Alabama Poultry, March/April 2014

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

Board of Directors

Officers Randall Ennis, President, Huntsville* Dale Gambrill, Vice President, Snead* Tim Esslinger, Treasurer, Eufaula* Harold Hunt, Secretary, Gadsden* Johnny Adcock, Immediate Past President, Woodland*

Directors George Attwood, Anniston Chris Carter, Guntersville Richard Curvin, Montgomery Cory Early, Albertville Billy Gilley, Cullman Ben Gore, Cullman Matthew Herman, Enterprise Casey Jones, Hoover Heath Loyd, Decatur Dennis Maze, Horton Todd McMahen, Dothan Dr. Shannon Morgan, Birmingham Mitchell Pate, Auburn* Mike Pigg, Cullman John Pittard, Guntersville John Roberts, Cullman Keith Rhodarmer, Collinsville Kenneth Sanders, Brundidge* Roddy Sanders, Gordo Jason Shell, Huntsville Jason Spann, Hanceville Ken Taylor, Anniston Ben Thompson, Huntsville David Thompson, Ashland Stanley Usery, Athens Ricky Walker, Snead Brad Williams, Troy

Advisors Dr. Don Conner, Auburn University James Donald, Auburn University Dr. Joe Hess, Auburn University Jacob Davis, Montgomery Dr. Tony Frazier, Montgomery Bill Prince, Auburn *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.

w w w. a l a b a m a p o u l t r y. o r g www.facebook.com/BamaChicken

President’s Message Since the last edition of our AP&EA magazine, we have experienced many activities and opportunities that I would like to share with you. To begin with, we sponsored another successful legislative breakfast in Montgomery in March. This annual event is a highlight to many of our legislators and their staffs, and it gives us a great opportunity to present a positive message about our industry. We also held our spring board meeting at the state-of-the-art, Poultry & Animal Nutrition Center at Auburn University, which was a huge success.

The biggest challenge and opportunity we faced could be summed up in one word WINTER. The severity of this winter was unusual and presented us with many obstacles for our growers and member companies. The propane shortage was a major problem, but thanks to the efforts of the Association staff working with the Alabama Propane Association and with the governor’s office, a crisis was averted. And, we even received relief, including a waiver of hours for our drivers. This effort alone demonstrates the value our Association gives to its members and to our industry.

I am also delighted to report that we have almost completed the necessary requirements to go forward with our personalized AP&EA car tags. This not only will give us great exposure on our roads and highways, but will also provide funding for scholarships and to support our local grower associations. You can read more about this in this month’s edition of the magazine.

Lastly, we are readying for our annual “Evening of Fun” in Birmingham and have lined up what we believe to be one of the best entertainment programs you could ask for. If you have not purchased your ticket, please do so and come join us.

It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as your president during this year and hope to see you in Birmingham, and also make your plans to join us in July at the annual meeting in Destin.

Regards,

Featuring This Issue

Governmental Affairs Association News AP&EA “Evening of Fun” Mrs. Alabama in the House Membership News Practical Applications Calendar of Events

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Best Practices: How Animal Care Affects Meat Quality Governmental Affairs

By Wes Schilling, PhD on 4/21/2014 Published on Meatingplace.com

The industry continues to have a difficult time shaking the common misconception that livestock are treated inhumanely prior to slaughter. Those welfare issues are based partly on consumer concerns over mistreated or improperly cared for animals.

However, both farmers and meat processors know that animal welfare is crucial to all stages of production for the good of the animal, to produce the best quality meat and to minimize production cost. This article will discuss some of the animal handling, production, and processing procedures that impact animal stress and meat quality and examples of how farmers and meat processors provide the best possible animal care to optimize meat quality.

It will predominantly focus on broiler production but also will include information pertaining to pork and beef production.

What the industry is faced with

The National Chicken Council has published animal welfare guidelines and audit information for poultry companies so they can ensure that broilers are not hungry or thirsty, have adequate space to move around and will not experience disease, pain, injury, fear, distress or discomfort.

Beef Checkoff funds have been used to publish the Cattle Industry’s Guidelines for the Care and Handling of Cattle, which includes information on the food, water and care that are needed to protect the health and well being of cattle (BQA). The beef, poultry and pork industries all use third-party welfare audits to ensure that they are providing excellent animal care.

Animal welfare and care is important for meat scientists and individuals in the meat industry to grasp and explain to those outside the industry. Research has indicated that media attention to animal welfare negatively

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impacts American meat demand for poultry and pork. The industry needs to be able to scientifically explain how animal welfare is important for the good of the animal, economical success of a company, and the production of safe, wholesome meat without quality defects.

Raising poultry in houses

Items that are important to animal welfare in poultry houses include sanitation, stocking density, litter quality, ammonia and exposure to the farm crew. Sanitation of houses prevents pathogens and bird diseases from spreading through the house. Best management practices for litter quality include: 1. use of diets that reduce the level of urea and proteins; 2. use of nipple waterers; 3. maintaining densities in accordance with the building ventilation capacity; 4. use of litter material with high water holding capacity; and 5. removal of caked litter.

Other important items in the broiler house include proper lighting, ventilation and temperature control.

Poultry, pigs and cattle also need to be exposed to the farm crew on a daily basis so that exposure to people causes minimal stress during loading, transport and processing. Stress may be quantified by blood corticosterone levels in poultry and blood cortisol levels in pigs and cattle. The higher the corticosterone or cortisol level, the greater the stress level, which indicates steps in the production process in which welfare may be improved and meat quality may be enhanced.

Stocking density and stress

Stocking density (the number of animals in a specific area) has a direct impact on the stress of animals. For example, broilers should be stocked in

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a house at approximately one broiler per 0.8 to 1 square foot. Overstocking leads to reduced bird performance due to competition for resources. Stocking density is also important for cattle and swine during stocking, finishing, transport and holding. Information on specific requirements may be found at Temple Grandin’s website.

Every step in the production process is crucial for the welfare of animals, but special care must be taken during transport and slaughter to ensure that animals that were well cared for at the farm do not encounter stress between the farm and the processing plant.

