Alabama Poultry, January/February 2011

January/February 2011 – Vol. 7 No. 1

Rodn e To Hey Atkins adlin e “Even 2011 ing of Fun” Address Service Requested AP&EA P.O. 240 Montgomery, AL 36101

AP&EA “Big Bass” Open May 13, 2011

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Tournament to be held on Lake Guntersville, in Guntersville, Ala. Boats will be launched from the twin boat ramps behind Reid’s Restaurant just off of Highway 431.

Registration is $25 per person. This includes entry fee, prizes and favors.

All proceeds will go to the Alabama Poultry Trust.

Tournament sponsored by AP&EA’s VIP sponsorship members.

Controlled Start at 5:30 a.m.

All boats must be back by 12:30 p.m. Any boat more than 15 minutes late will not be allowed to weigh their fish.

Please try to keep as many fish alive as possible.

Lunch will be served immediately after the tournament. Sponsored by American Proteins, Inc.

Prizes:

Big Fish: 1st Place: 2nd Place: 3rd Place:

Largest Fish Weighed – Fisherman will receive a trophy & $100 Total Team Weight – Trophy per person & $500 per team Total Team Weight – Trophy per person & $250 per team Total Team Weight – Trophy per person & $150 per team

Thanks to the following VIP Sponsors!

Advanced Poultry Equip. & Supplies Alabama Ag Credit Alabama Farm Credit AlaTrade Foods Alltech Alpharma American Proteins, Inc. Aviagen, Inc. Burch Corporation CEVA 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Cintas Corp.

Cobb-Vantress, Inc. D & F Equipment Sales Elanco Animal Health Evonik-Degussa Corporation First South Farm Credit Franklin Industrial Minerals GSM Steel & Mechanical Cont.

Hubbard LLC International Paper

Rules

Open to all Must furnish own boat and equipment.

Maximum of two (2) people per boat (team).

Live wells must be checked before launch.

Must abide by all Alabama Boating Safety Laws: valid boat sticker, life vests, fire extinguisher, etc.

Intervet / Schering Plough Ivesco LLC Jones-Hamilton Co. K Supply Company, Inc. Marel/Stork Food Systems Merial Pfizer Animal Health Sand Mountain Electric Co-op The Vincit Group Walco International

6. Must abide by all Alabama Game & Fishing Laws: valid fishing license, etc.

7. All fish weighed must be 15 inches in length or longer to qualify for weighing.

8. Only bass will count toward weight.

9. Limit 5 fish per boat.

10. Artificial bait only.

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AP&EA “Big Bass” Open – May 13, 2011 (

) Please enter me in the AP&EA “Big Bass” Open.

Registration: $25 per person

Boat Owner________________________________ Company/Farm____________________________ Address________________________________________________ Phone_______________________

Team Member______________________________ Company/Farm____________________________ Address________________________________________________ Phone_______________________ (

) Check enclosed $_________

(

) Bill me $_________ (

) Credit Card $_________

Invoice to or Credit Card Billing Address: Name _____________________________________ Company/Farm____________________________ Address________________________________________________ Phone_______________________ Credit Card __________ Credit Card No. _________________________________ Exp. Date ________ MAIL TO: AP&EA, P.O. Box 240, Montgomery, AL 36101 x 334-265-2732 x Fax: 334-265-0008

Board of Directors Officers John Pittard, President, Guntersville* Spence Jarnagin, Vice President, Huntsville* Johnny Adcock, Tresurer, Woodland* Randall Ennis, Secretary, Huntsville* Fred Cespedes, Immediate Past President, Hanceville* Directors Ronnie Adrian, Collinsville George Attwood, Anniston Roger Chappell, Cullman Cory Early, Decatur Tim Esslinger, Eufaula* Dale Gambrill, Snead* Billy Gilley, Cullman Harold Hunt, Gadsden Heath Loyd, Boaz David Massey, Montgomery Dennis Maze, Horton Todd McMahen, Dothan Mitchell Pate, Auburn John Roberts, Cullman Kenneth Sanders, Brundidge Roddy Sanders, Gordo Jason Shell, Gadsden Jack Sherwood, Troy Jason Spann, Guntersville Ken Taylor, Anniston Phyllis Thomas, Russellville Ben Thompson, Huntsville David Thompson, Ashland Stanley Usery, Athens Ricky Walker, Snead Craig Williams, Enterprise Advisors Dr. Don Conner, Auburn University James Donald, Auburn University Dr. Joe Hess, Auburn University Jacob Davis, Montgomery Dr. Tony Frazier, Montgomery Perry Oakes, Auburn

*Executive Committee Members

AP&EA STAFF Johnny Adams – Executive Director Wanda H. Linker – Administrative Director Ray Hilburn - Membership 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 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.

www.alabamapoultry.org

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S

MESSAGE

January and February have seen dramatic changes for Alabama and the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. Of course, most of those changes, on the state level, stem from the results of the election in November 2010. In January, we welcomed a new Republican governor, Gov. Robert Bentley, and a new Republican lieutenant governor, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey. They have joined the newly-elected Republican majority in the Legislature, to give Alabama its first Republican dominated state government since Reconstruction.

This new government faces daunting economic issues and revenue shortfalls for now and the forseeable future. This is a situation that will have a substantial impact on the Department of Agriculture and Industries and its new commissioner, John McMillan, with whom we are working to do as much as possible to protect the Alabama poultry industry.

We are also working with the new legislature to insure that recently introduced immigration reform legislation will not unfairly target innocent employers, especially those who are striving to be good corporate citizens by using established verification systems.

In February, we welcomed Ray Hilburn as our new membership director. Ray, of course, is well-known in the Alabama poultry industry. Ray has just recently retired from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries after a 29-year career. He and his family have been growers for many years, as well. Ray brings a depth of knowledge and experience to AP&EA that we have never had, and we are excited to have him with us.

Talk about being excited, we are excited about our entertainment for this year’s “Evening of Fun.” Our concert will feature Nashville recording artist, Rodney Atkins. We have all enjoyed his heartwarming video and song “The Farmer’s Daughter.” Our after-the-concert dance will showcase “The Heather Hayes Experience” with Heather Hayes, the daughter of r&b legend, Isaac Hayes. With this combination of talent, there will be plenty of fun for our “Evening of Fun.” So bring the whole family – remember kids get in free.

Governmental Affairs Innaugural Activities Ag Commissioner John McMillan Association News “Evening of Fun” International Poultry Expo Recipes Membership News Practical Applications Calendar of Events

FEATURING

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Governmental Affairs

NCC Commends House for Votes to Block New Ethanol Subsidy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Chicken Council applauds the actions of the House of Representatives in voting to block federal funding of “blender pumps” for gasoline mixed with ethanol at service stations, and to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from carrying out a controversial decision to allow up to 15 percent ethanol in motor gasoline (E15).

“We commend the House for voting to begin the process of reining in the out-of-control ethanol program,” said NCC president George Watts. “This country needs neither E15 nor taxpayer-subsidized ethanol facilities. We urge the Senate to take similar action.”

The House voted 261-168 to ban federal funding for installing blender pumps, an amendment proposed by Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ).

The amendment was to the continuing resolution (CR) funding the government for the rest of this fiscal year.

The House also voted 286-135 to block the EPA from spending any federal funds to carry out waivers granted over the past year that would allow fuel blenders to put as much as 15 percent ethanol into gasoline for cars and trucks. The legal limit has been 10 percent. The amendment was offered by Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK).

NCC was among the groups that supported both changes during consideration of the CR. “Protection of the environment and the nation’s motorists must take precedence over the politics of biofuels,” said a letter from NCC and 14 other groups representing food, energy and power equipment in-

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January/February 2011

dustries, among others. “Simply stated, this amendment will call a halt to EPA’s headlong rush to introduce E15 at least until unbiased and independent testing on the impact of E15 on vehicle and off-road engines and the environment can be completed.”

