Board of Directors Officers Johnny Adcock, President, Woodland* Randall Ennis, Vice President, Huntsville* Dale Gambrill, Treasurer, Snead* Tim Esslinger, Secretary, Eufaula* Spence Jarnagin, Immediate Past President, Scottsboro* Directors George Attwood, Anniston Chris Carter, Guntersville Fred Cespedes, Hanceville Richard Curvin, Montgomery Cory Early, Albertville Billy Gilley, Cullman Matthew Herman, Enterprise Harold Hunt, Gadsden* 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 Kieth Rhodarmer, Collinsville Kenneth Sanders, Brundidge* Roddy Sanders, Gordo Jason Shell, Gadsden Jason Spann, Hanceville Ken Taylor, Anniston Ben Thompson, Huntsville David Thompson, Ashland Stanley Usery, Athens Scott Varner, Russellville 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 Perry Oakes, Auburn
President’s Message It was good to see many of our elected officials at the annual omelet breakfast in April. We had a great turnout despite the chance of bad weather. Thanks to all who came early to help cook! As always, Johnny Adams and our AP&EA staff do a great job of protecting our interest by working with legislators to keep them updated on many of the issues our poultry industry faces. For the past few months, AP&EA has also been busy working on the following issues: • The Association is working with the federal government to insure poultry inspectors are not laid off due to the federal sequester so there is no interruption in poultry production and processing. • The Association has worked with the Farm Services Administration and the NRCS to make sure our farmers and potential farmers are eligible for federal loan guarantees in the areas of the state where poultry production is expanding. • The Association has worked with the NPTC to qualify poultry farmers for energy audits. • The Association has worked with local and legislative leaders in pursuit of poultry processing expansion. We are looking forward to the fast approaching June 8, “Evening of Fun” in Birmingham. As you saw in the last magazine, Thompson Square, voted 2012 Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Duo of the Year will be coming for our entertainment. I hope all of you will be able to come and enjoy the evening! This will be my last letter for the magazine as my term as president will be ending at the July board meeting. I am looking forward to working with the very capable group of officers in place to help lead AP&EA this next year. It has been a privilege to serve as your president. May God bless you, your families, our country and our industry.
*Executive Committee Members
AP&EA StAFF Johnny Adams – Executive Director Wanda H. Linker – Administrative Director Ray Hilburn – Membership Director Huck Carroll – Communications Director/Editor Jennifer Shell – Support Director
Featuring This Issue Governmental Affairs
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Association News
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Omelet Breakfast – Wanda Saves the Day
pg.
9
Spring Board Meeting
pg. 10
Send editorial and advertising correspondence to: Alabama Poultry Magazine Editor P.O. Box 240 Montgomery, AL 36101
2013 AP&EA “Evening of Fun”
pg. 14
An Old Fashioned Love Story
pg. 16
Grower Profile: Nancy and Phillip Garrison
pg. 17
Advertising rates and closing dates available upon request.
Recipes
pg. 20
Poultry Industry News: Jack Sherwood Retires
pg. 22
Practical Applications
pg. 23
Calendar of Events
pg. 30
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
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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Governmental Affairs
Safety of Antimicrobial Use in Poultry Production Reaffirmed Food-grade antimicrobials are approved for use by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and classified as “Generally Recognized As Safe” by the FDA at the recommended use levels as a very safe and effective way to kill or inhibit the growth of any potential foodborne pathogens, like Salmonella, on raw poultry products. They are used to assure the safety of poultry products, said the National Chicken Council (NCC) in response to claims made today in an article appearing in the Washington Post. When administered properly at the federally recommended use levels, these antimicrobials are safe for poultry products, for consumers and for those working in the plant. These levels are frequently tested by both USDA and plant personnel to ensure they are at safe levels for the product and for workers in the plant. It is important to reiterate that OSHA found no connection or causation whatsoever between the very unfortunate passing of the inspector mentioned in this article and the plant environment. Though these antimicrobials are approved for use and are used in very low, allowable concentrations, the poultry industry takes very seriously the health and safety of our workforce and there are a number of steps and precautions in place in order to minimize any exposure to them: • When diluted antimicrobials are applied to carcasses, they are done so in controlled areas (inside of closed equipment or inside the chiller) to minimize any potential exposure to employees; • In order to ensure proper ventilation, poultry processing plants follow strict guidelines for air
flow set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Engineering controls such as ventilation are acceptable means to control employee exposure to hazards; • Workers and companies must comply with OSHA standards, wear personal protective equipment and complete required training programs; and • The mixing of water and antimicrobials is a highly automated process in poultry plants so that workers rarely come into contact with any undiluted agents. Most of these antimicrobials have a pungent odor so that if an excessive concentration were to occur, it would be taken care of immediately. Therefore, continued exposure to any potential harmful level is very rare. NCC and others in the scientific community also contested the assertion that antimicrobial use would increase if USDA’s poultry inspection proposal goes through. Among many other inaccuracies in Kimberly Kindy’s article, NCC takes exception to the Post’s characterization of our statement that “the volume of chemicals would increase further under the new rules because a larger volume of birds would be processed.” The volume of chicken produced is dictated by demand and the market, not line speeds or inspection systems, NCC told the Post. Increasing line speeds does not equate to more chickens being produced. More than likely it means less production time, not more chickens produced, and not more antimicrobial use. Dr. S. F. Bilgili, a professor in Auburn University’s department of
poultry science, and a past president of the Poultry Science Association, added, “The slight increase in processing line speeds that may occur as a result of the proposed changes to the U.S. poultry inspection system is not likely to change the antimicrobial use much, as novel application sites (i.e., use in finishing chillers rather than pre- and final chill tanks) and delivery methods (i.e., mist sprays rather than as a carcass dip) have already reduced the antimicrobial use significantly. Furthermore, novel technologies continue to be developed and commercialized to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy at lower application levels,” he said. Tom Super, NCC vice president of communications added, “We take very seriously the health and safety of everyone working in our plants. It is ironic that these inspectors, their union and their allies are claiming how bad the work environment is in the plants, yet they’re fighting tooth and nail to stay in them, in an attempt to save some taxpayer-funded jobs that have proven unnecessary over the past 13 years.” A March 2012 CDC/NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation of a poultry plant tested employees who worked in areas of the plant where antimicrobials were used the most, and found their reported symptoms (itchy eyes, sneezing, blurry vision, chest tightness) were not related to increased levels of antimicrobials. The tests that were conducted as part of this evaluation, using both area air sampling and by monitors attached to workers (personal breathing zone devices), revealed minimum, often even undetectable levels, in almost every case – all well below the permissible exposure limits for chemicals set forth by OSHA. This article furnished by the National Chicken Council.
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Alabama Poultry Magazine
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Association News
Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association President Nathan Barck opened the meeting
Nathan Barck (left) stands with representatives from local service and charitable organizations receiving donations from the Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association. (From the left} Donna Jacobs, Victim Services of Cullman Inc.; Andrew Ray, Project Lifesaver; Beverly Wilkerson,Pilot Light Home; Jennifer Smith,Hospice of Cullman Co.;Tisha Twilley, Good Samaritan Health Clinic; the Dyson family, Cullman County Autism Society; and Misty Wilbourne, Cullman Caring for Kids/United Way Food Bank. The American Red Cross – Cullman was not present.