Animals must have appropriate space during transport and should be transported with animals from their house or herd. Transport distance from the farm to the processing plant should be minimized, and proper ventilation is essential during warm months. Long transport distances should be driven at night during summer months, and holding areas should be equipped with misters and fans.

Optimizing welfare conditions during catching, transport, holding, unloading, stunning and slaughter is crucial to the poultry industry for the good of the bird and because stress between loading on the farm and slaughter contributes to decreased meat quality.

Handling cattle and pigs

Stockmanship is the knowledgeable and skillful handling of livestock in a safe, efficient and low-stress manner with the intent of enhancing ranch profitability and improving animal welfare. Training employees to understand stockmanship for swine and cattle is the foundational part of an animal welfare program and leads to the production of meat with the best possible quality.

Grandin lists tips for good handling as moving small groups of animals, not overcrowding animals in pens, handlers who understand flight zone and point of

balance, non-slip flooring, keeping animals calm and quiet and moving cattle through a curved ramp in which they can see two body lengths in front of them. The most complete information on animal handing and animal welfare can be found here.

Poultry meat quality

Short-term stressors such as catching and crating, feed withdrawal, transportation and hot ambient temperatures can trigger the acceleration of rigor mortis, which can lead to the formation of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) poultry meat. PSE meat has an undesirable pale color, soft texture and surface moisture resulting in an unacceptable appearance and a dry, tough product after cooking.

In addition, PSE meat cannot be used in further processed products because the proteins (myosin and actin) that are responsible for the texture of deli meat and frankfurter-type products are denatured (not functional), which leads to product failures such as cracking (deli meats) and fatting out (frankfurter type products).

Other defects that occur in chicken meat that are associated with short-term stress are tough meat, woody breast meat and green muscle disease. Broken legs, wings, bruises and blood splash are also linked to short-term stress that can be indentified and eliminated. It is important for poultry companies to prevent these quality problems that are associated with live animal stress for the good of their broilers, consumer expectations and their economic viability.

Beef quality

Dark cutting beef is a condition in beef that originates from prolonged animal stress, usually greater than 12-24 hours, which depletes glycogen from the muscles and leads to undesirable flavor and texture and high pH. Some of the factors that contribute to dark cutting include rapidly fluctuat-

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ing temperatures, noisy handling of cattle, electric prod usage, holding cattle overnight at the slaughter plant and mixing cattle at the slaughter plant that have not been previously exposed to each other.

Carcass bruises are very costly to the beef industry and are often cause by a protruding objects such as broken boards, nails and bolts. The majority of bruises is caused by rough, careless handling and can be decreased through enhanced stockmanship.

Pork quality

PSE meat used to occur in the pork industry due to the prevalence of the Halothane gene, which lead to porcine stress syndrome (PSS). This gene has been removed from U.S. swine genetics, but PSE meat can still be produced when pigs are either overheated or improperly handled at the processing plant.

The PSE condition is associated with high lactate levels at the time of slaughter that are due to rough handling, use of electric prods and jamming. Production of PSE meat is directly associated with animal welfare and may be minimized by having workers walk daily through the pens during finishing; allowing animals to rest for 2-4 hours between transport and stunning; adequate space in the holding pens (6 square feet per 250-pound pig); and not using electric prods. It is important not to stress the pigs in the 30 minutes prior to slaughter. This negates the effect of the previous excellent care of the animal on meat quality since

Alabama Poultry Magazine

stress immediately before slaughter can lead to the production of PSE meat.

Conclusions Meat scientists and representatives of the industry have an inherent responsibility to be prepared to tell how the meat industry is doing in respect to animal welfare. This means there needs to be a solid knowledge of the factors that contribute to poor animal welfare as well as the hallmarks of good animal welfare.

Optimizing animal welfare improves yields, tenderness, juiciness and production efficiency and decreases the incidence of bruises, bloodsplash, PSE meat, dark cutter beef, and broken wings and legs in chickens.

The most efficient and highest quality animal welfare conditions provided for animals means enhanced profits for the producer/processor and ultimately lower costs for the consumer.

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Now you can show your support for your industry – no matter where you drive

Show your pride in the Alabama poultry industry and provide scholarships for outstanding poultry science students In the coming months, we will be marketing a new Alabama poultry license tag through the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles. The cost for the tag will be $50, and is tax deductible.

From that $50, AP&EA will get $41.25 back from the state. AP&EA will send the county or regional poultry association, in the county where the tag is purchased, $10 for their own scholarship programs.* The remaining $31.25 will be used to conduct industry-wide educational and promotional opportunities, as well as provide additional scholarships for students in the poultry science curriculum.

This is a great way to generate money for poultry science scholarships, and Association educational programs – but only if you participate! * These scholarships can be used for any post high school institution, subject to the rules of the county or regional association.

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Association News

It’s a Happy Poultry Party in Cullman

Representatives of the Alabama Heart Association – North Alabama Chapter, Cullman Caring for Kids/United Way Food Bank, Daystar House, Good Samaritan Health Clinic, Hospice of Cullman County, Pilot Light Home, Project Lifesaver, The Link, and Victim Services of Cullman Inc. “Harbor Haus” received checks of $500 each from Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association.

APRIL 12 – The Cullman Civic Center was jumping on Saturday night, when the Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association got together to celebrate another year of leading the state in poultry production.

Long known for its charitable spirit, the CCP&EA once again distributed checks to a number of Cullman County non-profit organization. Association President Mike Knop passed out the $500 checks before the program.

After the meal of barbecued chicken, and after some association business, keynote speaker, Dr. Bill Batchelor, dean o f the Auburn University College of Agriculture, spoke on the need to “feed the world.” He was followed by ALFA’s Guy Hall who spoke on a poultry check-off program.

One of the evening’s highlights was the introduction of the 2014 inductee into the CCP&EA Hall of Fame. Huey Hilburn had the pleasure of announcing that former Alabama Cooperative Extension SysGator winners: tems County Agent Gregg Hodges had won the Ronnie and Pam Scott honor.

