July/August 2015 – Vol. 10 No. 4
Tim Esslinger
Meet New AP&EA President
Address Service Requested AP&EA P.O. Box 240 Montgomery, AL 36101
Board of Directors
Officers Tim Esslinger, President,Huntsville* Harold Hunt, Vice President, Gadsden* Kenneth Sanders, Treasurer, Brundidge* Mitchell Pate, Secretary, Auburn* Dale Gambrill, Immediate Past President, Snead*
Directors Johnny Adcock, Woodland Lou Ayers, Jasper Sam Black, Cullman Richard Curvin, Ashland Cory Early, Albertville Dennis Gordon, Montgomery Ben Gore, Cullman Lane Holladay, Tyler Casey Jones, Hoover David Massey, Enterprise Kevin McDaniel, Huntsville Todd McMahen, Dothan Dr. Shannon Morgan, Huntsville Mike Pigg, Cullman John Pittard, Guntersville John Roberts, Cullman Keith Rhodarmer, Collinsville Roddy Sanders, Gordo Jason Shell, Huntsville* Steve Smith, Hanceville Jason Spann, Hanceville* Richard Stewart, Decatur Ryan Turner, Guntersville Stanley Usery, Athens Ricky Walker, Snead David White, Russellville Brad Williams, Troy Len Windham, Ariton
Advisors Dr. Don Conner, Auburn University James Donald, Auburn University Dr. Joe Hess, Auburn University Jacob Davis, Montgomery Dr. Tony Frazier, Montgomery *Executive Committee Members
AP&EA STAFF
Johnny Adams – Executive Director Wanda H. Linker – Administrative Director Ray Hilburn – Associate Director Huck Carroll – Communications Director/Editor Jennifer Shell – Support Director
Alabama Poultry Magazine is published by the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association 465 South Bainbridge Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: 334-265-2732 Fax: 334-265-0008
Send editorial and advertising correspondence to: Alabama Poultry Magazine Editor P.O. Box 240 Montgomery, AL 36101 Advertising rates and closing dates available upon request.
Editorial matter from sources outside AP&EA is sometimes presented for the information and interest of our members. Such material may or may not coincide with official AP&EA policy. Publication does not necessarily imply endorsement by AP&EA.
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President’s Message It is with a great deal of thanks to my predecessor, Dale Gambrill, that I assume the position of AP&EA president. Dale has done an outstanding job. He has set the bar very high with all that he has done. In the dictionary there is a picture of Dale Gambrill beside the word “integrity.” I’d like to tell you a little about myself. I am an Alabama native, and unlike a majority of others in the poultry Tim Esslinger industry, I am a graduate of the University of Alabama. That said, I have been in the poultry industry for more than 33 years, with 20 of those years in Alabama and heavily involved with the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. Over those years there have been many changes in the industry that we all love. Costs have risen for industry and for producers, while prices to the consumer have remained relatively stable. New words have become a part of the vocabulary, words and phrases such as all natural, organic, non GMO, as well as others. It is a time when some consumers are motivated by agenda-driven emotional appeals rather than common sense. AP&EA has provided support, direction and influence in the halls of government in Montgomery to keep our industry strong in the state and to combat those anti-farming forces that would limit our ability to feed the world. I want to see us stay strong as an association. We, producers and industry alike, must be ready for a potential avian influenza outbreak this fall. We have seen the devastation in the Midwest and must be ready in Alabama. Biosecurity is critical on all levels. Having a well educated work force is essential to the future our industry. That’s why we will continue to work with Auburn University department of poultry science to expand the 2+2 Program to include a junior college program in south Alabama. We will continue our activities to raise funds for scholarships through our AP&EA car tag sales and Allied Committee fund-raisers. We will also continue to promote the poultry industry at school career fairs across Alabama as a recruitment for the AU poultry science department and the poultry industry. I want to commend Randall Ennis for his all his hard work on the AU poultry research farm relocation. We will continue to support those efforts. This is an ambitious agenda, so I will need the help of all AP&EA members. With your help, I know that we can be successful. I look forward to serving you over the next year.
