Alabama Poultry, July/August 2007

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

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Non-Profit.Org U.S. Postage PAID Montgomery, AL Permit No. 796

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Board of Directors Officers Jack Sherwood, President, Enterprise* Ken Taylor, Vice President, Anniston* Fred Cespedes, Treasurer, Hanceville* Wendell Shelton, Secretary, Boaz* Ricky Walker, Immediate Past President, Snead* Directors Johnny Adcock, Woodland Ronnie Adrian, Collinsville George Attwood, Anniston Dale Carroll, Boaz Roger Chappell, Cullman Gary Davis, Montgomery Melissa Durbin, Birmingham Randall Ennis, Huntsville Tim Esslinger, Decatur Dale Gambrill, Snead Harold Hunt, Gadsden Spence Jarnagin, Huntsville* Ted Lankford, Athens Richard Lusk, Huntsville Dennis Maze, Horton Todd McMahen, Dothan John Pittard, Guntersville* Tom Powell, Montgomery John Roberts, Cullman Kenneth Sanders, Brundidge Roddy Sanders, Gordo Phyllis Thomas, Russellville Mike Tamimi, Enterprise Stanley Usery, Athens Mack Watson, Pineapple Advisors Dr. Don Conner, Auburn University James Donald, Auburn University Dr. Joe Hess, Auburn University Dr. Tony Frazier, Montgomery Troy Newton, Montgomery Perry Oakes, Auburn

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Thank you for this honor and privilege to serve as president of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. The word that describes our industry in Alabama is change. Integrators are changing ownership and more consolidation has taken place. Our Allied group continues to consolidate their businesses. World economies are growing and people are eating more chicken, which in turn allows our industry to grow. Change brings challenges to our industry. These are bird health issues, animal welfare, immigration reform, corn to ethanol, and an increasing higher cost structure for our growers, integrators, and service businesses. Change also brings opportunities in finding ways to benefit our industry through lower costs of production, favorable laws and regulations, and advances in technology.

We have a great support team in Alabama. Gov. Bob Riley and Ag Commissioner Ron Sparks are friends of the industry. Auburn University provides the education, training and research we must have to compete in the world environment today. We have banking institutions who provide the capital resources necessary for growth. We have state political leaders who understand and support our industry.

The Alabama Poultry & Egg Association is the vehicle that adds value to the industry. The Association is the central forum which interacts with our membership and the different support groups to take advantage of the opportunities. The Association works closely with the political leaders on an agenda which favors our industry. We have more than 2,000 grower members, 10 company integrator members, and 104 allied members. We must remain proactive, united, and strong.

Our mission – to feed the people of the world with Alabama poultry and egg products.

AP&EA – Working For You Jack Sherwood

*Executive Committee Members

AP&EA STAFF Executive Director Johnny Adams Administrative Director Wanda H. Linker Membership Director Wes Cumbie Communications Director and Editor Walter “Huck” Carroll Alabama Poultry 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.

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

FEATURING

THIS MONTH

Governmental Affairs Association News Evening of Fun Recipes AP&EA Annual Meeting AP&EA Farm Family of the Year 2007 Membership News Educational Development Practical Applications Coming Events/Chicken Dreamz

pg. 6 pg. 9 pg. 11 pg. 14 pg. 16 pg. 19 pg. 21 pg. 24 pg. 26 pg. 30 ADVERTISING INDEX

Merial Select Aviagen American Protiens First Financial Bank First South Farm Credit ALFA Health Farmers Poultry Supply

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pg. 5 pg. 9 pg. 15 pg. 18 pg. 23 pg. 30 pg. 32 July/August 2007

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GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

CAFO Reimbursements for Annual Inspections

(Above, left to right) Johnny Adams, executive director, AP&EA; Robby Nichols of Letohatchee in Lowndes County, Koch Foods grower; Commissioner Ron Sparks; and Jimmy Carlisle, Alabama Farmers Federation, display a symbolic CAFO reimbursement check in Commissioner Sparks’ office.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, in cooperation with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has implemented a program to compensate all Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) owners for the majority of the cost for the annual inspection, which is required by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).

The program is funded by NRCS in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI), which is responsible for administering the program.

Commissioner Ron Sparks, 4

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along with Gary Kobylski of NRCS, Johnny Adams of Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, Jimmy Carlisle of Alabama Farmers Federation, and Steve Jenkins of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management were instrumental in providing assistance to all CAFO owners who have had this extra cost added to their operating budgets.

A Qualified Credential Professional (QCP) performs the required inspection and is paid by the CAFO owner. The QCP signs a voucher form provided by ADAI and gives it to the CAFO owner. The CAFO owner then completes the remainder

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of the voucher form and submits it, along with a copy of the inspection form and a copy of the invoice, to ADAI for reimbursement.

This program was implemented July 1, 2006, and completed its first year June 30, 2007. During the year, 309 CAFO owners applied for and received reimbursement. Of these 309 CAFOs, 280 were poultry producers, 20 were swine producers, three were dairies, and six were stockyards. A total of $59,100.00 was reimbursed to the CAFO owners. This very successful program will be continued this year.

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GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS

Chapman Moves Business Division Into 21st Century Secretary of State Beth Chapman has “made good” on one of her campaign promises to make the processes of the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office more efficient and effective for Alabama businesses. Secretary Chapman established a UCC Reform Advisory Board, with representatives from various agricultural, financial, and insurance institutions that investigated procedures of the Uniform Commercial Code Division of the Secretary of State’s Office.

“This committee of farmers, bankers, cattlemen, business men and women has epitomized how our government should operate,” Chapman said. “They saw a problem and came together to offer a reasonable solution. It proves the power of our citizens and gives them the voice they deserve in the day-to-day operations of their government.”

The board recommended changes that will be favorable to those UCC

● Farmers should no longer have to wait for paperwork to be sent to Montgomery to make essential purchases of cattle, seed, or equipment.

users who are currently working with 21st century technology at no additional cost to the taxpayers. And for those UCC users who prefer the traditional paper filing transaction, that method is still available as well.

Some benefits of the new Electronic UCC Filing System are: ● The increased cost to UCC users for the new electronic transaction is less than $10 more per transaction per customer, and no additional cost to the state.

● The new electronic filing process saves businesses at least one week in filing time.

● Businesses (including farm services providers), may enter the information from their offices, making copies available immediately and providing them with complete control of their processing.

● For those who are not comfortable with computer processing, paper filing is still a viable way to do business at no additional charge to the customer or the state.

Secretary of State Chapman states that by implementing this new filing system, “We are not forcing anyone to change the way they do business, we are simply providing opportunities to speed up business processes at no additional cost to the taxpayers of the State of Alabama.”