CCP&EA Holds Annual Meeting
Young Kyle and Kate Knop sure like the big chicken. Proud dad, Mike, looks like he is having fun too!
WHNT Chief Meterologist and Holly Pond native Jason Simpson knows a timely forcast can save lives.
CULLMAN – On Saturday, April 13, the Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association held their annual meeting at the Cullman Civic Center. Several hundred poultry professionals with family and friends gathered to fellowship and celebrate their industry. After a meal of succulent barbecued chicken, Association President Nathan Barck called the meeting to order and recognized all of the officers and Association board members. Next on the agenda was the nominating committee report, presented by Jerry Eddelman. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of checks to local service organizations. Each organization received a check for $500. The organizations included: The American Red Cross – Cullman Chapter; Cullman Caring for Kids/United Way Food Bank; Cullman County Autism Society; Good Samaritan Health Clinic; Hospice of Cullman County; Pilot Light Home; Project Lifesaver; and Victim’s Services of Cullman Inc., “Harbor Haus.” The money was raised through raffle ticket sales for a John Deere Gator. The meeting’s keynote speaker was Jason Simpson, chief meteorologist for WHNT Channel 19 News in Huntsville. Simpson is also a native of Holly Pond. He spoke on the importance of weather forecasting in alerting poultry growers and others to potentially damaging weather. He remembered the afternoon of April 27, 2011, and how critical accurate storm forecasting was to saving lives during that catastrophic tornado outbreak. Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Membership Director Ray Hillburn gave an update on plans for the AP&EA “Evening of Fun,” on June 8, in Birmingham and the grower seminar preceding the concert. Eddie Peinhardt then made the Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association 2013 Hall of Fame presentation. Johnny “Tooter” Scott, who had grown for Gold Kist for 42 years, was this year’s inductee. His oldest son, Tim Scott, accepted the award on his father’s behalf. Closing out the formal portion of the program, Charles Pinkston, regional Alabama Cooperative Extension Systems agent, presented outgoing Association President Nathan Barck with a gavel and plaque, emblematic of his year of outstanding service. With the formalities out of the way, the fun began with the distribution of door prizes and drawing for the Gator. After some tense moments – when the Gator ticket was drawn – Billy and Kathie Burks won. Here, Billy looks as though he is a little unsure of his chauffeur.
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Alabama Poultry Magazine
Clay County Assn. Holds Meeting LINEVILLE – Despite cooler than normal temperatures, the turnout was good on March 26, at Miss Anita’s Restaurant for the Clay County Poultry & Egg Association meeting. President Ricky New opened the meeting and introduced meeting sponsor, Jeff Ratledge, regional sales manager with Big Dutchman. Ratledge highlighted Big Dutchman’s breeder management system and plastic evaporative cooling pads, now used extensively in Europe. He discussed the new pan feeders used in breeder houses with greatly improved feed savings. He also announced that Big Dutchman was introducing smaller tube heaters at 80,000 BTUs rather than
the older 150,000 BTUs, providing more directional heat. There was even a word of praise from the audience for the eight spoke feeder. AP&EA Membership Director Ray Hilburn recognized Ron Prouse, Lee Energy; Jim Tollison, Jr. and Ben Burton, Alabama Farm Credit; and Drew Wood and Lex Brown with First South Farm Credit. Ray spoke on the advantages of Association membership. He talked about energy audits with NRCS and NPTC and EQIP cost share money. He also reported that there will be no FSIS furloughs for poultry line inspectors as had been previously reported. He also reported on the upcoming AP&EA
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Larry Upchurch chats with Big Dutchman’s Jeff Ratledge.
Officers: Sec/Tres Larry Upchurch, President Ricky New and Vice President Jim Branch
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With omelet chef extraordinaire Howard Helmer unavailable, who would save the AP&EA Legislative and Media Omelet Breakfast?
We needed a star! Well, okay, the omelet breakfast wasn’t really in jeopardy, but Wanda, who always saves our bacon, so to speak, stepped up to the pan and became our star attraction. Not really known as a morning person, she rose to the occasion and turned on the charm, giving all who came her way a reason to smile.
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Alabama Poultry Magazine
It was a morning to smile as Alabama legislators, elected officials and State House employees came out to enjoy some AP&EA hospitality on the south lawn of the Capitol. It was a fest of industry gratitude to those elected officials and others who make laws and regulations that insure the Alabama poultry industry will have the opportunity to continue to prosper. Inside the big tent, poultry pros manned the omelet pans, flipping well over 500 tasty omelets for hungry guests. Those cooks represented poultry and allied industry, faculty and staff from Auburn University poultry science department, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and AP&EA board members and staff. Also, a retired poultry professional and recent inductee into the Alabama Ag Hall of Honor, Dr. Bob Brewer, a gentleman who just loves to cook omelets, stopped by to flip a few. The event is sponsored annualy by the Heavy Penny-A-Hen Committee and Alabama’s egg producers through state support funding from the American Egg Board.
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Johnny Adcock
Daniel Autrey
Dr. Don Conner
Jacob Davis
AP&EA Holds Spring Board Meeting MONTGOMERY – Following the Legislative and Media Omelet Breakfast on April 11, the AP&EA board met for its spring meeting at AP&EA headquarters. Association President Johnny Adcock called the meeting to order and thanked all of the board members who had participated in cooking omelets and mingling with guests. He spoke briefly on the upcoming “Evening of Fun,” expressing enthusiasm with Thompson Square as feature entertainment. He expressed special gratitude to Executive Director Johnny Adams for his work in the Legislature in helping to secure funds for the National Poultry Technology Center, as well as his work to facilitate the Koch Foods expansion in east Alabama. Daniel Autrey, chief of staff for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Johm McMillan, reported that the Department of Agriculture had lost 25 percent of its workforce due to cutbacks and proration. He also reported that the department was level funded for this year. The search for a replacement for Dr. Fred Hoerr at the state diagnostic lab is ongoing, he reported, with several potential candidates in the running. AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams responded saying, “We appreciate the work that the commissioner and his staff do.” AP&EA Membership Director Ray Hilburn presented the Allied Committee report, reminding the group of the Association Big Bass Tournament at Lake Guntersville on May 10, and the “Evening of Fun” golf tournament
scheduled for June 7, at Limestone Springs Golf Club. He also reported that the Allied Golf Tournament was scheduled for Sep. 26. Dr. Don Conner, head of Auburn University’s department of poultry science, in his advisory report, said that his department was going through a time of assessment and evaluation and, now with food safety a part of the department, curriculum was undergoing continued evaluation. He reported that there were 36 freshmen admitted for the fall semester in poultry science and that the College of Agriculture had more than 700 students enrolled. Statistically, he said, 70 percent are in animal science, with a pre-vet curriculum, 60 percent are female and 60 percent are from out of state. He expressed concern over the out-of-state to in-state ratio. Much of this, he believes, is due to Auburn’s requirement of a score of 27 on the ACT and the higher tuition and fee costs, currently at $9,400 for two semesters. He pointed out that while tuition has increased over the past several years, the amount of scholarship money has remained moribund. He is enthusiastic about the 2+2 Program at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville. Currently only two students are enrolled in the program, but he is hopeful that seven or eight will be enrolled in the fall semester. He reported that the feed mill was operational and that the Auburn Poultry Science Club had taken first place at the recent IPPE in Atlanta. Conner also invited everyone to
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participate in the Auburn Friends of Poultry Golf Tournament on May 8. The Biosystems Engineering report was presented by Jim Donald. He stated that the NPTC was working with AP&EA and NRCS to perform 30 energy audits around the state, with five already completed. The energy audits are required for growers to get EQIP money and other grant money. He also so reported that on May 9, the NPTC would be conducting an open-house demonstration in conjunction with the Central Alabama Poultry & Egg Association in Luverne. He also mentioned their annual housing seminar, scheduled for Oct. 20-22, in Auburn. Bill Prince of NRCS presented the Environmental Science advisory report. He reported that NRCS had been so overwhelmed trying to write Comprehensive Management Plans (CMPs) that they had contracted with an outside source to help. He stated that most of the CMPs are funded for 2013, but 2014 is in doubt. Jacob Davis presented the Department of Education report. He told the group that there were approximately 30,000 students enrolled in ag classes across the state, with only 301 ag teachers. AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams reported that there was currently $280,000 in the general fund budget for the CAFO program and that Career Tech was on the fast track. Legislatively, there is little to report other than some weak animal rights bills.
