Alabama Poultry, January/February 2012

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

January/February 2012 – Vol. 7 No. 1

Board of Directors Officers Spence Jarnagin, President, Huntsville* Johnny Adcock, Vice President, Woodland* Randall Ennis, Treasurer, Huntsville* Dale Gambrill, Secretary, Snead* John Pittard, Immediate Past President, Guntersville* Directors Ronnie Adrian, Collinsville George Attwood, Anniston Fred Cespedes, Hanceville Cory Early, Decatur Tim Esslinger, Eufaula* Billy Gilley, Cullman Harold Hunt, Gadsden* Heath Loyd, Boaz David Massey, Montgomery Dennis Maze, Horton Todd McMahen, Dothan Dr. Shannon Morgan, Birmingham John Pastrana, Russellville Mitchell Pate, Auburn Mike Pigg, Cullman John Roberts, Cullman Kenneth Sanders, Brundidge Roddy Sanders, Gordo Jason Shell, Gadsden Jack Sherwood, Troy Jason Spann, Hanceville Ken Taylor, Anniston 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 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.

w w w. a l a b a m a p o u l t r y. o r g

MES S AG E

Executive Director’s

Dear Friends, The Legislature is back in session, and much is in a state of flux. We are awaiting clarification on a number of issues involving the immigration reform bill passed during the last session. Some modification is obviously needed, but all of that is uncertain at this point. We are working with Sen. Arthur Orr (Decatur) in an effort to fully fund the CAFO budget so that registration fees are not imposed. There are also a number of HSUS sponsored bills involving animal rights that we are closely monitoring and will keep you informed on.

Keeping you informed is something that we are striving to do more effectively. Our magazine helps, but to get you information on a timely basis we have beefed-up our website, www.alabamapoultry.org and we are now on Facebook. Membership Director Ray Hilburn and Communications Director Huck Carroll have been speaking to every county association meeting and collecting email addresses so that we can keep you informed on the issues that affect your farm and family. We encourage you to send in your email addresses or let us know if your address changes.

I would also like to recognize the one-year anniversary of Ray Hilburn coming to the Association as membership director. His experience as a poultry grower, his work with the Alabama Department of Agriculture plus his dedication to the industry make him an invaluable asset. We are fortunate indeed to have Ray working with us.

We are also fortunate to have rising Nashville recording star, Josh Turner, as our featured entertainer at our annual “Evening of Fun,” on Saturday, June 9, 2012. Couple that with the return of “The Heather Hayes Experience” for our after the show dance and we have a winning venue. Our EOF Grower Seminar will focus on disaster preparedness.Ticket sales are already well underway.

For you golfers, our annual EOF Golf Tournament will again be held at the beautiful Limestone Springs Golf Course on June 8.

It’s going to be an “Evening of Fun” to remember. We hope to see you there.

Featuring This Issue Governmental Affairs Association News Evening of Fun 2012 International Poultry Expo Dr. Fred Hoerr Tunes-Up For Retirement Member News Recipes Practical Applications Calendar of Events

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Governmental Affairs

Fight Fire with Fire Regarding Animal Handling MeatPoultry.com, Feb. 29, 2012

by Bryan Salvage

Humane animal handling should be a no-brainer. First and foremost, it is the right thing to do from a moral standpoint — and it is also the right thing to do from a business standpoint. Carefully cared-for animals ultimately become top-quality products customers and consumers are seeking and demanding.

Yet despite humane animal handling conferences and training sessions being held year after year throughout industry, there have been an alarming number of media reports in recent months regarding undercover video being taken of alleged animal abuse at farms and slaughter plants by various groups.

In mid-February, six Butterball turkey farm workers in Hoke County, N.C., were arrested on animal-abuse charges after an undercover video depicted animal abuse. These arrests happened following the release of an undercover video taken by Mercy for Animals, an animal rights group. After viewing the undercover video, Hoke County law enforcement officials raided the farm on Dec. 28, 2011.

More recently, two pork production facilities in Oklahoma, one owned by Shawnee Mission, Kans., based Seaboard Foods and another by Clinton, N.C., based Prestage Farms, were targeted by undercover videos taken by the Humane Society of the United States.

The breeding facilities in the videos were reportedly in Goodwell, Okla.

Video footage, reportedly taken in late 2011, was released on Jan. 31 by HSUS depicting what the group called “prolonged suffering of pigs used for breeding who are confined in cages so small the animals can’t even turn around.” HSUS claimed in a press release that unsanitary and cruel conditions inside the crates caused injuries to some animals featured in the videos while resulting in the death of other pigs. The group claimed the investiga-

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tion and footage was taken during 30 days at the Seaboard facility and 14 days at the Prestage facility.

HSUS next filed legal complaints with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as well as the Federal Trade Commission, stating using gestation stalls contradicts Seaboard’s claims that its animal welfare programs are sound. Seaboard Foods disputed the abuse allegations on Jan. 31, saying it follows industry protocols and practices for animal welfare.

In late February, the Center for Food Integrity (CFI) announced it had created an Animal Care Review Panel to review and assess the footage featured in an increasing number of undercover video investigations at livestock farms. Consisting of animal-welfare experts, the panel will examine video footage and communicate their findings to the public. Although this process has been established initially for the pork industry, CFI said it is prepared to work with other animal protein segments.

This is a positive next step to educate the entire food chain as to what constitutes real animal abuse.

Regarding a recent release of video footage from an Iowa hog operation by Compassion Over Killing, a panel consisting of animal-handling expert Dr. Temple Grandin, Colorado State Univ.; Dr. Candace Croney, Purdue Univ.; and Dr. Tom Burkgren, American Association of Swine Veterinarians reviewed the video. They concluded most of what was depicted was not considered abusive and was part of normally accepted production practices. Some scenes would require more footage for the panel to draw accurate conclusions, they said.

Operating independently, the Animal Care Review Panel’s reviews, assessments, recommendations and reports will not be submitted to the pork industry for review or approval. CFI’s only role is to facilitate the review

process and release the panel’s findings.

Some in the industry have questioned if some of these underground videos are legitimate or if they had been doctored somehow by various groups to plant in the public’s mind the perception of animal abuse. That will be for the authorities and courts to decide.

But whenever animal abuse is found and proven to be legitimate, those found beyond a doubt to be responsible for such abuse should be, at the very least, fired and then prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Likewise, if any undercover videos are found to be fraudulent in anyway, those responsible for producing the videos should also be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

And then there’s the question of what to do about those who have gained access to a business to take undercover videos by being hired under false pretenses. Seems to me this would be illegal and should not be simply dismissed.