Featuring This Issue
Governmental Affairs: Estate Planning (Part 2) Association News AP&EA Annual Meeting Presidential Profile: Tim Esslinger Industry News Auburn News: Sarge Bilgili Retires Practical Applications Calendar of Events
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One of the worst problems I have seen is when one owner conThe Problem with Equal Shares veyed the hunting rights to a club, Robert A. Tufts and Paul W. Brown* but the other owners used the propA farmer’s will left his 300 acres son could not leave an interest to his erty for social occasions and wanted to his three sons in equal shares. wife or children. The son could have to terminate the rights of the hunters. How many acres does each son fixed the problem prior to his death have? The answer is 300. Each son by deeding his one-third interest to Partition has an undivided one-third interest himself and his wife. That would The owners may voluntarily diin the entire 300 acres. The only way break the JTWROS which requires vide the property among themselves. the farmer could have given each the four unities of time, title, interest This usually requires the services of son 100 acres is to have provided a and possession. legal description for the property, Typically mom and dad would a surveyor to create equally-valued e.g. the northeast quarter of the leave the property to their children parcels and the legal descriptions for southwest quarter of Section 12 (40 in equal shares. The default form of deeds. The problem here is the ownacres) or a starting point and metes ownership is tenants in common. ers arguing over what they consider and bounds (N 89° 15’ W, 1,252.5 The only way to create JTWROS is “the best” parcel. If the owners cannot agree on feet, etc.) for a closed traverse. to specify “with right of survivorship” in the transfer, for example, joint management or voluntary diviProperty Ownership “to my children, jointly,” creates ten- sion, their only remedy is to sue for ants in common because with right partition or division of the property. The complaint is filed in circuit There are only two forms under of survivorship was not specified. court in the county where the propwhich multiple individuals can own erty is located. The judge will apa tract of land, joint tenants with Management of Property point a commission and one of the right of survivorship (JTWROS) and members will be a surveyor. The tenants in common (TIC). Either Commonly owned property is way creates an undivided interest in managed jointly by the cotenants. surveyor will divide the property the property which means that each This does not mean that each one into equally-valued parcels (if owner has the right to use and enjoy must participate in management but everyone owns the same interest, the entire property. The only differ- only that each has an equal right to e.g. halves, thirds) or appropriatelyence between the two types is that manage or control how the property valued parcels (if the interests are the JTWROS is not inheritable or is used. Any disputes must be different, e.g. father had three sons devisable and the TIC is. In other worked out among the owners (not but there are four owners, two sons words, if mom and dad own the farm the court – see next section). Since and two grandchildren who took as JTWROS, then the survivor auto- each owner has the right to the entire their father’s share, each son would matically owns the entire property at property, one owner using the prop- own a third but two grandchildren of the first death. There is no deed or erty does not have to pay rent to the a deceased child would split their faother paperwork required. Dad can- other owners unless he physically ther’s interest and each would own not leave his interest to his son in his prevents them from using the prop- a sixth). In addition to equal/approwill (devisable). On the other hand erty, e.g. he has planted the entire priate value, each tract must have acif mom and dad owned the farm as acreage in corn and one of the other cess to a public road. If all the tenants in common, then dad could owners had wanted to plant soy- owners agree to the division, they leave his half of the farm to his son. beans. Likewise, if one owner is en- will draw straws to see who gets first If mom and dad left the farm to joying the benefit from the property, pick. The Court’s first priority is to their three sons as JTWROS, then he cannot require contribution from physically divide the property when one son died the other two the other owners for repairs and among the owners. If an owner can would own the farm. The deceased maintenance.
Governmental Affairs Estate Planning Part 2
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Extension Specialist for Tax and Legal Issues Affecting Landowners and Associate Director, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
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show that the parcels are not appropriately valued, then the only remedy is to sell the property. The common reasons that property cannot be equally divided are many owners, especially if they are from different generations, or the topography is varied (40 acres with a house, pond, pasture and trees). The Court may award cash, called owelty, to equalize the value. For example, if two parcels were worth $40,000 and one was worth $49,000, the judge could order the owner awarded the $49,000 parcel pay $3,000 each to the other two owners so each of the three owners ended with $43,000 of value. “Partition of land between joint owners or tenants in common is a matter of right, but the alternative right to have land sold for division is statutory, and is conditioned upon averment and proof that the property cannot be equitable divided or partitioned among them.” §35-6-20, Code of Alabama (1975) During the partition proceedings, the judge will conduct an accounting. One owner may have been paying the property taxes and the others refused to contribute, or one owner may have constructed improvements on the land. The owners will receive the benefit of their contributions. Joint owners have the option to purchase the property before it goes to public sale. The interested owner must notify the judge at least ten days before the hearing. The judge will have the property appraised, and the interested owner must pay the appraised value to the court within the time specified. “The purpose of this section [35-6-100] is to allow cotenants who wish to preserve their property intact to purchase the interests of any cotenants wishing to sell
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the property for division, thereby tition and force the sale so he can preventing the passing of title to a purchase it. Using a business entity or a stranger at a forced sale.” trust will prevent the partition of the property. Each of these is used to Preventing Partition put the ownership in an entity not Landowners may wish to pre- an individual. Also, the entity will vent the possible division of the allow the landowner to appoint one family farm, especially the farm or two individuals to manage the that has been in the family for sev- property, so there is no need to have eral generations. There is a com- a family vote on decisions. The mon saying that the first generation children are owners of the entity or accumulates wealth, the second beneficiaries of the trust and can maintains it and the third squanders share in the profit, but they cannot it. Leaving the property to children force the distribution of profit or the outright exposes the property to sale of assets. They can also be prepartition. Developers look for dis- vented from interfering with the interested children who are willing management of the property. The to sell their interest in the farm at a use of business entities and trusts discount. Then the developer, as an will be the subject of part three of owner, has a statutory right to par- this series. This article is a general discussion of the topic and not legal advice. You should consult your attorney before making any changes to your estate plan or property ownership.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Association News
Marshall County Poultry & Egg Holds Annual Meeting
LAKE GUNTERSVILLE – On Friday, Aug. 17, the Marshall County Poultry & Egg Association held its annual meeting at Civitan Park. The well-attended event featured a number of vendor displays and sponsor booths. A delicious barbecue chicken meal was served under the pavillion. Association Vice President Adam Goss welcomed everyone and recognized the distinguished guests. He also gave recognition to the association’s board of directors and committee members. AP&EA Associate Director Ray Hilburn spoke briefly of the need to maintain proper biosecurity in the face of the avian influenza outbreak. He also talked about the AP&EA car tag and the scholarship money they would provide. The annual awarding of scholarships was next on the agenda, with the association awarding nine $500 scholarships to the children of members. The scholarship money is raised by raffle ticket sales for a John Deere Gator. This year the Gator was sponsored in part by Coker Tractor of Arab. Later that evening, after the awarding of the many sponsor-supplied door prizes, the much anticipated drawing for the Gator took place. The winner was Stephanie Terrel of Boaz. She and her husband, Josh, grow for Koch Foods.