Evening of Fun
Enterprise FFA Alumni Band Strings It Up For 2013 “Evening of Fun” The Enterprise High School FFA Alumni Band is comprised of nine talented musicians and vocalists. Their musical style covers the past 40 years of musical history. The band is made up of Enterprise High School String Band members from the class of 1971 to present. The band performs music ranging from Merle Haggard to Eric Church and features violinist Dawn Turner on several instrumental numbers including Orange Blossom Special, Faded Love and Soldiers Joy. Members include Roger Hogan, Roger Howell, and Alan Waters from the String Band of 1971, Chris Duke from the 1995 String Band, Jerad Dyess from 2004, Brandon Nelson from 2005, Dawn Turner from the 2012 and 2013 String Bands, and Ryan Wood from the present FFA String Band. Ryan also serves as this year’s Enterprise High School FFA president and Dawn serves as Alabama State FFA vice president and Enterprise High School’s FFA student advisor. Ronnie Rutherford’s mandolin was added to the group when he sat in on a
performance at Harrand Creek Elementary School where he serves a principal. Ronnie was a member of the Chipley Florida FFA where he participated in parliamentary procedure and poultry judging. This mix of new and old serves the band with a unique and diverse sound. The band was formed in July of 2012 and has performed for numerous functions around Enterprise and the Coffee County area.
The Enterprise High School FFA Alumni band was this year’s season opener for the Coffee County Arts Alliance which was also responsible for bringing many notable musical groups and personalities to Coffee County including Percy Sledge, The Association and most recently Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. We are so excited to have this talented group for the 2013 AP&EA “Evening of Fun.” Got your tickets?
Jones-Hamilton’s Gibson to Speak at 2013 “Evening of Fun” Grower Meeting and Seminar The 2013 “Evening of Fun” will kick off with the grower meeting at 5:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in the Birmingham Ballroom. Kenneth Sanders, Grower Committee chairman, will welcome everyone and then we will get down to business by electing three grower directors for the upcoming two years. Next on the agenda will be the recognition of the 2013 Alabama 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 what they do for our poultry industry.
The Grower Committee has selected a very talented speaker and useful topic for all growers this year for the program. Our speaker will be Blake Gibson of Jones-Hamilton Co., who will speak to us on the “Science of Litter Management.” Gibson is a great motivational speaker and will make you rethink how you are handling your litter and down time between flocks. He will bring us a very thought provoking message. 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
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Blake Gibson
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 2013 “Evening of Fun.” Please come join us for a great time!
Thompson Square Debuts New CD –
“It Just Feels Good” “There are a lot of fun, upbeat songs on this new album. It’s very diverse and kind of all over the map,” says Keifer Thompson. “The songs on the album are autobiographical and tell the story of our journey over the last few years – an incredible journey that I am still trying to wrap my head around.” “Only a few years ago we were playing to five people a night down on Lower Broadway in Nashville,” adds Shawna Thompson. “Over the last couple of years we’ve been blessed to play to crowds of 30,000 people touring with Jason Aldean, Lady A and Luke Bryan. So many of our dreams have come true and it’s so much sweeter because I’ve gotten to share them with not only my husband but my best friend. Keifer and Shawna Thompson co-wrote five of the 13 songs on the album alongside such heavyweights as Grammy Award winner Brett James (“Jesus Take the Wheel”) and Grammy nominated songwriter and artist David Lee Murphy (“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”).
AP&EA “Evening of Fun” June 8, 2013 Thompson Square Continues with Second Consecutive ACM “Vocal Duo of the Year” Win LAS VEGAS – On April 9, Thompson Square successfully defended its crown when the husband/wife duo, comprised of Keifer and Shawna Thompson, took home the ACM’s “Vocal Duo of the Year” Award for the second consecutive year. Thompson Square’s win was met by a standing ovation from the duo’s peers and music industry – including congratulations from headlining tour mate and ACM co-host Luke Bryan – when Keifer and Shawna Thompson picked up the Academy of Country Music’s first big award of the night. “I just can’t believe the reality we’re living right now and I truly can’t believe this is our life,” Keifer Thompson told media during the ACM’s backstage press conference. “We never
thought we would do anything like this, especially win it twice.” When asked about how it felt to win the ACM two years in a row, Keifer Thompson replied, “It’s kind of hard to put into words but ... ” “… It just feels good!” both Keifer and Shawna Thompson said in unison embodying the message of their newly released and autobiographical album, Just Feels Good. “I think Johnny and June, the love they had for one another, I feel like we have that same thing,” said Keifer in response to questions regarding the duo’s 14-year marriage as well as the vocal duos that have inspired them as both a romantic and professional couple. “When you just look at one of them and see how they look at the other one –
that’s how I look at Shawna and that’s how I feel about her – the love aspect of what we do, it’s there.” The duo’s second ACM win in a row cements Thompson Square’s status as a force to be reckoned with in the Country music industry. Along with its two ACM wins, the twice Grammy nominated Thompson Square is also the reigning CMA “Vocal Duo of the Year” and was awarded a 2012 CMT Music Award for the hit “I Got You” as well as three American Country Awards.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
March / April 2013
If you don’t have your “Evening of Fun” tickets already, order them today! If you don’t know how, call –
800-254-2732 Call Today!