Immigration Enforcement Highlights

WASHINGTON (AP) — Highlights of tactics the Bush administration plans to use or has been using to beef up enforcement on immigration: ●-Hold employers liable for employing workers who have been notified of problems with their Social Security information and have not resolved those problems in 90 days. ●-Reduce the number of documents employers can accept to verify a worker's eligibility. ●-Raise civil fines imposed on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants by about 25 percent. ●-Prevent illegal immigrants who have agreed to leave the country from remaining in the country through legal maneuvers by making them subject to deportation if ar-

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rested and fining them $3,000. ●-Direct the Labor Department to make changes to the H2A agricultural seasonal worker program so it is easier for farmers to use, provides them workers on time and protects workers' rights. ●-Correct processing delays in the H2B program for hiring seasonal workers for the landscaping, hospitality and other industries. ●-Extend from one year to three the duration of a visa for hiring professional workers from Canada and Mexico to attract more such workers to the U.S. ●-Spend more money to speed up background checks on immigrants. ●-Require the Social Security administration and Department of Homeland Security to devise a way

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Associated Press Aug 10, 2007

to prevent undocumented workers from earning credit in the Social Security system for work they've done while in the country illegally. ●-Expand lists of organized gangs from other nations whose members are barred from automatic entry to the United States. ●-Continue to work on creating a system that will record the exit of foreigners from the country for air, land and sea ports. ●-By Jan. 31, 2008, begin phasing in requirements for U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean to carry passports to reenter the country at sea and land ports. ●-Homeland Security Department will deliver "state of the border" reports regularly.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Friday, August 3, 2007 – The Marshall County Poultry & Egg Association held its annual meeting and picnic at Civitan Park on the shore of beautiful Lake Guntersville. Gentle breezes sent exhibitors scrambling to recover flying papers and brochures from time to time, but also kept the temperature a bit more tolerable for the approximately 300 in attendance.

After everyone had a turn at the delicious barbeque chicken, Association President Dwight Williams took the microphone as master of ceremonies. The audience was inspired by his three daughters’ acapella rendition of “God Bless America.”

The program was brief. Ray Hilburn of the Alabama Department of Agriculture urged the growers to tighten-up on biosecurity in light of some recent, but isolated, LT cases. Vanessa Kretzschmar, Auburn University, department of poultry student recruiter, reported on the availability of poultry science scholarships, and encouraged potential students to apply.

Not to be outdone, Marshall County Poultry & Egg Association awarded $3000 in scholarships to outstanding students who are the children of Marshall County poultry growers. Receiving $500 scholarships were: Hunter Baugh—Albertville, son of Danny & Kathy Baugh Justin and Elena Burks—Horton, son and daughter of Larry & Leslie Burks Heather and Jaimie Evans—Douglas, daughters of Mark Evans and Joey & Carrie Brothers Andrea Kinney—Horton, daughter of Thomas & Deborah Kinney After the scholarships came the most anticipated part of the evening, door prizes provided by local area merchants and event sponsors. The only thing more anticipated was the drawing for the John Deere Gator. With 179 tickets sold, benefitting the scholarship fund, interest was high, Congratulations, Randy Bynum – drive with pride!

Association President Dwight Williams (right) and some of the scholarship winners with their families – Congratulations!

Marsshall County Association President Dwight Williams

The Williams sisters inspired the crowd with “God Bless America.”

Ray Hilburn

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Vanessa Kretzschmar

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ASSOCIATION NEWS Graben wins Clay County Scholarship

Josh Graben (left) accepts a $750 scholarship from Clay County Poultry & Egg Association president, Brad Stuart (right).

Graben will attend Auburn University this

At the July meeting of the Clay County Poultry & Egg Association, over fried catfish fillets at Red’s Catfish Cabin, association president Brad Stuart presented Josh Graben with a $750 scholarship to study poultry science at Auburn University. Graben, a Clay County native, has already completed two years of junior college and will enter Auburn this fall as a junior.

Graben does not come from a poultry producing family, however, he has worked during his teenage years with a number of poultry growers in the area and loves the work.

The meeting was sponsored by Paul Huff of Huff Insurance and by Greg Myrick of Snead Ag Supply in Oxford. Huff reported that the average cost of rebuilding a chicken house after a disaster was $187,000. He suggested that all growers should review their policies to ensure that they were adequately covered.

Cullman County Holds Annual Meeting

(Above) Steven Creel, president of the Cullman County Poultry & Egg Assoc.

(Above) Barbeque chicken is always a treat, even for a Mississippi State Bulldog fan.

July 21, 2007 – A crowd of more than 200 poultry growers, their families and friends met at Wallace State Community College for the Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association Annual Meeting. Everyone enjoyed the barbequed chicken and background piano music provided by Wilma Smith.

Association president Steven Creel called the meeting to order and introduced the board of directors and company officials in attendance. County Agent Charles Pinkston was also recognized. Next, Creel announced the incoming association officers: president – Jeff Wren; vice president – Paul Holmes; and secretary/treasurer – Robert Crumbley.

The Cullman County association has a long history of involvement in the community. Their generosity is a matter of public record, and 2007 is no exception. This year the association presented $1,000 checks to four vital community organizations: Cullman Caring for Kids/United Way Food Bank, Hospice of Cullman County, Good Samaritan Health Clinic, and Project Lifesaver. Money was raised by ticket sales on a John Deere Gator.

A draw-down was held for the many door prizes provided by generous event sponsors. Finally the grand prize of the John Deere Gator was awarded to Melvin Seymore.

(Right) Donation recipients (left to right) Jerry Jacobs, executive director of the Good Samaritan Health Clinic; Millie Evers of the Pilate Club representing Project Lifesaver: Steven Creel; Javon Daniel, executive director of Cullman Caring for Kids and the United Way Food Bank; and Jo Smith representing Hospice of Cullman County.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

(Above) 1st Place went to Ricky Knott and Eric Dabbs with 16.66 lbs.

(Above) 2nd Place went to Jesse and Scott Crumbley with 16.40 lbs.

(Above) 3rd Place went to Jamie and Jim Smith with 16.36 lbs.

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The weather on Friday, May 11, 2007, was perfect. Lake Guntersville was smooth and the weather was pleasant for the 60 plus entrants, and more than 30 boats participating in this year’s AP&EA “Big Bass” Fishing Tournament, sponsored by Plano Tackle Systems, Jones Hamilton Co. and AP&EA VIP Sponsors.

Early that morning AP&EA’s Wes Cumbie, Roger Chappell of First South Farm Credit, along with Fred Cespedes, James Sanford, and Steve Smith of American Proteins passed out gift bags from Plano and Ebsco Media to all the fishermen. These bags contained lures, tackle boxes, hats and other goodies.

The competition was tight. When the boats came in at the end of the day only three tenths of a pound separated the winners from third place.