County Extension Coordinator Tony Glover presented Mike Knop an award for his outstanding service as Association president.

Water Quality Subject of SEAP&EA Meeting “Would you be willing to drink the same water that you are giving to your cash crop?” Mary Katherine Foy That’s the question that Mary Katherine Foy of Proxy Clean asked the Southeast Alabama Poultry & Egg Association meeting in Louisville, on Tuesday, April 29, at the Old Louisville School. Her presentation, sponsored by Proxy Clean and Clearview Enterprises, covered the need for high quality drinking water for birds and the best way to maintain that quality in a practical way.

The meeting was presided over

by SEAP&EA President Michael Starling. A meal was served before the meeting and CAFO points were awarded for attendance.

The meeting was sponsored by First South Farm Credit – Ozark, Alabama Ag Credit – Dothan and Enterprise, Clearview Enterprises and ProxyClean.

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The Ground Was Soggy – But the Omelets Were Hot at the AP&EA Omelet Breakfast

MONTGOMERY – Well the weather outside was frightful, but inside the tent on the south lawn of the Capitol, the aroma of omelets cooking was delightful. Okay, it’s an old Christmas song paraphrased, and it was actually raining, not snowing, but you get the idea. It was a nasty day for the annual AP&EA Media and Legislative Omelet Breakfast, sponsored by the Heavy Penny-A-Hen Committee and Alabama’s egg producers through state support funding from the American Egg Board.

Despite the rain, which had caused a postponement of the breakfast once before, there were smiles aplenty once folks got inside the tent. There the poultry pros were busy flipping omelets. Those cooks represented poultry and allied industry, faculty and staff from the Auburn University poultry science department, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and AP&EA board members and staff.

The annual breakfast is one of the ways that the poultry and egg industry shows its appreciation to our elected officials and others who make the laws and regulations that insure the Alabama poultry industry has the opportunity to continue to grow and prosper.

It was a delight to see so many of our friends in state government come out on such a wet day to have breakfast with us. It was great also to have such a large contingent of Alabama National Guardsmen join us.

Let’s hope that next year the weather is more favorable. This year the sunshine came from the smiles inside the tent.

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AP&EA Holds Spring Board Meeting At the Auburn Poultry and Animal Nutrition Center

AUBURN – Mitchell Pate was all smiles as he welcomed AP&EA board members to his spacious meeting room at the newly-operational Poultry & Animal Nutrition Center, better know as the “feed mill.”

Association President Randall Ennis gave the official welcome in his opening remarks. He recapped the previous four months and complimented the staff, especially Associate Director Ray Hilburn, for work during the propane crisis.

He also opened discussions on the proposed poultry license tag. During the discussion, it was decided that $10 from each tag purchase of $50 would be sent to the local association, where the tag was purchased, for their scholarship programs.

Casey Jones, in presenting the Allied Committee report, talked about the fishing tournament and “Evening of Fun” golf tournament, to be held at Limestone Springs Golf Club on June 7. He also announced the Allied Golf Tournament would be played on Oct. 23, at Chesley Oaks Golf Club.

Grower Committee Chairman Kenneth Sanders reported that growers were pleased with the way the Association handled the recent propane crisis.

Roddy Sanders presented the Auburn Relations Committee report and deferred to Ray Hilburn, who presented preliminary research findings for the survey that had been sent out to employers of Auburn poultry science graduates to guage the effectiveness of the program. The results were quite favorable. Communications and a lack of business knowledge were the only two areas that were sited as areas needing improvement.

Jim Donald, department of biosystems engineering, mentioned the efforts the NPTC had made to help alleviate the gas shortage. The NPTC has been working closely with all integrators to explain the value of converting from LP to natural gas. Over the last year the NPTC has helped growers convert 1,000 houses from LP to natural gas. Fuel savings alone for one year on those houses is estimated to be $6.1 million.

Dr. Don Conner, head of the Auburn University department of poultry science, talked about the proposed move of the poultry farm to the location of the feed mill, and Dr. Joe Hess of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System reported on the student internship programs in poultry science.

As Association President Randall Ennis opened the meeting by thanking the staff for their actions during the propane crisis, in his closing remarks, AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams thanked Gov. Robert Bentley and his staff for their actions during the crisis and immediately after. During the crisis Gov. Bentley issued important waivers to allow propane dealers to fill other dealer’s tanks and extended driving hours for propane drivers. After the crisis, he issued a waiver allowing poultry and allied industry drivers additional driving hours to handle issues stemming from the crisis.

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Friends of Auburn Ag Do Some Socializing

The pavilion in Ag Heritage Park was the scene of some big-time celebration.

AUBURN – On the heels of the spring board meeting, AP&EA board members meandered over to the pavilion in Ag Heritage Park to do a little schmoozing with the rest of the Auburn agricultural community.

Auburn ag alumni, ag students, faculty, administration and friends of the Auburn University College of Agriculture came together to celebrate their common heritage with some great food and even better fellowship. Surf and turf met vegetable and plant, as disciplines commingled in harmony.

It is truly amazing what a broad spectrum of interests falls under the agricultural umbrella. It boils down to two goals: feeding the world and enriching people’s lives. Two very laudable goals, and well worth celebrating.

Dr. Bill Batchelor, dean of the College of Agriculture, served as the emcee

of the event and spoke briefly in welcoming all of the guests.

The fellowship carried on until well after sunset.

Next morning, bright and early, participants started lining up on the veranda of the Robert Trent Jones Grand National Golf Course, in Opelika, to register and get their team assignments for the Ag Classic Golf Tournament.

With the shotgun start, foursomes headed out to tee off on the incredibly beautiful addition to the RTJ Golf Trail.

There may have been some shop talk, but from the looks on most faces, there was some serious competition going on.

This event replaced the Friends of Auburn Poultry event, by combining it with the Ag Classic for greater participation. From the looks of things, it was a great move.