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Just An Old Fashioned Love Story
Love Stories, We All Need them When I came to work for the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, I knew nothing of raising chickens or the poultry industry. Six years later, I know only a little more than when I first started. However, I did know a good love story when I saw it, and that hasn’t changed. Perhaps, it has even grown stronger as I grow older. With most every profile that I write, I do find a love story. Those stories are essential to developing the characters that you read about on the pages of this magazine. They are also essential in the lives of those whom you read about. Those stories are primarily about the love between a husband and wife, though sometimes it is between siblings or parents and children. Families make up this wonderful industry at all levels. It is their devotion to each other that makes this industry special, though certainly not unique. We are a relational people, and it is those extraordinary relationships that make us who we are and motivate us to be better than we are. Over the years, in interviews with couples, one of my first questions has always been, “How did you meet?” That question leads to others and then the personal stories emerge. There are stories of happy times, funny times, sad times, times of gain and times of loss. One of my most favorite stories was a profile of George and Bessie Scott of Cullman in 2009. Both in their 70s, Bessie had suffered a stroke several years before, but was bright and cheerful. George was a robust dynamic sort of fellow, and he absolutely doted on her. Just five years after the end of World War II, they had
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met at Brickyard Baptist Church in Good Hope, fell in love and soon were married, but he was in the Navy. After his first and only cruise, they rented a tiny furnished apartment in Bayonne, N.J. He worked in the Navy shipyard as an engineman. She got a job at the Maidenform doll factory gluing eyelashes on dolls. Bessie called those years in Bayonne, their “honeymoon years.” Life was sweet for a couple of kids fresh from rural Alabama, with the bright lights of New York City just across the Hudson River. They learned to work together and take care of their money, but they also discovered a love of travel. In 1959, back home in Alabama, with one child, Ronnie, already, George built their first two chicken houses. Daughters, Patricia and Sherry, came along in rapid succession. George was working a full-time job and Bessie was taking care of the chickens. If there was a problem, she would call George and he would walk her through solving it. It was with obvious pride, as he looked at her, he told me, “She was pretty mechanical, there wasn’t much she couldn’t do.” They were outstanding growers. In 2000, George and Bessie were named Cullman County Farm Family of the Year, and, in 2009, George was inducted into the Cullman County Poultry Hall of Fame. Despite the responsibilities of the poultry farm, they still enjoyed traveling. One of their last trips was a tour of the western United States. I imagine them on their trip, seeing the sights and holding hands, just the same way that I saw them as they showed me their chicken houses during our interview. The last time that I saw them together was at the Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association annual meeting two years ago. They were holding hands as they stood in the food line. I think that Bessie was wearing white, anyway she looked radiant. I told her how beautiful she looked and George, with a big smile on his face, agreed – Bessie just beamed. She was not there last year. Seeing George, I asked about Bessie. That’s when that terrible word was said, “Alzheimer’s.” It was during my interview with Phillip and Nancy Garrison for this issue of the magazine that I learned of Bessie’s passing. However, it was seeing George at this year’s event that brought it all home. I can only imagine what the last few years have held for him, but seeing his face and hearing the catch in his voice when he talks about Bessie and their 61 years together, I know that he was by her side all the way. A love like theirs could do no less. I don’t know about you, but I need those kind of love stories. The tabloids and television are filled with stories of tawdry love affairs and one night stands. Those stories may titillate us and entertain for an hour, but it is the real stories of enduring self-sacrificing love and tenderness, like George and Bessie, that inspire us to hold tighter and love more deeply in our own love stories.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
The Birds and Bees at Gold Vine Farms
Nancy and Phillip Garrison stand outside their newest poultry house at Gold Vine Farms.
March 21, 2013 – Nancy and Phillip Garrison of Gold Vine Farms in Vinemont had just gotten a house full of chicks, a day early, when I pulled up in their drive. They had been expecting to get chicks the next day, but the previous day’s weather had destroyed or damaged 15 houses and forced Ingram Farms to deliver a house full of chicks to the Garrisons that morning. There was no problem. By the time that I got to their house, all of the chicks were snug, in probably the oldest working broiler house in Alabama. Just how old? Nancy tells me that her World War II veteran father, Roy Adams, built it in 1957, when Nancy was just an infant. Over the years it’s had numerous updates, but, even with its age starting to show, Nancy assures me, it grows great chickens, maybe even better than their two newer tunnel houses. Nancy ought to know great chickens when she sees them, after all, her family, starting with her grandparents, has been raising chickens for a long time, and in May, she says, she’ll have been raising chickens for 56 years. Her maternal grandparents, Steve and Altha Shelton, raised chickens near Eva, Ala., for Dixie Home Feed. Her father and mother started raising chickens for Cotton Producers Association, which later became Gold Kist. In fact, for 49 years and six months, they grew for Gold Kist until Pilgrim’s Pride bought out Gold Kist. They now contract with Ingram Farms, growing a 3.85 to 4.35 pound chicken. Growout time is approximately 39 days, allowing them six and a half flocks per year. The newer houses are computerized, with solid sidewalls. The control rooms are kept neat as a pin. As a child, she had always helped around the farm, but Nancy started farming seriously when she was 13-years-old, when her father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. With him unable to work, Nancy partnered with her mother, Mary, learning to feed cattle and chickens, as well as drive the tractor. They also row cropped, raising watermelons, corn, soybeans and cotton. During this time she also
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Phillip, in his beekeeper protective gear, checks his hives. Honey bees are more likely to swarm on cool windy days. Mostly from the nectar of wildflowers, the darker honey is produced in the summer. The lighter honey is from springtime growth. It has a milder taste. Both are delicious.
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In 1986, Mary Adams posed for this picture in the poultry house that her husband, Roy, built in 1957. With that house, she managed, with Nancy’s help, to win the top broiler producer award from Gold Kist for 1975-1976. It can be seen on the third shelf down amid numerous other farm awards.
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Nancy stands in front of the chicken house where her poultry career began, when, as a 5-year -old, she loved to play with the baby chicks.