The National Chicken Council, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, and several state poultry federations, including the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association and 11 other state poultry organizations, were among a vast coalition of 90 organizations opposing extension of the blenders’ credit that subsidizes the production of ethanol. The groups sent letters to the leaders of Congress calling on them to let the tax credit expire on schedule at the end of 2011.

The ethanol industry was lobbying Congress for an extension.

In the letters, the coalition said: “The undersigned diverse group of business associations, taxpayer advocates, hunger and development organizations, agricultural groups, free-market groups, religious organizations, environmental groups, budget hawks, and public interest organizations urge you to allow the refundable Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC) to

sunset this year and to resist calls for spending on infrastructure for conventional biofuels.

“In particular, Congress has the opportunity to end the $6 billion a year subsidy to gasoline refiners who blend corn ethanol into gasoline. At a time of spiraling deficits, we do not believe Congress should continue subsidizing gasoline refiners for something that they are already required to do by the Renewable Fuels Standard.

“Experts like the Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office have concluded that the subsidy is unnecessary, and leading economists agree that ending it would have little impact on ethanol production, prices or jobs.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

The intrepid crew of Poultry I got up early and came warmly dressed to the inaugural parade.

Gov.-elect Robert Bentley was all smiles

Lt. Gov.-elect Kay Ivey looked ready to take on the fractious Alabama Senate

JANUARY 17 – The morning dawned overcast and cold. It was typical inauguration weather. At 6:30 a.m., Float Captain Mitchell Pate pulled the AP&EA float into position on one of the feeder streets along the parade route and waited. At 8:45 a.m., as the super chicken was being inflated, as our float riders: Association President John Pittard and his wife, Denise; Immediate Past President Fred Cespedes and his wife, Holly; Auburn University College of Agriculture Dean Bill Batchelor and his wife, Dawn, and Auburn University department of poultry science head, Dr. Don Connor and his wife, Kim, along with AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams and his wife, Kim, arrived to await the parade start at 9:45 a.m. Fortunately, Float Captain Pate had brought thermoses of hot coffee and hot chocolate and there were bales of hay on which to sit.

By 10:00 a.m. the leading element, the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band, passed by the reviewing stands, followed by Gov-elect Bentley, with his family, and the rest of those about to take oaths of office. Many were riding in vintage automobiles, but one of the most impressive vehicles was John McMillan’s John Deere stretch tractor/limo (tall - not long) as befits his status as Alabama’s top ag man.

There was a strong 4-H contingent following the tractor, with a float and a lots of green and white clad kids. The Alabama FFA participated, as well, following the Cattlemen’s Association entry.

Fresh off their tour de force triumph in the national championship game, the Auburn Band was still high on having fun, as they high stepped up Dexter Ave. Everyone was smiling, and with good reason.

The Auburn band was followed by a host of other bands including bands from Tuskegee Institute and Alabama A&M, as well as other state universities and many Alabama high school bands.

There was also a bevy of beauty contest winners from pageants throughout the state.

(Left) Ag and Industries Commisionerelect John McMillan rides in style while Alabama’s 4-H contingent (right) is just happy to be in the big parade.

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Alabama Poultry Magazine

Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and her family elected to join the parade in a carriage, drawn by two horses.

At about 11:00 a.m., Poultry I pulled into view, showcasing the poultry industry’s contribution to Alabama’s economy. And, after two and a half hours of floating, everyone was still smiling and waving to the crowd.

Even the big chicken seemed to be enjoying the moment, as he wore a sign boldly proclaiming “Poultry – the Star of Alabama Agriculture.”

With the parade finished, the swearing-in ceremonies began as soon as the elected officials could take their seats.

Even though, for the first time since Reconstruction, Republicans gained control of both houses of the Legislature as well as the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, the speeches of Gov. Robert Bentley and Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey were challenging and, at times, conciliatory.

Lt. Gov. Ivey said, “Working together, we can serve all citizens of Alabama and rise to the challenge of making this generation more productive – and the next generation more prosperous.

Every official elected in 2010 is in place because you, the people, expect us to be good stewards and to be effective as we manage the people’s priorities. Your state government will no longer be constantly besieged by petty politics and partisan bickering.”

She invoked the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. saying, “Dr. Martin Luther King said, ““The time is always right to do what is right.”’

Gov. Bentley continued that theme saying, “I am the governor of all Alabama – Democrat, Republican and Independent, young and old, black and white, rich and poor. My job is to make all of our lives better together.” He also quoted Dr. King saying, “Dr. King once said, ‘“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”’

He said that if the elections of 2010 told us nothing else, it told us, “the people of America are fed up with business as usual. They’re tired of partisan politics and the Federal Government. They want action, not arguments.”

In his speech, he also stressed job creation. He said, “We must continue to create a business climate that makes our communities competitive when we’re recruiting new industry into the state. But we must also remember that most new job creation comes from existing businesses and we must offer the same tax breaks and incentives to them.”

He concluded by saying, “Working together, we’re going to get through these tough times.”

Gov. Bentley challenged every official to be a true public servant.

Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan

Lt. Gov. Ivey pledged to Gov. Bentley her good will and best efforts.

The Auburn band struts it’s stuff (left). While (right) Gov. Bentley and Lt. Gov. Ivey watch the parade, with obvious pleasure, however, both acknowledge that tough times lie ahead.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January/ February 2011

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John McMillan Takes the Reins at the Ag Department

John McMillan and grandson, John, 6.

John McMillan says that his greatest challenge in taking over as commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Industries is the budget. “Nothing else comes in second,” he says and nods his head for emphasis.

When Gov. Bentley announced 15 percent proration, it meant the Department of Agriculture and Industries would receive roughly $2.3 million less than the $14.8 million it was supposed to get from the state. Currently, they receive approximately $48 million from permits, fees and cooperative agreements with the USDA-APHIS (Animal Health Plant Inspection Services).

The department employs approximately 450 personnel, of whom 250 work in the field as inspectors or in some area of testing. Many of these field inspetors log tens of thousands of miles each year in Department trucks or cars. Unfortunately, due to budget shortfalls, no new vehicles have been purchased in more than two years and many have well over 150,000 miles on them.

Management was forced to give up their state vehicles several years ago.

One of Commissioner McMillan’s first cost-cutting actions will possibly be closing the two farmers’ mar-

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kets in Montgomery. Those two markets lost almost $200,000 last year. The department is also looking at closing the Hanceville testing lab which is housed at Wallace State College and has the potential of costing the department $9,000 a month in rent. He proposes consolidating that operation with the testing facility in nearby Boaz.

To add to Commissioner McMillan’s woes, the department accountant left to take a job with the Department of Health. And, even though a new accountant has been brought in, the learning curve is still steep. Still, McMillan is cautiously optimistic. McMillan says, “It’s like changing horses in the middle of the stream, but, “he adds, “we’ll get it done.”

John McMillan has always been that “get the job done” kind of guy. He comes to the Department of Agriculture & Industries with a legacy of perseverence and purpose. For six generations, his family has worked the land and enjoyed the natural resources of Alabama.

McMillan grew up in rural Baldwin County in the same house in Stockton where his almost 99-year-old mother still lives. He attended Stockton School and Baldwin County High School. In high school he met his wife of 44 years, Kathryn. He was a football player and she was a cheerleader. He went on to attend Rhodes College, graduating with a degree in economics.

His interest in agriculture began at a young age while working on his uncle’s farm and in his father’s sawmill.

After college, he continued to work at the family sawmill for nearly 20 years. Over the years McMillan’s life work continued to focus on agri-business, forest products, wildlife protection, natural resource management and the protection of private property rights.

In 1969, Gov. Albert Brewer appointed McMillan to a vacancy on the Baldwin County Commission. This began a three decade passion for public service that has included two terms in the Legislature, and a stint as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources under Gov. Fob James.