And companies also should take legal steps to make such a practice less attractive for those considering such moves.

It’s clear that operators of slaughtering facilities as well as producers must conduct business following humane animal handling policies and not just provide lip service that it is being accomplished. This requires top management to be directly involved to ensure humane animal handling is taking place on a daily basis. Video monitoring of live animal operations is one good way to help accomplish this goal. Not only will it keep top management in the loop, it may also catch someone in the shadows taking undercover videos.

Operate your slaughtering facilities and holding pens under the premise that undercover cameras are always onpremises and do everything possible to render the activists’ undercover videos as simply nothing more than proof that your business “walks the walk” when it comes to upholding animal welfare standards.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Alabama Ag Leaders Get a Poultry Lesson Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan knows a lot more about Alabama’s poultry industry after his January tour of poultry processing facilities and poultry farms.

Though the commissioner has a strong agribusiness background, his poultry experience was limited.

AP&EA Membership Director Ray Hilburn set up the tour to give Commissioner McMillan and other agricultural leaders an opportunity to get a closer look at Alabama’s number one agricultural industry.

On the morning of Jan. 5, Commissioner McMillan, accompanied by Alabama Cooperative Extension System Director Dr. Gary Lemme, ACES Associate Director Dr. Paul Brown and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier; along with AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams and Ray Hilburn visited

the Tyson Foods processing plant in Albertville. That afternoon they also toured the Keystone Foods further processing plant in Gadsden.

The next day they visited the Koch Foods hatchery in Greenville, a Koch breeder farm in Butler County and then traveled to a Koch pullet farm in Crenshaw County. After lunch, the tour rolled on to visit the Hilburn & Sons broiler farm in Luverne, where they donned biosecurity suits to see day-old chicks.

The tour’s final stop was at Michael Whiddon’s broiler farm. Whiddon, who is the broiler manager for Koch Foods Montgomery, has one of the most stateof-the-art poultry growing complexes in the state with two 66’ x 600’ houses.

The Association appreciates the efforts of all the participants and industry facilitators in making the tour a successful learning experience. Thank you, all!

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Keystone Foods in Gadsden

Ray Hilburn explains a control panel

Michael Whiddon and the commissioner

January / February 2012

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Association News

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January / February 2012

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January / February 2012

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Announcing

Emerson Cooper Shell Cooper, the son of AP&EA Support Director Jennifer Shell and her husband, Jonathan, was born on December 30, 2011. He was 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 18.5 inches long.

Cooper’s older brother, Noah, at 2, isn’t real sure yet, but held his little brother, under parental supervision, for the first time recently.

Proud grandparents are John and Dianne Roberts of Cullman and Ron and Jerry Shell of Millbrook.

Congratulations, Jennifer and Jonathan!

Hilburn Poultry Farm Gets Award Hilburn & Sons Poultry Farm in Luverne was recognized as Pilgrim’s Grower of the Month for November of 2011.

Hilburn & Sons Poultry Farm in Luverne, Ala., is a true family business. It was started by Henry and Melba Hilburn as a commercial egg business in the 1940s, and today the farm, which raises 850,000 fryer chickens per year, is run by Henry and Melba's five sons: Huey, Willie, Donald, Ronald and Ray. Donald currently manages and works the farm with weekend and evening help from his brothers, who all have other full-time jobs.

The Hilburn family farm was a natural choice for Grower of the Month, says Jason Robinette, broiler manager for Pilgrim's in the Enterprise, Ala., complex.

In fact, Robinette describes Hilburn & Sons as "The best kept farm we have." He notes that the Hilburns' strengths as farmers come from their extensive farming background as well as their approach to the work.

"They've been in poultry their entire lives," says Robinette. "They have a good understanding of the industry's

(Left to right) Jason Robinette, broiler manager, Pilgrim’s Enterprise; Willie Hilburn; Donald Hilburn; Ronald Hilburn; Melba Hilburn; Ray (Biddie) Hilburn; Huey Hilburn; and Richard Taylor, production manager, Pilgrim’s Enterprise.

ins and outs and how it all works, and they have tremendous attitudes about what they do. They are a real pleasure to work with."

Presentation of the award took place on Feb. 2, at Country’s Barbecue in Troy.

SEAP&EA Organizational Meeting Held in Ariton ARITON – On Tuesday night, Feb. 28, Sutton’s Restaurant in Ariton was the scene of the first organizational meeting for the Southeast Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. The place was packed with growers from Pike, Barbour, Coffee and Dale counties, all eager to find out the benefits of forming their own association.

Barbour County Extension Agent Heath Wesley pulled everything together for the meeting. It was sponsored by Lee Energy Solutions and First South Farm Credit South Alabama Division.

As the audience munched on fried catfish, AP&EA Membership Director Ray Hilburn explained the benefits of forming a local association and the procedure for establishing the organization. After Ray Hilburn explains the benefits of Association membership to the 90 growers and guests. the presentation, door prizes were awarded.

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January / February 2012

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Last year’s tournament was so much fun, we decided to do it again and in the same beautiful place. So, poultry pros, bring your big sticks – cause you’re gonna need em here!

This year’s tournament will be a handicap scramble with a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. Lunch will be served afterwards. Range balls are included.

Registration $100. Mulligan Package $10 includes two mulligans and one power drive.

Limit 144 participants.

For more information, contact Casey Jones, chairman, at 608-780-5154

Additional entry forms and maps are available online at www.alabamapoultry.org Golf Tournament participants must purchase ticket to “Evening of Fun.” List handicaps and ticket numbers. Only one-half of entry fee is refundable if the tournament is canceled due to an “Act of God” or some other unforeseeable difficulty. Limit – first 144 entries. Entry Fee: $100 per person. Mulligan packages $10 per person. No refund if canceled after May 25, 2012. .

Name Company Address Mulligan Handicap ____________________ ________________________ _______________________________________ ______ ___ ____________________ ________________________ _______________________________________ ______ ___ ____________________ ________________________ _______________________________________ ______ ___ ____________________ ________________________ _______________________________________ ______ ___ Invoice To: NAME_______________________________________ ADDRESS ___________________________________ FAX_________________________________________

COMPANY/FARM ____________________________________ PHONE _____________________________________________ EMAIL ______________________________________________

( ) Check Enclosed $ _________ ( ) Bill Me $ _________ ( ) Visa ( ) Mastercard ( ) Discover Card ( ) American Express Billing Address__________________________________________________City____________________State_________Zip_________ Name on Card_______________________________________Card Number_________________________________Exp. Date____/____

MAIL TO: AP&EA, P.O. Box 240, Montgomery, AL 36101 • 334-265-2732 • Fax: 334-265-0008

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Whether it’s with his deep, soulful voice, his South Carolina accent or his philosophy on life, Josh Turner has never been one to hurry. But a memorable country song recently convinced him to pick up his pace.

