Alabama Poultry May/June 2014

2014 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year

The Federers of Holly Pond

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

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,Huntsville 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

Executive Director’s Message

What a wonderful “Evening of Fun” we had! If you were there, you know what I mean. From the incredible Arab FFA String Band to Montgomery’s own Donica Knight, who will one day be a headliner, to American Idol winner and rising country star, Scotty McCreery, it was as fine a lineup of young talent as you are likely see anywhere.

If you weren’t there, start making plans for next year. Over the past few years we have presented talent for your entertainment that has gone to the top of the country music charts, people like Blake Shelton, Josh Turner and Sara Evans. Who will we have next year? I don’t know, but if history is any indication, it will be someone on the rise to stardom.

Speaking of stars, it was great to be able to introduce some Alabama poultry stars at the “Evening of Fun.” Of course I am refering to our 2014 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year, Chad and Shannon Federer, along with their kids, Savannah and Ty. The Federers are from Holly Pond and grow for Koch Foods – Gadsden Division. Congratulations to them for a job well done.

Many of you have been asking about the Alabama poultry license tag.

We are still meeting with state officials to get all the details handled, but the tags should be available shortly.

Many thanks also to Association President Randall Ennis for working with AP&EA board member Stan Usery on the water situation in Limestone County that could affect growers in that county.

This is just one example of Randall’s dynamic leadership as Association president. Even though the demands of his “real” job are heavy, he has always been available for counsel or to take on a special project.

Thanks, Randall, for an outstanding job.

Featuring This Issue

Governmental Affairs Association News AP&EA “Big Bass” Fishing Tournament AP&EA Golf Classic AP&EA “Evening of Fun” 2014 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year Membership News VIP Profile – Cumberland Hired-Hand Practical Applications Calendar of Events

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Governmental Affairs

ADEM Field Operations Division CAFO Registration or Construction Stormwater Requirements For Construction Disturbance at AFOs and CAFOs Animal feeding operations (AFOs) 3. If an AFO conducting construction and concentrated animal feeding operdisturbance one acre or greater has ations (CAFOs) may be subject to not received NPDES registration apNPDES permitting for construction acproval under the ADEM tivities. Generally, other normal agriculAFO/CAFO program, the AFO is retural practices such as crop production, quired to obtain NPDES general pergrazing, and non-AFO/CAFO operamit coverage under ADEM tions are exempt from having to apply Administrative Code Chapter 335-6for construction stormwater permit cov12 [NPDES Construction Stormwaerage under the Federal Clean Water ter Program]. After construction is Act. ADEM program requirements have complete, the AFO owner/operator been designed with maximum flexibilcan request termination of registraity and available options. tion and submit qualified credentialed professional (QCP) 1. Proposed CAFOs and AFOs expandcertification that the construction ing to become a CAFO, are required disturbance is complete, and all to obtain NPDES permit coverage areas have been fully vegetated under ADEM Administrative Code and/or stabilized. A general permit Chapter 335-6-7 [AFO/CAFO Profee is required by ADEM Adminisgram], which includes preparation of trative Code Chapter 335-1-6-.04 & a site specific Best Management Fee Schedule D. Practices (BMP) plan for the construction activity as a component of 4. If an AFO is conducting construction the Waste Management System Plan disturbance less than one acre, (WMSP). This registration grants ADEM permit coverage is not reNPDES permit coverage for the conquired provided effective BMPs are struction and operation of the facilfully implemented and maintained ity. Currently, a permit fee is not until the construction disturbance is required. stabilized/reclaimed.

2. AFOs conducting construction disturbance one acre or greater are required to obtain NPDES permit coverage. An AFO can obtain NPDES permit coverage under ADEM Administrative Code Chapter 335-6-7 [AFO/CAFO Program].

After construction is complete, the AFO owner/operator can request termination of registration and submit qualified credentialed professional (QCP) certification that the construction disturbance is complete, and all areas have been fully vegetated and/or stabilized and that a WMSP has been prepared and fully implemented. Currently, a permit fee is not required to register under the CAFO program.

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What are the Options?

Proposed New CAFOs, Existing AFOs that are Expanding to CAFOs, or Expansion of Existing CAFOs:

If, as a result of the proposed construction, the facility will be defined as a CAFO pursuant to ADEM Administrative Code Rule 335-6-7-.10, operators must submit to ADEM, through their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office, a Notice of Registration (NOR) at least 30 days prior to commencement of construction activities and at least 45 days prior to commencement of initial or expanded feeding operations. Once approved by the Department, the CAFO registration

Alabama Poultry Magazine

grants NPDES coverage for the construction phase of the operation. Construction is not authorized to proceed until registration approval is received from ADEM. New AFOs or Expansion of Existing AFOs that will Remain AFOs based on Animal Numbers:

If, as a result of the proposed construction, the facility will not be defined as a CAFO pursuant to ADEM Administrative Code Rule 335-6-7-.10, the owner/operator may choose whether to voluntarily register the activity under the NPDES CAFO Program or apply for NPDES general permit coverage under the Construction Stormwater Program in order to receive NPDES coverage for the construction phase of the facility. The CAFO NOR can be prepared and submitted, to the Department with the assistance of the local SWCD. The Construction Stormwater NOI must be prepared by a QCP and submitted directly to the Department, along with the NPDES permit fee.

