Award, went to Barry Smith, Dutton.

Tyson Foods, Snead.

Christie Stockberger accepted the Keith Rhodarmer accepts the Team Team Quota Award for Keystone Quota Award for Koch Foods, Collinsville Foods, Eufaula.

Keith Martin accepts the Team Quota Award for Mar-Jac Poultry

Ryan Turner accepts the Team Quota Award for Pilgrim’s, Guntersville.

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The Presidential Gavel is Passed

After the awards were finished and the dishes cleared, AP&EA President Harold Hunt came to the microphone for his last time as president. He, once again, thanked the board and the staff for helping him through the year. He reflected on his year in office saying, “The days have gone by quickly, although durning the AI outbreak, they seemed to take forever. But, the industry made it through, and has gotten stronger. We have implemented stronger biosecurity measures.” He went on to talk about the expansion and success of the 2+2 Poultry Education Program and the continued successful expansion of the Miller Poultry Research and Education Center at Auburn University.

He introduced the new AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders by saying, “I have worked closely with Kenneth over the last few years and know him to be a man of integrity and strong Christian values. He will do a great job as your president.”

Then the gavel was passed from Hunt to Sanders. Sanders, in turn, presented Hunt with a bronze rooster, emblematic of his year of service as president.

New AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders, a poultry grower since 2000, began by thanking Immediate Past President Harold Hunt for his outstanding leadership.

To the assembled group, he said, “ It is an honor to serve as your president, I have served under 12 presidents, and Harold was the 13th. I want to continue many of the programs begun before me.”

He went on to describe four areas that he wants to emphasize: increasing grower membership; developing greater communication between growers and integrators; revisiting and perhaps revising our Best Management Practices; and putting a greater emphasis on disease avoidance and prevention.

With the speeches finished, it was time to get on with the much anticipated live auction. Handling the auctioneering duties was Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Kent Stanford. He is one of the greatest wheedlers imaginable. The “Do I hear 550, do I hear 600” were ringing as he exhorted the excited crowd to dig a little deeper.

There were hunting trips, golfing trips, beach trips, limited edition rifles and shotguns, football packages, a custom crawfish cooker; and lots more good stuff donated by our great sponsors and industry friends. It was a fun evening.

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The new AP&EA Executive Committee: Casey Jones, L.B. White Company, member at large; Jason Spann, American Proteins, Treasurer; Mitchell Pate, Auburn University poultry research, vice president; Harold Hunt, Koch Foods of Gadsden, immediate past president; Kenneth Sanders, S&S Poultry Farm, president; Jason Shell, Keystone Foods, secretary; and Stan Usery, Usery Farms, member at large.

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The winners: Mike Pigg, Anthony Boston, Dale Outlaw and Harold Hunt

Golf Action At Baytowne

On Tuesday morning, July 18, with all of the official association business done with, the poultry pros took to the links at the Sandestin Baytowne Golf Course.

The air was full of relaxation and just a bit of humidity.

The rains and lightning that had kept golfers off the course for the previous two days was holding off. The course was spongy and the greens were slow, but the temperature was cool for the time of year.

The play was spirited and spirits were high. The competition was always friendly. The golfing skills may have made everyone glad that they had regular jobs to go home to, but still everyone had a great time.

As usual, the hospitality of the staff at the Baytowne Golf Club was outstanding, with refreshment carts always close at hand.

The winners: 1st Place: Mike Pigg, Anthony Boston, Dale Outlaw and Harold Hunt 2nd Place: Kevin McDaniel, Russ Williams, Hank Harbour and Casey Jones

3rd Place: Barry Fuller, Jan Henrikson, Michael Imming and Jason Spann Closest To the Hole: #7 Bruce Estes

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Presidential Profile

The Roeton community in Coffee County has changed little since the last time I visited with Kenneth and Susanne Sanders in the winter of 2008. There have been a lot of changes in their lives, however. Five grandchildren have been added to the family, upping the total to 12, with another one due in January. The oldest is 23 and about to graduate from the University of Montevallo and the youngest is 5 years old. Kenneth’s sons, Bryan and Charlie, are no longer in the poultry business, and Charlie has just graduated from seminary. They still live close by.