Tournament winners were first place ($200) Ricky Knott and Ricky Dabbs; 2nd place ($130) went to Jesse and Scott Crumbley; and third place ($80) went to Jamie and Jim Smith. Chad Wiggs caught the biggest fish at 7.40 lbs. making him the Big Bass winner.

After the tournament, a drawing was held for rods, reels, coolers and other great fishing prizes donated by our generous sponsors.

Friday, June 8, 2007 – After months of drought, as the more than 100 golfers began to take to the course for the AP&EA annual golf classic, it began to rain. Spirits at the beautiful Bent Brook Country Club in Birmingham, however, were not dampened, and the rain soon was over.

Day jobs were secure as poultry pros putted, aimed drives at unsuspecting photographers and otherwise generally assaulted the links. And while Tiger Woods was never challenged, many a game-face was broken with laughter after finishing the round.

A catered lunch was served in the club’s dining room, while the judges, calculators in hand, tallied the scores.

First through third place teams received Edwin Watts gift certificates and closest to the pin winners received cash prizes. A set of Cobra golf clubs, donated by Southwestern Sales, was given as a door prize.

The tournament was the first event in the AP&EA “Evening of Fun” weekend and was sponsored by AP&EA’s VIP sponsors, Jones Hamilton Co., and 18 individual hole sponsors.

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EVENING OF FUN

“Evening of Fun” Preceded

by Grower Seminar

The “Evening of Fun” was not all fun. It was preceded by a grower seminar that included the election of directors to serve on the AP&EA board for the coming year, presentation of the “Farm Family of the Year” and a presentation on poultry diseases by Dr. Ken Macklin of Auburn University.

AP&EA President Ricky Walker welcomed everyone to the Birmingham Ballroom of the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex Sheraton for the “Evening of Fun” and turned the podium over to Johnny Adcock, chairman of the AP&EA Grower Committee. Adcock thanked the more than fifty growers in attendance for coming and promised “the program we have for you will be worth the price of the “Evening of Fun” ticket, not counting the entertainment.”

According to the AP&EA by-laws, growers are represented by six directors on the board, each serving for two-year terms. Three members, Ken Taylor, Stanley Usery and Mack Watson are in their first year of service.

Three seats were up for election.

Immediate Past President Roger Chappell presented the Nominating Committee’s report. The committee recommended that Kenneth Sanders, Dennis Maze and Johnny Adcock, all incumbent board members, be reelected to serve as directors.

Chappell called for other nominations. There were none, so he declared the nominations closed, and the nominees were elected by a hand count.

The next order of business was to present the Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year. Jack and Cynthia Johnson of Woodland in Randolph County are the AP&EA 2007 Farm Family of the Year. Their son, Brad, and his wife, Ashley, are also involved in the day-to-day running of the farm.

Their operation consists of four 40 x 420 foot breeder houses which produce breeder eggs for Koch Foods.

After the presentation of the Farm Family of the Year, Dr. Ken Macklin, assistant professor and extension specialist with the Auburn University department of poultry science, specializing in poultry health, environmental issues and biosecurity, offered a multi-media presentation titled “Disease Issues of Interest to Alabama Broiler and Breeder Growers.” Even though this is a very serious issue, Dr. Macklin kept his audience’s attention with his wit and unique delivery.

After Dr. Macklin’s presentation, door prizes were presented and the meeting was adjourned to the adjacent room where a buffet awaited.

Seminar participants were reminded to register for CAFO continuing educations credits.

(Above) AP&EA President Ricky Walker welcomed everyone to the Grower Seminar.

(Above) Johnny Adcock, chairman of AP&EA Grower Committee, is a broiler grower from Woodland.

(Above) Ricky Walker and Johnny Adcock present Jack and Cynthia Johnson of Woodland the Farm Family of the Year plaque.

(Above)Dr. Ken Macklin held the audience’s attention with a dynamic presentation and sense of humor.

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June 9, 2007 – Saturday night in Birmingham was hot and it wasn’t just the mercury that was rising. The decibels were ramping up at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center as the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association “Evening of Fun” was moving into gear. The crowd was about to understand what “One for the money–Two for the show” was really about with two Nashville acts on the verge of stardom. Little Big Town and Craig Morgan, two of the most charismatic acts to headline the AP&EA Evening of Fun venue were only a few minutes Teresa Smiley from taking the stage.

The pre-concert program included an invocation by AP&EA Treasurer Ken Taylor and, in one of the most memorable moments, Alabama Dept. of Agriculture deputy comks, par nd S missioner, Teresa Smiley, surprised and thrilled the Ron ge a ner ck Pa o i s a growing crowd with her heart touching rendition of “The mis ep. J Com rst, R e r u Star Spangled Banner.”

H ltu ricu . Steve g A Before the concert got underway, AP&EA President, Ricky Rep ms, Ada urtis, y n C . r n Walker welcomed everyone and introduced the AP&EA officers. Next Joh . Mike Taylo h Rep . Butc Johnny Adams, AP&EA Executive Director recognized a number of dignitaries in the Rep audience including Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, Ron Sparks , Rep. Mike Curtis, Rep. Steve Hurst, Rep. Jack Page and Rep. Butch Taylor.

The over 3000 in attendance next got to meet the AP&EA Farm Family of the Year, Jack and Cynthia Johnson and family from Woodland.

Then it happened. The stage lights went down, and, the tension in the audience skyrocketed. The lights flashed and there was Little Big Town. The crowd rushed the stage even as the group was slinging on their guitars. The floor between the stage and the first row of seats was packed with mostly young fans, all excited to be this close to a group they knew and loved.

It was obvious that Little Big Town loved the attention too and responded in kind. The beat was fast, the sound was big and the harmony was sweet as Little Big Town rocked the house with songs from their album, The Road to Here, such as “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” and “Good As Gone” or a heart pounding Stevie Nix standard, “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” Little Big Town left no doubt of their star quality.

The crowd was breathless when Little Big Town left the stage. As fans headed to the concession stands, overhead monitors thanked event sponsors for what was, so far, a great evening. They didn’t know that the fun was just getting started.

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After a short intermis- AP&EA Farm Family of the Year – Jack and Cynthia sion, Craig Morgan took Johnson and family from Woodland. the stage. Now Craig Morgan can rock with the best, with hits such as “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Money” and “I’m Country.” But, it’s his ballads that stole the show. If songs like “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Every Friday Afternoon,” “Almost Home,” and the show stopper “God, Family and Country,” didn’t put a tear in your eye and a lump in your throat, then you ain’t country.

Then there were the personal touches. He knelt down and handed his mike to someone to hold for him while he signed autographs for the kids crowded around the stage, never missing a beat. He serenaded someone over an audience member’s cell phone. He had fun, the audience had fun. Great singer, nice person – Craig Morgan!