Preparation and Certification of the ADEM Waste Management System Plan (WMSP) for CAFOs:

New or expanding CAFOs, or AFOs registered under the CAFO Program to cover construction disturbance, must submit to the Department, at least fifteen (15) days prior to bringing animals onsite, certification by a QCP that the facility has been designed, constructed, or has been updated, and can reasonably be operated in accordance with an approved WMSP that meets or exceeds NRCS technical standards and guidelines. Certain aspects of the WMSP and the required certification can be prepared by one or more of the following QCPs:

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1. NRCS 2. a technical service providers (TSP) as identified by NRCS 3. CAFO Program QCP identified by the ADAI QCP Workgroup 4. NPDES Construction Stormwater Program QCP (construction BMP component only) – See Below Who Can Prepare a BMP Plan For Construction Disturbance and Conduct the Required Inspections?

Whether registering under the CAFO Program or applying under the construction stormwater program, a construction BMP plan prepared by an ADEM recognized QCP that is designed to minimize pollutant discharges in stormwater runoff to the maximum extent practicable during land disturbance activities, must be fully implemented and effectively maintained. A professional engineer (PE) is required to design and certify any structural BMPs such as sediment retention basins. The construction BMP plan is

filed with the local SWCD office as a component of the WMSP when preparing a CAFO NOR. A copy of the BMP plan should be kept onsite during construction and retained with the operator’s records in order to document compliance with NPDES CAFO Program registration requirements. Construction is not authorized to proceed until registration approval is received from ADEM. A QCP for the purposes of the construction disturbance is: 1. a professional engineer (PE) 2. a Certified Professional In Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) 3. a registered landscape architect 4. a registered land surveyor 5. a professional geologist (PG) 6. a registered forester (RF) 7. a Registered Environmental Manager as determined by the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP) 8. a Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) as determined by ARCPACS (American Registry of

Certified Professionals in Agronomy, Crops and Soils 7. other qualified credentialed professionals identified by the Department

If you have any questions regarding the NPDES CAFO registration process, please contact your local SWCD office or ADEM’s Field Operation Division at (334) 394-4311 or visit ADEM’s CAFO Website at www.adem.state.al.us/programs/water/cafo.cnt The CAFO rule requires weekly inspections of all waste management system structural controls to be conducted by the operator, and an annual inspection of the facility by a QCP. Inspections conducted by contractors and consultants should be retained by the operator.

If you have any questions regarding the NPDES Construction Stormwater Permitting Program, please contact the ADEM Water Division by phone at 334-271-7700 or by email at H20mail@adem.state.al.us

Alabama Poultry Growers Think Water Fee Compromise is Attainable

Since heavy fees are designed for Egg Association President Randall and that’s not what this is. This is just industrial water users, poultry Ennis and board member Stan Usery re- an individual farmer trying to hook onto cently met with the Limestone County a different size water meter. This isn’t a farmers may be able to get relief

By Roy Graber, Staff Reporter, WATTAgNet

The Alabama Poultry & Egg Association is optimistic it can reach a compromise with Alabama’s Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority that would reduce the costs of converting water lines at poultry farms to meet the standards needed to secure contracts with Pilgrim’s. Representatives from the poultry association recently met with the water and sewer authority board, seeking relief from the $62,010 in impact fees to upgrade water lines.

Pilgrim’s requires its growers to have their farms serviced by two-inch water lines, which many of the poultry growers in Limestone County do not have. Limestone County’s policy requires the $62,010 fee to make such a change. However, Alabama Poultry &

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Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors, which expressed a willingness to work with the poultry producers.

Water fee structure designed for industrial users Ray Hilburn, associate director for the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, estimates that about 16 or 17 poultry growers could be affected by Limestone County’s policy on impact fees for water service. Since poultry growers would not necessarily use more water and put more demand on the water and sewer authority, some flexibility could be granted. According to Hillburn, when the water fee rules were established, they were targeted more toward large industrial water customers.

“We think we can reach a compromise that is reasonable,” said Hilburn.

“It was made for big, industrial projects

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multimillion dollar company. This is a farmer.”

Non-renewal of Tyson contracts brings need for change Poultry growers in Limestone County and northern Alabama are in a situation of trying to find new contracts after they were recently notified by Tyson Foods their contracts to grow for the Tyson facility in nearby Shelbyville, Tenn., would not be renewed. Tyson Foods spokesman Worth Sparkman told the News-Courier that those contracts will not be renewed due to the availability of poultry growers located closer to the Shelbyville plant.

With those contracts soon ending, Limestone County poultry growers are pinning their hopes on new contracts with Pilgrim’s, which operates a poultry plant in nearby Russellville, Ala.

Auburn College of Agriculture Honors Exceptional Alumni

AUBURN – Nine successful and influential professionals who hold degrees from Auburn University’s College of Agriculture have been selected as winners in the college’s newly established alumni awards program.

The honors, formally presented Friday, April 18, include seven departmental Outstanding Alumni Awards and two college-wide awards for exceptional service to and support of the College of Agriculture at Auburn.

Winners of the departmental honors are: Valentin Abe of Port-au-Prince, Haiti – M.S., fisheries and allied aquacultures, ’91, and Ph.D., ’95. Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2010, Abe is director of Caribbean Harvest, a tilapia breeding and aquaculture project in Haiti that empowers impoverished residents by increasing their incomes through tilapia culture.

Randall Ennis of Huntsville— B.S., poultry science, ’83. Ennis is director of global business development for Germany-based EW Group, an international company that concentrates on animal breeding, animal nutrition and animal health. Most recently, Ennis was CEO of Aviagen, the world leader in poultry genetics and breeding and a company that EW Group purchased in 2005.

James Harwell of Auburn – B.S., horticulture, ’73. Harwell is executive director of the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association and executive secretary of Gulf States Expo, the nation’s largest green industry trade show and education conference. He also was instrumental in establishing the Alabama Green Industry Training Center in Birmingham.

Jeff Helms of Montgomery—B.S., agricultural journalism, ’92. Helms joined the staff of the Alabama Farmers

Federation, the state’s largest farm organization, in 1998 and today is director of communications for the federation and general manager of Creative Consultants Inc., the federation’s in-house advertising and marketing agency.