So close, in fact, with school getting ready to start, Susanne knows that every afternoon four boys are going to get off the school bus and head for their door. Then she’ll give them snacks and help with homework until their parents come home. Having taught business education at G.W. Long High School in Skipperville until her retirement, she is “old school” about homework. But, like many parents and grandparents, she is frustrated by having to help with Common Core math.

The house that was new in 2008, that Kenneth thought

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was too big, has expanded. The screened back porch has been walled in and a new bedroom has been added to the back of the house. Susanne loves bright colors and they are everywhere. Kenneth is learning to love them also.

In fact, at Kenneth’s repeated suggestions, Susanne agreed to paint their Laguna Beach house interior in those same bright beach colors. Susanne had resisted for years because her grandfather had built the house in 1937, with his own hands, as a place to go when he wanted to fish. He had cut the white pine in Brundidge and hauled them to the beach. Over the years, the paneling had gotten increasingly dark with age and coats of varnish, but Susanne resisted painting because she felt a closeness to her grandfather whenever they would go down. But, Kenneth persisted, and they painted last year. And, she loves it.

Their Laguna Beach house is on a quiet street and is reminiscent of old Florida. She says that it is her “soul place.”

She says,”I can feel my mama and daddy’s presence everywhere.” There is a special place where family pictures from many generations are displayed. One treasured keepsake is

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knew who he was since he was the best friend of one of her classmates. The first time she saw him, she wanted to date him, but her classmate wouldn’t introduce them. But, finally they got together in Troy in 1965. All, however, did not go well.

He had enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and went off to basic training at Ft. Jackson, S.C. She had wanted him to ask her to go steady before he left, but he did not.

One weekend he came home unannounced on a weekend pass. Saturday afternoon he called her up to ask her out for Saturday night. She, however, already had a date and as much as she wanted to break it, her mother would not let her.

So he told her that he would pick her up after church to have lunch with his family. That afKenneth and Susanne are proud of their bright, colorful and comfortable side porch ternoon, she and Kenneth’s mother and sister took him to the airport in Dothan to fly back to renovations. basic training. She says with a pout, “He hugged a note that her grandfather wrote to her grandmother when everybody’s neck but mine.”

That next week her brother was helping their mother they were first courting in 1903. It offers a glimpse into a gentler more formal time. The salutation begins, “Kind with her job of running the bus station and Western Union in Brundidge. He had just picked up the mail at the post office Friend.”

Remembering the past is one thing, but Kenneth has en- when he called her. “Susanne,” he said,”I think you’d better tered the digital age, surprising even Susanne with his in- come down here, there’s something you need to see.”

She hurried down to the bus station and, as Susanne tells volvement on Facebook. He explains by quoting his cousin, a Baptist preacher, “It’s like the today’s newspaper.” His in- it, “ In the mail there was a postcard, not a letter, but a postvolvement started when he got a smart phone and has con- card. And, you know people in small towns like Brundidge tinued. His favorite subject for reposting is discussions on like to read other people’s postcards. It said, ‘Next time I reformed Christian theology. He is a strictly reformed Bap- come home, you won’t have a date or else.’ And, he was writing everyone else and hadn’t even asked me not to date anytist, in the Calvinist tradition.

They first met on a triple blind-date. Susanne already one else.” She pauses for a moment and looks at Kenneth

Ten of the 12 (soon to be 13) grandkids with Papa (Kenneth) and Bubba (Susanne) at home for Christmas.

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(Back row) Stella, Susanne, Kenneth and Helen (Front row) Charlie, Kenny and Bryan

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who grins and shrugs. “That was just ugly,” she says with mock indignance.

Married in 1969, all was not rosie at first.

Susanne was not much of a cook. In fact, they subsisted for a while on chicken pot pies and lime Koolaid. She could not even make iced tea.