The singer-songwriter was months away from scheduled recording sessions when he first heard “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” which became the debut single from his fourth studio album, Haywire. Josh placed the song “on hold” with the music publisher so they wouldn’t allow anyone else to record it. But when another artist expressed interest in the song, the publisher asked Josh to record the song to see if he liked it enough to keep it, and he did.

“We felt like we couldn’t lose that one,” Josh says.

“It’s a strong song and something that I could have a lot of fun with vocally. I felt it would be a great center point for the record. It is positive and a love song and you can dance to it. Nowadays, that’s a good formula.”

The excitement over that song fast-tracked the

recording process and inspired his songwriting, propelling him to write or co-write five of the album’s 11 songs: “Haywire,” “As Fast As I Could,” “Eye Candy,” “Friday Paycheck” and “The Answer.”

“This record has been the quickest record we’ve ever made from start to finish,” says Josh. “But I’m glad our haste didn’t make waste. I love every single song.

One thing I’ve noticed is that you are definitely hearing more of my range, high and low on this album. I’m really proud of this record.”

And that’s saying something, given what he’s accomplished so far. Since earning a standing ovation as an unknown singer on the Grand Ole Opry stage in 2001 with his impressive delivery of “Long Black Train,” he has established himself as one of the most identifiable male vocalists in country music.

The Hannah, S.C., native has sold more than 4 million albums and garnered two multi-week No. 1s (“Your Man” and “Would You Go With Me”). His debut album

was certified platinum for more than 1 million copies sold, and his sophomore album, Your Man, was one of only four country albums to reach double-platinum status in 2006. Six years after his Opry debut, he was inducted into the prestigious organization, becoming one of the youngest artists to receive such an honor. He recorded a CMT special with his musical hero, Randy Travis, and has spent time writing songs with another one of his heroes, John Anderson.

“For me, it is icing on the cake,” he says of his success. “My biggest goal in life when I was growing up was to find the right woman to marry and get a record deal. I’ve accomplished both of those things, so regardless of what happens beyond that, I’m happy.”

“When I wake up in the morning, I think about writing and performing and singing country music. I’m happy I get to go out on the road making a living doing what I love to do and it’s all because I chased my dream and never gave up.”

Blender Magazine says Josh “is a country Barry White. His burring voice can tease our sensuality in unlikely places.” His rich baritone brings an undeniable sexuality to a love song, so it’s no surprise that love songs have been among his most popular recordings.

The majority of songs on Haywire are love songs; there’s not a heartbreak or cheating song to be found.

“I don’t feel like you can have too many love songs,” he says. “The world is always looking for that next great love song. It’s like what Eddy Arnold told me a long time ago. ‘If you have the opportunity to record a great love song, do it. That is what people like the best, the songs that are about a man and a woman.’ I’ve really taken his advice to heart. If you look at my two number-one songs, those are big-time, positive, straight-forward love songs.”

He’s at his most masculine and sensual on “Lovin’ You On My Mind” and the Don Williams’ classic “I Wouldn’t Be a Man” while he reveals his sweetness in “As Fast As I Could.” He’s timelessly romantic in “Your Smile,” and “Haywire” and “Eye Candy” capture his playfulness and humor.

It was a father’s love that inspired the Phillip White/Steven Dale Jones song “I’ll Be There,” and Josh was moved by lyrics such as, “When you need a coach or you need a fan/Need a castle built out of ocean sand/ Or a rainbow chaser, I’m your man/ I’ll be there.” While they were recording the song, keyboardist Gordon Mote suggested an arrangement change.

“The music fades away and then I start singing with just the piano and it builds up to the line where it says,

‘Need a daddy or you just need a friend,’” says Josh, the father of two boys. “The first time we changed the arrangement, the words wouldn’t come out because I was getting choked up. That had never happened to me in the studio. I was extremely emotional when that part rolled about because it was just a touching way to sing that last verse. There were so many images running through my mind. That was the first time the father in me really came through on a song and I didn’t even see it coming. It just happened naturally.”

Josh explores his love for Jesus in “The Answer,” a soaring song that required Josh to step out of his comfort zone in the studio. “There was a spot in that last chorus where I was like, ‘This song has got to just bust wide open,’” he says. “It was a little tough for me because I’m not used to singing way up there in the high part of my register, but you definitely hear that on that song. It is such a powerful song so I just gave it all that I had.”

Josh uses this same approach to his career in the music industry, where many artists seem to come and go quickly. “I don’t ever want to take anything for granted,” he says. “I’ve learned from certain people that it takes a lot of hard work, passion and love for what you do to have longevity in this career.”

We are delighted to announce that The Heather Hayes Experience will once again be providing the music for our after concert dance. Her group kept folks on the dance floor last year. We expect it to be no different this year. Wow, let’s just dance!

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January / February 2012

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2012 IPE/IFE: The Meeting Place for Poultry and Feed Industry Decision Makers

The young ladies of the U.S. Poultry display

Dr. Fred Hoerr is all smiles after a presentation

Dr. Bill Batchelor made lots of friends

The NPTC booth was a hive of activity

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January / February 2012

ATLANTA - The 2012 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo drew 20,651 poultry and feed industry leaders from all over the world. The annual Expo is the world’s largest poultry and feed industry event of its kind and has consistently been one of the top 100 trade shows in the United States. The event is sponsored by U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) and the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA).

International visitors came from 100 nations and totaled 4,142. The largest group from a single country outside the United States was Canada with 685 visitors. The largest region represented was Latin America and the Caribbean with 1,877 visitors.

“The number of attendees on the exhibit floor was virtually identical with last year’s number. We had a great turn-out this year, and we are looking forward to even more attendees with the American Meat Institute colocating in Atlanta with IPE/IFE next year,” said 2012 USPOULTRY chairman Mark Waller, Ingram Farms, Cullman, Ala. The central attraction was the large exhibit floor. With 895 exhibitors presenting the latest advances in equipment, supplies, and services, attendees were able to view and experience all facets of the poultry industry related to the production and processing of poultry, eggs, and feed products. All segments of the poultry and feed industry were represented, from feed and poultry production and processing, to further processing and packaging.