R. Dewey Lee of Tifton, Ga. – B.S., agricultural sciences, ’76, and M.S., agronomy, ’79. Lee is a retired professor and Extension grain and bioenergy crops agronomist in the University of Georgia’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences who, since his retirement, has returned to the faculty on a part-time basis. He also serves as state executive director of the Georgia Corn Growers Association.

Jimmy Parnell of Stanton—B.S., agricultural business and economics, ’85. A Chilton County cattle and timber producer, Parnell is currently president of the Alabama Farmers Federation and president and CEO of Alfa Insurance

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Association News

DeKalb County P&EA Holds Meeting

GERALDINE – On Thursday, May 8, the Dekalb County Poultry & Egg Association met at the Geraldine High School lunchroom. Those in attendance enjoyed a meal catered by Dallas’ Place.

Keynote speaker for the event was Kent Stanford of Alabama Cooperative System spoke on the importance of accurate AFO/CAFO record keeping.

He was followed by Steven Smiley with Randy Jones Insurance Agency, who spoke on the importance of life insurance for poultry farmers as a part of an asset transfer plan.

Board member and officers: Mike Sewell, Kenneth Smith, Jim Roberts, Vice President Mark Brown, President Van Williams, Treasurer Janice Smith, Todd Mayes, Scully Trussell, and Billy Smith

AP&EA Associate Director Ray Hilburn encouraged folks to come to the annual “Evening of Fun” in Birmingham. He was followed by Huck Carroll, AP&EA communications director, who introduced the new Alabama poultryd-

car tag.

The meeting and meal was sponsored by Alabama Farm Credit, DeKalb County Farmers Cooperative and First South Farm Credit.

Lee Energy Solutions Sponsors Combined County Meeting

WEDOWEE – Lee Energy Solutions of Crossville sponsored a combined county poultry producer meeting on Tuesday, May 27, at Lakeside Marina on scenic Lake Wedowee. Counties rep-

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resented included: Clay, Randolph and Tallapoosa.

Wes Cumbie, Lee Energy Solutions vice president for sales, was the keynote speaker. He talked about the savings and reliability of using wood pellet furnaces rather than relying on propane to heat broiler houses.

One main point was the ready availability of homegrown fuel, grown in Alabama forests and made into pellets at the Lee Energy Solutions’ new Crossville plant. Cumbie spoke about how heat from the wood pellets would help reduce the ammonia during critical brooding times.

There was also an informative discussion on financing and grant information.

A delicious fried

Alabama Poultry Magazine

catfish meal was provided to the more than 30 people in attendance.

Before the meeting, folks were able to see the Lee Energy pellet furnace.

Wiregrass Association Holds Meeting in Kinston

Shannon Jackson of Southeast Alabama Gas District.

Royce Sigler, director of operations, Southeast Alabama Gas District.

KINSTON – On Tuesday, June 17, Wiregrass Poultry & Egg Association held its quarterly meeting at Granny’s Restaurant with Association President Elaine Reeves presiding.

The packed house ate a great meal sponsored by First South Farm Credit of Andalusia and Enterprise, and Alabama Ag Credit of Enterprise.

The speakers for the meeting were Shannon Jackson, marketing and communications director; Royce Sightler, director of operations, Southeast Alabama Gas District, Andalusia; and Casey Jones, L. B. White Co. Jackson and Sigler spoke to the group about the efficiencies of natural gas compared to liquid propane gas.

They also discussed the district’s capabilities and its efforts to extend natural gas pipelines through out south Alabama.

Much of the discussion revolved around the gas district’s need to insure

CAP&EA Holds Quarterly Meeting

Mistie Wiggs of the Randy Jones Insurance Company talked about the importance of life insurance for growers.

LUVERNE – The Central Alabama Poultry & Egg Association held it quarterly meeting on Tuesday, June 10, at the Tom Harbin Ag Center. All growers from Butler, Crenshaw, Lowndes, Montgomery, Conecuh, Monroe, and Wilcox counties were invited to attend the meeting. CAP&EA President Michael Ogelsby was presiding.

The speakers for the meeting were Charles Clark, district director for

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USDA Farm Service Agency, who spoke on Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs; and Mistie Wiggs, Randy Jones Insurance Agency, who spoke on the importance of growers carrying adequate life insurance, in order to protect their ability to pass along their farms to their heirs.

The meal was catered by the Chicken Shack of Luverne.

The sponsors are First South Farm Credit, Luverne; and Alabama Ag Credit, Montgomery.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Casey Jones of L.B. White Co. discussed converting from propane to natural gas.

an adequate return on its investment, with a seven year target goal.

Casey Jones of L.B. White Co. told the audience about the necessity of having qualified technicians convert liquid propane equipment to use natural gas.

AP&EA Associate Director Ray Hilburn spoke briefly on the “Evening of Fun,” inviting all to participate. The new Alabama poultry license plate was shown and explained.

1st Place – Sammy Riddle and Dwight Farmer

2nd Place – Morris Dyer and Freddie Kent

3rd Place – Anthony Land and Shannon Waldrop

4th Place – Joey Shelton and David Holloway

LAKE GUNTERSVILLE – It was a battle of monsters, under mostly cloudy skies, at the annual AP&EA “Big Bass” Tournament.

Four bass were in contention, all weighed more than 6 pounds, two of them weighed over 7.8 pounds. The winner, caught by Leigh Patrick, topped the scales at 8.76 pounds!

Like all the fish, this big boy went back into the lake.

The winning team of Sammy Riddle and Dwight Farmer had a total catch weight of 23 pounds. They had the second largest bass, weighing in at 7.82 pounds.