All of that has changed and now they are Kenneth is proud of closing in on 48 years together. They always his Alabama Poultry knew that they were distantly related on one license tag. He side, but after they were married, they found knows that the proout that they shared a great great grandmother ceeds from the tag on another side, in fact they are actually rewill help educate lated on three sides of the family. Susanne the future poultry leaders of Alabama. laughingly quips, “It’s a wonder all our children aren’t all messed up.”

Obviously the five children are not “messed up,” in fact they are all doing well. of the Grower Committee about problems that they are facHelen, the oldest is married to Mark Galloway and works ing, and to go to grower meetings. He says, “I’ve never been with First South Farm Credit; Charlie has just graduated from to a grower meeting where I’ve not learned something, even seminary and is waiting on God’s calling; Bryan farms (he if it’s from another grower.” and Charlie live within a stone’s throw of Kenneth and SuHe also praises the association for its support of the Nasanne); Kenny works in Dothan as a licensed civil engineer; tional Poultry Technology Center, of which he is a board and Stella, the youngest, is a registered nurse, but her hus- member. “If you can cut your costs and maintain bird qualband, Brandon Jones, raises cattle and chickens, as well as ity,” he says, “that gives you a pay raise – that’s where the row cropping.

NPTC is so important.”

Kenneth still has his five poultry houses, but now grows As association president, Kenneth wants to increase the for Keystone Foods. He made the move from Wayne Farms communication effectiveness between the companies and the two years ago this August. He grows a 4 3/4 lb. bird raising growers. The industry is changing with expansion, bird sizes between six and seven flocks a year. He says of his Keystone and out times are increasing. “Growers need to be considered Food’s service tech, Jeff Watson, “He’s one of the best I’ve because we are invested in this industry too,” he says. ever had. I can get him on the phone anytime.”

We are proud to have Kenneth Sanders as president of Kenneth just turned 70 in August, and at a time when the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. most men are considering retirement, he says, “I’ve got a real good employee, he’s 58, and the other day he asked me, ‘ How long do you plan on growing chickens?” He chuckled and went on, “So I asked him, ‘How long do you plan on growing chickens?” He paused for a moment, “As long as my health stays good.

I’ve read through the Bible several times and I can’t find anything about retirement.”

Susanne pipes in, “He’ll never retire, he loves it too much.”

He was elected to the AP&EA board in 2004, even though he didn’t want to do it at first because he thought the association only benefited the companies. Over the years he has come to the realization that AP&EA benefits companies and growers alike. What’s On Aug. 24, the National Poultry Techgood for one is good for the other. nology Center celebrated its 10th He encourages grower involvement in the birthday and Kenneth Sanders’ 70th. association, and to take leadership roles. He urges growers to communicate with members

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VIP Profile

Guntersville Sheet Metal is an AP&EA VIP Sponsor

Guntersville Sheet Metal has been a major player in fabricating products for the southeastern poultry industry since 1948. Wade Morrow purchased the company in 1974, and ran it successfully, selling it, in 2004 to McRae Benefield. He continued and expanded the operation, fabricating stainless steel, as well as other ferrous metals, and producing other products like conveyor systems, dust collection systems and other environmental control systems for the poultry industry, as well as foundries and feed mills.

Benefield died suddenly in 2015, leaving his wife, Kim, in charge of a business about which she knew little.

Once again, Wade Morrow stepped in.

He volunteered to run the company for Kim, this time as president of the com-

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pany instead of owner.

Even though he had been out of the business for 12 years, he was glad to help. Since many of his former employees were still working there, it made the transition easy.

Today, the Guntersville plant occupies a 20,000 sq. ft. building and employs 35 full time workers. The work load, however requires a lot of subcontracting. They have their own CAD de-

Kim Benefield and Wade Morrow on the shop floor at Guntersville Sheet Metal

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Continued on pg. 30

Industry News

Hubbard to Become a Subsidiary of Aviagen Group

HUNTSVILLE – Aviagen®, on Aug 1, 2017, announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase Hubbard Breeders, the broiler genetics division of Groupe Grimaud. The agreement between the two companies was signed on July 31, 2017, and will be concluded later this year. As part of the agreement, Hubbard will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Aviagen Group, under the direction of Aviagen CEO Jan Henriksen. It will remain an independent broiler breeding company with separate breeding and commercial activities, and will continue to be headquartered in France.