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Evening of Fun

The Arab FFA String Band is a Little Bit Older, But Still True Blue Bluegrass This year’s “Evening of Fun” will feature the amazing bluegrass skills of the award winning Arab FFA String Band. The young musicians, grades 9 through 11, have delighted audiences with a classic bluegrass sound that’s as true blue as the jackets they wear. They are the

two-time Alabama defending champions and have appeared outside the Grand Ole Opry’s Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. They also have a show band of their own called “Freshwater Creek.”

In 2012, they brought down the house as they opened our “Evening

of Fun” for Josh Turner. Two years later, with an increased level of musical maturity and the same kids, they are sure to rock your socks off, Bluegrass speaking, of course.

You’ll leave the concert wanting to hear more from these kids.

The 2014 “Evening of Fun” activities will begin an hour earlier this year and be held in a different meeting room with the grower meeting beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the Medical Forum Auditorium of the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. Kenneth Sanders, Grower Committee chairman, will welcome everyone and then we will get down to business by electing two grower directors for the upcoming two years.

Next on the agenda will be the recognition of the 2014 Farm Family of the Year, which is always the highlight of the evening. This is quite an honor to be selected from the many outstanding nominees that we receive each year. We should be there to congratulate them on this outstanding accomplishment and thank them for how they represent our poultry industry.

Because of what we experienced in our state and the entire nation this winter with propane problems, the Grower Committee felt we needed to address these issues at the seminar to seek some possible solutions. We have secured three speakers that will address at least three possible solutions to avoid this severe problem in the future.

Greg Henderson, CEO of Southeast Alabama Gas District and past president of the Natural Gas Association, will discuss the current and future prevalence of natural gas in the poultry industry. Lisa Fountain, executive director of the Alabama Propane Gas Association, will address propane issues and some possible things growers can do to improve their propane situation.

Then, Wes Cumbie, vice president sales and marketing, Furnace Divi-

sion of Lee Energy Solutions, will bring us the latest information on wood pellet furnaces as a very viable heating alternative for producers.

CAFO continuing education credits will be awarded for attendance, so please remember to register and pick up your certificate at the seminar if you need the credit.

Next on the agenda will be the exciting presentation of door prizes.

Each farm will be given one ticket as they enter the meeting which makes them eligible for the drawing of five $100 bills to five lucky winners. This is worth the trip to Birmingham by itself.

A meal will be served at the close of the meeting and then it is off to the concert. What a great start to the 2014 “Evening of Fun.” Please come join us for a great time!

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2014 “Evening of Fun” Annual Grower Meeting and Seminar

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Mrs. Alabama is in the House A tiara in a chicken house is a pretty rare sight. Okay, that goes without saying, but this isn’t just some photo op with a beautiful girl who walks into a poultry house and goes, “Ewwww,” and runs out. No, sir. This gal knows her stuff.

Jamie Mitchell Nutter, the current and reigning Mrs. Alabama, grew up on a farm just outside Brantley. Although she and her husband, Brock, (known by some folks as “The Chain Mover from Hoover” or the all-star quarterback for the Troy Trojans from a few years back), live in Birmingham now, she has recently had to come back to her roots.

Jamie started out early in the pageant game. The second of four siblings, she developed a great deal of self-confidence by entering pageants. She credits pageants with helping her through college with scholarship money. Of course the scholarships don’t come if you don’t win, and win she did.

She won Miss Brantley in 1994 and 1996. She followed that with Crenshaw County Junior Miss and Miss LBW Junior College. She served for two years as Miss Alfa. Enrolled at Troy University, she was first runner-up to Miss Troy. In 2000, she won Miss Rodeo Alabama, and went to Las Vegas to compete for Miss Rodeo America.

There she won Miss Photogenic and Miss Southeast and placed in the top five candidates.

The mother of two daughters, she entered her daughters in pageants, but, when they proved disinterested, she decided to give it a try again herself.

She called her folks to tell them of her decision to compete for Mrs. Alabama. Her father, James, who was nearing the end of his five-year battle with cancer, was excited for her. He told her, “You better do it, and you better win!”

A few weeks later, on Feb. 8, 2014, he died.

On March 29, Jamie was the last of five finalists to be called out on stage,

but in the end, she got the tiara. “The angels in heaven are probably tired of hearing my daddy bragging,” she says with a catch in her voice.

James Mitchell loved his four kids.

Barbara, his wife of 38 years remembers, he was athletic himself, so he

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Jamie will be competing in the Mrs. America Pageant in August.

coached them in ball, and, in the summer, he took them on the road to follow the rodeo. Flop (“Jimmy” to his mother), the youngest, was very talented, winning the national high school rodeo championship in steer wrestling.

The Mitchells had always been row

It’s like old times again with three of the Mitchell kids in the poultry house. The Mitchells grow an 8-pound bird for Wayne Farms. And, though the houses are older, now with Taisha in charge, things will be back up to speed soon. The next time Jamie is back in the poultry house, she probably won’t be wearing her tiara or sash. Her daughter, North, (seen here) might be with her though.

croppers, but 30 years ago, James gave that up and started raising cows and chickens. The kids, Taisha, the oldest, Jamie, and Kasey had already come along with Flop following along for good measure. They all went to work on the farm. Right away it was obvious that Taisha was the most mechanical of the girls. She was the one that her daddy depended on.

Last December, she was putting up hay, and remembers seeing her daddy

and her husband, Bubba (Bryan), sitting in the pickup truck and talking. She was curious, but on their way back home to Tampa, Bubba didn’t talk much. A week later, Bubba called her from work and told her that he had turned in his two week notice at his job, so she needed to get busy packing up the house and their five kids for a move to Alabama.

Taisha had been coming back to Brantley at least once a month for the past several years to help her rapidly declining father. Flop had taken a job on an offshore oil-rig and would be away for several weeks at a time, so he couldn’t always be at home to help. It was up to her; she knew now what that conversation in the Happier times at Mitchell’s Farms. (left to right) Flop, Taisha, James, Barpickup truck bara, Jamie and Kasey.

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had been about.