After the concert, with the music still ringing in their ears, the crowd boot scooted around to the Civic center East Ballroom where the Tip Tops were “gettin’ ready to get down and get funky.” The Tip Top’s combination of soul and rock could not be denied, and it wasn’t long before the boogy line was formed and shakin’.

The night got a little warmer when a group of ladies from the audience took to the stage as back-up dancers. How’d they learn to dance like that? Wow, sell me a ticket for next year!

It was a great night, and if you weren’t there – you should have been. So start making your plans for next year, buddy. It is sure to be another AP&EA “Evening of Fun” to remember and you gotta be there!

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Once again beautiful Destin, Fla., provided the backdrop for the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association summer board of directors meeting and annual meeting on July 23 and 24. Members and their families from around Alabama gathered to discuss issues impacting the Alabama poultry industry as well as elect new officers for the coming year.

There was also a heaping helping of fun and food on the agenda.

The Sunday evening informal reception, for the board and sponsors, was an impressive beginning for the event. It was a great time to catch up with old friends and make new acquaintances over the boiled jumbo shrimp and baked potato bar in a most cordial atmosphere.

Monday morning’s board meeting was preceded with a sumptuous breakfast prepared by the excellent Hilton kitchen. By the time that Association President Ricky Walker called the meeting to order, everyone was well fortified and ready to begin.

In the afternoon session new officers were elected. Jack Sherwood, Wayne Farms, south Alabama area manager, was elected president with Ken Taylor as vice president, Fred Cespedes as treasurer and Wendell Shelton as secretary.

After a day of “sweatin’ out the details,” it was time for some fun. About 6:30 p.m. the doors opened and everyone flocked into the meeting room to view and bid on the silent auction

items. It was also an opportunity to see what items were available for the live auction to come later. At 7:30 p.m., the dinner bell sounded and the buffet line opened.

It was “surf and turf” extraordinare.

There were boiled shrimp the size of drumsticks and beef fillets that were as tender as marshmallows. The deserts were even more delectable with fresh fruits that could only come from Florida. Needless to say, no one left the table hungry.

Association Executive Director Johnny Adams took the podium and introduced AP&EA President Ricky Walker, beginning the awards portion of the program.

Ricky began by presenting the Presidential Award to Immediate Past President Roger Chappell, describing him as “a special man who has contributed countless hours and untold energy to this Association and our industry.” He then made two unannounced awards to Association Administrative Director Wanda Linker and to Association Membership Director Wes Cumbie for outstanding service to the Association.

Johnny Adams and Jack Sherwood, chairman of this year’s “Evening of Fun” ticket sales campaign next stepped to the podium to recognize great performances in ticket sales.

The Top Ticket Sales to Broiler Grower Award, also known as the Rhonell Word Award, honors individuals

(Left) Wanda Linker, AP&EA administrative director, and (Right) Membership Director Wes Cumbie were taken totally by surprise when their awards were announced.

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who strive for excellence in the same tradition as Rhonell. The winner – Marty Rice of Pilgrim’s Pride in Boaz.

Marty also won the Top Rookie Award.

The Top Serviceman for Grower Sales to Breeder or Pullet Hen Growers – Harold Robinson with Tyson Foods, Inc., Snead (8 years in a row).

Top Salesman in $150 sales – Fred Cespedes with American Proteins.

Most Sales to New Purchasers – Ronnie Junkin with Peco Foods in Gordo.

The ticket sales campaign is a real team effort. So in addition to individual awards, team awards were also presented.

The award for the team selling the most total tickets went to Tyson Foods in Snead with 501 tickets sold.

Cagle’s Inc. in Collinsville is this year’s Top Team Based on Quota with an outstanding 174 percent of quota and 100 percent Fraternity participation.

Other teams meeting their quota were: Allied Team, Philip Drake, cap-

tain; Equity Group Eufaula Division Keshia Porter, captain; Marshall Durbin Co., Bart Payne, captain; Pilgrim’s Pride, Boaz, Becky Arrington, captain; Wayne Farms, Decatur, Lana Gillis, captain; and Wayne Farms, Enterprise, Debbe Swafford, captain.

Jack also recognized and thanked the members of the Alabama Poultry Fraternity and other ticket salesmen.

It was now time for Ricky Walker to perform the last act of his AP&EA presidency. He turned over his gavel to incoming President Jack Sherwood.

Ricky, with his lovely wife, Heidi, at his side was presented with a gavel plaque and a bronze rooster. Heidi received a new set of Emeril cookware.

New President Sherwood spoke briefly about the opportunities and challenges facing the poultry industry in the state, and then it was time to bid.

At about 9 p.m., the bidding war started. There were football tickets, premium cigars, art work, golf clubs, vacations, hunting trips, shotguns, a cooker,

Jack

Ricky

Heidi

even jewelry for the ladies. Excitement ran high especially when there was a brief head-to-head competition between a Tommy Tuberville signed Auburn football helmet and an Alabama football helmet signed by Nick Saban, all in serious, but good-natured fun.

The auction was a great success, with more than $30,000 raised for the Association.

Tuesday morning started off with a thunderstorm, so there were a number of golfers enjoying the Annual Membership Breakfast. Fortunately the weather cleared so the golf tournament could begin and the children could head off to Big Kahuna’s Water Park.

“Evening of Fun” Top ticket sales awards for 2007

Harold Robinson has gotten used to get- Fred Cespedes of American Proteins took the award for Top Salesman in ting this award for Top Serviceman for Growers Sales to Breeder or Pullet Hen $150 Sales.

Growers. It’s the eighth year in a row that he has received the award.

Cagle’s Inc. in Collinsville was this year’s Top Team Based on Quota with 174 percent of their quota. The Cagle’s team met its quota and achieved 100 percent Fraternity participation. Ronnie Adrian accepted the awards on behalf of team captain Glenn Stansell.

Philip Drake, team captain for the Allied Team, accepted the award for meeting their quota.

Marty Rice of Pilgrim’s Pride in Boaz took awards for Top Rookie and Top Ticket Salesman to Broiler Growers, also known as the Rhonell Word Award.

The award for Most Sales to New Purchasers went to Ronnie Junkin with Peco Foods in Gordo. The Peco Team also reached its quota.

Ken Edwards accepted the award for Equity Group, Eufaula, representing team captain Keshia Porter.

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Dale Gambrill, team captain, accepted the award for the team selling the most total tickets, Tyson Foods in Snead, with a total of 501 tickets. The Tyson Snead team obviously met their quota.

Tim Esslinger of Wayne Farms, Decatur accepted the award for team captain Lana Gillis. Jack Sherwood, Wayne Farms of Enterprise also took home an award on behalf of team captain Debbe Swafford.