In 1983, McMillan went to work for the Alabama Forestry Association, rising to the position of executive vice president.

He and Kathryn, who is hostess of the Alabama Senate, have two sons, Murphy and William, and a daughterin-law, Beth. Murphy and Beth are the parents of their two grandchildren, El, 11 and John,6.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Association News Assistance Available to Producers to Conduct and Implement Energy Audits NRCS in Alabama will offer such as milk cooling, heating and AUBURN January 31 – USDAthree levels of Agricultural Energy Natural Resources Conservation cooling of livestock production faManagement Plans (AgEMP) plans Service (NRCS) State Conservacilities, grain drying, and similar tionist Dr. William Puckett today depending on the size of the pro- on-farm activities. Simple changes announced the expansion of an ini- ducer’s confined animal operation. in confined animal operations can tiative under the Environmental The producer will hire a Technical help farmers and ranchers achieve Provider (TSP), Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Service significant cost and energy savings. to help farmers and ranchers con- http://techreg.usda.gov/CustLoInterested producers should visit cateTSP.aspx, which is certified to duct energy audits and improve their nearest USDA Service Center overall energy efficiency of their complete an AgEMP. EQIP pay- to determine eligibility. Individuals ments will be made directly to pro- are not eligible for EQIP until they operations. Applications are being gram participants for development have completed the Farm Bill eligiaccepted through February 25, of an AgEMP by a certified TSP. 2011. While this is a continuous bility requirements. Contact your Dairy, beef, poultry, swine, and signup, applications for 2011 fundlocal NRCS or Farm Service ing must be received by the cut-off other agricultural operations are in- Agency Office to begin this cluded in this energy efficiency ini- process. NRCS field offices are date.

“On-farm energy audits will tiative. NRCS, in partnership with listed in the telephone directory provide producers an opportunity to USDA-Rural Development, will under U.S. Department of Agriculimplement the agricultural energy ture assess their energy usage and make or on-line at needed improvements,” Puckett conservation and efficiency initia- http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov. For tive. said. “This initiative will not only information about agricultural enEnergy audits will be individu- ergy management plans visit: benefit the environment, but also ally tailored to ensure coverage of www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/ help America become more energy each farm’s primary energy uses independent.” cap.html.

NRCS: Initiative to Improve Energy Conservation and Efficiency

Ray Hilburn is AP&EA Membership Director

MONTGOMERY – On Jan. 31, 2011, after 29 years with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Ray Hilburn retired.

Feb. 1, 2011, he began a second career as membership director of AP&EA. Born and raised on a farm in

Luverne in Crenshaw County, Ray is still a partner along with his four brothers in the family-owned farm involved in the production of broilers, beef cattle, and hay.

He received bachelor’s degree in poultry science from Auburn University in 1978. Prior to his state employment, he worked with ConAgra Poultry of Enterprise for three years as assistant hatchery manager, broiler serviceman, and pullet/breeder serviceman.

He began his career with the Department of Agriculture and Industries in November1981 with the responsibility of coordinating the National Poultry Improvement Plan throughout Alabama. In October 2001 he was named poultry programs director and then in October

Alabama Poultry Magazine

2005 was named deputy commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

After serving three years as deputy commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, he returned to his former position of poultry programs director in December 2008.

Ray is the proud father of three sons. Christopher, the oldest, owns his own lawncare and construction business. His wife Nikki is an RN at Baptist South in Montgomery.

Jeffrey is a fireman/paramedic with the City of Troy and is getting married in April, 2011 to Lindsey Campbell. Matthew, the youngest, is in graduate school at Troy in accounting. Upon his graduation in December 2011 he will begin employment with Jackson Thornton, an accounting firm in Montgomery.

January/ February 2011

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For the first time the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Golf Classic will be held at Limeston Springs Golf Club, on Friday June 3.

Limestone Springs Golf Club is one of Alabama’s best kept secrets. Located 25 minutes north of Birmingham, this public access golf club is nestled throughout 225 acres of the Appalachian Mountains. It offers some of the most dramatic elevations and picturesque views in the state and features one of Alabama’s top rated championship golf courses. But don’t let the beauty of this northern Birmingham golf course be a diversion, because it will present you with exceptional golf course conditions, pristine Crenshaw bent grass greens and a golfing challenge like you’ve never experienced.

Designed by former U.S. Open winner Jerry Pate, this Birmingham golf course offers 18 captivating holes and stretches almost 7,000 yards from the back tees.

You’ll find many elevated tees that provide breathtaking views along with twisting fairways and free-flowing streams that pose one hazard after another but never dampen the spirit. This impressive Birmingham golf course has been consistently rated 4 ½ stars by Golf Digest’s Places to Play, ranked in the top five public golf courses in Alabama by GolfWeek, and named to America’s Top Golf Courses by Zagat Survey. The benefits extend far beyond this spectacular Birmingham golf course.

Registration forms and maps are available for downloading online at www.alabamapoultry.org under Events.

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January/February 2011

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Greg Graham Vice-President 2201G Gault Avenue North Fort Payne, AL 35967 877-245-4271

Evening of Fun

Rodney Atkins Headlines AP&EA 2011

“Evening of Fun” The Alabama Poultry & Egg Association is pleased to announce that Nasville recording artist, Rodney Atkins, is headlining this year’s “Evening of Fun.” Atkins has earned the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist award, plus five other ACM nominations and two Country Music Association nominations Rodney Atkins has a rare gift for reflecting the lives of his listeners in his music – their hopes, their concerns, their spirit, their adversities, even their sense of humor.

Simply put, as he sang in his chart-topping smash, “These Are My People.”

A native of small-town east Tennessee, the adopted son of a loving family and the proud father to a family of his own, Atkins understands regular lives because he still leads one. “People always talk about image –‘You’re the guy in the ball cap, the All-American country boy,’” says Atkins, who does indeed still favor caps to cowboy hats. “But if the songs don’t connect with the folks listening, then none of that stuff matters.”

Atkins makes that connection again and again on his much-anticipated new album, It’s America.

Just listen to the down-home philosophy of “Got It Good” and “Tell A Country Boy,” the heartfelt balladry of “The River Knows,” the fist-pumping, feelgood “It’s America” and much-more from across the musical and emotional spectrum. “I try to sing songs with an honest view of ourselves, of myself, of the struggle, of the laughter,” he says. “It’s about being human.”

We are excited to have Rodney Atkins coming to Birmingham for the AP&EA 2011 “Evening of

Fun.” We are also excited about the Heather Hayes Experience for our after concert dance. Heather’s roots run deep in the music business. She is the daughter of legendary soul/blues artist, Isaac Hayes.

While under the tutelage of her father and music greats like the “Godfather Of Soul,” James Brown, Heather honed her skills as an entertainer with the unique ability to leave audiences breathless and wanting more. Her live performances and vocals have been compared to Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner.

So get your tickets today and ...

Alabama Poultry Magazine

let the fun begin!

January/ February 2011

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ATLANTA Jan. 26 - Jan. 28 – Filling two cavernous halls of the Georgia Wold Congress Center, the 63rd International Poultry Expo, sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, and held in conjunction with the International Feed Expo, was really big. I mean really big – so big, it makes your feet hurt just to think of all the miles you would have to walk to see everything.

There were 903 exhibitors, up from 806 last year. International exhibitors came from places like Slovenia and Ukraine as well as more familiar places like Mexico, Italy, China or Canada. That’s a lot of different languages and a good reason that the IPE/IFE banner proclaims “Welcome” in so many ways.

They all came to showcase their latest technology, network and become educated on the latest developments and issues facing the industry today and in the future. IPE/IFE at the world’s largest venue for displaying equipment, supplies and services used in the production and processing of poultry, eggs and feed manufacturing.