For the first time, the top six teams were awarded trophies and cash prizes. That Leigh Patrick and his made getting up for a 5:30 a.m. start a lot monster catch. He even got a trophy to easier to live with. take home.

American Proteins provided Chick-filA sandwiches for all at the weigh-in.

5th Place –Toney Butts and Jeff Chesser

6th Place – Grant Bennet and Andy Leslie

Dwight Farmer and Sammy Riddle heading in with their winning catch.

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The 2014 AP&EA Golf Classic ... A Classic Indeed The annual AP&EA Golf Classic at beautiful Limestone Springs Golf Course was the perfect prelude to the 2014 “Evening of Fun� festivities. There was some great golf played, and some, well ... But, all-in-all, it was a great day for poultry pros and their friends to unwind, have a great time on the links and raise money for the Association.

For more golf photos visit www.alabamapoultry.org

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1st Place: Tyler Putnam, Mike Putnam, Randy Young, Brandon Cassaday

Thanks to the guys at K Supply for spending all that time over a hot grill to provide some top notch barbecue and fixings for the AP&EA linksters.

PLATINUM

American Proteins, Inc. ChemStation D&F Equipment Sales, Inc. First South Farm Credit, N.A. AlaTrade Foods, LLC Alltech Aviagen, Inc. C & E Supply, LLC CEVA Cobb-Vantress, Inc. Hubbard LLC

GSM Steel & Mechanical Contractors International Paper Company J&R / Farm Systems Inc.

GOLD

K Supply Company, Inc. Marel Stork Poultry Processing Merck Animal Health PeroxyChem Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative The Vincit Group Zoetis

SILVER

Advanced Poultry Equipment & Supplies, Inc. Alabama Ag Credit, FLCA Alabama Farm Credit, ACA Alabama Power Company Animal Health International Cintas Corporation Cumberland/Hired Hand Elanco Animal Health

3rd Place: Mike Walker, Wes Cumbie, Chad Wiggs, Lynn Shaddix

Evonik

First South Farm Credit, S.A. Huvepharma Ivesco, LLC Jones-Hamilton Company Lhoist North America Merial Select Novus International Randy Jones & Associates

2014 HOLE SPONSORS

Alabama Farm Credit Alabama Power Company Alltech AlaTrade Foods American Proteins Aviagen Ceva Clear View Enterprises Cobb-Vantress D & F Equipment First South Farm Credit NA Fitco/ADF

2nd Place: Clay Allen, Craig Story, Skip Reeves, Anthony Otinger

Hubbard LLC Keystone Foods, Eufaula Keystone Foods, Gadsden L. B. White – Casey Jones Lee Energy Solutions Merial Meyn America Randy Jones & Associates Reeves Supply Co. Southwestern Sales Zoetis

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Closest to the pin: Mike Edmondson, Anthony Otinger, Cypress Hathorn, Jay Stewart

Gift Cards from Southwestern Sales: Don McFarland and Hoyle Hard

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Evening of Fun

Lisa Fountain Hill

Greg Henderson

Wes Cumbie

EOF Grower Seminar Focusses on Energy

BIRMINGHAM – With memories of last winter still fresh on growers’ minds, AP&EA Associate Director Ray Hilburn put together a pre-”Evening of Fun” Grower Seminar to inform growers of available heating options for the coming fall and winter seasons.

The first speaker, introduced by Grower Committee chairman Kenneth Sanders, was Lisa Fountain Hill, the executive director of the Alabama Propane Gas Association. Hill was instrumental in helping many growers get propane deliveries last winter, when their contracted propane company refused to honor their contract. Her prognosis for the coming winter was not optimistic. While propane production is up over this time last year, she indicated that consumer and supplier tanks are only at about 30 percent, because suppliers were still trying to collect bills still owed from the winter. She also indicated that the pipeline to the midwest had been shut down permanently, so shortages in that area would be chronic.

Her advice to growers who are propane dependent: get a supplier that you trust and start talking to him now about your contract.

The next speaker was Greg Henderson, CEO of Southeast Alabama Natural Gas District. Henderson has a reason for wanting to see poultry producers prosper – his son just enrolled in the poultry science department at Auburn. He said that the gas district covered approximately 12,000 sq. miles and 20 counties. He said that the dis-

trict, headquartered in Andalusia, services more than 30,000 residential customers and is made up of publically owned municipal gas systems. They have approximately 780 miles of transmission lines with 2,000 miles of feeder lines going out to rural communities.

It has long been known that natural gas is less expensive and more stable than propane, however, it is not portable. It must be delivered by pipeline. That is the problem. While the natural gas providers want to service growers, it takes time to get the lines to the customers. Henderson illustrated this point in saying, “We have just signed 40 new farms, but it takes time to put the pipes in the ground. That project started in June, but will not be completed until November.”

Wes Cumbie, vice president of sales and marketing for Lee Energy Solu-

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tions, was the final speaker. Cumbie talked about the wood pellet fuel as a part of an overall energy plan. Economically speaking, he said that the same 100,000 btus costing $1.33 in natural gas would cost only $.76 in wood pellets, with the added benefit of being drier and lowering ammonia.

Earlier in the seminar Lane Holladay of Tyler, a Koch Foods – Montgomery grower was elected as a grower director and Stan Usery of Athens, was reelected as a grower director.

The highlight of the seminar was the introduction of the 2014 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year, Chad and Shannon Federer, and their children, Savannah and Ty. At the close of the meeting, five $100 bills were awarded as door prizes, and a complimentary meal was served.

Then it was time to go have some fun!

AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams (left) looks on as Grower Committee chairman Kenneth Sanders (right) congratulates Chad and Shannon Federer, along with their kids, Savannah and Ty, on being selected as 2014 Alabama Farm family of the Year.