Helping drive the attendance, a week-long schedule of education programs complemented the exhibit floor by keeping industry management up-to-date on current issues. This year’s line-up included nine sessions: the long-standing International Poultry Scientific Forum; HatcheryBreeder Clinic; Pet Food Conference; Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit; Pre-Harvest Food Safety Conference; Executive Conference on the Future of the American Egg Industry, co-sponsored with the United Egg Producers; AFIA International Feed Education Program; Executive Conference on the Future of the American Poultry Industry; and the International Rendering Symposium, co-sponsored with the National Renderers Association.

This year’s International Poultry Scientific Forum (IPSF) had over 1,200 attendees. The IPSF is an annual meeting that allows information

Alabama Poultry Magazine

The stars were fallings for EIS

Aviagen was doing the international thing

Ziggity was getting in on the action

Erika Rachal of Alltech was showing the love

Lee EnergySolutions was heating things up

Merial was talking profitability

The Hubbard crew was ready for action

The international flags were flying at Cobb

Some chicks were breaking a lot of eggs

Mallards were flying off the wall at IP

American Proteins’ new booth got attention

Not everyone was impressed

Auburn poultry was a welcomed sight

D & F was doing some heavy engineering

Could this be a brain trust in the making?

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January / February 2012

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exchange and stimulates scientific research in poultry related topics, including pathology and environment, nutrition, physiology, and processing and products.

IPSF is sponsored by the Southern Poultry Science Society, Southern Conference on Avian Diseases, and U.S. Poultry& Egg Association.

The Pet Food Conference had over 275 attendees and provided high-level regulatory and legislative updates from industry leaders and key federal decision makers. The Hatchery-Breeder Clinic was also well received again this year and drew over 200 attendees. The Hatchery-Breeder Clinic examined incubation needs for modern breeds, along with a range of other current industry topics.

New this year, the Executive Conference on the Future of the American Poultry and Egg Industry drew extremely large crowds of over 500 attendees and included several presentations from featured speakers such as Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco Animal Health, and Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, under secretary for food safety, FSIS. Also new this year, the Pre-Harvest Food Safety Conference had 360 attendees and reviewed the known and unknown issues associated with the control of foodborne pathogens in pre-harvest operations.

With 895 exhibitors, new product and service launches, organization meetings, exhibitor and publisher sponsored sessions, Featherfest® activities, educational sessions, and unmatched networking opportunities, the 2012 International Poultry Expo and International Feed Expo made Atlanta the global marketplace for the poultry and feed industry.

Next year, IPE and IFE will be joined by the American Meat Institute’s tradeshow in Atlanta. The 2013 Expo will be one of the 50 largest shows in the United States. More than 1,000 poultry, feed, and meat exhibitors are expected to exhibit with over an estimated 400,000 net square feet of exhibits. The 2013 Expo will be held January 28-31 in Atlanta, Ga., at the Georgia World Congress Center.

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January / February 2012

Of Giveaways, Paraphernalia and Hospitality Having the media tag on my name badge was like have a license to steal stuff and get invitations to every event. Not that taking any of the promotional stuff was stealing, in fact, they actually give you bags to carry away the loot. And the “happy hours” at the booths are, well ... very nice. Let’s hear it for hotel shuttle buses!

Of course, the idea is to get a potential customer to take something home with your company’s logo on it.

That way, if he looks at it long enough, he might just decide that he needs your widget – and you get a sale.

International Paper does it right with a limited edition art print and an invitation to the ultimate hospitality event at the Atlanta Aquarium. Of course, American Protein’s playing cards are just right for a game of solitaire in your hotel room when your feet just hurt too darn much from walking the exhibit floor to go anywhere but to bed.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

AUBURN – After 25 years as the head of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries state diagnostic laboratory, Dr. Fred Hoerr (pronounced “Hair”), is retiring. Well “retiring” may be a bit inappropriate. Actually, he is just sort of rearranging or reordering his working priorities.

Fred Hoerr, after all, is a scientist, an orderly and disciplined man by his very nature. He is analytical and precise, and yet there is a passionate side that few get to see.

Fred, who was born in Illinois, grew up in northern Indiana. His family attended a church that had no musical instruments, it was here that Fred learned to sing, developing a lifelong passion for singing and music.

Ahh, but passions rarely pay the bills.

Fred was nine when he started helping his uncle, an egg producer, in Milford, Ind., gather eggs for sale. He learned to wash and candle the eggs of 4,000 chickens in an operation that supplied grade A eggs to four grocery stores. His uncle also had a swine farrowing operation and, by the time Fred went to college, they were row cropping 500 acres.

He must have loved those chickens, because at Purdue University, where he got his undergraduate and D.V.M., he also got his doctorate working with broiler chickens and mycotoxins. However, he got his first exposure to broiler production one summer while a senior in vet school at an externship with Central Soya in Athens, Ga. He credits Dr. Gayner McDaniel and Dr. Mike Eck-

Salmonella Many consumers see salmonella as the number one food safety issue, or certainly a hot button issue. Dr. Hoerr believes, “The number one issue is the outstanding job that our agricultural system does as a matter of course in providing safe and wholesome food to the consumer – it is amazing the job they do.”

With all of his administrative skills, Dr. Hoerr is most at home in front of a microscope. Here he examines tissue samples that have come into the lab. His microscope is an integral component of his office.

man with taking him under their wings to teach him the basics of broiler production once he arrived in Auburn.

He came to Auburn in 1980 after a phone call from Dr. Frank Mitchell, the director of the diagnostic lab.

His primary task was to develop a poultry disease diagnostic program for the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to support the commercial poultry industry. In 1987, with Dr. Mitchell’s retirement, Dr. Hoerr was named director.

The lab was started in 1947 when Dean Redding Sugg of the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine asked Dr. Charles Roberts, a young veterinarian on staff, to coordinate diagnostic specimens that were coming in to the school from traditional farm animal practices and an ever-increasing number of companion animal practices that had developed with the end of World War II. Dr. Roberts spent the next 30 years with the lab.

The lab developed over the years with close collaboration with the USDA in the areas of brucellosis and hog cholera eradication. The original branch lab in Elba was built to handle swine problems.

A new lab was built in 1977 on Wire Road, across from the vet school, under the leadership of Dr. Frank Mitchell. The lab continued to grow, supporting livestock and poultry production, companion animal medicine, zoos and wildlife.