There were also a lot of visitors this year, 20,742, up from last year’s attendance of 18,896. International visitors accounted for 4,371 of that number, an increase of 505 from last year.

AP&EA allied members had exhibits everywhere. With big boss Davis Lee looking very pleased, Lee Energy Systems premiered their newest pellet burning furnace at the show. They believe that it will have commercial applications beyond the poultry industry. The D&F Equipment Sales booth was busy with Dawn Knox and her staff answering questions and talking to prospective customers. Casey Jones, without a golf club, was busy at the L.B. White booth and Fred Cespedes and his crew at the American Proteins’ booth were doing lots of talking.

The crowds at the Aviagen booth, Cobb booth and Hubbard booth were always formidable. Alltech, which is becoming a larger and larger player in the poultry industry through its feed additives, drew large crowds to its booth for “happy hour” with their Irish dancers and signature adult malt beverages. Nationally recognized speaker and production agriculture advocate Trent Loos was also spotted at the Alltec watering hole along with several friends. Cowboys just know where to hang-out.

International Paper introduced their new ClimaShield wax free poultry container. They also sponsored an incredible hospitality get-together at the Georgia Aquarium.

Auburn University poultry science department was well represented. Not only was their booth well staffed, but the Poultry Science Club TM

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Alabama Poultry Magazine

International Poultry Expo was judged to be the number one poultry science club in the nation. That makes it a second national championship for the Auburn nation in the month of January. War Eagle!

The National Poultry Technology Center’s booth was a beehive of activity. Joining Jim Donald, Gene Simpson and Jess Campbell was the newest member of the team, Dennis Brothers. There was always a line to ask one of the four a question on poultry house efficiency.

This year’s show featured a comprehensive line-up of educational programs to keep industry management up to date on important issues.

The week opened with the International Poultry Scientific Forum with information on environmental management, nutrition, physiology, pathology, processing and products, and avian diseases.

Expo education sessions began on Tuesday with USP&EA’s Hatchery-Breeder Clinic which was moved from its traditional date in July to allow more hatchery and breeder flock managers the opportunity to attend both the clinic and the Expo.

Also beginning on Tuesday was the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit and Pet Food Conference. Both conferences were well attended and informative. Paul Pressley of USPOULTRY’s presentation titled People – Community Engagement – An External Focus was particularly effective, so too was the presentation by Dr. Marty Matlock of the University of Arkansas’ Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability. His presentation, titled Sustainable Agriculture and Lifecycle Assessment defined sustainability as, “Meeting the needs of the present while enhancing the abillity of future generations to meet their needs.”

Other programs included a special Salmonella and Campylobacter Reduction Conference. There was also the very popular Poultry Market Intelligence Forum. There were also other issue-specific programs.

Each exhibit hall featured Tech Xchange Theatres, a 2011 IPE/IFE added attraction, as a part of the new Technology Xchange Program. This new program offered exhibitors the opportunity to give presentations highlighting new technological developments in a generic non-sales oriented informational format.

The College Student Career Program, held in conjunction with the Expo, attracted 285 students from universities throughout the United States. Seniors and graduates in poultry-related studies were eligible to interview for full-time jobs, while undergraduates interviewed for internship positions. The interviews began on Wednesday afternoon and continued until Friday morning.

This Expo was a time when old friends in the industry were reunited and alliances were reinforced. And, from the looks of things, some new deals were struck and new relationships started, as American and international poultrymen looked each other in the eye and shook hands in the realization of a common bond.

It was a great International Poultry Expo. The IPE/IFE staff deserves mega kudos for once again offering a truly international venue of commerce for the poultry industry.

Let’s do it again in 2012!

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January/ February 2011

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These simple recipes from The American Egg Board are as elegant as they are delicious.

They provide a just-right nutritious transition into Spring.

POMODORO EGG BAKE Prep Time: Cook Time: Makes:

20 minutes 30 to 35 minutes 4 servings

WHAT YOU NEED 4 1/2 4 2 4

medium tomatoes cup shredded Parmesan cheese, (DIVIDED) EGGS Tbsp. thinly sliced fresh basil English muffins, split, toasted

HERE'S HOW 1. HEAT oven to 350°F. CUT the top fourth off each tomato. SCOOP out the tomatoes, leaving a thick shell intact. Remove any liquid from inside the tomato with a paper towel. Place tomato shells in 8-inch square baking dish. SPRINKLE 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese in each tomato.

2. BREAK AND SLIP an egg into each tomato shell. SPRINKLE basil over eggs.

3. BAKE in 350°F oven until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, about 30 to 35 minutes. SPRINKLE remaining cheese over the eggs. Serve with English muffins.

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Alabama Poultry Magazine

ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH FRIED EGG BAGUETTE Prep Time: Cook Time: Makes:

Recipes

15 minutes 10 minutes 6 servings

WHAT YOU NEED 2-1/2 1 1/3 1-1/2 4 6 6

cups ready-to-serve reduced fat chicken broth lb. asparagus, trimmed, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces cup chopped onion cups fat-free half-and-half oz. Neufchâtel cheese or cream cheese, softned slices French bread, toasted (1/2-inch thick) FRIED EGGS

HERE'S HOW 1. HEAT broth in large saucepan to simmering. ADD asparagus and onion. Bring to a boil and cook until asparagus is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. STIR IN half-and-half and cheese; cook over low heat until cheese is melted.

2. LADLE soup into 6 small bowls. TOP with toast and fried egg. Serve immediately INSIDER INFORMATION For Sunny-Side-Up Fried Eggs: COAT nonstick skillet with cooking spray. HEAT skillet over medium-high heat until hot. BREAK eggs and SLIP into pan, one at a time. IMMEDIATELY reduce heat to low. COVER pan and COOK SLOWLY until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 5 to 6 minutes. SPRINKLE with salt and pepper.

WONTON BAKED EGGS Prep Time: Cook Time: Makes:

15 minutes 25 to 30 minutes 6 servings

WHAT YOU NEED 12 6 6 6 2

wonton wrappers (3-1/4 x 3-inch) Tbsp. chopped ham or cooked crumbled bacon Tbsp. shredded Cheddar or Parmesan cheese EGGS Tbsp. chopped green onions

HERE'S HOW 1. HEAT oven to 350°F. COAT 6 muffin cups (2-1/2 to 3-inches) with cooking spray. Gently PRESS 2 wonton wrappers into each cup, placing the second wrapper at a slight angle to the first wrapper.

2. SPRINKLE ham and cheese evenly onto wonton wrappers, making an indent for the eggs. BREAK AND SLIP an egg into each wonton-lined muffin cup. TOP with green onions.

3. BAKE in center of 350°F oven until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard, 25 to 30 minutes.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January/ February 2011

15

Auburn Ag Alumni Hall of Fame Honors Poultry Pioneers

Janet Appleton Peyton and Stan Appleton accept the award for their father, Buck Appleton

AUBURN Feb. 22 – The Auburn University Agricultural Alumni Association honored five distinguished individuals for the positive impacts they have had on Alabama agriculture during its 2011 Hall of Honor banquet at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.

The association presented its 2011 Agricultural Pioneer Awards to the families of the late John “Doc” Cottier, a long-time poultry science faculty member at Auburn, and the latee B.W. “Buck” Appleton of Collinsville, an early leader in Alabama’s poultry industry. The Pioneer Awards are given posthumously to individuals who played a role in shaping Alabama’s agriculture industry. Both of the honorees received their bachelor’s degrees in agriculture from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Cottier in 1929 and Appleton in 1934.

Buck Appleton partnered with his two brothers in 1948 to establish Southland Hatchery, Appleton Farm and other poultry operations in Collinsville. Later he became president, secretary and treasurer of Collinsville Egg Company, the first contract egg production company in Alabama. Appleton was the first president of Alabama Poultry Industry Association, serving three terms, and he was one of the two initial inductees in the Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame. In recognition of his dedication and contributions to Alabama 4-H programs, Appleton’s biographical information was included in the Book of Memories when the 4-H Center Chapel was dedicated in 1991.