Bluegrass and blue jackets – the fantastic Arab FFA String Band

2014 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year – the Federers of Holly Pond

2014 AP&EA Evening of Fun

AP&EA Executive Director Johnny Adams pitched the new Poultry Tag to the crowd

BIRMINGHAM – The old BJCC was the scene, and it was rocking for the annual AP&EA “Evening of Fun.” Shortly after the doors opened, the award-winning Arab FFA String Band took to the stage and got the crowd “bluegrassed up.” They were followed onstage by the introduction of the 2014 AP&EA officers, and the 2014 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year, Chad and Shannon Federer with their children Savannah and Ty. They are from Holly Pond and grow for Koch Foods of Gadsden.

Executive Director Johnny Adams showed the crowd the new Alabama poultry car tag and explained that it was for much needed poultry science scholarships.

Then, as Johnny was about to draw for the large screen TV winners, young Kolton Sellers, of Holly Pond, came forward with an urgent request.

He asked that Logan Oslin join him at the foot of the stage. When she arrived, he dropped to one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. Fortunately, for him, she accepted.

Then it was time for the fun to really get started.

Kolton Sellers pitched himself, and Logan Oslin accepted

Donica Knight may be “homegrown.” but this Millbrook gal can sing.

From Dolly Parton’s “Two Doors Down” to a hillbilly Hank Williams med-

These folks are glad they didn’t pitch their ticket stubs – they won big screen color TVs

There were smiling faces everywhere you looked

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Alabama Poultry Magazine cover girl, Cody Daniel had a great time

For more “Evening of Fun” photos visit www.alabamapoultry.org – download as many as you like for free.

ley, Donica, with her wonderful stage presence and beautiful voice, gave notice that she is a rising country star.

But, the evening belonged to the 2011 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. The 21-year-old North Carolina State college student has a voice as deep and rich as country cream, but he can rock. He sang many of the songs from his debut album See You Tonight, but he also paid tribute to Hank Williams with a medley.

Scotty’s showmanship was superb, befitting his American Idol status. This young man will be topping charts for years to come.

If you weren’t there, you missed a great “Evening of Fun.” Maybe next year, maybe!

Even the more mature crowd was having a good time

Just a few more of those smiling faces

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Even Scotty’s crew seemed to be having a good time

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After the “Evening of Fun” concert, the Celebrity Allstar Band kept the fun going with a combination of jazz, Motown, funk and good old rock’n roll.

The dance floor at the Sheraton was rocking from the 9:30 p.m. start time until well after midnight, and these cats did not take a break.

Wow!

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Alabama Poultry Magazine

The Federers live in a house that was built in 1898 by his great grandparents, in fact, it didn’t get indoor plumbing until 1961 – this isn’t their house, it’s the “grunge” set in Shannon’s photo studio.

Going up to photograph Chad and Shannon Federer and their kids, I felt a little like Dr. Kildare making a house call on Ben Casey (both doctor shows from the 1960s – showing my age). Why? Because, she is a darn good photographer.

Chad has been involved in agriculture most of his life. His grandfather, O.H. Federer, founded Federer Farm Supply in Cullman, while his other grandparents, the Crumbleys, raised chickens for Gold Kist. In fact, their old chicken house still stands on the farm that Chad and Shannon purchased from them, just eight months after they were married in 1995.

Part of that purchase involved the old farm house where they live today. Built in 1898 by his great grandparents, it only had indoor plumbing installed in 1961.

Chad and Shannon met at Vinemont High School.

They had their first date as the result of a bet. The day that Chad turned 16 and was going to take his driving test, Shannon bet him that he would fail. He took up the bet, telling her that if he passed, she would have to go out with him. She agreed, and he passed.

Just a few days after graduating from Auburn Uni-

versity, cum laude with a batchelor’s degree in ag economics, in December 1994, he and Shannon were married. Two weeks later, he started working in management at Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

After high school graduation, Shannon spent a couple of years at Wallace State Community College. Not really sure of what she wanted to do, she began attending Alabama Massage Therapy School. She graduated in 1993 and began working in a massage therapy practice.

Shannon, however, is a risk taker. It wasn’t long before she opened her own massage therapy practice, eventually employing two other therapists. Local doctors and chiropractors would refer patients to her.

On their new farm, they started growing cattle. This developed into a successful operation. So successful, in fact, that Chad was elected to serve in the leadership of the Cullman County Cattleman’s Association, eventually rising to the position of vice president of the association.

In 2001 their first child, Savannah Belle, was born.

Several years later, and pregnant with their second child,

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Ty and his prize-potential cabbage. Cabbage plants were given to third graders at participating schools by Alabama Farmers Cooperative Bonnie Plant Farm for a competition.

Ty Warren, Shannon decided it was time to push away from the massage table for good.

She had bought a camera and had started taking pictures of her daughter, and she was getting lots of good comments on the photos. In fact, she was even getting requests for portrait shoots. Her photography business started small, but began to grow.

Around this time Gold Kist was looking for folks to build pullet houses in the area. Chad heard about it and mentioned it to Shannon. Being the entrepreneur and risk taker, Shannon jumped on the idea. Chad, being more cautious, wasn’t real sure. Shannon pushed a little and Chad began to see the picture.

In late 2005 they started construction on two 40’ x 465’ pullet houses, and in June 2006, they got their first flock. They named their poultry farm S&C Farm. The “S” for Shannon, after all, she was the pusher for it, and “C” for Chad who was the pushee.

Chad continued to work at the co-op, with Shannon managing the farm and her growing photography business, not to mention, new baby, Ty. On the weekends Chad would handle any of the maintenance chores that Shannon was unable to do during the week.