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(Above) Scholarship winners: Austin Lee (Boaz), Rhea Hill (Douglas), Redden Hill (Douglas), Ramsey Hill (Douglas) and Amy Burks (Douglas). Not pictured: Brooklyn Brothers (Douglas), Taylor Hilley (Boaz), Ammy Burks (Douglas) and Heather Burks (Douglas). Gator winners, Stephanie and Josh Terrel and baby, Jacob, who seems ready to start driving.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
It’s time to get ready! Are you ready for AI?
Joe Hess Shares His AI Knowledge With South Alabama Associations
Like old Sgt. Joe Friday of Dragnet fame, Dr. Joe Hess of Auburn University poultry science and Alabama Cooperative Extension System knows the facts, especially the facts pertaining to the devastating potential of highly pathogenic (highpath) avian influenza (AI). Recently he shared this information with meetings of the Wiregrass Poultry & Egg Association in Chancellor on Thursday, Aug. 13, and with the Central Alabama Poultry & Egg Association in Luverne on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Hess, who had experienced a similar lowpath AI outbreak in Pennsylvania early in his career, talked about the economic impact of the virus in the spring of 2015, in the affected states. The highly pathogenic virus, spread by migratory waterfowl, primarily in the Mississippi Valley Flyway, produced 223 cases in 15 states. This resulted in 48 million birds that either died or were destroyed. These were mostly turkeys or commercial layer. This destruction resulted in direct losses of $190 billion and $3.3 billion overall. According to the USDA inspection of affected farms, Hess reported, 96 percent of these farms had footbaths; 83
percent had signage restricting access; and, remarkably, 43 percent had biosecurity audits. Hess recommended the use of dry chlorine, available at most poultry supply stores, as a footbath. He also urged growers to keep the footbaths in their control rooms and out of the weather to prevent dilution and contamination. Protective clothing is also recommended. He also reported that while the warmer temperatures of the summer months have ended the problem momentarily, the fall migration south holds new threats. The virus thrives in cooler moist weather. Being between major flyways has protected Alabama thus far, but early winter storms can disrupt normal flyways, sending birds further east and into the state. Hess stressed the need for each grower to have a biosecurity plan. Because federal indemnification money has been used up by the recent outbreak in the Midwest, they will be looking closely at each grower’s biosecurity efforts before allocating more money. Sponsoring the Wiregrass Association meeting was First South Farm
Credit, Andalusia and Enterprise; and Alabama Ag Credit, Enterprise. The Cental Alabama Association meeting was sponsored by First South Farm Credit, Luverne; Alabama Ag Credit, Montgomery; and AIS Generator, Wetumpka.
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Danny Griffin, of AIS Generator Service in Wetumpka, spoke at the Central Alabama Poultry & Egg Association meeting on proper generator maintenance
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It was a trip to the beach. All of the elements were in place. The water, shimmering azure; the sand, dazzling white and the temperature was hot enough to keep us old folks inside, but the more intrepid took to the beach. It was time for the AP&EA annual meeting at the Sandestin Hilton Beach Resort, and poultry professionals from across the state got together to meet, greet, renew old friendships, make new friendships, elect officers, take care of business and, after all the work was done, have a good time. Actually, the have a good time part got started early on Sunday night as board members and sponsors met for a little “Welcome to the Beach” get-together. It was a most festive occasion, getting everyone ready for Monday morning’s business sessions. Monday morning AP&EA President Dale Gambrill opened the meeting by recognizing and thanking the VIP Sponsors. He gave special recognition to Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame member Gerald Bailey. He thanked the staff and committee chairmen for their hard work over the year. He touched on his agenda for the year: enhancing the 2+2 Program, which has expanded to include a program at Gadsden State Community College Centre Campus; the Career Expo Program that presented the poultry industry to more than 15,000 students. He reserved his highest praise for Randall Ennis and his work with the AU Poultry Facilities Farm Relocation Committee. Representing the Auburn University College of Agriculture, Associate Dean Paul Patterson reported that a search committee was being formed to find a replacement for Dr. Bill Batchelor, former dean of the college. He announced a large freshman class of 264 incoming students, of which 18 will be in poultry science. AP&EA Administrative Director Wanda Linker led a critique of the recent “Evening of Fun.” All comments were very positive, with much praise for the entertainment. Casey Jones, chairman of the Allied Committee, reported on the very successful “Big Bass” fishing tournament and the “Evening of Fun” golf tournament. He announced that the Allied Golf Tournament would be held on Sept. 29, at Guntersville State Park in conjunction with the AP&EA Poultry Industry Workshop on Sept. 30, at the Guntersville State Park Lodge. He urged the companies to give