With the support of the poultry industry and cattlemen, a bond issue was passed for the building of the current lab and two new labs in Elba and Boaz. The new Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory, a Biosafety Level II/III facility opened in 2006, with Dr. Hoerr having responsibility for overseeing design and construction.

Dr. Hoerr is justifiably proud that the lab, after three years of hard work to get quality system implementation, has, for the first time in its 65 years, gained full accreditation. Results generated in the lab will stand up to international standards. Work is already underway to gain accreditation for the other labs, including the lab in Hanceville, by 2013.

The diagnostic lab has a twofold mission. The first mission is to provide diagnostic services and act as a reference lab for veterinarians treating animals with disease problems.The second, and most critical, mission is regulatory support. That regulatory support encompasses collaborative programs between federal and state departments of agriculture. An example of this collabo-

Even facing retirement, Dr. Fred Hoerr has a busy schedule.

Teaching, lecturing and consulting are just the tip of the iceberg. The tango lessons have to go somewhere.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January / February 2012

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“New brick, mortar and even state-of-the-art equipment are not what makes a laboratory work. It is the people who work there. Dr. Fred Hoerr is the director of the laboratory system. He is arguably the best laboratory system director in the country. Dr. Hoerr makes my job much easier with the laboratory division coming under my umbrella.” Dr. Tony Frazier, Alabama State Veterinarian

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ration would be the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), covering testing for avian influenza, mycoplasma, and salmonella. The lab also conducts regulatory testing for cattle, horses and swine. This regulatory testing comprises about two thirds of the lab’s work.

Each broiler flock in the state is tested for avian influenza within 14 days of catching. The laboratory, working with the poultry industry, maintains, in Dr. Hoerr’s words, “a constant full-court press,” on avian influenza and exotic Newcastle disease. Testing for salmonella is also conducted routinely on chicks and their boxes, with follow-ups on each finding. This requires lots of time, effort and expense.

Many consumers see salmonella as the number one food safety issue, or certainly a hot button issue. Dr. Hoerr believes that “The number one issue is the outstanding job that our agricultural system does as a matter of course in providing safe and wholesome food to the consumer – it is amazing the job they do.” He goes on to add, “ that being said, the animals are raised in biological systems on farms and not in sterile test tubes – there are issues that are a part of the ongoing effort to

Alabama Poultry Magazine

improve the product.”

Budget cuts at the lab have forced cutbacks in personnel. Where there once were three chemists, now there is only one. Fees have been raised and testing results are slower in coming out; still the work gets done.

The branch labs handle routine testing, such as necropsies and bacterial testing; the more complex and expensive testing is reserved for the Auburn lab. Each day samples are sent to Auburn for review.

Even facing retirement, Dr. Hoerr is excited about the lab’s future. Future programs will involve a honeybee lab and diagnostic program. Partnering with the ag school fisheries department, an aquatic species diagnostic program is being planned, specializing in shrimp and catfish production.

Dr. Hoerr holds a joint appointment as professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine, department of patholobiology, teaching avian diseases and multispecies medicine. After his retirement from the lab, he plans to continue teaching for a while. He also plans to continue his involvement in the poultry industry as a speaker and consultant.

Fred’s wife, Marty, a fellow Hoosier, whom he first met in a psychology experiment at Purdue, is excited about his retirement. She also shares Fred’s passion for music. She is a fiddle player to his claw hammer style banjo. They are a part of a traditional dulcimer group called The Whistle Stop Pickers and Vardo, a trio with a more eclectic sound.Their first love, however, is Sacred Harp singing. It is a passion that has developed over the last four years.

The shape-note a cappella format of gospel singing is reminiscent of Fred’s early church musical experience. He explains his music with an almost scientifically analytical approach. The theory is as much a part of the wonder as is the sound, which begins with a full-voice cacophony and builds to a sublime four-part harmony.

Marty is also a visual artist, specializing in primitive and folk art. She brain tans deer hides, does intricate bead work and works with fabrics to create beautiful art. With degrees in art and elementary education, she taught elementary school in Indiana, but with one child and another on the way, she became a stay-at-home mom when they made the move to Auburn.

Now, she demonstrates her primitive arts in schools in the Auburn area. She also teaches and demonstrates African dance.

She learned to play the fiddle while

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Marty Hoerr stands beside one of her most favorite creations, a multi-media depiction of Fred and her, accompanied by their son, August, on the bandoneon, in one of their newest passions, the tango.

taking their boys, August and John, to Suzuki violin lessons when they were very young.

Today, August is a professional artist and musician in Asheville, N.C., specializing in portraiture and Middle Eastern music. Marty says that he plays most any instrument now, except violin. John, their youngest son, is a computer engineer at Indiana University. He also sings Sacred Harp.

By the time this article goes to press, Fred Hoerr will be retired from the diagnostic lab – only. The poultry industry, however, will still benefit from his years of expertise as he trains young pathology students and is available for consultations. Through the lab, he leaves a lasting legacy of excellence and a constant striving to serve the agricultural interests of Alabama.

We wish him well as he and Marty tango into semiretirement. Maybe we’ll see them on the dance floor.

That would really be fun.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Dr. Fred Hoerr Retires From the State Lab AUBURN – On February 28, 2012, in the entrance of the Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Lab that he designed and which he oversaw construction, Dr. Fred Hoerr made his retirement official amid a throng of well-wishers.

Dr. Tony Frazier presents Dr. Hoerr with After 31 years with the Alabama a proclamation from Gov. Robert Bentley Department of Agriculture and Incongratulating him on his years of service dustries Diagnostic Lab, of which he to the state. It was one of many laudatory was director for the last 25 years, he messages presented as colleagues, university faculty and state officials paid trib- said it was time for him to let go of his position. He praised his staff and ute to Dr. Hoerr and his achievements. said that he hoped, because of his working there, that he was wiser and more compassionate than when he first came.

State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier emceed the event, telling several anecdotes about his time with Dr. Hoerr. He introduced Dean Timothy AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams Boosinger, a classmate of Dr. presented Dr. Hoerr with a token of the Hoerr’s at Purdue, who spoke of Dr. Association’s appreciation for his work Hoerr’s dedication, “ I don’t know a on behalf of Alabama’s poultry industry. veterinarian who has contributed

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more to the advancement of animal health.” He related Dr. Hoerr’s contributions to feeding the world’s growing population.