Recognizing the business advantages “We welcome Hubbard into the Aviagen family,” says Aviagen CEO Jan

Henriksen. “Hubbard’s diversity of genetic products and in-depth expertise in the different segments of the broiler breeding market will greatly contribute to Aviagen`s expanding product line offerings. We look forward to leveraging the full strength of the Aviagen group to further enhance Hubbard`s position as an important player in the global broiler breeder market.”

Hubbard CEO Olivier Rochard agrees that the close association with Aviagen will add great value to Hubbard`s global customer base.

“My management team and I are delighted to become part of such a world-class organization as Aviagen.

We are looking forward to utilizing the strengths of both organizations, particularly in the areas of technology, R&D,

BioSafe System’s AzaGuard Now Approved for Poultry and Livestock Applications

EAST HARTFORD, Connecticut – AzaGuard is a botanical based insecticide/nematicide that offers broad spectrum insecticidal control on over 300 insect species. The new comprehensive label includes applications to control darkling, hide and carrion beetles specific to poultry houses and for use in organic poultry production.

Composed of a three percent Azadirachtin formula, this insect growth regulator (IGR) is EPA and OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) approved and controls insects in the larval, pupal, and nymphal stages.

BioSafe Systems is committed to providing poultry farms with effective and sustainable products that meet strict industry standards. To learn more about how AzaGuard is an effective insecticide, please contact Michael Applewhite by email at mapplewhite@biosafesystems.com or call him at 256-677-2802.

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production efficiencies and distribution capabilities,” he says. “We share with Aviagen the ultimate goal of continually advancing the genetic potential of our birds and safeguarding the security of supply to global markets, which will profit our valued customers all around the world.”

Providing customers a seamless transition and greater benefits The two companies will continue to operate and support their customers independently, with no disruption to their customary products and services. At the same time, customers will benefit from the combined best practices, experience and knowledge, as well as the strong dedication to customer success shared by both companies.

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Practical Applications The Role of Poultry Feed, Litter Beetles, Drinking Water, and Mice in the Transmission of Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) J. J. Giambrone1 K. S. Macklin1, and John Roberts2 Poultry Science Department, Auburn University1 and Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries2

The control of AIV is extremely difficult because the virus can rapidly spread worldwide through migrating wild waterfowl. Once established in commercial poultry flocks, it can rapidly mutate from Low Pathogenic (LP) AIVs into High Pathogenic (HP) AIV and into various strains. LP AIV causes almost no outward signs of disease, whereas HP can cause severe illness and death. AIVs appear to persist at low levels in wild waterfowl populations for an indefinite amount of time. Some migrating waterfowl species can also carry the HP AIV strain, without having clinical signs. The HP AIV, that caused the outbreaks in US poultry in 2014-2016, resulted in economic losses of approximately $3.3 billion dollars. So far nine strains of AIV have been isolated in 77 countries world-wide resulting in the death or depopulation of nearly 1 billion birds.

Bird with extreme respiratory distress

Work at Auburn University examined various environmental factors that could result in the spread of AIV. This work was funded by a grant from the Egg Industry Center and the results from this research will help farmers in ways to control the spread of this virus onto their farm. So far this year LP AIVs have been found in wild ducks in Wyoming, Montana, Minnesota and Tennessee, Wisconsin and in a total of six backyard poultry flocks in Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, followed by six more low-path detections in commercial broiler breeder flocks in those three states plus Georgia. In addition, HP AIV outbreaks have occurred in commercial poultry in Montana, Minnesota, and Tennessee.

LP AIV can mutate into to HP AIV within the same flock resulting in severe illness and death. This happened in a breeder flock in southern Tennessee within close proximity to the Alabama state line. For this farm, all poultry flocks within a 10-kilometer (around 6 mile) radius from that HP AIV positive flock were quarantined and tested for the pres-

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ence of AIV. The positive flock was then depopulated within three days and the farm was quickly cleaned and disinfected.