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their people time off to participate. Grower Committee Chairman Kenneth Sanders thanked the National Poultry Technology Center for its support in supplying Dr. Jeremiah Davis to speak at the “Evening of Fun” grower seminar. He also announced that association meetings will begin focussing on biosecurity and AI prevention. Randall Ennis reported that plans for relocating the poultry research farm weremoving slowly. Pads for two houses have already been formed and the third pad is scheduled. They are beginning to solicit equipment donations from manufacturers. He thanked a number of companies for already making donations that now are well over $1 million. State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier updated the group on the avian influenza situation. He thanked AP&EA for sponsoring conference calls with the Alabama Avian Health Advisory Board. All are working hard to prepare for fall. He reported that all wild bird flyways, except the Atlantic Coast Flyway, have experienced AI outbreaks. With the volatility of the virus and its constant mutations, he stressed that proper biosecurity is essential. Jim Donald delivered the biosystems engineering report. He announced the National Poultry Technology Center’s National Housing School, scheduled for Oct. 13 - 14. He also spoke on a concern for many growers, especially in north Alabama – water rates. He gave the statistic of the average poultry house using more than 500,000 gal. of water annually. In 2011 growers in a certain area were paying $6 per thousand gal., in 2015 that price had jumped to $10 per thousand gal. Donald told the audience that water consumption is going to be the next challenge, and that the water catchment project is a good place to start. Following Jim Donald, Dr. Don Conner, head of the Auburn department of poultry science, talked about a new communications effort and new faculty members in the department. He thanked the poultry companies for providing internships for poultry science students. He also announced a “matching funds” project to raise money for the new poultry research farm. Dr. Joe Hess reported from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. He asked for comments about a new proposed 4-H project, like Chick-Chain, but would involved broiler chickens. Diane Guthrie of NRCS gave the environmental science advisory report for the final time. She announced that she was relocating. AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams concluded the meeting with a legislative update and by praising Dale Gambrill for the outstanding work that he had accomplished in his year as AP&EA president.
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The Awards Banquet As, Dale Gambrill called his last meeting together as president of AP&EA, folks were still mulling over silent auction items and filling their plates from the sumptuous Hilton buffet. It was time for some semi-serious business. It was time for the awards. Dr. Don Conner made a surprise presentation to Dr. Sarge Bilgili (see pg. 26), of a certificate granting him Auburn University professor emeritus status.
Then, Gambrill gave out his presidential awards. The first presentation, the Distinguished Service Award for years of service to the industry, was presented to Jason Spann of American Pro-
“Evening of Fun” Awards
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teins. The Presidential Award was presented to Immediate Past President Randall Ennis for his outstanding work on the Auburn poultry research farm relocation.
Top Salesman for $200 Tickets & Most Tickets to New Purchasers – Jason Spann, American Proteins.
Top Salesman to Broiler Growers, also known as the Rhonell Word Award – Judy Dutton Tyson Foods, Snead. The Tyson Team also met its quota.
Top Salesman to Breeder Growers, also known as the Harold Robinson Award – Barry Smith, Tyson Foods, Snead.
Top Rookie Salesman – Joe Bolding, Mar-Jac Poultry, Haleyville. Accepting the award is his co-worker, Linda Cox.
Team selling the most tickets is the Allied Team – Team Captain Jason Shell. The Allied Team also met its quota.
Top Team Award for Most Sales Based On Quota – Keystone. Team Captain Christie Stockberger.
Making Team Quota – JCG Foods of Collinsville – Team Captain Keith Rhodarmer.
Making Team Quota – Koch Foods of Ashland – Richard Curvin accepting for Team Captain Connie Bryant.
Making Team Quota – Koch Foods of Gadsden – Harold Hunt accepting for Team Captain Cindy DeBerry.
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Alabama Poultry Magazine
“My takeaway –
It’s been a great year!”
Dale Gambrill
With the silent auction complete, the award winners recognized and dessert almost finished – AP&EA President Dale Gambrill delivered his final address as association president. He first announced the outcome of the AP&EA annual meeting election of officers, congratulating Tim Esslinger on being elected president. He also complimented the AP&EA staff and the committee chairmen and members for all their hard work. He spoke with pride of the people who make the industry great. “It’s been a great year,” he said. With that and a big smile, he passed the gavel to his successor, Tim Esslinger of Keystone Foods. New President Esslinger congratulated Immediate Past President Gambrill for an outstanding year. He then presented Gambrill with the big bronze rooster, emblematic of his year of service to the Association. Gambrill’s wife, Melissa, was also brought on stage to a round of applause and a gift of appreciation from the Association. In his first address to the Association, Esslinger, once again thanked Gambrill for his decisive leadership. He cited the decision to raise ticket prices for the “Evening of Fun,” something that had not been done in 18 years. Esslinger acknowledged that it made selling the tickets more difficult, but, in the end, it added much needed revenue for the Association.