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Tuesday, July 24, 2007 –With the thunderstorm clearing, the poultry professionals headed for the links. As the last peels of thunder clapped and went silent, balls were being tee’d up on the Sandestin Baytowne golf course. It is a course that has showcased some of the best talent in professional and amatuer golf. It was greatly enjoyed by all of our very discriminating golfers.

The Baytowne Golf Club originally opened for play in 1984 before undergoing its latest renovation in 2005. The rolling fairways of this course are lined with tall pines and lead to large, undulating greens that are moderate in speed. Water comes into play on twelve holes and the entire course is heavily bunkered. Baytowne is a par 71 course, and plays from 3,002 to 6,804-yards and offers five sets of tees.

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Cynthia Johnson’s family raised chickens. She knew the long hours and total commitment that went into the poultry business. She knew the constant fear of power outages and unpredictable weather, and of contamination and disease. She thought that it was all behind her when she married Jack, her Woodland High School sweetheart, 35 years ago.

Cynthia had graduated from Opelika Technical College with an associate’s degree in accounting, and Jack had gone to work with a local building contractor when they married in 1972. They moved into the house on the farm they still call home.

Jack had not come from a farming background. His father worked at the Anniston Army Depot, and the family’s garden was about as close as he had come to farming, but in rural Randolph County farming seeps into the blood. It started small, helping Cynthia’s parents with their broiler houses and then buying some land as well as a few head of cattle for himself

Brad

Jack

Kelli

Ashley

Gus

Alexandra

Cynthia

Jack was a good contractor, so he started his own contracting business. Cynthia had her own career at a local bank. By now two children had been born to the couple. Brad was born in 1975 and then daughter, Kelli, in 1980. Although, Jack’s contracting business was a growing success, he was finding that what he really loved was farming, and he was good at that too.

He talked to Cynthia about building some broiler houses on the farm. Her response was, in her words, “kinda skeptical.” He talked to some of the processing companies about growing for them, but there was little interest in adding another small grower to an already crowded market, so he put the idea aside for a while.

In 1996, Tyson Foods approached him about going into the breeder business. Again he went to Cynthia with the idea, and this time she was more positive. He put the building contracting business behind him and built two 40 x 420 foot breeder houses for Tyson. As with his contracting business, the breeder houses were successful. In 2001, he built a third house and then added a fourth house in 2004.

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With the farm prospering in 2005, Cynthia decided to take an early retirement from Wachovia Bank to join Jack on the farm. Her book keeping and accounting background have been an invaluable resource in the farm’s operations.

Today, Jack and Cynthia Johnson’s farm covers 300 acres. Their four breeder houses now produce, at peak, 7,000 eggs per house a day for Koch Foods. They also have 110 head of brood cows and usually produce approximately 300 tons of hay per year, although this year’s drought has dramatically cut hay production.

Their son, Brad, has become a partner in their farming operation in the last two years. Brad holds a B.S. degree in poultry science from Auburn University. He worked as a Gold Kist poultry field rep for a number of years before starting his own poultry operation with two breeder houses. He and his wife, Ashley, a pharmacist in Wedowee, and daughter, Alexandra, were chosen as the 2006 Alabama Farmers Federation Outstanding Young Farm Family of the Year in the hay and forage division. His contributions to the farm were instrumental in the farm being featured at the Alabama Farmers Federation annual meeting in December 2006 in Mobile.

Daughter, Kelli, is a first grade teacher in Russell County, and her husband, Gus, is a CPA with a bank in

(Above) Cynthia calls Alexandra her “recreational grandchild.” (Right) Sixteen hours of springtime daylight keeps the roosters and hens motivated.

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Columbus, Ga. Kelli says that she started sorting eggs as they came off the conveyor when she was 16. She remembers doing it every day until she left for college, getting ready for the twiceweekly pick-ups. Gus, the son of a veterinarian, smiles when he hears her describe cleaning the eggs and then carefully putting them into the crates for storage in the cool rooms to await shipment to the Fair Knoll hatchery.

Cynthia finally has to admit that the poultry business is pretty good after all. She is not all that happy about being so tied to the farm, but she and Jack do occasionally get to slip away to their favorite vacation spot in Orange Beach. They are active in their church, Mt. Carmel Church of Christ, and then there is the joy of having most of her family close by, especially a certain granddaughter.

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS Cullman Poultry Farm Named Alabama Farmers Federation

2007 Farm of Distinction

There are many adjectives to describe Billy and Terri Gilley’s family such as hardworking and down-to-earth, but Terri says the best word is “blessed.”

The Gilleys, who began raising broilers with Ingram Farms in 1989 and have been with Tyson Foods since 2004, were recently awarded the title of Alabama’s 2007 Farm of Distinction by the Alabama Farmers Federation.

“We’re really honored,” says Terri. “I was so excited, I almost cried.”

Billy and Terri received prizes valuing more than $10,000, including a John Deere Gator CX that was donated by several Alabama and Georgia SunSouth dealers.

On Oct. 16 -18 at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Ga., the Gilleys will represent Alabama in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year competition.

The Gilleys got into the poultry industry as a way to stay on the farm and “make a livin’ at it,” says Terri. When the couple built their first four 40 x 500 foot houses, Billy was still working a factory job. In 1993, he came home to the farm. Now, in addition to the six broiler houses the couple manages, which produces approximately 4.5 million pounds of chicken per year, they have a 200-head purebred Charolais and commercial cattle operation on their farm.

The Gilleys believe raising their two daughters, Angela Gilley and Jennifer Dias, on a farm taught the girls responsibility and money management. “There’s no better place to raise a family than on the farm,” says Terri. “You work together and play together.”

However, Terri admits there are pros and cons to living on a farm. The Gilley’s “thank God for his blessings at the end of a hard day even hot water,” and like many growers, they worry about keeping equipment in working order and diseases such as LT infecting their flock.

Meeting CAFO standards can be time consuming, but the Gilleys commitment to following these conservation measures earned them Tyson’s 2005 environmental stewardship award.

Although there are difficulties, the Gilleys love farming. “God has blessed us with this farm,” says Terri.

(Above) Terri and Billy enjoy a break on their front porch. (Below) Nothing comes between Terri and her Gator, not even Billy!

Fagan Retires After Servicing Poultry Industry for Nearly Four Decades

April 2007, Gainesville, Ga. – Merial Select, Inc. announced that Garry Fagan has officially retired after 23 years as an area sales manager providing sales, service and support to the poultry industry in the Alabama region. Based in Weaver, Ala., Fagan also covered parts of Georgia and Tennessee, calling on a variety of poultry operations including the major integrators in the area.

“Garry helped his clients through many of the industry changes and challenges that have taken place over the past 40 years,” states Mike Johnson, east regional sales manager for Merial Select. “Garry’s commitment to customer service and dedication to detail will be missed.”