It took a lot of effort and a lot of sacrifice. You don’t just uproot seven people, especially when five of them are kids, and move from Tampa to Brantley, Ala., without some problems, but nothing that love can’t overcome.

Now, just a few months after her daddy’s death, Taisha and her mother run the farm. Barbara has her own business “Treasured Memories” where she makes high-end children’s clothing.

Though the work is seasonal, she sells her clothing line at several upscale shops and though Jamie’s website www.makinganuttermemory.com.

Jamie and her family live in Birmingham, where she works in the Hoover city schools as an instructional technology coach. They come on a regular basis to help out at the farm. Kasey, who lives in Uvalde, Texas, with her family doesn’t get to come quite as often.

There’s a lot of beauty in this family. Tiaras are nice, but it is the love of one another that shows the real beauty.

Siblings might fuss and fight, but these siblings will pull together through the tough times.

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NRCS Announces Signup for National Water Quality Initiative in Alabama Agricultural Producers located in priority watersheds will be able to participate

AUBURN – April 25 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Dr. William Puckett announced the National Water Quality Initiative to help improve four impaired waterways in Alabama. NRCS will manage the initiative by making funds available to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners in the selected watersheds.

“The Water Quality Initiative

will further NRCS’ partnership efforts to improve water quality using voluntary actions on private lands,” Puckett said. “This initiative is a focused approach in areas facing significant natural resource challenges.

It bolsters the positive results of landscape conservation initiatives NRCS and its partners already have underway.”

Through this effort, eligible producers in Cross Creek-Upper Scarham Creek (DeKalb County); and Cox Mill Creek-Hurricane Creek (Geneva County) will invest in voluntary conservation actions to help provide cleaner water for their neighbors and communities. The selected watersheds were identified with help from state agencies, partners, and the NRCS State Technical Committee.

Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program,

NRCS will provide funding and advice to producers on installing conservation practices such as cover crops, dry stacks, filter strips and terraces in watersheds with impairments where the federal investment can make a difference to improve water quality.

NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year. Remember to check with your local NRCS office to see if your property is located in a selected watershed. All applications for funding consideration during this fiscal year must be received by May 16, 2014. This summer, NRCS will notify applicants of the results and begin developing contracts with selected applicants.

For more information about NRCS programs, initiatives, and services in Alabama, visit us online at: www.al.nrcs.usda.gov.

Harold Robinson Passes Away out of the chicken business.

Harold was more than a coworker, he was a friend. He was that person we always talk about when we say he would give you the shirt off his back if there was a need. That was Harold. Harold will be missed by all of us and we’ll never forget the time we had with him.”

After a long battle with canHarold Robinson (left) is presented the first “Harold cer, Harold passed away on Robinson Award” for most “Evening of Fun” ticket sales to pullet or breeder growers by Johnny Adcock Wednesday, Jan. 15, at his home. He was 54. in 2012.

He was born Oct. 16, 1958, Dale Gambrill, live production manager of Tyson Foods, Inc., to parents Willard and Carlene Snead, says of Harold, “Harold and Robinson. Harold was a field repreI attended college together at Wal- sentative for Tyson Foods for 17 lace State before starting our careers years. He was preceded in death by with Marshall Durbin in the early his parents. Survivors include his 1980s. We had the opportunity to wife, of 24 years, Annette “Andria” share a lot of life experiences in and Robinson; three daughters, America,

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Amberly and Amy; a stepson, Chad Crutchfield; two brothers, Dwight Robinson and Dwayne Robinson; two sisters, Betty (Billy) Nash and Joyce (Tim) Nix; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

A memorial educational fund has been set up for Harold’s children at Merchant’s Bank of Cullman.

We will miss Harold at the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association.

Not only was he a great person, but he was also a great “Evening of Fun” ticket salesman, winning the award for most sales to pullet or breeder growers 14 times in a row.

He was so good, in fact, in 2012, we renamed the award for most ticket sales to pullet or breeder growers the “Harold Robinson Award.” Befittingly, he won the first award.

Member News

Alabama Ag Credit Returns Record Patronage to Customers

MONTGOMERY — Alabama Ag Credit, a rural lending cooperative serving southern Alabama, recently declared a $6.1 million cash patronage to its customers. This record amount was based on the co-op’s strong 2013 financial results and was approved by the Alabama Ag Credit board of directors.

Patronage payments are based on the amount of business a borrower does with the co-op and lower the borrowers’ cost of borrowing. As a cooperative, Alabama Ag Credit is owned by its borrowers-stockholders. When the co-op performs well, it shares its earnings with its stockholders.

“Our association again achieved very strong financial results – loan volume grew, credit quality continues to improve and earnings and capital remain strong,” said James L. Bassett, chairman of the Alabama Ag Credit board of directors.

“This financial strength allows us to leverage our cooperative principles in a great way.”

As a member of the nationwide Farm Credit System, Alabama Ag Credit has a long history of sharing earnings with its customers. The co-op has returned more than $36 million in cash to its borrowers since 2006.

Alabama Ag Credit provides financing for farms, timber and forestry operations, agribusinesses, recreational land and other rural property in 40 counties in southern Alabama. The financing co-op operates offices in Demopolis, Dothan, Enterprise, Loxley, Monroeville, Montgomery, Opelika, Selma and Tuscaloosa.

From the Opelika-Auburn News

Auburn University in Brief

Scientists Use Hens to Study Tumors Wallace Berry, the College of Agriculture, and Haruka Wada, the College of Sciences and Metathetics, are conducting research on fibroid tumors using the laying hen as an experimental model.

Berry, a poultry scientist, and Haruka Wada, an Auburn biological sciences assistant professor specializing in the shortand long-term effects of pre- and postnatal developmental stress in birds and other animals, are investigating their theory that over-nutrition during infancy and childhood and early onset of puberty increases a woman’s chances of developing uterine fibroids.