Esslinger, to good natured catcalls, announced that, unlike a number of recent AP&EA presidents and board members, he is a University of Alabama graduate and that he has been in the poultry industry for 33 years, with 20 of those years spent in Alabama. (Read more of his comments in his letter on pg. 3). With the speeches completed, it was time for the live auction to start. There were hunting trips and vacation trips to bid on. There were a couple of guns, a Glock pistol and a limited edition Browning 30-06 on the auction block. There were two fantastic barbecue grills, one a stainless steel beauty and the other a high capacity mobile grill. And, as usual, the bidding was spirited and good humored. Close to $30,000 was raised in the auction, and everyone headed off well fed and with fun stories to tell. Wow, it was a great night!
AP&EA Executive Committee: Jason Shell, Vice President Harold Hunt, Jason Spann, President Tim Esslinger, Treasurer Kenneth Sanders, Immediate Past President Dale Gambrill and Secretary Mitchell Pate
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Esslin nt Tim e d i s e es. A Pr AP&E or the fenc f s g swin
On the Baytowne Golf Course, at the AP&EA Annual Meeting Golf Tournament, the only thing hotter that the weather was the blazing competition. (If that is not one of the hokiest lines I have ever written, I’ll eat this magazine.) All hyperbole aside (I put that word in for Tim Esslinger, because as a Bama grad, he’ll know what it means), it was very warm. You could tell the guys who loved the weather, because they all had tan legs, while the rest of us looked a little pale in comparison. Actually, I’m a little resentful; you see I’ve never had tan legs. How long do you have to wear shorts to get tan legs anyway? Who has time for that kind of commitment? Don’t get me wrong, among the poultry pros, we have some great golfers, and they were in evidence on Tuesday morning, after all the annual meeting business had been concluded the evening before. Yep, there were some guys doing real well, while a whole lot of us were diligently trying to avoid “swamp bottom” and keep smiling as we waited for the refreshment cart. Maybe next year, if I can get a tan on my legs, I can cover the ladies and kids from the shade at Big Kahuna’s. It was a great time of fellowship and good fun. There were a lot of laughs and everyone avoided heatstroke.
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The putting on this hole didn’t quite make the highlight reel, but for overall play, the team of Stan Cochran, Harold Hunt, Jody Murphey and Pete Bugas could not be topped.
ger
Mark Wilton leads his team place finish. to a 2nd
Congratulation, tournament winners!
1st Place Team: Stan Cochran Harold Hunt Jody Murphey Pete Bugas
2nd Place Team: Johnny Adams Randall Ennis Mitchell Pate Mark Wilton
certainly ony Boston Young Anth team. helped his
3rd Place Team: Dale Outlaw Anthony Boston Mike Pigg Dale Gambrill
Closest to the Hole: #3 Barry Fuller #14 Adam Wilson
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Closest to the Hole winners: Barry Fu ller and A dam Wil son
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Presidential Profile
Tim and Sue are currently living in a small apartment in Huntsville while their new home is undergoing renovation.
Sue and Tim, with daughters, (left) Lauren, who is studying for her Masters in history at the University of North Alabama; and (right) Sarah, a registered nurse, working with Conversant Bio doing cancer research. She and her husband, Ethan Brown (center) live in Madison. Brian Bellan (inset), Tim and Sue’s oldest, lives with his wife, Hillary, in Jacksonville, Fla., where he works with CSX Railroad.
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Alabama Poultry Magazine
So, what’s a nice Bama grad doing in the poultry industry?
HUNTSVILLE – It was a question that I just had to ask. At the annual meeting in July, I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard Tim announce, in his inaugural speech as AP&EA president, that he, like I, was a University of Alabama graduate. Oh, the catcalls and mock outrage from the Auburn faithful filling the room, you might have thought that Nick Saban had come to the podium. So, visiting with Tim and his family in the club house of their Huntsville apartment complex where they are waiting for the renovation of their new home in the Huntsville historic district, it was the first question that I asked. Tim graciously laughed and told me. It was actually pretty simple. When he graduated in 1982, with a degree in business and industrial management, the economy was not great, and jobs for recent graduates were hard to find. He did have three offers, one from a textile company, one from a paper company and one from Cargill. He had heard of Cargill. At the time, they had an egg operation in Ashland. He had an interview on campus and then a second interview at Cargill’s headquarters in Minneapolis, Minn. It was at this second interview that he was hired. They assigned the Huntsville native to the food and farm products group. Tim, the youngest of four children, had a non-existant agricultural background. His dad worked in aerospace at Redstone Arsenal and his mother had her own floral business. She later became involved with the American Red Cross in blood collection, In fact, Tim’s first job was transporting blood products. He like it because it gave him the opportunity to legally speed. With Cargill, he started in Buena Vista, Ga., at a poultry processing plant that Cargill had recently purchased. It had been a family owned and operated business and Cargill was looking to expand it, as well as install its own corporate culture.