Instrumental in organizing Auburn’s Poultry Science Club, Cottier served many years as its advisor and was

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January/February 2011

Dr. John Cottier and Catherine Cottier Darby accept the award for their father “Doc” Cottier

a member of numerous national and international organizations related to poultry science and veterinary medicine. In 1959, Cottier was awarded an honorary state farmer degree in recognition of his work with the FFA poultry judging teams. Cottier served as the faculty advisor of Sigma Phi Epsilon from 1938 until his death in 1989 and, in 1969, received the fraternity’s highest honor, the Order of the Golden Heart. In 1968, he was awarded the Poultry Science Association’s Ralston Purina Teaching Award. Former students described Cottier as a man who set an example and presented a challenge to his students.

Perhaps his greatest love was for those students at Auburn. He was legendary for his uncanny ability to learn every student’s name by the third day of class – and for remembering it for decades.

Other individuals recognized included Jerry Newby of Athens and president of Alfa Insurance, represented the agribusiness sector of agriculture; Dallas Hartzog, a retired Alabama Cooperative Extension specialist of Headland, represented the education/government sector of agriculture; and Harold Pate of Lowndesboro, a leader in the state and national cattle industry, represented production agriculture.

The evening was a great success, with moving video presentations on each of the five award recipients. There were more than 200 in attendance.

The Ag Alumni Hall of Honor was established in 1984. The awards banquet is held each year in conjunction with the association’s annual meeting.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Membership News

Peco Foods to Acquire Townsends Poultry Complex in Batesville, Ark.

Physical assets and selected inventories included in acquisition

TUSCALOOSA – Peco Foods, Inc. has contracted to acquire the physical assets of the Batesville, Ark., poultry complex owned by Townsends, Inc. and subsidiaries.

In addition to the plant, feed mill and hatchery facilities, Peco will purchase selected inventories, according to an announcement by Mark Hickman, CEO of the Tuscaloosa, Alabama-based poultry company.

“We are pleased to add the Townsend Foods complex in northeast Arkansas to our operations,” Hickman said Friday.

“The Batesville plant is very similar to our complex in Sebastopol, Mississippi, and will fit seamlessly with our overall market strategy and growth plan.”

Like Peco Foods, Townsends, Inc. is a third-generation, familyowned poultry processor. Founded in 1891, Townsends filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy late last year, and the assets were sold at auction earlier

this week. Mark Hickman said the transaction will close February 25, and there will be a quick transition to production in Batesville under the new Peco ownership. “This is an ideal opportunity for us to expand our production capacity at the right time in Peco’s history,” Hickman said. “It is a very positive move for our company.”

Peco Foods is a family-owned business with four kill plants, two further processing plants, four hatcheries, and four feed mills located in Alabama and Mississippi.

FFA Chapters in seven States to Compete for Connections with Local Farmers, Share of $225,000 in Monsanto Sponsored Incentives

INDIANAPOLIS – FFA chapters in seven states have begun efforts to make new and stronger connections with their local farmers and earn their share of more than $225,000 in incentives provided by Monsanto.

The 2011 FFA Chapter Challenge encourages members of FFA chapters in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Georgia and Alabama to reach out to their community’s farmers, learn about their operations, engage them and bond them with FFA. Confirmation of each participating chapter’s connection with local farmers must be registered by farmers online at www.FFAChapterChallenge.com or by calling the National FFA Organization at 800-293-2387.

The deadline for farmers to confirm connections is May 1. FFA chapter winners will be announced

by May 15.

The top 125 FFA chapters that make the most connections with farmers will receive a $1,500 certificate of credit from the National

FFA Organization. Chapters can use the credit throughout the year to buy FFA member jackets, merchandise, awards, banquet supplies and more. Chapters can also use the funds to pay member costs associated with attending the organization’s largest annual events, the Washington Leadership Conference and national FFA convention.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for students to reach out to people in their community who make their living in agriculture and forge strong, meaningful relationships,” said Rob Cooper, executive director of the National FFA Foundation.

The foundation secures funding through corporate sponsorships and private contributions for FFA and agriculture education in general.

“Monsanto’s support of this initiative will most definitely help build support of local FFA chapters and ultimately help develop tomorrow’s agriculture industry leaders.”

Only FFA chapters in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Georgia and Alabama are eligible to

Alabama Poultry Magazine

participate. More than 1,700 FFA chapters and their combined 117,824 FFA members can take part in the FFA Chapter Challenge.

The chapter that makes the most connections among the top 125 chapters that participate in the 2011 FFA Chapter Challenge will be awarded a grand prize – an allexpenses-paid trip for six FFA members and one adult advisor to October’s National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. The grand prize has an actual retail value of $6,500.

“We’re committed to youth in agriculture at Monsanto because we know agriculture will only be as strong as its next generation,” said John Raines, vice president of customer advocacy for Monsanto. “We are proud to sponsor the National FFA organization and the FFA Chapter Challenge to help local chapters build new and stronger relationships with farmers.”

For more about the FFA visit http://www.ffa.org.

January/ February 2011

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Alltech’s Annual Symposium Changes the Game in 2011

LEXINGTON, KY – Whether in sports competition or the game of life, there are turning points that elevate the underdog to victory, redefining the anonymous as the unforgettable. In the face of mounting challenges, how does one identify and seize these pivotal moments to create a catalyst for success? In Lexington, Ky., from May 2225, 2011, Alltech’s 27th Annual International Animal Health and Nutrition Symposium will be dedicated to just such a pursuit, exploring The Game Changers for the animal health and feed industries.

“Today’s challenges signal that it’s time to rewrite the playbook,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech. “Raw materials are becoming rare materials. Least-cost rations are but one example of failed strategy. Sustainability is questionable with con-

ventional practices, and consumer confidence is tepid at best.”

Alltech’s 2011 International Symposium is intended to be an industry time-out, providing opportunities for professionals to huddle in specialized breakout sessions – including aquaculture, beef, dairy, equine, poultry, pig production, pet food, regulatory, food quality, traceability, and communication in agriculture. All sessions will be dedicated to the open discussion of creative game-changing strategies for revolutionizing industry practices and thus redefining its future.

“The clock is ticking. Our planet is expected to reach its 9 billion inhabitants apex by 2050,” said Dr. Lyons.

“There is hope, however, for gamechangers that will enable us to generate sustainable profitability, innovatively use new raw materials, and add value

MEMPHIS, TENN. – International Paper has announced the launch of its new ClimaShield™ Poultry product, a wax alternative recyclable corrugated packaging technology developed by International Paper specifically for the poultry industry supply chain.

ClimaShield technology, available exclusively from International Paper, is the next generation in fully repulpable and recyclable wax alternative barrier processes in its ClimaSeries® wax alternative product line. ClimaShield technology allows the poultry industry to take advantage of an environmentally friendly moisture barrier that can be customized to specific environments. Corrugated containers treated with ClimaShield are 100 percent recyclable and can be sold into the Old Corrugated Container (OCC) recovery stream.

“International Paper is capitalizing on more than 10 years of ex-

perience in wax replacement technology and over the past few years, we have implemented technological breakthroughs that have taken this expertise to a whole new level,” said Jimmy Fielding, International Paper poultry segment business manager. “We believe ClimaShield is the next logical step in meeting customer needs for petroleum based wax alternatives.”

International Paper offers a broad line of wax and wax-alternative technologies for the poultry and red meat packaging market. In addition, the company can supply packaging for top-ice/ice pack, offal, modified atmosphere, bulk and retail applications.