Praise for the achievement of lab accreditation was echoed by each speaker. Most expressed their skepticism that it could be accomplished and delight that it had been. Dean Boosinger refered to it as the “Gold Standard” for diagnostic labs. They each credited Dr. Hoerr’s vision and hard work as making it possible.

A humble man, Dr. Hoerr summed up his service by quoting Harry Truman in saying, ‘“I come to the office every day, and I spend long hours doing what has to be done, to the best of my ability, and when you have done your best – that’s the best that you can do,” and this is the best that I can do.’”

Dr. Hoerr, the Alabama poultry industry thanks you for doing your best – it has been outstanding.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Member News

The Alltech Lecture Tour Comes to Auburn

Erika Rachal shows a headline from USA Today with a headline “Yahoo! article names ag majors useless.” “It’s time to communicate the message of agriculture more effectively,” she said.

Alltech’s Alabama rep, John Putnam, presented an award to David Pruett, breeder manager for Tyson Foods Snead, in recognition of Tyson’s relief efforts.

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AUBURN – On the last stop of its North American Lecture Tour, Alltech, a leading animal health and nutrition company, recognized the efforts of Tyson Foods Snead in relief work during the tornado outbreak of April 2011. John Putnam, Alltech’s Alabama rep, presented the award to David Pruett, breeder manager for Tyson Foods Snead at the Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center.

First speaker, Erika Rachal, Alltech’s eastern marketing manager, stressed the need for those involved in agriculture to see themselves as being in the food business. She also talked about Alltech’s new Ag Network to communicate the message of agriculture.

The primary focus of the lecture tour was to introduce the audience to

Alltech’s work in the area of, what Alltech calls, nutrigenomics. It is a bridge between nutrition and genomics. Dr. Kristin Bannen of Alltech’s Nutrigenomics Center in Lexington, Ky., said, “By analyzing how diet and health interact from one generation to the next and how nutrition affects an animal at the genetic level, we gain the ability to improve feed efficiency, growth rate and other important traits.”

Outside the lecture hall were displays highlighting the various areas of Alltech’s involvement in animal agriculture and philanthropy, including the Alltech Poultry Advantage Program.

The lecture was well attended with a number of College of Agriculture faculty and many students in the audience.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

RECIPES

If you’re ready to celebrate spring in the kitchen, pair chicken with favorite seasonal ingredients like artichoke and new potatoes for a fresh-tasting dish. (From the National Chicken Council)

Chicken Paillards with New Potato-Artichoke Mash and a Lemon-Herb Reduction Serves 4

1 ½ - 2 pounds thin-sliced chicken cutlets 1 pound new potatoes, unpeeled and scrubbed ½ cup skim milk 2 tablespoons butter, divided 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ cup flour 2 teaspoons salt, divided ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup low sodium chicken broth zest of 1 lemon 2 tablespoons lemon juice 3 tablespoons fresh tarragon, minced and divided 1 can (15 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained Preheat oven to 200º.

In medium-sized sauce pan over medium-high heat, gently boil potatoes until just cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and set aside.

In small saucepan over low heat, warm milk, one tablespoon butter and garlic pieces until butter is melted. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Combine flour, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper and paprika in shallow bowl. Coat each chicken cutlet in flour mixture; add to pan. Sauté chicken in batches until each is golden brown and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove chicken to oven to keep warm.

Drain any fat left in pan and warm to high heat. Add broth, stirring to scrape up any browned bits. Reduce heat to medium-high, add lemon zest, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons minced tarragon. Simmer 5 – 7 minutes, until liquid has reduced.

Drain potatoes. Add artichoke hearts to pot. Mash roughly and add hot milk mixture. Add remaining salt and continue to mash potato mixture until well combined.

Remove skillet from heat. Whisk remaining butter into lemon-herb broth and stir to incorporate. Place a dollop of potato-artichoke mash on each plate. Place one chicken paillard next to the mash on each plate, drizzle over a spoonful of lemon-herb reduction and garnish with some of the remaining tarragon.

Serve immediately, passing remaining sauce in a small pitcher.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January / February 2012

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Practical Applications

Leg Problems in Broilers and Broiler Breeders J.B. Hess, K.S. Macklin, W.D. Berry and J.J. Giambrone Poultry Science Department, Auburn University

Introduction: Leg weakness has been a significant health problem in broilers and broiler breeders ever since the broiler industry began large-scale production. At times, leg problems have been a major issue affecting the economics of broiler production through mortality losses, culling and trim losses in the processing plant. In addition, losses due to leg issues in broiler breeders have been a recurring problem for decades. As with most problems presented to the poultry industry, broiler companies and growers have developed health and management options to minimize leg problems, although we are never free of production losses in this area. .Lighting programs have been a major force in controlling leg problems in broilers, allowing growers to reduce mortality and culls.

Also, companies have modified early feeding programs to allow birds to develop good leg bone structure before laying down meat. Similarly, feeding programs in broiler breeder replacement pullets are aimed at growing a skeleton before putting down too much fleshing.

A review of leg problems in broilers and breeders may help growers be prepared to identify what problem they have so that treatments or management changes are appropriate to the situation at hand.

Broiler Leg Problems: Probably the most common leg problem in broilers is twisted legs. Twisted leg is characterized by normal length of the leg bones (as opposed to perosis), with only one leg twisted outward. Birds exhibiting twisted legs generally fall behind other birds in growth rate and are frequently culled. Nutritional causes and treatments have not been discovered, although avoiding mycotoxins in feeds may help reduce the problem. Also, heat stress in breeders has been shown to result in increased twisted legs in broilers hatched from eggs laid by these hens. Improved breeder housing may help improve a number of broiler health questions as well as improving the wellbeing of the hens and males.

Rickets has been a recurring problem with broilers in recent years, and many operations have struggled with this problem in young broilers. Fast growth can make it difficult to keep legs under birds and both nutrition and health must be reviewed to determine the cause of rickets and a number of other leg problems.

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One concept to remember is that any health insult to the gut, such as mild coccidiosis or necrotic enteritis can reduce nutrient absorption for a time, creating nutrient deficiencies when there are plenty of nutrients in the feed.

Fast-growing broilers can show signs of rickets quickly after an intestinal insult, and it is important to diagnose intestinal health problems early to avoid increased problems with rickets. Kinky back is a problem with the vertebra (sixth thoracic vertebra) that often puts pressure on the spinal cord. Birds may sit on their haunches balancing on their wings, or fall on their sides. The birds appear healthy otherwise, but their legs are paralyzed.

Kinky back can be caused by poor mineral nutrition (rickets and such), but more commonly comes from systemic bacteria lodging in the bone.