Tim had taken some engineering courses at Alabama, so they put him to work at a large drafting table helping to design the plant expansion. Tim says of his design work, “I kinda’ muddled through.” He learned that it was Cargill’s policy to have managers of new facilities participate in designing those facilities. So Tim ended up managing part of the plant. He spent eight years with Cargill. Two of those years were spent on the Delmarva Peninsula, working at the Cargill plant in Harbeson, Del. After that, he returned to Bue na Vista, Ga. In 1989, he took a job as plant manager for Marshall Durbin in Tupelo, Miss. It was his first experience as a plant manager and he spent a year-and-a-half learning the ropes. He then accepted an operations job at Wayne Farms, Decatur. Here, under the influence of Don Wisdom and John Pittard, he began his long involvement with Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. He stayed with Wayne Farms for seven years. It was while in Decatur that he met Sue at a Rotary Club function. She was working in marketing at Decatur General Hospital. It took the intervention of a mutual friend, however, to set up, as Tim calls it, “a pseudo blind-date.” Sue must have been a little apprehensive, Tim says that she actually brought two friends with her. They were married in 1997. Sue, an Ole Miss graduate is from upstate New York. She came south to become a marine biologist, but switched to hospital administration. She also played alto saxophone in the Ole Miss marching band for four years. After graduation she took a job at a hospital in Jackson, then to a hospital in Tuscaloosa, before moving to Decatur. Asked about all the moving in the poultry business, she relies, “There’s been a hospital most everywhere Tim’s career has taken us.”
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In 1999, he was transitioning from Wayne Farms in Decatur to Wayne Farms, Pendergrass, Ga. He and Sue and their family had already moved to Conyers, Ga., when he had an opportunity to go into capital sales. He had a friend with Johnson Equipment (later to become Baader-Johnson) who offered him a job. For the next six years he traveled five days a week, selling poultry processing equipment, first with Johnson, then with Stork. With Stork, he covered Latin America, the United States and Canada. So much travel was tough, especially after 9/11. It did have its perks, however. Because his location was not an issue, they were able to move back to Huntsville. It was in Huntsville, in 2006, that Tim Holmes, with Wayne Farms, called to offer him the position as operations manager at Wayne Farms, Decatur. With a great deal of relief, Tim accepted the offer. He was at Wayne Farms Decatur for a little over a year when Spence Jarnagin of Keystone Foods in Huntsville recruited him to take over their facility in Eufaula, with the promise that he would be brought back to Huntsville in a couple of years and with a promotion. That “couple of years” stretched out to be almost eight years. He does laughingly admit that there were times when he wasn’t real sure that was ever going to happen. Now back in Huntsville, he is back in sales as the senior director of key accounts/sales. Keystone is divided into two
divisions. One division serves McDonalds, the other, Key Accounts, the division for which Tim is responsible, serves other fast food chains such as Wendy’s, Arby’s, Subway and others. Campbell Soup is also one of his clients. Now he is also handling the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association’s presidency. His vision a for his term in office has been heavily influenced by his time in Eufaula. There he says he saw a generation of young people who wanted to stay close to home. He sees Auburn’s 2+2 Program as a way to help young people stay close to home by attending local community colleges for two years, finishing their degree in poultry science at Auburn and returning to work with poultry processors in their community. It’s a vision that includes expanding the 2+2 Program by enlisting more community college participation and getting poultry complexes involved in recruiting students and providing needed scholarships. He is also deeply concerned over the avian influenza situation and the need for ramped-up biosecurity measures, especially in the highly concentrated poultry growing area of north Alabama. He spoke with some pride of the measures that Keystone was already taking, and he believes that AP&EA should “lead the charge!” Tim Esslinger is just the kind of man to lead that charge. Congratulations, Tim, we look forward to your leadership for the next year.
Tim and Sue stand in front of their 1928 bungalow in Huntsville’s historic district. Renovations are slated to be completed by January.
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Industry News
Wayne Farms President/CEO Elton Maddox
Community and state leaders as well as Wayne Farms’ executives toss some dirt.
Wayne Farms Breaks Ground on USA’s Largest Feed Mill
OZARK – On August 5, Wayne Farms LLC broke ground on their new megafeed mill. The mill, on Dale County Road #8, is designed to handle Wayne Farms’ expanding business needs, in light of its 42,000 square-foot Wayne Farms’ Dothan fresh processing facility’s expansion. At peak, the new feed mill will process approximately 25,000 tons per week and employ 88 workers. The positions will include manufacturing, feed hauling and administrative positions.
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The annual payroll is estimated to be $3.1 million. Projected completion date is January 2017. “We look forward to expanding our business in Alabama,” said Elton Maddox, president and CEO of Wayne Farms LLC. “A robust local workforce, strong support from the community leaders and businesses in the area, and the opportunity to more efficiently provide feed for our company, makes the decision to invest here and easy one. The Wayne Farms’ expansion in the
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Ozark/Dothan area is expected to add an additional 500 jobs to the Wiregrass economy. Tom Kirk, chairman of the OzarkDale County Economic Development Corporation said, “We are not only very pleased by the initial capital investment and job creation that this new facility brings to Dale County, but also the positive collateral impact it will have on the poultry production industry here in our region.”