“With the increasing focus on removing packaging containing petroleum-based wax from landfills, the ClimaSeries product line matches water and moisture barrier technology to the supply chain of our customers,” said Chad Fowler,

to conventional agricultural products all while maintaining resources for our planet.”

Of particular note, plenary and breakout sessions will include focused discussion on programmed nutrition; technology to maximize release of nutrients from DDGs and other feedstuffs; formulation to minimize nutrient waste; branding nutrition; sustainability strategies; and the use of new media in communicating directly with the consumer. The prestigious Medal of Excellence and Alltech Young Scientist Awards will also be presented during the Symposium.

For further information, including a full agenda with topics and speakers, and to register, please visit www.alltech.com/symposium. Join in the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag: #AlltechSymposium.

IP Announces ClimaShield Poultry, a New Wax Alternative Product

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January/February 2011

International Paper protein segment marketing manager. “Corrugated packaging utilizing ClimaSeries technologies are recyclable and repulpable and can be sold as OCC (old corrugated containers), a winwin for our customers and the environment.”

International Paper’s corrugated packaging business has dedicated a major portion of its resources to the poultry industry. As a result of an almost 50 year commitment, the company is one of the largest suppliers of corrugated shipping containers in the industry. Its team of experts takes pride in delivering ways to minimize cost and create innovative solutions throughout the supply chain.

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Aviagen Shows Customers “How To” Aviagen, the world’s leading poultry breeding company, has released a series of ‘How To’ guides looking at the hatching and incubation process. This series is designed to be a practical tool for hatchery workers and features the latest technology, research and techniques gathered by Aviagen’s Hatchery Support Team.

The documents are already being distributed to customers and feedback so far has been excellent.

The documents are extremely user-friendly and have been designed to be simple to follow, providing practical advice and tips on how to get the best quality chicks from your hatchery. Another design feature is the handy hanging rings and laminated finish, enabling them to be easily cleaned and stored inside the hatchery itself, rather than in an office, allowing for quick access and reference.

Dinah Nicholson, global manager, hatchery development and support, explained: The key areas covered are: “Previous technical pieces • Measuring egg water loss have looked at what a customer should do to improve • Measuring chick yield performance but not always • Measuring egg shell temperature how.

These new guides give • Identifying infertile eggs and early deads practical advice and tips • Break out and analyze hatch debris and include specific details

20

January/February 2011

on how to interpret results and make changes depending on the outcomes.

“Feedback so far has been extremely positive and these documents are very popular. Because each document looks at one specific area of the hatchery they are very easy to use as a practical working guide.”

The How To documents form part of Aviagen’s on-going support for customers, partners and distributors, including regular newsletters, seminars, webinars and visits to customer facilities to see best practice in action.

Like most of Aviagen’s recent technical offerings, the How Tos are available in a number of different languages – please see www.aviagen.com for details.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

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Ken Macklin and Joe Giambrone Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University

Biosecurity literally means the safety of living things. In animal agriculture it means protecting livestock from being exposed to any infectious agent, such as: viruses, bacteria, fungi, mycoplasma, and external/internal parasites. Biosecurity plans can be as comprehensive or simple as you can make it. One thing to take into consideration is that a failure in biosecurity can be disastrous. The main thing to consider about a biosecurity plan is that all of the above mentioned infectious agents need a way to enter the farm and the more entry points that are disrupted the less likely an infectious agent will enter the farm.

Keeping bait stations full and clean is Keep that in mind important to a good biosecurity plan. It when designing or is also important to rotate the classes following a bioseof rodenticides so resistance does not curity plan. There develop. are four points to a good biosecurity program they are: Isolation, Traffic Control, Sanitation, and Recognizing Warning Signs.

Below we will go over each one of these points in more detail, starting with Isolation.

Isolation is keeping your animals as far apart from any other potential carrier of disease. Carriers can be people, insects, animals, equipment and even dust! Trying to completely eliminate all potential carriers is difficult, but there are several fairly easy steps that can be put into place. To minimize entry into the poultry house by pests all holes should be plugged and the doors kept closed. To further discourage pests a 10-foot perimeter around the poultry house should be established, in this area the grass should be kept short and any potential hiding places removed. By doing this, pests will be dis-

22

couraged from coming near the poultry house, which will remove the temptation for them to enter the poultry house. Also rotating rodenticides and insecticides on a regular basis will help eliminate some of the pests that do come in. In addition to rodents and insects; wild birds, other livestock and pets should be kept outside the 10-foot perimeter, this will further isolate the chickens and further reduce the chance of disease transmission.

Traffic control is essentially minimizing the number of people that enter the farm. This is important, since they may be unwitting carriers of diseases causing organisms. Post no trespassing signs; this will let people know that this is your livelihood and that there are certain procedures that need to be followed before entering the poultry farm. When not on the farm, lock doors and gates; this will keep curious people from entering the farm to look around. If people do have to enter the farm make sure they put on disposable shoe covers and overalls. Additionally they should sign a log book, so that you can keep track of who has been on the farm and where they have been prior to coming on your farm in case there is a problem. Having footbaths and a way to sanitize hands at every poultry house is also essential to minimize the spread of pathogens. People working on the farm should change clothes and wash up when leaving the farm and when they come back onto the farm.

Sanitation should be performed on all equipment on the farm after every growout. Proper sanitation requires removing all the organic material on the equipment.

Using a pressure washer or sprayer will increase the penetration of the sanitizer. In addition, rotating the type of sanitizers two to three times a year will maximize Having signs is a good way to let people know that you have a biosecurity plan and that they need to seek out the farmer before entering the premises.

Practical Applications their effectiveness against disease causing microorganisms. When equipment is brought onto the farm it should be thoroughly sanitized, again with a pressure washer.

When the equipment is to be taken off of the farm it should be cleaned and sanitized, you do want to borrow the equipment again. Whoever is getting the equipment should sanitize it again; you can never be too safe. Vehicles that enter the farm should have their tires sanitized.

This can be performed using a hand held sprayer filled with sanitizer and spraying the tires or by a pressure washer. By doing this it will reduce the chance that infected dust will enter the farm. Once more when the vehicle leaves the tires should be sprayed again.

The final point for biosecurity is to know your chickens. Walk the house two or more times a day, removing all mortalities, properly disposing of them, and observing the chickens for any warning signs. By observing the chickens, it is possible to catch a disease early on and report it before it becomes too serious. In general sick birds lack energy; have poor appetites; have watery/green diarrhea; may exhibit sneezing; gasping for air; coughing; nasal discharge; discoloration of the wattles, combs or hocks; swelling on the neck and head or swelling around the eyes; drooping wings; tremors; twisting of the neck or head; lack of movement, etc.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January/ February 2011

23

Eliminating LT from Poultry Farms Ken Macklin and Joe Giambrone Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University

It has been several years since infectious laryngotracheitis (LT or ILT) has been a significant problem in Alabama. This disease has reappeared primarily in the northeastern part of Alabama. LT virus (V) is a highly contagious, respiratory pathogen of poultry, which results in serious economic losses. It is transmitted by direct contact with infected chickens or by being carried into a healthy house by a carrier. A carrier can be an infected bird, a person who has been working on or around an infected flock or carrier animal, insects, and rodents.

Signs of disease typically do not appear until 7-14 days after exposure to the virus. Typical clinical signs are consistent to what is seen with other respiratory diseases (swollen, watery almond shape eyes; swollen sinuses; nasal discharge). In severe cases chickens will have labored (open mouth breathing) breathing, sneezing, coughing, and a bloody mucous discharge. The severe form can lead to death due to suffocation, whereas the mild form leads to decreased bird live performance.

Fortunately the severe form of the disease rarely develops in our area. Clinical signs alone are not enough for identifying the disease, since clinical signs and gross lesions often overlap with other common respiratory pathogens. In Alabama suspect birds are delivered to the Alabama State Diagnostic Laboratory System for confirmation using a molecular technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus isolation and histological examination.