went to school and learned to play the organ and piano. It was on a trip to Mobile with her church youth group after her graduation from Vinemont High School that she met Phillip. He was the younger brother of their pastor at Faith Baptist in Vinemont. She thought, at first, that he was a college student because he looked quite a bit older – he couldn’t possibly be interested in her. But, when they talked, she found out that he was a farm boy from the Gold Ridge community. They were married in August of 1975. They are still active members of the church and Nancy has played the organ there for 42 years. For a while, Nancy tried working, as she says, “a public job’” away from the farm for about six months, but it wasn’t for her. Back on the farm, she and her mother continued to grow chickens and farm. In 1979, with her father’s health rapidly failing and her mother needing to spend more time as his care giver, Nancy took over the business of the farm. Mary helped when she could, but that wasn’t often. She was always by Roy’s side as he bravely went through a number of experimental Parkinson’s treatments. He passed away in late 1980. In 1988, Nancy and Phillip built their first poultry house. When Mary initially visited the 40’ x 400’ house, the center curtain dividing the house was down. She remarked that she thought the house was no bigger than the other old house. Nancy laughed and explained, “Well, Mother, when you raise that curtain there’ll be another 200 feet of house back there.” Five years later, when they built a new more modern house, Mary boldly proclaimed, “This is my house and I’m going to take care of it.” And that’s just what she did for the next 15 years. Every morning, she’d head for the new house, leaving the two older ones for Nancy. In the evenings, when Phillip would get home from his job away from the farm, the ladies would put him to work doing those things that they could not do. Obviously, it was a pretty efficient system, because, over the years their farm won a number of awards. In fact, Mary won a Top Broiler Producer award from Gold Kist for 1975-1976 with a house that was built in 1957. In 2008, at the age of 86, Mary Adams reluctantly gave up her poultry house.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
“I enjoy farming, it’s in my blood – I enjoy taking care of what God has so richly blessed us with in this great country.” Nancy Garrison However, before she died in December of 2011, she did get to see Nancy serve as president of the Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association in 2009, Gold Vine Farms named an Alabama Century & Heritage Farm in 2010 and named district winner of the Alabama Farm of Distinction in 2011. Phillip, who works for J&R Feed Services in Cullman, still does the heavy lifting around the farm, but he also does a lot more. Over the years he has developed a very profitable honey and sorghum syrup business off his family farm in Gold Ridge. Like Nancy, who had a heritage of poultry production, Phillip’s grandfather was a beekeeper and honey producer, as was his father. But Phillip resisted going into the family pastime, until a lady at church complained that she could not find a local source for honey. Nancy had been telling Phillip that he needed a hobby. He would occasionally hunt, but that really wasn’t something that he enjoyed. When the lady complained about the lack of local honey, something began to buzz inside him. He started with two hives and did all right. Then he heard about a beekeeping workshop at Auburn University. After attending, he says that he learned more in one day at that workshop than he had in all the time that he had helped his father with his bees. He also bought a book at the workshop, and though, he says he hates to read, he devoured the book, and, as Nancy says, he was hooked. Twenty years later, he now has more than 100 hives. He still attends the Auburn beekeeping workshop every year and has served as the president of the Alabama Beekeepers Association. The day before our interview, Phillip had been replacing queen bees in a number of his hives. To do so, he must first open the hive and find the old queen, a difficult task considering that each hive holds more than 50,000 bees, and remove her. He then takes the new queen and puts her in place and puts the lid back on the hive. This has to be done every two years to keep the hive producing a high volume of honey. He averages between 60 and 80 pounds of honey per hive, equating to 5,000 to 6,000 pounds of honey per year. With a one-pound jar of honey selling for $5, the hobby has now become an income generating business for the Garrisons. The day had been cool and windy and the bees had been swarming. Phillip had been stung 25 to 30 times, even though he was wearing protective garments. He explained that, though it was somewhat painful, it was good to get the bee venom into his system to start building up a resistance to the toxins. The Garrison’s Gold Vine Farms covers two locations. Poultry, cattle and hay production is done on Nancy’s old family farm in Vinemont, while honey and sorghum production is done on Phillip’s old family farm in nearby Gold Ridge. The Gold Ridge farm features a neat storefront, where they sell honey, beeswax candles and sorghum syrup. In the back they process the raw honey and put it into jars for sale or shipment. Outside is a sorghum press where, in the fall, they crush the sorghum. The juice flows into a large pan where it is cooked down to sweet tasting syrup, just right for a hot buttered biscuit. Over the years, the Garrisons and Gold Vine Farms have won numerous awards, but what satisfies Nancy the most is the fulfillment that she gets out of life, “with a strong faith in God, love of family and knowing we have a small part in helping feed the world. I enjoy farming, it’s in my blood – I enjoy taking care of what God has so richly blessed us with in this great country.”
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Sgt. Roy Adams enjoys a few moments leisure in Adolf Hitler’s favorite chair at Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest retreat. By this time Der Fuhrer had no need of it.
Sgt. Roy Adams was one of nine Cullman County boys who served with the famed U.S. Army’s 85th Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion in World War II. These were the combat engineers who, when the retreating Nazis had destroyed bridges over rivers like the Volturno in Italy, the Danube in Austria, and the Rhine in Germany, the 85th would bridge those rivers with assault bridges that could accommodate the heaviest armor. Much of their work was done over swift flowing rivers and under artillery and sniper fire. Perhaps their greatest accomplishment was building the 1,047 ft. long bridge across the Rhine River, which had a flow rate of seven mile per hour, in 9 hours and 12 minutes. During its first hours of operation 3,040 vehicles passed over it, including the famed 3rd Infantry Division. With them was Cpt. Audie Murphy, on his way to win the Medal of Honor. At the end of hostilities, the 85th was in Salzburg, Austria. From there, Sgt. Adams and a number of troops made the run to Berchtesgaden, the site of Hitler’s famous Eagle’s Nest retreat. The boys from Cullman served with pride and distinction, coming home with honor. Roy Adams came back and started farming. One night he went on a blind date with a girl named Mary …
March / April 2013
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Recipes
Spring into National Egg Month As the weather heats up and outside activities pick up, Americans can increase their intake of the sunshine vitamin even more by eating all-natural foods, like eggs, which are one of the few foods that naturally contain vitamin D. In fact, the USDA recently reviewed egg nutrient data and results showed that one large egg contains 41 IU of vitamin D, 64 percent higher than before. Looking for another way to celebrate National Egg Month? Join America’s egg farmers in fighting childhood hunger through the Good Egg Project. Visit IncredibleEgg.org/Good-Egg-Project to make a pledge to help fight childhood hunger. For every pledge, America’s egg farmers will donate one egg to Feeding America. Since 2009, America’s egg farmers have donated more than 38 million eggs to help feed the hungry.
Zucchini Soufflés Prep Time: 10 minutes Standing Time: 30 minutes Bake Time: 25 to 30 minutes Makes: 6 side dish servings OR 4 entrée servings
WHAT YOU NEED 2 cups packed unpeeled shredded zucchini 3/4 teaspoon salt Cooking spray 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard 1/4 cup milk 1 container (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese 4 eggs HERE’S HOW COMBINE zucchini and salt in a medium bowl. Let STAND 30 minutes. RINSE INSIDER INFORMATION zucchini thoroughly in a colander. SQUEEZE out excess water. Mixture may also be baked in ramekins PREHEAT oven to 375°F. SPRAY six 1/2-cup soufflé dishes if using as a side dish or custard cups in the sizes indicated in OR four 1-cup soufflé dishes if using as an entrée. COAT bottom and sides of dishes the recipe. using 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese; set aside. For a “top hat” appearance, hold spoon Meanwhile, MELT butter in medium saucepan on medium heat. STIR in flour and upright and circle the egg mixture to make a ring about 1-inch from side of mustard until smooth. Gradually WHISK in milk. HEAT to boiling; reduce heat. dish and 1-inch deep. Bake as recipe diCOOK and STIR 1 minute or until thickened. rects. REMOVE from heat. STIR in feta and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and zucchini. SEPARATE eggs. STIR yolks into zucchini mixture. PLACE whites in a mixing bowl. BEAT on high speed of mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently FOLD half of egg whites into zucchini mixture. REPEAT with remaining whites. Gently SPOON zucchini mixture into prepared dishes, filling 3/4 full. BAKE 25 to 30 minutes or until mixture is puffed, delicately browned and soufflé shakes slightly when oven rack is gently moved back and forth. SERVE immediately.