Roasales Featured Speaker at SAHA Annual Meeting
HUNTSVILLE – Dr. A. Gregorio (Greg) Rosales, vice president of Veterinary Services at Aviagen, discussed the Compartmentalization of Poultry Primary Breeding Companies at the Southern Animal Health Association (SAHA) 2015 Annual Meeting in Kissimmee, Fla., in June. This year’s event was hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Rosales presented an overview of the ongoing efforts to develop guidelines and auditing lists for the certification of Avian Influenza Free Compartments for primary breeding turkey, egg-laying, and broiler breeding flocks. According to the World Organi-
zation for Animal Health (OIE), Compartmentalization is a process that could be implemented by a country to define and manage animal subpopulations of distinct health status and under a common biosecurity program for the purpose of disease control and international trade. The Compartmentalization of Poultry Primary Breeding Companies is a comprehensive endeavour being developed through a partnership between the USDA/National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP), the US Poultry & Egg Association and other broiler breeder and egg-layer companies. During this year’s meeting Dr. Rosales was elected to serve for the 9th time as industry’s representative at the board of
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the United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) from the Southeast region. “ We ’ r e Dr. Greg Rosales proud that Dr. Rosales of Aviagen was elected to serve as the industry representative for the southeast on the USAHA board. The fact that he was selected to continue in this respect is a testimony of his active role in the areas of health programs and requirements in the poultry industry,” says Kevin McDaniel, president of Aviagen North America.
Elanco Sponsors Awards for Auburn Students Pursuing Studies in Poultry Science and Food Science
GREENFIELD, Ind – August 4, 2015 — Following a successful introduction in 2014, Elanco Animal Health is continuing to fund two undergraduate and graduate scholarships for students pursuing degrees in poultry science or food science at Auburn University’s College of Agriculture. The Elanco Undergraduate Leadership Annual Award is a $500 award presented to one underclassman (freshman or sophomore) and one upperclassman (junior or senior) each year. Recipients are selected based on demonstrated leadership capability and financial need. The Elanco Graduate Seminar Scholar Annual Award is a $500 award presented to two students in the Auburn University Graduate School departmental graduate seminar series and pursuing a degree in poultry science or food science. The program presents one award in the spring and a second award in the fall. Five awards funded by Elanco have been presented to Auburn University students. Recipients of the Elanco Graduate Seminar Scholar Annual Award are Kurt Perryman, spring 2014; and Kate Meloche, fall 2014. The Elanco Undergraduate Leadership Annual Award upperclassman recipients are Kasey Blore, 2014-15; and Karri Fievet, 2015-16. Austin Lock is the recipient of the 2015-16 underclassman award. Donald Conner, PhD, professor and department head of Auburn University’s department of poultry science said the awards recognize excellence in students pursuing careers in poultry and food science. “Our department’s mission is to educate and equip students to be future leaders and problem solvers for the global food system. These Elanco awards have provided a great means to achieve this goal and the initial recipients represent student excellence in the classroom and beyond. We are grateful
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to partner with Elanco to make these awards possible,” he said. According to Dr. Francene Van Sambeek, DVM, MAM, ACPV, associate technical advisor at Elanco, the financial awards complement a long and robust partnership between Elanco and Auburn University’s College of Agriculture. “Alabama ranks third in the nation in U.S. poultry production and Auburn University plays an integral role in developing future poultry and food science professionals,” she said. “We are committed to supporting a
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legacy of outstanding students committed to helping the world’s poultry producers meet a growing global demand for protein.” Rob Aukerman, Elanco’s president of U.S. and Canada operations, remarked that universities such as Auburn support Elanco’s commitment to serving as a total solutions provider. “The ongoing research and field studies conducted at universities support Elanco’s efforts to introduce innovative solutions that meet the needs of producers across the poultry chain,” Aukerman said.
Auburn News
Dr. Sarge Bilgili Retires – Awarded Emeritus Status
The Bilgili family at the retirement party: Sarge’s wife, Diana, his brother, Sedat, Sarge, and daughter, Erin.
Dr. Don Conner presented Sarge the official professor emeritus certificate at the AP&EA Annual Meeting in July.
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On July 10, Dr. S.F. “Sarge” Bilgili retired from Auburn University department of poultry science, after more than 30 years. On July 20, he received a certificate confering professor emeritus status, presented by Dr. Don Conner, head of the Auburn University department of poultry science, and signed by Auburn University President Jay Gouge. Bilgili, a native of Turkey, received his D.V.M. degree from Ankara University in 1977 as class valedictorian. Upon graduation, he worked as a district veterinarian in Istanbul. Later he worked with the faculty of veterinary medicine at Istanbul University as a research assistant. He came to the United States in 1978 as a graduate student, studying poultry nutrition, at Oregon State University. After receiving his M. S. in 1982, he accepted a graduate research assistant position in the poultry science department at Auburn University. While at Auburn, he earned his Ph.D. in avian reproductive physiology in 1984. After spending a year in Turkey to complete his mandatory military service, he returned to Auburn University in 1985 as an extension poultry specialist and assistant professor in the department of poultry science. Over the years, in collaboration with other Auburn poultry science professors, he has published numerous scholarly articles. His most recent responsibilities included developing and implementing extension/outreach and research programs in the areas of broiler processing technology, slaughter and processing efficiency, broiler carcass quality and meat yield, food safety and HACCP programs, product wholesomeness, and animal welfare. He promises to remain active in consulting work. Still, he will be missed. Congratulations, Sarge!