The LP AIV farms were treated similarly however, a five kilometer (around three mile) radius quarantine zone was put into place. Other countries embargoed some of the affected states, but the embargo was lifted once it was shown that the AIV virus was controlled. With the coming of warm weather, the waterfowl have migrated north and this virus is unstable in warm weather. However, in the fall these waterfowl will migrate south again, harboring LP AIVs, which will require more surveillance for AIV and improved biosecurity on farms.

The identification of a closely related LP AIV in a Blue Wing Teal duck (BWT) in Wyoming this spring was likely a start of the infections in commercial poultry. The BWT was

Internal organs show cloudy airsacs, hemorrhage and organ discoloration

part of a live-bird banding effort from Wildlife Services wild bird surveillance program. They have determined after several years of testing, about 40,000 per year, that as many as 10 percent of the wild waterfowl can carry LP AIV. Teals and mallards are the most common carriers of the viruses. Results of genetic analyses determined that all viruses detected from the 2017 infections are of North American wild bird lineage.

The comparison of the HP AIV and LP AIVs showed they are highly similar and therefore likely that the LP AIVs were first introduced into commercial poultry from wild ducks and later mutated to HP AIV. Unlike HP AIVs of Asian and Middle Eastern lineages, North American lineages AIVs have never infected humans.

Using laboratory conditions and testing procedures, we found that LP AIV was not stable at 24 hours post inoculation (PI) in dry non-medicated broiler starter feed. Therefore, dry feed does not seem to be significant in the spread of AIV. However, AIV was stable in darkling beetles for a 5-day ex-

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Two students and an employee from Auburn University taking swabs from hunter-killed ducks from the Lake Eufaula wildlife refuge. In the background is the wildlife game manager. The swabs were taken back to our lab for possible detection of AIVs. This surveillance work was funded by the USDA.

infection in the respiratory tract, but not the digestive tract.

They did not spread the virus to non-infected mice in the same cage. Therefore, their role in viral transmission through infection of the mice would not appear to be significant.

However, their role in the mechanical transfer of AIV on their feet and fur throughout a poultry house is still possible.

Our results are in agreement with the USDA recommendations that feed should be kept dry, drinking water systems regularly flushed under pressure with approved water sanitizers, and insect and rodent populations be reduced as much as possible to prevent the spread of this virus. These findings reinforce that following a good biosecurity program will prevent the spread of this disease as well as other diseases that can affect poultry. *Funding provided by the Egg Industry Center

perimental period; therefore, beetles and probably other insects are a potential source for transmission of AIV. After a simple flushing of our experimental poultry water systems, AIV was not viable in non-chlorinated or chlorinated drinking water pipes or nipple drinkers at 24 hours after introducing the virus. Therefore, drinking water systems that are routinely flushed with approved water sanitizers should prevent any spread of the virus in the houses. Laboratory mice could be infected with AIV and harbor it for 3 days post

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Alabama Poultry Magazine

Continued on pg. 30

Every-Day Feeding Programs For Broiler Breeder Pullets Can Minimize Both Intestinal and Litter Salmonella.

Dr. Dianna Bourassa, ACES

Broiler breeder pullet skip-a-day feeding programs are useful for optimizing flock uniformity, but every-day feeding programs could potentially minimize Salmonella. The amount to which feed is restricted during the rearing of broiler breeders has led the poultry industry to commonly use a skip-a-day feeding program, where the flock is fed two days worth of feed the first day and birds are not fed the next day allowing all pullets to consume feed on the on-feed day.

A skip-a-day feeding program is usually applied starting with a “step down” process that begins after 21 days of age leading to full skip-a-day feeding starting at approximately 6 weeks. When pullets are fed on a skip-a-day program, it is thought that there is likely an extended period of time where the digestive tract is empty. Bacteria in the gut may be impacted by skip-a-day feeding programs in a similar way as pre-slaughter feed withdrawal. Feed withdrawal in broilers prior to slaughter is known to increase crop and ceca Salmonella levels. There may be similar blooms of Salmonella in pullets during the off-feed day leading to sustained colonization within the pullet flock.