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Alabama Poultry Magazine
Egg and Prosciutto Muffins Prep Time: 10 minutes Bake Time: 25 to 30 minutes Makes: 4 servings, 2 muffins each
WHAT YOU NEED Cooking spray 8 large eggs 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 package (3 ounces) prosciutto, chopped, pieces separated 1/2 cup chopped tomato 1-1/2 tablespoons fresh chives 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese HERE’S HOW PREHEAT oven to 350°F. SPRAY 8 (2-1/2-inch diameter) muffin cups with cooking spray; set aside. MIX eggs and pepper in large mixing bowl until well blended. STIR in prosciutto, tomatoes, chives and Parmesan cheese. FILL each muffin cup 3/4 full with egg mixture. BAKE 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let COOL in pan 5 minutes. Carefully REMOVE using thin metal spatula. SERVE warm.
INSIDER INFORMATION Substitute 1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimiento, drained, for the tomatoes. Use freeze dried chives in place of the fresh.
Eggs Italiano Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 18 to 20 minutes Makes: 4 servings
WHAT YOU NEED 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 3 cups unpeeled chopped zucchini 3 cups chopped Roma tomatoes 1/2 cup tomato juice 1/4 cup fresh basil, cut into thin strips (chiffonade). divided 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper 8 poached eggs 4 whole wheat English muffins, split and toasted 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
INSIDER INFORMATION How to Poach Eggs – HEAT 2 to 3 inches of water to boiling in a saucepan or skillet. REDUCE heat to keep liquid simmering. BREAK cold eggs, one at a time, into custard cup and gently slip into liquid. COOK 3 to 5 minutes, or until white is completely set and yolk begins to thicken, but is not hard. Carefully REMOVE egg using a slotted spoon.
HERE’S HOW COOK and STIR onion and garlic in oil in large non-stick skillet on medium-high heat 1 minute. STIR in zucchini; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until almost tender, stirring frequently. STIR in tomatoes; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. ADD tomato juice, 2 tablespoons of the basil, vinegar, salt and pepper. COOK until all ingredients are heated through. PLACE 2 English muffin halves on each of 4 plates. DIVIDE vegetable mixture evenly between muffins. TOP each half with a poached egg. DRIZZLE a little sauce from the vegetables over each egg. SPRINKLE Parmesan cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons of the basil over muffin halves before serving.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
March / April 2013
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Poultry Industry News
After 37 Years at Wayne Farms, Jack Sherwood Retires
Jack Sherwood and Neal Walker share a laugh about old times.
Jack, with Sue and family, shared stories of his time at Wayne Farms.
TROY – On March 28, amid handshakes and anecdotes, Jack Sherwood, of Wayne Farms, retired after working for 37 years – for the same company. His adventure in employment began in 1975 when, he and his wife, Sue, and month-old son, Brian, traveled from Scottsdale, Ariz., to Albertville, Ala., to begin a two-year training program with Wayne Farms for recent MBA graduates. The Pennsylvania native had some cultural differences to overcome, especially in the area of food. He was ignorant of “sweet tea” and “hushpuppies.” He did, however, get a good grasp on the industry that he was to serve for the rest of his professional life. He learned about pullets and breeders, then broilers, then the feed mill and the hatchery. He also learned about managing a processing plant and, most importantly, he learned about sales. He and Sue, along with sons, Brian and Tim, spent time in Danville, Ark., where Jack helped build a new plant. In 1984, they came back to Alabama, where Jack, now 32, was now the youngest complex manager in the Wayne Farms organization, overseeing the Union Springs complex.
The decade of the ‘90s saw Jack in Wayne Farms’ corporate offices, first in Duluth, Ga., then in Gainesville. In 2000, Jack and Sue were back in Alabama. Jack was named Wayne Farms area manager for south Alabama, with responsibility for two complexes – Union Springs and Enterprise. No matter where Jack went during his career with Wayne Farms, he established a pattern of leadership that gained a high level of respect from those who served under him, as well as Wayne Farms corporate officials. At his retirement ceremony, it was evident that he was held in high esteem by all who had worked with him. Speaker after speaker came to the microphone to talk about how he had mentored them or helped with a problem. There were also anecdotes of his and Sue’s love of golf and their his and hers motorcycles. Jack has also used his leadership skills to serve the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. As Association president in 2007, he put into place the program that allowed the Association to be able to pay off its indebtedness for the Association property years ahead of schedule. By paying the mortgage early, the Association saved thousands of dollars in interest payments. Thank you, Jack Sherwood! When Jack Sherwood became president of AP&EA, he said “The Alabama Poultry & Egg Association is the vehicle that adds value to the industry. The Association is the central forum which interacts with our membership and the different support groups to take advantage of the opportunities. We must remain proactive, united and strong.”
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Alabama Poultry Magazine
Practical Applications
Nutrient Management and Profitability M. Kent Stanford, Extension Specialist – Nutrient Management; Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (256-557-1206)
The term nutrient management can make some people start thinking about compliance with environmental regulations and the written plan for their farm. In an applied sense, it can be a useful planning tool for the various enterprises on a farm. The high cost of commercial fertilizer has led to a dramatic increase in demand for poultry litter, particularly from row-crop farmers. This demand extends beyond the state lines with producers from surrounding states sourcing litter in Alabama. Poultry growers should carefully examine their use of the litter produced on their farm to determine if it makes financial sense to continue applying or to simply sell. For many years, litter was considered a by-product with little or no value. Certainly that is no longer the case. Average broiler litter has a 3-3-2 fertilizer analysis, meaning there is roughly 60 pounds of nitrogen, 60 pounds of phosphorous, and 40 pounds of potash per ton. Based on current commercial fertilizer prices, those nutrients in an average ton of litter are worth $94. With actual prices of litter hovering in the $20-30 range, it is easy to see why litter demand has increased so much. The organic matter provided by litter is harder to value, but may provide more benefit to the soil in the long run than the actual nutrients. So, let’s consider an example that shows how proper nutrient management can affect profitability. Many poultry farms in Alabama also include cattle, with land devoted to pastures and hayfields. It is not uncommon to see soil test reports showing a high level of fertility in pastures on these farms. Compared to crop fields, grazing livestock remove very few nutrients. So, a pasture with a high level of fertility may actually have enough phosphorous and potassium banked up to produce for many years. All the pasture may need is 50-60 pounds of nitrogen to get the desired growth. A good stand of clover that makes up 25-30 percent of the stand will provide all the nitrogen needs of the pasture annually. At a rate of 4-5 pounds per acre, seeding costs for white clover
should be around $15 per acre. Certainly weed control is a consideration and should be addressed prior to planting any clover. If we assume that two tons of litter has been applied annually (a common rate), that means the producer has been spending $50 per acre on this pasture (using our litter value from above). So, now that clover provides the needed nitrogen and we are using the built-up levels of P and K, this pasture should be self-sustaining for many years. The two tons of litter per acre that had been applied can now be sold. Many people that use litter are willing to pay transportation costs, so the poultry grower’s time is freed up compared to driving a spreader truck. In addition, there are fuel savings by parking the spreader truck! Although this example does not include every consideration, it addresses the main points that should be evaluated. Take the time to examine your own operation to see if there are opportunities to improve your income while not sacrificing production. For more information, check out the Alabama Cooperative Extension System website at www.aces.edu.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
March / April 2013
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Water System Inspection Pays Off By Jess Campbell, Dennis Brothers, Jim Donald and Gene Simpson National Poultry Technology Center, Auburn University College of Agriculture
water plumbing and supply systems adequate to handle summer’s peak demand? If you can’t answer YES, with confidence, it is time to put a water supply system inspection at the top of your spring cleaning checklist. Broiler house water system inspections should be routinely scheduled, but there are some scenarios or situations to look for that tell you to do it NOW:
Pressure regulator partial clog A partially clogged drinker system pressure regulator can cause a loss in water flow (gallons per minute getting to the birds) before any drop in pressure becomes obvious. The only way to be sure the regulator is still delivering the water flow needed is to take it out of the line and visually inspect it. On most farms, this should be done at least once a year, and especially in the spring ahead of summer’s high water demand. This regulator is definitely restricting water flow and must be cleaned or replaced. Getting enough water to birds at all times is critical for good flock performance.