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Practical Applications
Poultry House Dimming & Light Meter Issues Jeremiah Davis, Jess Campbell, Dennis Brothers, Gene Simpson and Jim Donald
We have all heard the stories that a special light meter is needed to accurately measure light output from LEDs. The NPTC recently made in-house comparisons for two new LED-specific dimmers and several common light meters. All tests were conducted in the middle of the brood end of two identical 40x500 solid wall broiler houses with all external light sources (inlets and doors) closed. All readings were taken directly beneath one feed line bulb with all grow light
bulbs on. No brood lights were on for our testing. One house was equipped with a PLS-2400 MR4 from Precision Lighting Systems, and a second house was equipped with a 2K Rimmir from ProTech. Both dimmers have recently been redesigned for use with LEDs. Each of the two houses was equipped with Overdrive 10 watt, wide beam, 50000K LED models. However, many other model LEDs have shown comparable dimming characteristics with these two dimmers. As we typically supplement our grow lights with brood lights during the brood phase, we are most concerned about light levels after brood and on the lowest dimmer settings. We found that these two dimmers reduced light intensity at a fairly steep rate until a relatively low level was reached, and then the decrease in intensity became much more gradual (see side by side charts). This allows the grower flexibility to “sneak up” on the desired target level or the “sweet spot” in small increments. This is especially helpful for big bird programs, where final dim settings might well be at or below 0.10 footcandle (see Table 1 and Table 2). We compared footcandle readings from four different light meters, three of which are common standard models which have been in use for several years, and two of which are new LED-specific models. The common standard models compared were the Greenlee 93-172 and the Amprobe LM-120. The LED-specific models were the Extech LT45 and the Amprobe LM-200. The Amprobe LM-120 readings were nearly identical to both the Extech LT45 and Amprobe LM-200 readings, especially at levels of 1.50 fc (16 lux) or below, for either dimmer model. However, the Greenlee consistently had significantly lower readings for both dimmer models at every setting. This is especially problematic at the very low light levels targeted for finishing flocks, especially big bird flocks. For example, when the Greenlee read 0.05 fc (0.54 lux), the other meters read 0.09-0.11 fc (0.97-1.18 lux). This indicates that the true light intensity (as measured
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on each of the other 3 meters) is about twice as bright as is shown on the Greenlee model. This may result in altering flock performance or in processing-related issues arising at the plant.
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We find that the Amprobe LM-120, Amprobe LM-200 and Extech LT45 perform extremely well in accurately measuring light intensity levels of LEDs in poultry houses.
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Poultry House Management Tips National Poultry Technology Center – Auburn University – www.poultryhouse.com
Insufficient Air Exchange: Moisture removal and litter quality in cool weather has a lot to do with air exchange. The two main components for air exchange is a good air pump (fans) and ample air opening (inlet). These two items complement each other and must be in good working order to exchange air. The fan belt in this picture is worn by 50 percent and not moving air sufficiently. The bird wire in the pic-
ture on the right is almost totally covered with dust and is restricting air into the house. The fan may be running and the inlet door may be opened but there will NOT be sufficient air exchange through the house even if additional time is added to the minimum ventilation cycle. The correct thing to do here is to change the belt and clean the bird wire.
Heater Problems: Brooders and tube heaters heat poultry houses in two ways. About 50 percent of the heat from a tube or radiant brooder is by radiant heat and the other 50 percent is by convection. Damaged and dirty radiant heater canopies and reflectors like the ones shown here put much less radiant energy to the floor and chicks. This results in excessive heater run
time and more fuel consumption. Cleaning the reflective surfaces will insure that more of the radiant energy is used to heat the floor of the house. Soap and water on a rag is a good way to clean the underside of a tube heater reflector as seen above. Damaged heater components must be replaced to make sure heaters are burning gas efficiently.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
2015 Poultry House Construction and Retrofitting Short Course
The National Poultry Technology Center will be hosting a two day seminar on poultry house construction basics on October 13 and 14 in Auburn University. The two day program is aimed at helping industry officials, builders and equipment representatives understand the complex issues involved in building a quality poultry house. For information on how to register for this two day seminar, contact Jess Campbell, 334-844-3546 or jesscamp@aces.edu.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg.
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Allied Industry Fund-Raising Golf Tournament Tuesday, September 29, 2015 Lake Guntersville State Park
Alabama Poultry Industry Workshop Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Lake Guntersville State Park
NPTC Poultry Housing Short Course Tuesday October 13 - Wednesday October 14 Auburn University
Please visit our website www.alabamapoultry.org or our Facebook page at facebook.com/BamaChicken for more information on Avian Influenza preparedness.
Alabama Poultry Magazine