The best way to control this disease is to prevent it, by having in place a good biosecurity plan (no trespassing signs, fences, car and foot baths, bird and rat proof houses, etc.). However even the best biosecurity plan is not 100 percent effective in preventing the disease from developing. In addition to biosecurity, vaccination and proper house disinfecA difficulty in breathing is char- tion are two additional acteristic of ILTV infection, as ways of controlling LT. well as most other respiratory inLive vaccines are typifections. cally controlled by the

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January/February 2011

State Veterinarian and only performed on flocks that have LT or nearby flocks, which potentially may become infected with the disease. Disin- Example of almond eyes, which fection of a house that is characteristic of ILTV infechad LT typically involves tion. heating the house, washing or blowing down the dust (giving special attention to ventilation openings) windrow composting the litter, and then reuse or removal of the litter. These treatments work most of the time; however there have been instances where the subsequent flock developed LT. In addition, vaccination of broilers with live vaccines is expensive and can results in reactions, which reduce weight, gain and feed conversion, and increase condemnation rates. Although newer molecular based vaccines do not induce reactions, their efficacy is still controversial.

At Auburn University we have examined several ways to reduce LT in poultry houses. The methods we have studied so far are: windrow composting for five days, heating the litter to 100oF, applying commonly available litter treatments at 50lbs/1000 ft2, and disinfecting water lines.

Testing the effectiveness of reducing LTV in the litter by windrow composting has been mentioned previously in this magazine. To summarize, we found that by piling up LTV contaminated litter, into a windrow compost pile and letting it sit for five days destroyed the virus. Contaminated litter that was not windrowed still had active virus after five days. What this means is that the process of windrowing was effective in destroying the LTV, while letting the litter sit idle allowed the virus to remain active in the litter.

Another study performed at Auburn involved heating LTV contaminated litter 100oF for 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 144 hours. While the heating study was being performed some additional contaminated litter was left at room temperature (70oF) for 144 hours. We found that all heated litter samples did not contain live LTV, whereas the unheated litter samples had LTV and infected birds raised on that litter.

At Auburn we have examined the effectiveness of three common acidifying commercial litter treatments in destroying the LTV. All three litter treatments were applied at the rate of 50 lbs/1000 ft2 and thoroughly mixed into the LTV contaminated litter. After five days

Alabama Poultry Magazine

at room temperature the litter treatments were able to destroy the virus. Similar to the above mentioned studies, LTV contaminated litter that did not have the litter treatments added and that were kept at room temperature for five days did have active virus and was able to produce the mild form of LT in birds. This showed that unlike the other two groups in which heat was either produced by the composting litter or was applied to the litter by means of heaters, changing the litter pH was able to inactivate the virus. The three litter treatments used all lowered the litter pH and this acidifying of the litter inactivated the virus.

More recent work performed at Auburn has shown that the LTV can survive in the slime typically found inside many poultry house water lines. This slime is known as biofilm and is made of bacteria and proteins and offers protection from the environment for microorganisms like LTV. Biofilms are difficult to remove and if the water lines are not properly sanitized it is pos-

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sible that the microorganisms may infect subsequent flocks. Studies performed at Auburn using citric acid, bleach, a commercial hydrogen peroxide based water line cleaner and a commercial based sodium hydrogen sulfate water line cleaner were performed to determine how well they removed LTV containing biofilms in water lines. What was observed was that the two commercial products were effective in removing LTV from the water lines, whereas bleach and citric acid had no effect. It had also been shown that the two commercial products removed the biofilm, while the other two products had no effect on biofilm.

The above mentioned methods of destroying LT are routinely being performed by many growers, though typically as part of their standard operating procedures.

These methods are effective in reducing the incidence and severity of many diseases on poultry farms. However, if a house is contaminated with LTV it is our recommendation to perform a combination of treatments.

Continued on pg. 30

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Don’t Allow Your House to Get “Snowed Under”

By Dennis Brothers, Jess Campbell, Jim Donald and Gene Simpson National Poultry Technology Center, Auburn University

The collapse of a poultry house is a devastating event to all involved. What causes one roof to collapse when the one beside it, built the same, of similar materials and with similar methods, still stands?

The question of whether a given poultry house roof is likely to fail under snow load can only be answered by visually inspecting the attic of the house before snow arrives.

This article focuses on key tips on inspecting house roof systems to detect weaknesses that could lead to a snow disaster, as well as providing guidelines for dealing with snow when it does arrive.

Since heavy snow is a seldom occurring event in Alabama, the question of how to deal with or prepare for snow events is very seldom at the top of the list of questions we get from Alabama growers. However, when a snow of any magnitude does occur, as has happened this winter, the question becomes urgent. Many growers are now asking, “What should I do to alleviate snow loads on my chicken house and keep it from being damaged or even collapsing?”

This question is best answered before the fact, so that one may have a “game plan” ready and in place before the event occurs. There are many factors that all tie into the answer to the main question and will need to be examined further. As anyone with poultry houses knows, when one thing is done, it often affects several other things, some of which can have detrimental results.

First, a grower needs to know how much snow load the poultry house was designed and built to withstand – and make sure, through regular inspection and repairs, if needed, that the house can still meet that standard.

Second, a grower should have some knowledge of snow loading factors to be able to judge the actual weight on

the roof if and when snow does arrive. These steps provide the basis for making appropriate decisions about what to do – and what not to do – when a heavy snow comes down.

Is My House Ready for Snow?

Every poultry grower needs to have intimate knowledge of the condition of the roof system of their houses.

The age and overall integrity of the truss system is important to know, not only in a snow loading situation, but for the wind and rain that are affecting the roof year round. Any weaknesses can cause the roof system to be compromised in such a way as to make the roof more vulnerable to snow loading.

The key word here is “system.” The trusses, truss bracing, purlins and metal all work together to make a roof system. If any one of these parts is compromised, the entire system could be in jeopardy. The only way to know what is going on with the system is to visually inspect the attic on a regular basis. It is recommended that at least once a year, a grower enter the attic of each house and have a look around. While it is wise to check

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January/ February 2011

27

This is a close-up photo of a roof truss gang nailing plate. Notice the metal plate separating from the lumber truss member, especially at the top of this picture. If the house is put under a heavy snow load, this loosened truss plate coud lead to failure of the truss, which in turn could cause the entire roof to fail. Routine inspection of truss plates for damage or loosening, and prompt repairs if such problems are found, is essential to avoid potential snow disaster.

Photos above show the heavy attic condensation that can be caused by opening attic access panels. Warm and moist bird air condensing on roofing panels, as in left photo, will lead to premature rusting. Drips onto lumber, as in the photo of the purlin at right, lead to premature rotting of the roof support structure. Condensation can also cause major damage to insulation. Opening attic panels is not likely to melt enough snow off the roof to be worth taking the risk of major condensation damage.

every part of the attic, particular attention should be paid to several high risk areas: 1. where heavy equipment loads are attached, 2. the end wall and adjacent trusses, and 3. the middle 1/3 section of the house.

Growers need to be inspecting the metal gang nail fasteners of the trusses in particular. Inspect them for any sign of loosening or bending out of the truss. Also check these for corrosion. Next, attention should be paid to the straightness of each member of the truss – top/bottom chords and bracing. Any bowing or warping of a member can spell problems to come. Checking for signs of leaks in the roof is also best done from the attic.

Leaks cause corrosion and rot if left long term. Close inspection of the purlins can reveal leaks and loose fasteners.

Remember that all the roof is a system, any breakdown at any one part can weaken the entire system.

Such weaknesses are amplified under a snow load situ-

ation. If any deficiencies in the roof system are found, contact a reputable building contractor and/or truss manufacturer and pursue repairs immediately. Knowing the integrity of the roof system is important when making the decision of what to do in a snow load situation.