1. Can’t get weight on birds and/or see higher than average mortality rates in hot weather. 2. Have experienced a drop in performance after adding additional houses on a farm. 3. Upgraded fans for higher wind speed and 6-inch cooling system without upgrading plumbing. 4. Experience low or no pressure at drinker lines and in control rooms when birds are drinking and evaporative cooling systems are filling at the same time. 5. Have trouble keeping evaporative cooling systems from running out of water on hot days. Potential Dollars Saved or Lost
Satisfying bird water needs is crucial for top flock If any of the situations or symptoms described above performance, and it takes a great deal of water. A typical apply to your farm, a water supply restriction might be updated 40 x 500 broiler house in Alabama can consume 450,000 gallons or more of potable water a year the root of the problem. Identifying a water supply probfor bird consumption and operation of a 6-inch evapo- lem can be tricky but of utmost importance in dollars rative cooling system. A four-house broiler farm of these and cents. You don’t want an overlooked water restrichouses may require 1.8 - 2.0 million gallons per year. tion to drop you to the bottom of the settlement sheet. Consider two farms, each with four similar modern Satisfying water demand can be especially challenging in summertime when both birds and evaporative cooling 40 x 500 broiler houses that require approximately 13 systems are thirsty. In addition to meeting the total de- gpm (gallons per minute) per house at peak demand on mand, it is critical to meet the peak flow rate needed, a really hot dry day, so the total farm water supply flow which in hot weather might be as much as 50-60 gallons rate required is 52 gpm. Grower A has an adequate per minute for four houses. We too often see farms that water supply and routinely checks for any symptoms of do not show obvious problems most of the time during water shortage on the farm and corrects them. Grower cool and mild weather growouts – but show significant B on the other hand, has consistently had trouble with flock performance reductions # birds Livability # birds Avg Total lbs $0.056/lb- Income in hot weather because of failplaced percent sold lbs/bird sold sold difference ing to meet the peak flow rate demand, which can be very Grower A 88,000 97 85,360 8.5 725,560 40,631.36 costly to a grower. Hot weather is fast ap- Grower B 88,000 94 82,720 8.1 670,032 37,521.79 - $3,109.57 proaching. Are your houses’
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performance during hot weather. He hasn’t identified the problem but notices the houses run low on pressure at times. The truth is that Grower B’s water supply system is either partially clogged or undersized, and can deliver only 40 gpm, not 52 gpm. That’s a lot of gallons not available during crucial times of the growout when birds and cooling pads need it the most. In this situation of hot weather water inadequacy, Grower B’s flocks may take as much as a 3 percent hit in livability and lose as much as 0.4 pounds of potential per bird average live weight. What does this look like in dollars and cents, if each farm places 88,000 birds per growout? There are many other factors to consider, but let’s keep it simple: Grower A, having an adequate water supply, received a check for approximately $40,631.36 with a good average weight and good livability. Grower B, having an inadequate water supply, sent fewer birds to the plant with poor livability and a much lower average weight and brought home $3,109.57 less for the same number of chicks placed. Grower B could easily find himself in this scenario for at least two hot weather flocks and see an estimated $6,219.14 in less income compared to Grower A, simply due to water inadequacy. Cost of fixing a plumbing or other water supply problem on the average poultry farm varies greatly depending on the particular situation, but $6,000 would certainly go a long way toward fixing the problem. Water Supply Inspection Points The first point to consider is that the water source used – whether a water utility or pumping from a well or pond, must be capable supplying the amount and flow rate needed. Particular poultry farm water needs vary greatly depending on location, weather conditions, number and size of houses, and number and size of birds grown in those houses. Our example farm above, typical for the lower Broiler Belt growing large birds, needs a water source capable of supplying a minimum of 52 gpm at maximum demand. Remember, that is just for the poultry farm, not a dwelling or other farm needs. Contact your company representative for an estimated per-house water requirement. See our newsletter #7, Key Water Factors for Broiler Production, for more information. Following are the main items to check to assure your
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water system and plumbing are adequate. Examples assume the same typical four-house farm with modern 40 x 500 broiler houses, the farm requiring 52 gpm at peak demand. Note: these figures are for illustration purposes only, and may not fit your farm. Each farm must be assessed according to the location of the farm, weather conditions, type and size of birds, and amount and type of equipment installed. 1. Undersized Water Meter: Undersized water meters can significantly reduce the amount of water pressure and flow that a farm receives during hot weather. The meter might be sufficient to supply a residential home but not a poultry farm. Our example farm requiring 52 gpm will need a 1.5-inch diameter municipal water meter to adequately supply the farm. The typical ¾-inch water meter is rated for up to 30 gpm and a 1” meter up to 50 gpm, each restricting 15 psi at given water flow. These are American Water Works Association (AWWA) standard pressure loss ratings. Specific meter ratings should be confirmed with the water supplier and meter manufacturer. 2. Undersized Main Plumbing Line(s): Undersized main water supply lines are often found to be the root of a water problem. A certified plumber should be consulted to determine if a farm’s main line is undersized. The distance from the water source at the meter or well head to the farm’s control room determines the amount of pressure (friction) loss that will occur. Also, major changes in elevation contribute to pressure loss. For example, a 21.7 psi pressure loss will be felt if the farm is only 50 feet above the meter or well head. Our example four-house farm would need a 2-inch diameter PVC main water line and would have 20 psi of friction loss if the farm was 1,000 feet from the point of supply on level grade. If the farm water system was installed using only a 1.5-inch main line the friction loss would be approximately 60 psi (3 times more) measured 1,000 feet away. A new 2inch main water meter won’t fix the problem of an undersized main supply line on the farm. 3. Stopped Up Filters: The great thing about water filters is the fact that they are disposable just like the air filters in our homes. The problem is sometimes we forget to change them and even if we have a regimen
Alabama Poultry Magazine
we follow to change them once per flock, that might not be enough during summer months when we are using more than average water. Each farm is different and the rate of filter changes is based on quality and quantity of water used. It is imperative to have water pressure gauges installed on both sides of the filter so the grower can tell if and when the filter is restricting water pressure. This really needs to be checked when a significant number of the birds are up and drinking. If no water is flowing through the filter then there will not be a pressure drop even if the filter needs to be changed. The poorer the water quality the more time and effort a grower will have to spend keeping filters clean.