In 2007, they made the switch from Pilgrim’st to Koch Foods – Gadsden Division. In May 2008, they opened two breeder houses on the farm. They named that operation Belle Warren Farm, after the middle names of their children.

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The pullet houses are constantly in the top 25 percent of Koch Foods producers and the breeder houses were recognized in 2011 as the farm with the second most chicks per hen.

Chad tells me that the pullet chicks, usually Cobb 500s, hatch out at about 5:00 p.m. and then are sexed and shipped from Cobb hatcheries in Texas or Arkansas, arriving at the Federer’s farm around 7:00 a.m. In the shipment, they receive 19,800 pullets and 2,500 males.

They partition one house, putting the males in one end and the pullets in the larger end. The second house is filled with pullets. They keep the pullets for 21 weeks before they are caught.

They raise one flock a year for their own breeder houses.

Ross Smith, breeder/hatchery manager for Koch Foods – Gadsden Division, who nominated the Federers for Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year, has always been impressed with Chad’s observation and communication skills with the service reps. He is also impressed with the family’s work ethic.

Chad decided that with the poultry business flourishing it was time to divest himself of the cattle and leave his job at the co-op, sort of. He still work at least one day a month so he can keep his certification to handle hazardous agricultural chemicals. He also fills in when other take vacations or they need extra seasonal help.

Shannon, ever the risk taker, built a photo studio about a few hundred yards from her front door. It is a photographer’s dream come true, with lots of room for props and backgrounds. She stays busy with weddings and senior portraits. In 2012 she was voted Cullman County Photographer of the Year.

Chad served as president of the Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association from 2010 to 2011, and cur-

Back-stage at the “Evening of Fun” Concert, Shannon was having a blast with her camera.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

rently serves on the board of directors.

Savannah is 12-years-old, and in the seventh grade.

She is very athletic, having won a Presidential Award for Fitness at Holly Pond School. She is also a top flight softball player. A United States Achievement Academy Award winner, her ambition is to be an FBI profiler.

Ty, a third grader, is 9-years-old. Like his dad, he is interested in agriculture, if his giant cabbage is any indication.

Koch Foods has approached Chad about adding new houses, however, he is waiting to see if either of his kids takes a real liking to the poultry business before com-

mitting to an expansion. Both kids help gather eggs and love to participate in chick dumps, but they are still a few years away from making any lifetime committents.

The Federers are active in the Holly Pond community and Shannon is a member of the Cullman County Chamber of Commerce. They also attend Day Star Church.

Congratulations to Chad and Shannon Federer, and their children, Savannah and Ty, on their selection as 2014 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year. That’s just about picture perfect!

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Member News

Aviagen to Sponsor Poultry Researchers and Experts at 10th International Symposium

HUNTSVILLE – Aviagen, the world’s largest poultry breeding company, will serve as a Silver Sponsor for the 10th International Symposium on Marek’s Disease and Avian Herpesviruses July 20-23 in Lansing, Mich.

Co-hosted by the USDA’s Avian Diseases and Oncology Laboratory (ADOL) and Michigan State University, the 2014 symposium will mark the 10th time since 1978 that industry experts from around the world have convened to study ways to prevent some of the most challenging and costly poultry diseases. Veterinarians, researchers, and epidemiologists will convene to discuss the epidemiology and diagnosis, host genomics and genetic resistance, molecular virology, immunology, pathogenesis, vaccines and prevention

Marek’s and other avian herpes virus.

Marek’s disease, a potentially fatal virus that primarily affects chickens, was the original focus of the 1978 symposium. The symposium now addresses additional avian herpesviruses (such as infectious laryngo tracheitis or ILT) that in recent years have posed an economic threat to the poultry industry. The symposium is held every other year to give field researchers and experts an opportunity to share their latest findings and observations – a function that grows increasingly important as poultry becomes an affordable source of animal protein in more diets around the world.

Aviagen’s support for the 2014 symposium, which includes a special reception for attendees, continues the company’s long collaboration with or-

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ganizations throughout the industry whose efforts are dedicated to advancements in poultry health, diagnosis, welfare and biosecurity. Dr. Gregorio “Greg” Rosales, Aviagen’s vice president of veterinary services, also served as chairman of the symposium’s fundraising committee.

“At Aviagen, we recognize our responsibility as an industry leader to do everything we can to promote the health and well-being of the birds we in our care,” said Rosales. “It’s an honor for us to help sponsor this prestigious scientific event, and to acknowledge the seminal contributions of ADOL, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary at this event.”

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VIP Profile

Cumberland Hired-Hand Building It in Alabama

BREMEN – The address says Bremen, the post office calls it Cold Springs, and if you want to ask someone where it is, call it “Bug Tussle.” It is a place, they joke, that doesn’t exist on a GPS. But, it is there, a big “H” shaped manufacturing building in the middle of rural Alabama.

Cumberland Hired-Hand is a manufacturing company dedicated to agriculture, but with a heavy emphasis on the poultry industry. Their products include metal and fiberglass housing fans, furnace heaters, brooders, infrared tube heating systems, automatic curtain machines, electronic controls, evaporative cooling systems, portable evaporative cooling fans, patented roll-up doors and sidewalls and much more.

Cumberland Hired-Hand Manufacturing began operation in October of 1978. From an operation that began building a single product – the patented curtain drop machine, the Curt-OMatic, Hired-Hand has spent the years since developing a product line that has gained a significant share of the growing poultry market.

The first of these products to take shape after the curtain drop was the automatic curtain machine in 1982. An alarm system followed later that year.

1985 brought Cumberland HiredHand's line of heaters and in 1988, the first electronic controllers were made; making them the first domestic manufacturer of controls specifically designed for the agricultural industry. In early 1990, Cumberland Hired-Hand entered the ventilation market making their first lines of fans.