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS Denny Hickman Inducted into AP&EA Hall of Fame

Flanked by his wife, son and AP&EA Hall of Fame brother, Jerome, and beneath the portrait of his Hall of Fame father, Herman, Denny Hickman became the latest in a long line of Hickmans inducted into the Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame. In a simple and informal ceremony, surrounded by close friends and associates at the offices of Peco Foods in Tuscaloosa, Hickman re- AP&EA President Ricky Walker presents the Hall of Fame lifetime membership certificate ceived his induction certificate from to Denny Hickman. On Denny’s left is his wife, Patsy, and to his right, his son, Mark (presAssociation President Ricky Walker. ident of the National Chicken Council), and brother, Jerome.

Wayne Farms Honored for Fund-raising Efforts Wayne Farms LLC has recently been honored by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, as a result of its impressive employee adoption benefits, and by Relay for Life for the Union Springs facility’s continued support in helping The American Cancer Society’s fund-raising efforts.

In the Foundation’s list of the 10 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces in the food, beverage and restaurant industry, Wayne Farms was ranked ninth nationwide.

Adoption programs at Wayne Farms provide reimbursement to employees for non-special needs children ($5,000 per child) or special

needs children ($6,000 per child).

Also, unpaid leave for employees who adopt is offered under the federally mandated Family Leave and Medical Act. Wayne Farms takes pride in offering the adoption assistance program to its employees, says David Malfitano, vice president of human resources.

The corporation aims to provide a positive, opportunity-rich environment for its workers. It is the fourthlargest vertically integrated poultry producer in the United States yet remains community oriented as is shown through the company’s generous philanthropies.

Cagle’s Processing Plant Reaches Safety Milestone Cagle’s Collinsville, Ala., processing plant recently surpassed two million man-hours without a lost time injury. The 950 employee operation hasn’t suffered a lost time injury for more than a year. During this period the Cagle facility had a Total Recordable Injury Rate of approximately

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half the industry average.

The company celebrated with a luncheon in which the managers cooked and served employees as a way of expressing their appreciation to all who take an active part in safety at the plant. Each employee was also given a commemorative tee shirt to

Alabama Poultry

For more than 10 years, employees at the Union Springs facility have helped raise more than $85,000 for ACS research. With a contribution of $11,000, the 2007 Wayne Farms Union Springs’ team was named “Bullock County Top Fundraising Team” for the eighth consecutive year.

“Although Wayne Farms is a large corporation, we have held tightly to our community roots,” says Jack Sherwood, south Alabama area manager and current Alabama Poultry & Egg Association president. “We are proud to continue helping those who have been affected by cancer.”

mark the milestone.

Plant manager Ronnie Adrian credited every employee for helping reach this mark. “Our goal is to never experience a lost time injury. We have an immediate goal of five million man-hours right now. If we keep our eye on the ball we should reach that goal somewhere around December of 2008.”

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EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Auburn University Department of Poultry Science Dr. Patricia (Pat) A. Curtis Professor & Director of Poultry Products Safety & Quality Program Alabama Poultry: Where did you grow up?

Dr. Curtis: I grew up in Mesquite, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, Texas.

Alabama Poultry: Where did you go to school?

Dr. Curtis: I received by B.S. in home economics education at Texas Woman’s University and my M.S. and Ph.D. in food science at Texas A&M University.

Alabama Poultry: What is your current scientific discipline?

Dr. Curtis: I work in the area of poultry and egg products safety and quality. I spend a lot of my time working with the poultry industry on food safety related regulatory issues such as HACCP. Alabama Poultry: How did you get interested in poultry?

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Dr. Curtis: When I applied to graduate school at Texas A&M University, the department of poultry science offered me an assistantship.

Texas A&M University did not have a separate food science department at the time I attended graduate school.

You simply took food related classes in a variety of departments and chose one of those departments as your home department. Since the department of poultry science offered me an assistantship, I decided to select it as my home department. Since I was a food science student in the department of poultry science, my research was conducted on poultry products.

After graduation, I continued to work in the area of poultry products safety and quality.

Alabama Poultry: When did you join the faculty in the Auburn department of poultry science?

Dr. Curtis: I joined the faculty in January of 2002. Prior to joining the faculty here at Auburn, I was on faculty at North Carolina State University and the University of Wisconsin—River Falls.

Alabama Poultry: What courses do you teach?

Dr. Curtis: I teach a “Food Laws and Regulations.” The course can be taken for undergraduate credit (POUL 5150 on campus or POUL 5153 off campus) or for graduate credit (POUL 6150 on campus or POUL 6156 off campus). The course is taught completely online.

I am also the instructor for the “Poultry and Egg Evaluation” course (POUL 2000). This is a new course any undergraduate student can take. The top four students in the class compete at a national poultry judging competition each semester.

Alabama Poultry

Alabama Poultry: What is the focus of your research and outreach efforts?

Dr. Curtis: My lab has two distinct areas of research—poultry meat products and egg products. My poultry meat products research is generally related to HACCP issues.

One of my graduate student’s research project is focused on the receiving area of the processing plant where we are trying to reduce microbial levels in the hanging area in hopes of reducing final microbial counts on the finished carcass. I am also working on a survey on water use and waste loads in Alabama broiler processing plants.

Another one of my graduate students just finished an egg cooking study to validate the American Egg Board’s recommendations for cooking shell eggs—boiling, frying, poaching, etc. Another of my graduate student is looking at how pasteurization impacts functionality of processed eggs. My lab is also looking at how the functionality (whipping, coagulating, emulsion, etc.) of the egg changes as the bird producing that egg ages.

My outreach efforts are focused primarily on assisting broiler processing plants with meeting HACCP regulations and Salmonella performance standards. I teach HACCP and Advanced HACCP (how to audit HACCP programs) workshops both at Auburn and on site for individual plants who have a minimum of eight people who want to enroll in the workshop. The Introductory to HACCP workshop is also available online.

I also serve as the director of the National Egg Products School. The National Egg Products School (NEPS) is a hands-on workshop

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conducted annually to educate industry personnel, government regulators, students, etc. about the safety and functional properties of egg products. More information about NEPS can be found at www.ag.auburn.edu/poul/neps.

We have just recently completed the “Virtual Chicken” project. The “Virtual Chicken” is available to science teachers and others who would like to see how the egg is formed inside the chicken. The “Virtual Chicken” is available in DVD format and addition resources and activities are available online at www.virtual chicken.org

Alabama Poultry: How is your work at Auburn benefiting the Alabama poultry industry?

Dr. Curtis: All poultry processing plants must meet HACCP regulations and Salmonella performance standards in order to operate.

These regulations are being continually refined. I work with plants to help them meet these regulations and stay in operation while producing the safest product possible.