It can occur at any time of the year, and is most often a problem with young chicks, resulting in high 7-day mortalities. Young chicks are often not strong enough to break the drinker pins free if they are stuck. Activating nipple drinkers prior to bird placement is a must! As nipple drinker technology has evolved, there are several different types of nipple drinkers on the market, designed for the different types and size of birds. Make sure the nipple drinkers in your lines were designed for the birds you are growing. If you have questions about what nipple drinker is right for the flocks being grown, ask your company representative about approved drinker types and options. Make Sure Your Backup Water Source is Ready
4. Clogged Regulator: Water pressure regulators are a great way to restrict water pressure to the drinker systems inside the house but they too can be a water flow restriction. This regulator takes the pressure down from supply pressure at 40-100 psi to approximately 25-40 psi, depending on company preference. These regulators have a wire mesh screen inside of them to keep trash from damaging the regulator but can restrict water flow as contaminants build up over time. Regulators should be removed from the line and inspected each year at minimum. Water meters and medicators can also become clogged with trash in the system. 5. Kinked Drinker Supply Hoses: Also known as drop hoses, these connect the water supply plumbing to the drinker lines. The most frequent problem we see with drop hoses is that they become easily kinked and partially or totally stop water flow. Common household or “garden� water hoses are not good options for supplying water to drinkers as they are often very easy to kink. Even if higher quality hoses are used, they too can become kinked. If small diameter drop hoses are used, be aware that if biofilm builds up in these hoses, they too can become a source of water restriction. 6. Contaminated Nipple Drinkers: While modern nipple drinkers usually work well to supply birds with adequate water, they can become partially clogged with biofilm and other contaminants and functionally restrict water. This is not just a hot weather problem.
Water plays an extremely important role in growing a good healthy flock of chickens, so making sure the farm has a good clean abundant source of water from day one to catch is imperative. Just as you need a backup generator, you need a fall-back water source. If your primary water source fails for any reason, your secondary source must ready to take over and carry the farm until the primary water source can be restored.
Connects to existing under-sized farm supply line
Replaced old 3/4-inch meter with new 2-inch meter
Can’t Cut Corners: Often we find that the entire plumbing system from the meter to the control room needs to be upgraded. Electing to upgrade the meter only will not fix the problem when the entire system is undersized. This new 2-inch meter will not overcome the restriction caused during peak demand by the existing undersized plumbing line to the houses.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
March / April 2013
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The Bottom Line It is very difficult to maintain a competitive edge growing chickens on farms that have water supply problems, especially during hot weather growouts. Water restrictions can develop slowly over time and go unnoticed for years, but will have been robbing performance all that time. A little time spent on preventative maintenance on the farm’s water system can pay dividends by the end of the summer. We have received many calls and reports back from growers and company representatives that have basically “turned problem farms around” simply by identifying and successfully repairing water supply problems. This is not to say that this will fix every problem, but it is certainly worth a grower’s time this spring to pay some attention to his water supply system. If it is decided that a plumbing upgrade is in order for your farm and you are not comfortable or experienced in plumbing work, please contact a company representative and a local reputable plumber and come up with a plan together. There is never enough money for a redo and fixing mistakes in an emergency can be costly.
3/4-inch supply line is undersized
Plumbing into Control Room: The ¾-inch supply line in this picture is a problem and needs to be upgraded. Most companies require a minimum of 1.5–2-inch supply lines into each control room to serve both the birds and pads. Also, don’t reduce the supply line at the floor. It should extend up the wall to the last tap or end of the header.
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Alabama Poultry Magazine
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words
By Jim Donald, Jess Campbell, Dennis Brothers & Gene Simpson, National Poultry Technology Center Auburn University College of Agriculture
Can you find the problems in these images? These are both digital and thermal images of the main power disconnects that feed two poultry houses with approximately 24,000 birds in each house. If these disconnects are shorted out or if they fail, a house full of chickens will be lost. A STANDBY GENERATOR WILL NOT SAVE THESE BIRDS. The reason is that they are downstream of the generator. Any failure on the load side of the generator will result in a catastrophic loss. 1. Digital Image (left): You don’t have to be an electrician to notice the dirt dauber nests on the electrical connections here. Problems like this can compromise main electrical connections and cause power failure. Open holes or knock-outs in electrical boxes must be covered to keep rodents and pests
ADVERTISING INDEX Agrifan Alabama Ag / Alabama Farm Credit American Proteins Aviagen Bobcat of Oxford Ecodrum First South Farm Credit Goldin Metals Jones-Hamilton PLT Lee Energy Solutions Modern Poultry Systems Randy Jones Ins. Agency Thompson Tractor
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out of electrical boxes and connections. A single ½” hole in an electrical box allowing insects and rodents in can cause power loss to an entire house with main and backup power sources still operating perfectly. 2. Thermal Image (right): Looking through the eye of a thermal imaging camera shows loose connections between the fuse and lugs. When loose connections fail, power will be lost. Problems like this often go overlooked by the untrained eye. Hiring a certified electrician and generator service person to inspect and repair major electrical connections and components on a yearly basis is an investment that pays back each day. Make sure all electrical connections are ready to handle peak electrical demands before hot weather hits Alabama. CALENDAR OF EVENTS
pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg.
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AP&EA Golf Tournament Friday, June 7, 2013, 8:00 a.m. – Limestone Springs Golf Course AP&EA “Evening of Fun” Saturday, June 8, 2013 Grower Seminar, 5:00 p.m., Birmingham Ballroom/Sheraton Program and Concert, 7:00 p.m., BJCC Complex Dance, 9:30 p.m., Sheraton Ballroom AP&EA Annual Meeting July 22-23, 2013 – Sandestin Beach COUNTY ASSOCIATION MEETINGS Randolph County Poultry & Egg Association Thursday, May 30, 2013, 6:30 p.m. – Lakeside Marina, Wedowee Southeast Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Tuesday, June 11, 2013, 6:30 p.m. – Pike County Cattlemen’s Building, Troy Clay County Poultry & Egg Association Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 6:30 p.m. – Miss Anita’s Café, Lineville
Alabama Poultry Magazine