Touring the facility, it’s hard not to be impressed by the cleanliness and order. From the manufacturing floor and warehouse to the R&D lab, the employees are busy and cheerful.

Below the manufacturing floor, the research and development lab is in full swing. They are constantly tweaking the angles and configuration of fan blades for optimum results. Testing them with a sophisticated research wind tunnel.

We also visited the area where they assemble the contollers and build the wiring harnesses.

While there is a lot going on in this plant in rural Alabama, Cumberland Hired-Hand is just a part of an international group supplying agricultural products around the globe. Still, it’s nice to know that here in the heart of the poultry belt, there’s a manufacturing company that is partnering with the poultry industry.

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Fork lifts are in constant motion moving Cumberland Hired-Hand fans to the shipping docks.

Controller assembly requires precision and attention to detail.

These fan blades, in the R&D lab, show measurement markings for testing.

Wiring harnesses are assembled in-house and are not from outside sources.

A Practical Guide to On-Farm Fan Testing National Poultry Technology Center – Auburn University College of Agriculture By: Dennis Brothers, Jess Campbell, Jim Donald, and Gene Simpson

The modern poultry house is indeed a technological marvel on many levels. The ability to raise 300,000 pounds of poultry in a single house in as little as 5½ weeks is quite a feat. One of the most important aspects of the technology that allows growers to maximize the bird’s genetic potential is the tunnel fans. Whether a grower maintains or loses the ability to remove the bird heat (up to 12 btu per pound of live weight) in a house is often the difference between good and poor flock performance.

Poultry house fans, like any other piece of equipment, need good routine maintenance to consistently perform up to the level expected. Over time belts wear, pulleys wear, belt tensioners start to fail, fans and louvers become dirty and some types of fan blades can become metal fatigued, losing their ability to efficiently push air. There are newsletters at www. poultryhouse.com that address many of these issues,

Just small losses in fan power can mean serious drops in tunnel wind speed – which hurts flock performance. Laser RPM meters offer a handy way to see if tunnel fans are still delivering the needed CFM. RPM meters come in various forms, but all are easy to use. Simply point the laser into the fan from the outside and press the button.

On this model, the readout has to be divided by the number of fan blades, so it is showing the fan running at about 500 RPM. When you take the reading, you also check the static pressure the fan is working against, then compare your test results against the fan’s as-new specifications. See page 2 for the step-by-step how to do this kind of test.

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such as how to inspect fan components and how to know when to take action. The problem with casual visual inspection is that you may not be able to spot a less obvious problem that is costing a 5-10 percent loss in fan power. Yet if multiple fans in a house are losing just 5-10 percent of their power, it’s not long before an overall reduction of 25-30 percent in tunnel wind speed is incurred. What does that mean? It means a house expected to pull 600 feet per minute wind speed now becomes a 420 FPM house. That decrease can easily lead to dead birds in hot weather.

It is understood that grower’s time is limited and valuable, so this newsletter will propose two options to quickly and easily evaluate a poultry house’s tunnel fans and recognize incremental decreases in power on individual fans. Once this is known, growers can then spend their time effectively working on the fans that are most in need of attention.

Method 1: Using a Laser RPM Meter Laser RPM meters have been on the market for some time now. They are small and very easy to use.

(Go to www.poultryhouse.com to find a source for a Laser RPM meter.) As shown in the photo on page 1, you simply point the meter at a running fan (being sure your hand is out-side the safety guard), press a button and see the readout. These meters use a laser to count the number of times a fan blade passes in front of it. The meters are not usually calibrated to display revolutions per minute (RPM) – that has to be calculated by dividing the meter result by the number of blades a fan has.

Example: A meter reading of 1500 for a fan with three blades equals 500 RPM for that fan. With a simple walk around the poultry house and a quick metering of each fan from the outside, a grower can know each fan’s current RPM. This can be done at any Fan 1 – 472 RPM time with any number of fans Fan 2 – 460 RPM running; however, it is most informative when all fans are Fan 3 – 510 RPM running and the house is in Fan 4 – 504 RPM full tunnel with cool cells run- Fan 5 – 500 RPM ning. We want to know what Fan 6 – 505 RPM the fans are doing when con- Fan 7 – 495 RPM ditions are the harshest for Fan 8 – 512 RPM

Alabama Poultry Magazine

them. That is, running at maximum static pressure. Assume we have metered a poultry house’s fans and have recorded the following results: We now have some information to work with. But in order to know if we have fans that need attention, we need to do a little more homework. We first need to know what static pressure our fans were working against when we did the test. It is best to do this with a Magnehelic pressure gauge close to the fan end of the house. However, it is acceptable to use the static pressure reading on the controller so long as the sensor it is taking a measurement from is somewhere past half house. If the controller static pressure tubes are in the front of the house, do not use that reading as it will not be representative of the actual pressure the fans are working against. In that case, a hand-held Magnehelic is the only way to get a true static pressure reading. For our test farm at full tunnel, the fans were working against a 0.15” static pressure in the back of the house.

0.15” or higher is common for high wind speed houses (600+ FPM). The photo on page 3 shows the test readings from a fan-end magnelic and the controller sensor in the front of the house.

Once we get an acceptable static pressure number, we need to find out what the expected RPM’s of our model of fan should be at that static pressure. The best way to do this is to contact either the fan manufacturer or dealer and obtain a fan specification sheet. For many fans these specifications can be found at the manufacturer’s website. Or a grower can go to the University of Illinois Bioenvironmental and Structural Systems Laboratory – Agricultural Ventilation Fans Performance and Efficiencies website (http://bess.illinois.edu/). The “BESS Lab” at the University conducts fan performance testing on most all agricultural ventilation fans available on the market. Their program is regarded as the industry standard for fan performance testing.