I have worked to make resources (virtual library, publication database, workshop listing, courses, etc.) available to the industry online at www.ag.auburn.edu/poul/peakwelcome.html.

For more information: Dr. Pat Curtis Auburn University Department of Poultry Science 201 Poultry Science Building Auburn, AL 36849-5416 Phone (334) 844-2679 Fax (334) 844-1680 Email: Pat_Curtis@auburn.edu

The Alabama 4-H Club’s finest chicken cookers squared off on a hot Tuesday morning, June 26, 2007, at the Alabama A&M University Agriculture arena, to see who would claim the top prize in the Alabama 4-H Club Chicken Q Championship. They had their game faces on as they started their fires, pouring pre-measured lighter fuel over carefully arranged charcoal. The judges eyes were on every move the four contestants made.

This contest is not just about the best recipe or the tastiest pullet. There is a comprehensive judging criteria to which these young grillers must comply. Proper record keeping, personal appearance, and practical and uncomplicated equipment are just a part of the list of considerations. Safety is a major concern: food safety (salmonella is most unwelcomed) and fire safety (singed eyebrows don’t win any points).

This year’s contestants all won the right to compete by winning a number of local and regional Chicken-Qs. The contestants were: Lauren Cooper, Tuskegee Jacob Smith, Vernon Matthew Gates, Troy Kraig Taylor, Waverly And the winner was Kraig Taylor. Kraig is a senior at Beauregard High School – congratulations, Kraig!

June 14, 2007– The poultry industry was well represented at the third annual Alabama 4-H Golf Classic, held at Farmlinks near Sylacauga. Money raised goes directly to support 4-H programs throuought the state.

Celebrities for the event were Coach Larry Blakeney of Troy University, Coach Joe Kines of the University of Alabama and legendary Auburn University Coach Pat Dye. “Our goal is to strengthen support for Alabama 4-H by building lifelong relationships with our many friends,” said Lamar Nichols, assistant director, 4-H and youth development, with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems.

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Keep Birds Cool – and Costs Down PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Jess Campbell, Jim Donald, Gene Simpson, and Ken Macklin, Auburn University

You must have the 10-12 degrees of tunnel ventilation windchill cooling to serve as the base on which evaporative cooling can add its real cooling – lowering actual air temperatures as much as 12-15 degrees, so the birds will be experiencing a temperature in the low 70s when actual outside air temperature is in the 90s.To get all the tunnel ventilation wind-chill cooling you’re paying for in electric power, there are three basic requirements:

Most Alabama broiler producers now rely on tunnel ventilation and some form of evaporative cooling to keep birds growing in hot weather.

Investment in the needed equipment usually pays off because the cooling results in lower mortalities, better feed efficiency, and more live weight at catch time. With the costs of both electricity and water rising, keeping your bottom line from sagging requires that you keep cooling systems working at top efficiency 1. The house must be tight. All incoming air must come in and with no waste of either water or through the tunnel inlets, not electric power. This article focuses through cracks or other openings. on the most important things every A tight house will pull a static modern grower should be doing in pressure of at least 0.15 inches 3. Fan blades and shutters must be hot weather, especially with regard clean. Dust and feathers accumurunning one 48-inch fan with all to evaporative cooling, your last and lating on a fan blade change the doors and air inlets closed. If best defense against over-heating aerodynamics of the blade. Studyour house can’t pass this test, birds. you won’t get effective cooling.

2. Fan belts must be tight and not worn down so they ride low in the pulleys. A worn belt, even if Having enough air moving at tight, will use the same amount of high enough velocity – for most power as a good belt but will not modern houses, 500-600 feet per turn the fan at its rated air-moving capacity. Just a 10% loss of minute – is absolutely essential for fan rpm’s can cost you 3 degrees keeping birds cool in hot weather. of wind-chill cooling.

Air Flow & Wind Speed – Key to Cooling

A worn belt, even if tight, will use the same amount of power as a good good belt but will not turn the fan at its rated air-moving capacity.

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Fan blades and shutters must be clean.

ies in the field have shown that dirty fan blades and shutters can reduce airflow by as much as 30%. It takes as much electric power to run a dirty fan system as a clean one, but you won’t get anywhere near as much windchill cooling.

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Per House Electricity & Water Costs, 1992-2006

Costs for both electric power and water have been increasing rapidly over the last fifteen years. Numbers shown here are from north Alabama, but reports indicate the trends shown here are fairly typical across the U.S. Broiler Belt. Even growers getting water from on-farm sources are in effect paying more for the water through increased pumping costs. When keeping birds cool costs more money, growers have more reasons to keep cooling systems operating at top efficiency.

Water – Vital For Real Cooling

An adequate supply of goodquality water is the second essential requirement for hot-weather cooling. A high-efficiency six-inch recirculating pad system can give as much as 12-15 degrees of actual temperature drop. Many of our poultry farms now buy utility water, which is becoming more pricey but usually is of good quality, so growers can avoid some of the costs often involved in using on-farm water

sources, including pumping, filtering out sediment or rock particles and purchasing and operating water purification systems. However it is done, providing clear, good-quality water for both drinkers and evaporative cooling systems is a must.

Growers must also make sure the quantity of water available is adequate. A four-house broiler farm may consume as much as 50-60 gallons per minute. The May 2007 issue of “Poultry Tips” on the University of Georgia poultry ventilation website

(Above) Recirculating pad cooling systems save on water costs by re-using water. However, to maintain efficient cooling, system water should be dumped and replenished as needed, usually on a weekly basis. Dirty water, as seen in sump at left, leaves all its dirt on the pad as the water evaporates, reducing the system cooling. Photo at right shows clear water in a well-maintained system.

www.poultryventilation.com offers a handy fact sheet on broiler farm water use.

Keeping water costs under control involves making sure water is being used most efficiently – covered below in the sections on evaporative cooling maintenance and operation – and monitoring to make sure it is not being wasted through leaks in drinker lines or cooling systems. Many modern controllers are designed to accommodate various water-flow metering sensors in drinker lines and cooling systems.

Seeing a daily printout of water usage in different systems is a quick way to spot unusual water use that may signal a leak.

Evaporative Cooling Systems – Regular Maintenance Pays Off

Given the costs of the water and the electric power being consumed, it makes sense to keep up with the maintenance steps needed to keep cooling systems operating at top efficiency. Daily monitoring to make sure all pads are being thoroughly wetted is the first step. Any dry streak on a pad is a place where hot air is rushing into the house. Pumps, sumps and filters should be checked regularly and cleaned as frequently as needed to prevent algae and sludge or sediment clogging that causes reduced water pressure across the distribution header and poor, non-uniform pad wetting.