Exactly How Heavy Is That Snow Load?

Growers need to have an understanding of how much snow weight their buildings are withstanding. The weight difference of light/dry snow verses wet snow verses ice is substantial, and growers must consider the type of snow load on the house, along with the roof snow loading design capability, when making a decision for action. Most newer construction in Alabama since 2005 was designed with 10 lbs/square foot of roof area for “ground snow load.” Older construction, particularly roofs with a 4/12 pitch, may not be able to withstand that much snow load. The table below shows the number of inches of each type of “snow load” a Equivalent inches of snow/ice load-bearing capability typical poultry house can withstand. For example, an older house with a snow loading design capability of Light/Dry Heavy/Wet Roof Design Ice Water snow snow 5 lbs/sq ft should be able to stand up to almost 20 5 lbs/sq ft 19.2 inches 2.9 inches 1.0 inch 1.0 inch inches of light, dry snow, but is likely to fail under less than three inches of heavy, wet snow. Notice 10 lbs/sq ft 38.4 inches 5.8 inches 2.1 inches 1.9 inches also that ice is significantly heavier than even wet snow.

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If a house roof system is compromised in any way, the amount a roof can withstand will be significantly reduced. Knowing the condition of the house roof system, a grower can take the information from the table, estimate how much snow load his house may be able to withstand, and decide if anything needs to be done and how urgent the action needs to be. There is also a time factor calculated into the design loads for trusses. The longer the snow remains on the house, the more stressed the roof becomes.

What Are the Best Ways to Deal With a Heavy Snow Load?

Once it is decided that a house may be in jeopardy, the question is what to do to avoid damage. A lot of houses in the Alabama have not just a single attic access point but what have been called “snow holes” – multiple attic access panels cut into the ceilings, commonly placed at about 80-foot intervals and usually 3 feet square with various kinds of movable panels inside as a barrier between bird space and the attic. The question is: “Should growers open these panels, allowing warm bird air into the attic, thereby warming that space and hopefully melting the snow off the roof?”

This sounds easy enough but there is more to it than what is seen at first glance. Proper exploration of the scenario needs to be done. The overriding concern is condensation. With attic spaces having temperatures often 50 degrees less than the bird space and typically with low humidity, allowing warm moist “bird air” to flow into that space will cause massive condensation.

As this warm air loaded with moisture from the birds and drinkers comes in contact with the cold surfaces in the attic, it offloads that moisture onto everything in the attic. All the trusses, purlins, metal roofing and insulation get a coating of water. It could be described as “turning the fogger nozzles on in the attic.” This can be none too beneficial to the otherwise dry lumber and detrimental to ceiling insulation.

The other fact to analyze is the spacing of access panels. At one every 80 feet, you are not going to get an even heating of the attic space. On a typical 500-foot house, you will have five panels. Therefore you will have five areas that receive the bulk of the warm air and the bulk of the moisture. The roof may only get five relatively small areas of snow melting from this warm air.

It may also get five areas of insulation severely compressed from moisture. The untreated, kiln dried lumber in the attic will also soak up some of this moisture.

This can cause wood grain expansion. The following summer, when the attic reaches 140 degrees and more, the wood will again dry out and contract. The more this expansion/contraction occurs, the more every fastener becomes loose – this means purlins, braces and gang nails holding the trusses together can become loose. Untreated wood and moisture do not make good partners.

Growers need to consider carefully the impact of opening the attic panels before they expose such a structurally important area as the chicken house attic to excess moisture.

Someone may say “but if it means saving my house, I’ll risk it this one time.” This thought might be valid.

However, it should lead a grower to consider an obvious question: will it actually do any good, will it really melt enough snow off to help the situation? The answer – it is possible but not probable. Positive outcome will depend on several factors: weakness of your existing trusses; the amount of snow; is there ice; snow or a mixture; how heavy is the snow; what is the outside temperature; amount of ridge vent space, etc. It’s possible that opening the access panels may be of some help. But if the pitch is 4/12 (more prone to weakness), there is 6 inches of heavy, snow/ice mixture on the roof and it’s still 20 degrees F outside – then opening the attic might not melt enough snow to do any good and your house might still collapse. If you open the access panels and have no collapse, the attic will have been exposed to excess condensation for no reason. The snow that will melt will be at the peak and likely only those areas above the access panels. If there is a heavy enough blanket of snow, then that may not help much. Most experts think opening the access panels to try to save a house is of little value.

While Alabama poultry growers do not have to worry about these things that often, and too often find themselves unprepared, northern growers are usually well prepared for snow. One tool they will likely have is a roof rake. They use long-handled roof rakes to pull snow off the roof of dwellings and outbuildings. This could be a better solution to the problem – physical removal of snow from the chicken house roof. If 4 to 6 feet of snow can be pulled off the lower part of the house roof, that will relieve the house of much weight and also allow for the snow above it to have a place to slide to, possibly off the house entirely, when the damming effect of the lower snow is removed.

There are risks to be concerned with here, not the least of which is being hit with an avalanche of falling snow load. Care must be taken to avoid being “snowed

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January/ February 2011

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Continued from pg. 29 under.” It would never be advisable to get on the roof to push snow off. The risk of slipping and falling is obvious and the risk of adding that “one straw of weight that breaks the camel’s back” must also be considered.

A strong word of caution must be stated before any action is taken in or around a house in jeopardy – If it is suspected that collapse is imminent, do not risk injury in attempt to save the house. If the house looks like it is about to fall, or popping and creaking can be heard, it is best to abandon efforts and not risk human casualty.

This word of caution emphasizes the need for prior planning and the need for regular inspection to discover and address potential problems with the roof system before catastrophe strikes.

Continued from pg. 23 One thing to remember about preparing of and following a biosecurity plan is that this is your livelihood and even a mild disease can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars so there is no such thing as too much planning when it comes to biosecurity! Remember biosecurity pays!

Continued from pg. 26 The first thing is windrow compost the litter, than heat the house to 100oF for at least 24 hours. The windrow pile should kill most of the virus in the litter and heating the house should destroy residual virus in the rest of the house. New research now shows that turning the compost pile and heating the second time is more efficient in killing the virus and helping with ammonia control for the next flock. Heating the house alone may be insufficient since the heat may not penetrate completely through the litter, as is done with windrow composting.

Additionally heating the house will inactive virus particles that may be in the dust. An alternative to heating the house would be to sanitize a house before pilling the litter. Any sanitizer that is effective against viruses would be sufficient. A commercial water line sanitizer designed to remove biofilm from the water system should also be used in the poultry house, since the virus can reside in the water lines. Additionally a good rodent, insect, and wild bird control program should be in place.

Work at Auburn has shown that LTV can reside in darkling beetles for up to three weeks after the birds have been removed. So having an effective program to reduce darkling beetles is important to prevent recurrence of the disease. Although there is no guarantee that LT will not reoccur; following these suggestions, as well as performing a good disinfection of the farm should reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence of this and other diseases.

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It is always better to avoid the damage potential rather than have to deal with an emergency situation.

However, if the emergency is unavoidable, then the methods discussed here can be considered. Only the grower can make that decision correctly and only when considering all the circumstances and factors involved.

Conclusion

The financial bottom line for a snow disaster, neartotal destruction of the house and loss of an entire flock of chickens, is almost incalculable. The bottom line with respect to avoiding a snow disaster is prevention. Inspection and repair before the snow event is critical. A game plan must be in place.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS AP&EA“Big Bass” Fishing Tournament Lake Guntersville May 13, 2011

AP&EA Convention Golf Tournament

AP&EA “Evening of Fun” June 3, 2011

June 4, 2011 Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex

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Alabama Poultry Magazine

pg. 26 pg. 4 pg. 20 pg. 23 pg. 20 pg. 31 pg. 23 pg. 25 pg. 10 pg. 5 pg. 25 Backcover