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Alabama Poultry Magazine

Aviagen Co-Sponsors Tech Seminar for Poultry Vets at UGA

ATHENS, Ga. – With developing nations increasingly seeking out safe and affordable sources of protein to feed growing populations, Aviagen, the world’s leading poultry breeding company, sponsored an effort to inform veterinarians from throughout Latin America on the latest and best practices and advanced techniques for poultry production and health.

The XIII International Seminar on Avian Pathology and Poultry Production, organized by the Colombian Association of Poultry Veterinarians (AMEVEA) and hosted by the University of Georgia on March 24-28, drew hundreds of poultry veterinarians from Latin American countries. Attendees heard about the importance of biosecurity and management best practices to

ensure breeder and broiler poultry maintain optimum health.

Two Aviagen veterinarians made presentations at the seminar.

Dr. Nick Dorko, Aviagen’s global head of veterinary technical services, presented “Biosecurity: Worldwide Experiences,” an overview of the most critical areas of focus for disease prevention. Dorko also covered best practices for avoiding mistakes commonly made in the field.

Dr. Richard Bailey, Aviagen poultry health scientist, presented “Intestinal Health,” a technical discussion of the development and function of the intestinal tract and the factors that influence it. Bailey examined the role of intestinal microflora in maintaining enteric health, and how products such as

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probiotics can benefit the intestinal tract.

“Aviagen has long had a close collaboration with academia, and we engage in ongoing work with industry experts and customers to develop and refine best practices, policies, and techniques for poultry biosecurity and production,” said Ullrich Koehler, business manager for Aviagen America Latina, which hosted a special luncheon event for more than 400 Spanish-speaking seminar attendees. “As a major contributor to the global poultry industry, Aviagen recognizes a responsibility to share knowledge and best methods of management that promote optimum health for poultry flocks – practices that are critical in ensuring food safety for the consumer.”

Practical Applications

Recommendations for New Poultry Farm Planning & Documentation

Setting trusses on a 66’ wide poultry house.

There’s quite a bit of new poultry housing being built in Alabama at this time. The goal of this process is to get a poultry house built that will provide the desired environment for the birds at the lowest possible cost. To make the process of building go as smoothly as possible, many people need to be informed and in the loop before any land is cleared or dirt is moved. Here’s a simple checklist of some people that should be contacted or called.

Letter of Intent: The final letter of intent from the integrator should be on hand and grower’s responsibilities should be well understood.

Setbacks & Regulations: The grower needs to do the best homework possible when choosing the site for houses that will be built. All requirements for setbacks and permits must be adhered to, approved and documented. This includes the site’s erosion and waste management plans. (See the next magazine, or visit our website: www.alabamapoultry.org for more details.)

Insurance: Contacting the insurance company and documenting insurance requirements before the house plans are finalized is imperative. Insurance companies have minimum standards that new housing must meet before policies can be written. Some insurance companies require engineered house and truss drawings from the builder on file before any type of commitments will be made. It is very important to make your builder aware of these insurance requirements prior to construction beginning.

Lending: Final details with the builder should be worked out so that final arrangements with the lender can be made.

Gas Supply: LP or natural gas suppliers should be

contacted and service approval initiated.

Water Supply: Municipal water supply service approval obtained and well water supplies should be determined. Well water supply must be estimated and water sample analysis conducted.

Power Supply: Arrangements with the local power company must also be made. Estimates on power service to the farm should be documented.

Neglecting to coordinate and document any one of the items on the list above prior to construction could cause major delays or permanently suspend the building process. Documenting each of these items during the planning process is highly recommended. This information is provided by the National Poultry Technology Center and the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association.

REMEMBER: Growers should make every effort to follow the good neighbor policy.

Tapping the main line of a rural water supply for a modern poultry operation.

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Panting birds are inefficient birds because they use energy that could be used for growing and gaining for cooling by panting. If birds are panting they need more windspeed.

Hot Weather Maintenance Saves Chickens It is human nature to start thinking about a problem when it becomes a problem. Successful poultry growers do not have that luxury. Lessons learned from severe summers must be applied year after year. Hot weather is just around the corner and preparations must be made now. Some of the problems most often seen are simple maintenance issues and a simple reminder every year is important.

Poultry house fans and fan components, electrical systems, evaporative cooling systems and generator systems all need consistent preventative maintenance in order to deliver the performance expected. Don’t wait until the need arises, get ahead of the curve now and perform these simple checks and maintenance items before they cause performance deficiencies or a catastrophic bird loss.

Checklists are a great way to keep on track and set priorities on servicing equipment and houses. This article provides handy checklists for preventive maintenance on the most critical parts of a poultry house environmental control system: fans, evaporative cooling, electrical systems, and the backup generator. You can print and carry these checklists with you (or give to helpers), as well as post in convenient places in your office or your houses as both reminders and records to make sure your houses and equipment keep running smoothly.

Keys to Understanding the Challenge of Hot Weather

Modern poultry house ventilation and evaporative

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cooling systems are designed to allow growing the maximum number of birds in a given house floor area. Extreme heat is a challenge to individual bird performance and survival, and extremely hot weather challenges our goal of maximizing live weight production.

To maintain comfort, birds must be able to dissipate about 12 BTUs of heat per hour per pound of body weight. If the air temperature surrounding the birds is close to the desired temperature for comfort they will lose up to about 5 BTUs per pound per hour from their body surface and lose about 7 BTUs per pound per hour through respiration or breathing. Under these conditions the heat balance of the bird is at equilibrium. They eat, drink, behave and grow normally. Problems arise if the surrounding air temperature increases above that normal level. Warmer air will not allow the transfer of the 5 BTUs per pound per hour from the bird’s body. When the bird’s ability to dissipate heat from its body’s surface is diminished due to warmer surrounding air, the bird must compensate by increasing its respiration rate through panting. Then, if surrounding air is so warm that the bird cannot adequately compensate by panting, its internal body temperature will rise, causing severe heat stress, and eventually mortality.