Many growers consider filters a nuisance; but be assured that operating without a filter will soon cause even worse problems. Pads also

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temperature from rising. Evaporative cooling, again especially with larger birds, should be turned on when inhouse temperature gets to the 80°84°F range, and not be forced to play catch-up when in-house temperatures are already too high.

(Above) Clogged holes in distribution headers can often be cleared by poking a small screwdriver or other tool into the hole to remove the foreign matter.

must be checked frequently and cleaned as needed. A clogged pad severely restricts airflow, hurting both evaporative and wind-chill cooling. To maintain water quality in recirculating systems, most manufacturers recommend bleeding off water in the system or replacing the water at least once a week during heavy usage.

During the day, cooling systems are best operated so that pads stay continuously wet. It is uneconomical and has little cooling effect to run evaporative cooling at night. In most locations evaporative cooling should

(Above) A soft bristled brush similar to the ones used to clean automobiles can be used – carefully – to clean pads without damaging them.

fogging lines toward the fan end of the house, to re-cool tunnel air that has picked up heat from the birds.

The house end-to-end temperature difference should be monitored. Ideally, we should be able to keep this differential under 5 degrees F; if it approaches 10 degrees or more, it signals a problem to be investigated.

(Above) Grass clippings, leaves, dirt, and other materials must not be allowed to collect on evaporative cooling pads.

Buildup like this severely reduces cooling by restricting airflow through the pad.

Even worse, it will stop up a filter in a matter of seconds if allowed to enter the system water storage. It pays to keep areas around houses clean and free of trash, and never to allow grass clippings or even dust to be blown toward pads.

Rising water and electric power costs are certainly a threat to every broiler producer’s bottom line. The best response can only be to pay closer attention to proper maintenance and operation of cooling systems. That is, make sure you have no wasted water or power and your cooling system is delivering all the possible benefits you are paying for.

Migration fences are essential to maintain uniformity in the house, keeping birds from crowding into (Above) Clogged pads or headers result in dry areas on pad. Hot air coming in through the cooler inlet end. Especially in dry areas causes severely reduced cooling longer modern houses, it may be and increased electrical costs. helpful to install a few “rainbow”

(Above) Using a low pressure water source and a spray nozzle can effectively dislodge plugs of buildup in the pads that a brush cannot reach.

Evaporative Cooling – Operating For Top Efficiency

To save on operating costs, some growers are tempted to delay turning on tunnel ventilation and evaporative cooling. This practice risks losing more in flock performance than is saved in electric and water costs.

With fully feathered birds, and especially with larger birds, tunnel should be turned on as soon as power ventilation is inadequate to keep in-house be turned off by 9 or 10 pm and the pads allowed to dry out during the night. However, it is usually beneficial, especially with larger birds, to run tunnel fans through the night; this removes built up heat in the birds’ bodies and gives the birds a head start the next morning.

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Get All You Are Paying For

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SAND REVISITED...

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

J.B. Hess, S.F. Bilgili, K.S. Macklin and J.P. Blake. Poultry Science Department, Auburn University

Tightening supplies of both pine shavings and peanut hulls have created headaches for broiler growers in finding replacement litter materials and in the final price of those litter sources.

Both the broiler industry and Auburn University have been scrambling to find alternative litter sources to help ease this problem. Unfortunately for growers, universities tend to scramble more slowly than the industry might like, but we are looking at a number of litter sources that may be used to help fill broiler houses after cleanout next spring.

One litter source that we have had a number of calls on from growers and integrators alike is sand. As many of you know, research on the use of sand as a litter source was completed previously at Auburn and many in the industry are trying to refresh their memories on just exactly what we found. To that end, we offer this short piece to give the industry some idea what to consider and what to expect should they try sand in some broiler houses.

Pen trials run over a course of several years at Auburn indicated that sand would support equal or better broiler weight with lower litter bacterial levels. Several years of limited sand usage in broiler houses in Alabama, Georgia and Delmarva have showed mixed results and have brought to light a number of issues regarding sand use that must be considered. These include initial cost, placement and removal, broiler

loadout concerns, winter brooding on new sand and how to use/sell the final product.

Wintertime brooding problems (particularly with new sand) have prompted us to look at surface temperatures of litter sources during different seasons. Initial work with summertime brooding indicates that sand warms more slowly (5.5 hr vs.

2.9 hr for shavings) and does not reach the same surface temperature (8 degrees F lower for sand). Similar measurements taken during cooler weather yielded similar results (5 degrees F lower for sand).

Measurements on sand that had been used for several flocks indicated that temperature differences were still present, if not at the same magnitude. Therefore, sand should probably be placed in the summer to allow organic matter buildup prior to cool weather brooding. Also, pay careful attention to brooding in sand houses until the grower is comfortable with the differences associated with sand.

Many of the problems that growers had in initial sand trial revolved around poor performance in cool season brooding.

Sand has value as a litter source primarily in production systems using built-up litter. Sand can accommodate repeated reuse and delay total cleanouts for an extended period of time (apparently many 5+ years). Initial weight and cost of placing sand in a house, in addition to the weight of litter removed at cleanout, will limit the use of sand in operations that clean out frequently. On the other hand, sand litter can be reused for an extended period until a market is found locally

for it as a fertilizer product (sand litter will not work for feeding cattle).

Nutrient and organic matter buildup in the litter will affect the total amount of litter in the house and the worth of that litter as a soil amendment. Samples collected and analyzed to date indicate that N-P-K lb./ton values range from 9-10-9 after one flock to 73-60-47 after 16 flocks. Litter buildup will require organic matter removal occasionally only to avoid excessive litter depth.

Tilling litter between flocks allows the sand to dry for reuse even with short downtimes.

George Malone (University of Delaware) completed a number of field trials using sand litter in commercial broiler houses in the Delmarva area. Growouts comparing sand and shavings by Professor Malone indicate less darkling beetles, surface moisture and condemnations with sand. Dust and brooding ammonia levels were higher with sand, although final body weights were higher as well.

As broiler growers deal with tighter litter source supplies over the coming months, Auburn intends to provide information on a number of potential litter materials that may fill in where needed. Additionally, we have been working for some years on techniques to increase the useful life of litter in the house, including windrow composting and the use of litter amendments. One source that has been tested in some depth is sand. Growers must look at the pros and cons and decide whether sand is right for their situation prior to placing sand in any houses.

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Calendar of Events Ala. Processors Workshop September 19, 2007 Birmingham Ala. Broiler Workshop October 9-10, 2007 Auburn Allied Golf Tournament October 18, 2007 Lake Guntersville State Park Golf Course Ala. Grower Seminars October 22, 2007 (tentative) Cullman & Boaz Ala. Grower Seminars October 23, 2007 (tentative) Troy & New Brockton Alabama Breeder/Hatchery Workshop November 6-7, 2007 Auburn

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