Health issues can also lead to increases in leg problems in broilers. Femoral head necrosis (osteomyelitis) increases leg weakness when systemic bacteria lodge in the hip joints causing pain and increasing leg problems during processing. These bacteria, often a strain of E. coli, entered the body elsewhere and were transported through the blood, finally ending up in the hip joint.

Viral arthritis is a recurring problem in both broilers and broiler breeders. This condition, which can appear as early as 10 days of age but usually shows up between 4-6 weeks, shows redness and swelling of the shanks and hock joints with a trembling gait. A reovirus is the root cause and vaccination of breeders normally reduces the problem. Although bacteria such as various species of Staph are often found in hock joints with viral arthritis, the bacteria are merely secondary infections to the virus. When opened, the legs show darkened tendons with milky or blood-tinged fluid. In the worst cases, the tendons rupture above or below the hock. Similar signs may be seen with synovitis caused by Mycoplasma syn-

Alabama Poultry Magazine

oviae (MS). Mycoplasma are taken very seriously by poultry integrators and control of MS has reduced this form of leg weakness in the field to the point where it is no longer a regular source of problems. Marek’s disease can also cause birds to go down in the legs through damage to the major leg nerves, although this symptom is seldom seen since vaccinal control of Marek’s disease across the industry has reduced the incidence in the field.

Tibial Dyschodroplasia: Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is leg weakness caused by a cartilage plug that doesn’t calcify in the head of the bigger long bones. This “soft spot” in the bones causes birds pain when they walk or stand. In addition to being a potential animal welfare issue, TD reduces growth over time as birds avoid moving to feed and water. For many years, TD was a major health issue in fast growing broilers. Research at Auburn helped to initiate methods to predict TD in parent stock such that primary breeding companies were able to drastically reduce the susceptibility of broilers to this leg problem. This is a case of science teaming with the industry to reduce an animal welfare problem and improve productivity of commercial broiler lines.

In older birds, lighting programs are used to reduce metabolic deaths due to flipover and increases in leg weakness as broilers grow rapidly. Even with the drastic reductions seen in TD through genetic selection by the primary breeding companies, broilers will still show leg problems and mortality if placed on long day lengths too soon prior to catching. Interestingly, there are some important differences between commercial genetic lines in their susceptibility to leg problems if lighting programs are not restrictive enough. For this reason, the relative severity (shortness of day length) of the lighting program you choose to use should be coordinated with your integrator to match the genetic line of birds they are putting into the field.

Perosis (Chondrodystrophy or slipped tendon): Perosis is a classical nutritional deficiency that causes slipped tendons in broilers. In general, leg bones will be shortened, hock joints will be inflamed and the hock tendon will have slipped from the chondyle (groove along the joint). This leg problem has been linked to a deficiency of manganese, choline, niacin or biotin. Before blaming leg problems on nutrition in this case, care must be taken to separate between perosis and twisted leg. Twisted leg doesn’t show shortening of the

leg bones and often doesn’t have the hock inflammation seen with perosis. Twisted leg is much more common and generally can’t be improved with nutrition.

Mycotoxins: Research has shown that mycotoxins can cause pretty much everything you can think of except global warming. It is not surprising, then, that leg weakness has been associated with high levels of several of the mycotoxins found in grains. Rickets can be caused by increased levels of aflatoxins (which affect the liver) and/or ochratoxins (which affect the kidneys). Both organs are important in activating vitamin D to its active form. Increases in tibial dyschondroplasia have been associated with some mycotoxins, although research results have not always found this pattern. Early research with experimentally-molded corn showed leg growth problems in young chicks resulting in both bow-legged and knock-kneed birds. These problems showed in birds fed several commonly-occurring mycotoxins and have not been seen in more recent research. It may be that mycotoxins can increase leg problems if other dietary nutrients (vitamins and/or minerals) are below what we are commonly using now.

Broiler Breeder Issues: Unlike broilers where leg problems are frequently a metabolic problem associated with rapid growth, a much higher proportion of broiler breeder leg problems are seen as a health issue. Viral Arthritis, mentioned earlier in conjunction with broiler leg issues, is a common problem in broiler breeders. Most integrators monitor the field incidence of the various reoviruses that cause viral arthritis and vaccinate accordingly. As mentioned, this protects both the breeders and the broilers hatched from their eggs. Although staph bacteria can be a direct cause of leg weakness (or bumble foot for that matter), staph more commonly shows up in birds as a secondary infection started by something else.

Staph infections of the leg tendon sheaths is called tenosynovitis and is a common cause of leg problems in breeders. Early health insults can allow staph to get a start, only to show up later in a breeder or breeder male’s life.

One area that must be handled carefully is breeder vaccination. Breeders are vaccinated with a number of vaccines for the good of the breeders and their chicks.

With live vaccines, if there is a harsh reaction to a vaccination during the pullet phase, staph may get a start only to show up later in the breeding cycle. According

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Continued on pg. 30

January / February 2012

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Choosing Sidewall Insulation

Every winter when the weather gets cold we get lots of calls By Jess Campbell, Dennis Brothers, Jim Donald, and Gene Simpson about sidewall insulation for poultry houses. National Poultry Technology Center, Auburn University Having to turn the heat on (and up!) definitely brings to mind the potential benefits of insulation. Whether you are considering installing wall insulation as a retrofit upgrade or improving new house Thermal infrared-sensing cameras are very useful for showing temperature variations. Lighter red-to-orange-to-yellow colors show higher temperatures. The construction insulation darker, red-to-purple-to-black colors show lower temperatures. methods, it has to be done the right the first This photo shows a sidewall that was insulated with blown cellulose six years previously. The thermal image is almost like an X-ray showing how the cellulose has time.

There are three settled, leaving the top one-third of the wall basically un-insulated. sidewall insulation scenarios that we most frequently see: fiberglass batts, blown cellulose, and spray foam. This house; which is a lot of area to lose heat through. The newsletter presents the facts about these three technolo- goal is to choose a wall insulation system that will ingies as we have seen them in many working poultry sure tightness, have good R value to keep heat in the farms, especially with the aid of thermal-imaging cam- building, be reasonably priced, and deliver good value over a long enough expected lifetime. What insulation eras.

How important can sidewall insulation be? Wall in- technology is best will vary from farm to farm, dependsulation directly affects fuel usage. If you get it wrong ing on the particular situation, including whether we are to begin with, it will affect the cost of operating the considering new construction or retrofit installations. house for as long as the next 30 years. There are about What is best for a new house might not be ideal, or even 8,000 square feet of wall area in a 40’ x 500’ poultry feasible for a retrofit.