The goal in hot weather is to keep the bird dissipating body heat so that panting does not result. The first and most important tool we have to keep the bird from panting is air velocity or wind speed. As we increase the velocity of the air over and around a bird, the windchill effect greatly helps the bird’s ability to shed surface body heat. Every broiler grower has seen this phenomenon over and over again. Birds mildly panting in still

Alabama Poultry Magazine

the bird’s ability to dissipate heat from its body’s surface is diminished due to warmer surrounding air, the bird must compensate by increasing its respiration rate through panting. Then, if surrounding air is so warm that the bird cannot adequately compensate by panting, its internal body temperature will rise, causing severe heat stress, and eventually mortality.

The goal in hot weather is to keep the bird dissipating body heat so that panting does not result. The first and most important tool we have to keep the bird from panting is air velocity or wind speed. As we increase the velocity of the air over and around a bird, the windchill effect greatly helps the bird’s ability to shed surface body heat. Every broiler grower has seen this phenomenon over and over again. Birds mildly panting in still air quit panting when the house is put into tunnel ventilation. In extremely hot conditions, especially as birds approach market age, the ventilation system must be operating at 100 percent capacity, which is why fan and shutter maintenance is so important for achieving the goal of maximum live weight production.

The second tool we have in a modern house is evaporative cooling. Reducing the incoming air temperature further accelerates the bird’s ability to lose heat from the surface of its skin. It’s important to realize that the effectiveness of the evaporative cooling system also depends on maintaining adequate airflow with adequate water applied to the pads. Clogged cool cells not only reduce cooling, they reduce the wind-chill effect of tunnel ventilation, which is why evaporative cooling system maintenance is so important.

While first-class and top-functioning ventilation and cooling systems can take us a long way toward meeting the hot weather challenge, a point can be reached when we get into triple digit temperatures with market age birds, where heat stress, reduced performance, and increasing mortalities are inevitable. In other words, the heat load of the house is more than the ventilation and cooling system can handle on that day. At that point, we are outside of the design envelope for that particular house on that particular day.

The fact is that it’s not only warmer air, but also heat given off by the birds that make up the severe hot weather challenge. This means that stocking density may need to be taken into consideration well in advance of anticipated hot weather. Houses with inferior insulation, hot air leaks, and inadequate air speed will especially do better in severe hot weather if we take some of the heat load out of the house by reducing the density.

People don’t like to talk about reducing densities because of the effect on cash flow. For example in a 40 x 500 house changing the hot weather density from 0.90 to 1.05 results in 3,175 fewer birds in the house. But at 6.5 pounds market weight that reduces the total heat load on the poultry house by over 100,000 BTUs per hour.

Adjusting stocking density ahead of anticipated severe heat conditions is a business decision, and one that can make good economic sense, resulting in slightly lower live weight production, but better overall flock performance and fewer mortalities; however, it has to be made at the time of placement, often four to six weeks ahead of the time we think the hottest conditions of the summer might prevail. Make no mistake, however: whatever the weather, a well-maintained Class A tunnel house will always get you closer to the goal of maximum live weight production.

Fan Maintenance Checklist

1. DRIVES (PULLEYS AND BELTS) – The drives transmit power and provide the gear ratio between the motor speed and propeller speed. Anything that goes wrong with the drive system causes lost fan performance. Check belt tension – loose belts reduce the gear ratio, causing loss of airflow, and reduce belt life. Check belts for wear. Worn belts ride lower in the pulleys, changing the gear ratio and lowering fan performance.

Check pulley alignment. Misaligned pulleys cause excessive belt wear and more drive losses. Check pulleys for wear: cupped out pulleys allow belt (even a new belt) to ride lower in the pulley, which changes gear ratio and lowers air flow.

Fans lose more than 25 percent of their air moving capacity if belts are worn or damaged. Continuing to run with this belt is not saving money, it is costing money.

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If this fan is turned on, permanent damage to the fan could be done. In addition to fan damage, foreign material in the vicinity of the belts and could be a fire hazard.

2. SHUTTERS AND GUARDS – Anything that obstructs the airflow causes lost fan performance. Clean shutters once per week during tunnel ventilation. Dirty shutters require more energy from the airflow to open and reduce airflow and efficiency. Clean guards once a week because dirty guards present more surface area to obstruct airflow.

3. MOTORS – Most electric circuits and electrical devices run more efficiently and last longer at cooler temperatures. Clean motors once per flock. Dirty motors run hotter, lose efficiency and have reduced motor life.

Airflow is critical to bird cooling. A clogged cool cell pad reduces air flow and does not properly drop the temperature of the incoming air.

out. (If pads require a chemical cleaning use only recommended chemicals and cleaning procedures.)

4. DRAIN SYSTEM – Drain the evaporative cooling system recirculation trough and sump tanks and clear all dirt/debris from the system. Leaving trash in the system causes premature fouling of filters, pads and pumps.

4. BEARINGS – Lubricate bearings twice per year where applicable (spring and fall). Dry bearings require more power to turn, causing you to lose fan efficiency and shorten bearing life.

Evaporative Cooling Checklist

1. PADS – Blow debris from outside of pad system to dog house with backpack blower with pads dry. This will push all debris and cobwebs into dog house to be later removed. If pads are damaged they must be replaced.

2. DOG HOUSE – Sweep all cobwebs and other debris off of the back of the pads with a broom. Once everything is on the floor, remove it from the dog house.

3. PAD RINSE – Close inlet curtain or tunnel doors.

Wash excess debris from pads with water hose and spray nozzle carefully. High pressure washer rinsing is not recommended. Wash anything left inside dog house

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CUT ALONG DOTTED LINE

CUT ALONG DOTTED LINE

5. FLUSH SYSTEM – Flush the top header system and the trough to the best of your ability.

6. FILTERS – Remove and clean or replace filters. Replacement filters must be stored on site and be readily available when needed. Filters must be checked once a week at times of high use. Do not operate system without filters and screens in place.

7. PUMPS, FLOATS & TANKS – Make sure pump intake screens are cleaned, floats are in place and adjusted and tanks are clean and free from debris. Pump screens must be checked at least once a week during periods of high use of cooling system or as often as system is drained and flushed.