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A pilot scale study was performed comparing Salmonella recovery following three methods of pullet feeding: 1) Skip-a-day in a trough 2) Every day in a trough 3) Every day on the litter The skip-a-day fed pullets were fed an allotment of two days of feed every other day in a chain feeder trough. The every-day fed pullets were fed one day of feed every day calculated based on age and number of pullets. For the trough fed pullets, feed was added to a small bin and distributed by chain along the trough. For the every-day on the litter fed pullets, feed was scattered around the pen using a deer feeder.

It was expected that with every-day feeding, (either in the feeding trough or on the litter) a shorter time off feed would minimize Salmonella’s ability to attach and colonize in the digestive tract and result in lower contamination.

Litter Salmonella Contamination At five weeks of age, Salmonella positive chicks were added to each of the feeding program pens. Then, from 7 to 20 weeks, the litter surface in each pen was sampled for Salmonella. Skip-a-day litter was 92 percent to 100 percent Salmonella-positive through 18 weeks and then decreased to 50 percent positive at 20 weeks. When pullets were fed every day Salmonella was less persistent. Litter from pullets fed every-day in a trough was 100 percent positive from seven

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to 11 weeks, began decreasing at 17 weeks (50 percent) and 18 weeks (33 percent), and was finally zero percent Salmonella positive at 20 weeks. Reduction of Salmonella in the litter occurred even more quickly when the feed was scattered around the pen onto the litter. The Salmonella prevalence in the every-day litter fed pens was 100 percent at 7 weeks, but then decreased to 67 percent, 50 percent, 17 percent, and finally zero percent from nine to 18 weeks of age.

Instead of increasing contamination, allowing the pullets to consume feed directly off the litter decreased Salmonella contamination.

Intestinal Salmonella Contamination In addition to sampling the litter for Salmonella, individual pullet ceca were also tested from 8 to 20 weeks. Similar to the results from litter sampling, Salmonella was recovered at a higher percentage from ceca from skip-a-day pullets when compared to every-day fed pullets. Salmonella was recovered at 70 percent at eight weeks and then decreased to 40 percent, 10 percent, and then five percent at 20 weeks.

The presence of Salmonella in the ceca of every-day fed pullets was very similar for both the trough and litter fed pullets.

Salmonella started out at 40 percent or 30 percent positive at eight weeks, decreased to five percent at 12 weeks, and then was not detected by 16 weeks.

Conclusions The skip-a-day pullet feeding program, with alternate day feed-withdrawal, may enable the persistence of Salmonella survival, passage, and thereby permitting colonization.

Every-day feeding programs hasten the disappearance of Salmonella from the digestive tract, and subsequently also in the litter. In the practical practice of raising broiler breeder pullets, feeding birds using the elected skip-a-day program may increase the likelihood of transferring of Salmonella positive pullets to the breeder farms. These results suggest that feeding broiler breeder pullets skip-a-day feeding program may contribute to a persistently higher Salmonella ceca colonization and litter prevalence up through the time of transport of pullets to breeder farms.

Continued from pg. 20 partment and furnish drawings for most of their work. When the need arises, they can get engineering certification when required. They also offer professional installation services, as well as fabrication.

Morrow began GSM’s involvement with the association early in his ownership of the company, McRae Benefield expanded it further into the VIP category, and Kim Benefield has continued the relationship, with mutual benefit to both parties.

The Alabama Poultry & Egg Association is honored to have such great folks as long term VIP sponsors.

Guntersville Sheet Metal

Phone: 1-256-878-7182

11201 U.S. Highway 431 Guntersville, AL 35976

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Alabama Poultry Industry Workshop September 26-27 Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge

Clay County Poultry & Egg Association Meeting Thursday September 28, 2017, 6:30 p.m.

Lineville Miss Anita’s Cafe

Allied Scholarship Golf Tournament Friday, October 27 10:00 a.m.

Chesley Oaks Golf Club, Cullman

Alabama Poultry Magazine