Figure 1. This thermal image shows how well properly installed fiberglass batt insulation is performing after six years.

Note the uniformity of the wall showing no voids, gaps or settling of the fiberglass.

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Figure 2. This thermal image shows a blown cellulose wall that was horizontally blocked in an effort to minimize settling.

After eight years of service, settling in each of the blocked sections is evident – meaning significant insulating value has been lost.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Fiberglass Batt Insulation.

For new poultry house construction it is hard to beat a 3.5 inch R-11 or 5.5 inch R-19 batt (depending on wall cavity thickness), properly secured in place so that it won’t move over time. Batts plus a good 6 mil poly vapor barrier installed over the posts or studs on the inside of the building and then covered with OSB or plywood forms a very durable and well insulated wall. Our investigations have shown that these walls hold up very well over time (see Figure 1 inside). A drawback with fiberglass is that while it works well in new applications it can be difficult and costly to use in some retrofit applications.

Figures 3 and 4. Thermal images of spray foam retrofit sidewall insulation. North wall is spray foam over 2 x 6 lumber wall and south wall is spray foam over curtain. Spray foam is performing very well in this retrofit application after seven years.

For more information on use of fiberglass batting for retrofitting older poultry buildings, see our newsletter #46, Controlling Sidewall Energy Losses, available at www.poultryhouse.com. For best results, the wall cavity must be totally filled with insulation. Never install a 3.5-inch batt in a 5.5-inch wall. Empty air space will allow the batt to shift and settle and provides little or no R-value. Installing a 6-mil or equivalent vapor barrier on the interior side of the insulation is imperative.

Installing an exterior vapor barrier is not recommended because it will trap moisture in the wall cavity.

Blown Cellulose Wall Insulation.

Blown cellulose was designed mainly for overhead applications such as the attics of dropped ceilinghouses.

In vertical applications such as a wall panel, it has a tendency to settle over time, which leads to a loss of insulating value. For this reason, wall applications are typically not intended or recommended by manufacturers.

Prevention of settling has been attempted in many ways. Adding a glue binder with sufficient water to the mix and placing runs of horizontal blocking in the wall are two common practices. As you can see by Figure 2 inside, significant settling may occur over time even when blocking is used. Settling creates a serious heat loss issue and one that cannot be easily repaired. We would be very cautious to recommend the use of blown cellulose in vertical wall panels until we have sufficient data to be sure that the settling problem has been solved.

If blown cellulose is used in a sidewall, a 6 mil vapor barrier must be installed before OSB or plywood is applied to the posts.

Spray Foam Insulation.

Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam, with an insulating value of about R-7 per inch, has been used in the poultry industry for about eight years in new or in retrofit applications where the use of fiberglass batts would be almost impossible due to high costs of carpentry or structural modifications to prepare the house for the batt installation. An older poultry house can be spray-foam transformed into a well-insulated and tight building within a matter of hours (see Figures 3 & 4 inside). We have done extensive field research on spray foam and its value in retrofit applications. See our newsletter #43, Poultry House Energy Retrofits for Fuel & Cost Savings.

The life expectancy of a typical spray foam application is seven-ten years, depending on a wide range of variables.

The major possible drawback to spray foam is that it

Alabama Poultry Magazine

January / February 2012

29

is susceptible to mechanical damage and damage by darkling beetles. In most applications, a higher density (6-10 lb) spray foam must be used in the lower 24 inches of the wall to keep the birds and beetles from damaging the foam. An alternative is to use lumber scrape boarding at the bottom of the wall. Considering all factors, spray foam is excellent in most wall retrofit applications if coupled with a good beetle control program.

In new housing we have seen this product being sprayed directly into wall cavities against the exterior metal, with no other insulation being used and no other vapor barrier installed, and then OSB or plywood being placed over the empty wall cavity. This is not equivalent to an R-19 fiberglass batt wall; and reports are that this system costs more to install than fiberglass. In addition, Continued from pg. 27 to Dr. Bill Stanley of Aviagen N.A., critical periods to avoid stress in developing breeders include the first two weeks; four to six weeks, when vaccinations are administered; late pullet phase and 24 to 30 weeks when breeders are stressed during peak, they are dealing with slats and mating activity is underway. Recently, a spinal problem called enterococcal spondylitis has become a problem in male broilers. This disease, which appears to be caused by Enterococcus cecorum, leads to leg weakness in birds and can result in mortality. This problem, which can affect a large number of birds in a

AP&EA Bass Tournament Friday, May 11, 2012, 5:30 am Lake Guntersville

AP&EA Golf Tournament Friday, June 8, 2012, 8:00 am Limestone Springs Golf Course

AP&EA “Evening of Fun” Saturday, June 9, 2012, 7:00 pm Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex COUNTY ASSOCIATION MEETINGS Cullman County Poultry and Egg Association Annual Meeting Saturday, April 14, 2012, 6 pm Cullman Civic Center, Cullman Central Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Meeting, Thursday, April 19, 2012, 6:30 pm Tom Harbin Ag Center, Luverne

January / February 2012

The Bottom Line There are many pro’s and con’s associated with different wall insulation technologies for new poultry housing and for retrofits. Getting the right sidewall insulation for your farm requires careful consideration of all the variables. But the benefits are clear. By getting it right and properly walling up we can improve the uniformity of the bird environment, save a significant amount on our fuel bill, and improve the structural integrity and longevity of our houses – all of which lead to long-term improvements in overall profitability. breeder flock, is seen as an emerging disease challenge.

Although genetic selection and advanced management techniques on the farm have drastically reduced the number of leg problems growers have to deal with, we will still see recurring problems in the field that need attention. Growers need to be able to look at leg problems developing in a house and be able to determine which type of issue may be involved. Often times, early detection by the grower, with input from the integrator, can help keep a leg problem from being a major issue.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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this kind of application could be subject over time to moisture accumulation and beetle damage which is difficult to monitor and remedy.

Alabama Ag / Alabama Farm Credit American Proteins Aviagen Bobcat of Oxford Central Energy Solutions Daughtry Ins. Agency Farm and Ranch Hardware First South Farm Credit Georgia Poultry Equipment Hayes Rasbury Ins. Agency Jones-Hamilton PLT Lee Energy Solutions Randy Jones Ins. Agency Thompson Tractor

Alabama Poultry Magazine

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