8. WATER SUPPLY – Test run recirculation system to make sure the fill levels are adjusted properly and adequate water is available to fill system. Make sure the supply system fully wets the entire pad system and no dry streaks are left on pads. If supply water quality is a problem, additional filtration or treatment may be necessary.

9. DISTRIBUTION HEADER – Flush distribution header. Loosen union at distribution header and carefully clean all distribution holes in header with screwdriver or soft bristle brush. Do not change the size of the hole in the header. Run water in system to ensure all holes are free from debris or clogs.

10. INLET OPENING - Inlet curtain opening must be at least a minimum of 80 percent of the area of the cooling pad system area. Six hundred square feet of 6-inch recirculating pad requires at least 480 square feet of free air unobstructed inlet opening minimum. Bunched up curtains or partially opened tunnel doors must not restrict the tunnel inlet opening!!

11. DOG HOUSE TIGHTNESS – The dog house on each side must be as air tight as possible. A little spray foam and carpentry work will go a very long way. All cracks, holes, and leaks must be sealed. Air that bypasses the recirculating pads is not cooled and works against the system.

Electrical Systems Checklist

1. MAIN PANEL – Main panel breaker must be

checked on a weekly basis during the summertime to make sure it is not overheating. Breaker spots can be installed on both sides of each main breaker to help spot early warning signs of trouble. At least one exact replacement main breaker should be stored on site preferably in a common location on the farm site.

2. CONTROLLER BACKUP – Check that controller backup system is set to turn on automatically if controller fails. Make sure that if controller fails, siren and dialer operate properly. Make sure backup batteries have been installed in dialer or backup controller box.

3. BACKUP THERMOSTATS – Test backup thermostats for proper operation and temperature setting. Placing backup thermostats near cooling systems is not recommended.

4. CIRCUIT BREAKERS – Check to make sure breakers are not overheating or tripping. Problem may be in the electrical system or the breaker itself. Make sure exact replacement circuit breakers are readily available. If replacing the breaker does not solve the problem, get a qualified electrician to troubleshoot the system.

5. ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS – Electrical connections in transfer switches, generators, service disconnects, and main panels/subpanels should be checked and tightened every year. This should only be done by a qualified and/or licensed electrician. Damaged fan outlets, equipment outlets, light fixtures and junction boxes are fire hazards and must be repaired!

6. GROUNDING LUG – Grounding lug on ground rod should be checked for tightness at every house and generator shed. This is done by moving wire at lug-to-rod connection. Solid acorn style grounding lugs are recommended to tie ground wire to ground rods.

7. LIGHTNING PROTECTION – Check to make sure lighting protection is in place and properly installed. Lightning protection works best when installed in layers to protect major electrical and electronic components. Protection systems must be sized to protect the equipment it is intended to protect. One-size-fits-all is not the best way to go. Lightning protection must only be installed by a qualified or licensed electrician.

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ELECTRICIAN EMERGENCY CONTACT:

Electrical Inspections should be done every year!

NAME: ______________________________ PHONE #:______________________________ Generator Service Checklist

1. FUEL LEVEL – Check the fuel level in the tank to make sure that you have at least 20 gallons of fuel on reserve in case of an emergency power outage. Maintaining a fresh fuel supply is a must. Fuel filters should be changed each year. Newer fuel mixtures may not have the same “shelf life” as previous fuels so more frequent fuel changes might be necessary.

2. BATTERY – Batteries should be replaced every three years regardless of condition. Check all battery connections to ensure that there is no corrosion buildup and all connections are tight. Check the battery charge level to make sure there is a full charge on the battery.

Many growers have installed inexpensive trickle chargers on batteries to ensure a full charge when needed.

3. FLUID LEVELS AND AIR FILTERS – All vital fluids must be kept at proper levels. Engine oil must be changed and fluids must be checked at least once per year. Oil, water/coolant, and fuel gauges should be double checked. Air filters must be inspected and replaced ADVERTISING INDEX

5. TRANSFER SWITCH – Check transfer switching to make sure it is set to automatically transfer power when the grid power fails. Transfer switch testing must be done at least once a week when the generator cycles on. Most transfer switches have a backup means for transferring power installed in case electronic controls fail. Make sure all farm hands know how to manually transfer power in case of emergency.

6. FEEDER DISCONNECTS – Breakers or fuses must be inspected to ensure proper operation. Exact replacement breakers or fuses must be stored in generator shed in case of emergency.

Generators must be fully serviced one time every year!

GENERATOR SERVICE EMERGENCY CONTACT:

NAME: _____________________________ PHONE #:______________________________

AP&EA Golf Tournament

pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg.

Thompson Tractor

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4. GENERATOR SETTINGS – Make sure backup switch is set to automatically turn generator on or switch to ON when the power fails. Backup “key” switches may be installed so that if electronic or analog generator control board malfunctions occur, the generator can still be manually started.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Alabama Ag / Alabama Farm Credit Alabama Ag Credit (Patronage) American Proteins Aviagen Dreisilker Electic Motors Ecodrum First South Farm Credit Jones-Hamilton PLT Lee Energy Solutions Northwest Envirofan Randy Jones Ins. Agency Southwest Agri-Plastics

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as needed.

5 20 31 22 6 20 7 19 2 26 32 15

Friday, June 6, 2014 – Limestone Springs Golf Course

AP&EA “Evening of Fun” Saturday, June 7, 2014 Grower Seminar, Medical Forum Auditorium Program and Concert, BJCC Complex Dance, Sheraton Ballroom

AP&EA Annual Meeting Monday – July 21& Tuesday – July 22 The Hilton Sandestin Beach County Association Meetings: Randolph, Clay, & Tallapoosa Multi County Meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2014, 6:30 p.m. – Lakeside Marina, Wedowee Central Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 6:30 p.m. – Tom Harbin Ag Center, Luverne Wiregrass Poultry & Egg Association Tuesday, June 17, 2014, 7:00 p.m. – Granny’s Restaurant, Kinston

Alabama Poultry Magazine