To find your fan on the BESS website, you click on Agricultural Ventilation Fans, then Performance Tests, then Current (or Archive) Tests, then Fan Frequency (60 hz in the U.S.), then (on one screen) Power Supply (most often 1 phase, 230 volts), your Manufacturer name, and Fan Diameter. At this point, you can select and choose two more fan specs (Air Flow and VER), or leave those items on this screen unchosen and just click Submit. In that case, you will get then see a list of all tests of that manufacturer’s fans of that size and can scroll down to find your model fan. Click on the Test # to see your fan’s test results, including RPMs for a range of static pressures. Here is one example:

With this kind of test results printout, you can now compare yiour fans’ current RPMs with the as-new

BESS lab RPM at a similar static pressure. One thing to note, the exact static pressure may not be represented in the BESS result sheet, as they are normally only reported in 0.05 increments. For example, if my houses were tested at 0.12 static pressure, I’m always going to round up to the next static pressure on the BESS sheet – 0.15 in this case.

For our example test fan, RPM’s at 0.15” static pressure should be 525 RPM. Any fan that tests slower than

A hand-held Magnehelic static pressure gauge at the fan end of the house gives the most accurate indication of the static pressure fans are actually working against. Static pressure in the front of the house will be much lower.

A static pressure sensor located at least beyond half house toward the fans, as many controller sensors are, will usually be acceptable for fan testing purposes. Note, however, that the higher the wind speed, the higher the fan pressure will be and the more difference will be seen between center house and fan end readings.

This caution applies to both Method 1 and Method 2 testing.

5 percent of that number should be closely inspected for repair or maintenance. In our example house, any fan showing less than 500 RPM is suspect. That means fan #1 (472 RPM), fan #2 (460 RPM) and fan #7 (495 RPM) are going to receive special attention immediately, looking for all those things mentioned above as possible causes of slower RPM and the resulting lower

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performance. Once the homework is done, this method becomes very quick and easy. Growers should create a log sheet for each fan in each house and refer back to it every time this test is repeated.

Method 2: Static Pressure Fan Testing Another even simpler test that can be performed is a static pressure test. There are two ways to do this: A. Individual fan test, and B. Full tunnel fan test. Typically, no additional equipment is needed for most growers to perform one of these tests – just the house’s environmental controller and its internal static pressure sensor reading (as long as the controller sensor is located at least beyond half house toward the fan end).

A. Individual Fan Testing The individual fan test should be performed between flocks. Most growers are familiar with performing a static pressure test to determine air leakage or tightness of their houses. The same general method of testing is used to evaluate fan performance over time.

Growers should close all sources of incoming air: curtains up, vents closed, inlets and doors shut and tight, being sure all fan louvers are functioning properly and in good repair. Then individually turn on one tunnel fan at a time and record the resulting static pressure that one fan creates. Once recorded, turn that fan off and go to the next in line – one at a time until all the fans are tested and recorded individually, as shown at right.

Doing this test after every flock can allow you to see when any one fan has lost some of its power. If any fan loses more than 0.02 points of pressure compared to its last test or compared to the average of the other fans, it is time for that fan to receive special attention before things get worse. In the example at right, fan #4 and fan #8 are obviously not performing properly and should be checked for repair or maintenance before the next flock arrives.

It is recommended that a grower building a new house do this test on day one to establish a baseline to work from. Then over time he can evaluate how well his fans are holding their day-one power. It is also a good way to remind him once again how tight his houses are remaining. If a day-one as-new test has not been done, a grower should run the full-house test after

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all the fans, shutters and cooling pads have received yearly maintenance and are performing properly, so as to establish a new baseline starting point of static pressure for each fan.

It should be noted that when doing individual fan tests, whether with RPM meter or by static pressure, that the “work-horse fans” or fans most used for minimum ventilation and early stage ventilation will likely be the first to show small signs of lost power. It is recommended that these fans always receive special attention for maintenance issues – belts, pulleys, etc. In fact, it is recommended that these early stage fans get new belts annually.

B. Full Tunnel Fan Testing To do a full tunnel static pressure test means simply to put the house into full tunnel mode with all the fans running and record the static pressure. Using the controller static pressure readout (if the sensor is somewhere past half house) is a convenient way to do this test. If the pressure goes down the next time you test, then you know something is causing your fans to lose power. This could be those maintenance issues, electrical issues or both. An individual test could then be done to help isolate the problem. If the static pressure has gone up since the last test, it tells you that there can possibly be a restriction of air flow coming into the house.

This is often a restricted tunnel inlet, clogged cool cell pads or both. Once again, by recording this test every time it is performed, you can develop a feel for how your houses are performing over time. The baseline for this number can also be established on day one for a new house or after thorough cleaning and maintenance of the fans and louvers and cool pads in an older house.

Bottom Line A modern poultry house’s tunnel fans are responsible for cooling birds and this fact makes maintaining their performance over time an utmost priority for a grower. It has been well documented what an additional 100 FPM of wind speed can mean to a broiler chicken in hot weather. In a house moving air at 600 FPM, it only takes about a 15 percent loss of fan power to lose 100 FPM in wind speed. This small margin for error makes it imperative that a grower know what his fans are doing and take action quickly against any decrease in fan performance. Good testing over time can help a grower identify and fix fan problems before much wind speed is lost and bird performance is negatively impacted.

Alabama Poultry Magazine

Tensioner Failure – Serious Problem, Easy Fix National Poultry Technology Center – Auburn University College of Agriculture By: Dennis Brothers, Jess Campbell, Jim Donald, and Gene Simpson

An integral part of many, if not most, modern poultry house fans is a spring loaded belt tensioner. Tensioners have an important role in helping maintain proper belt tension and allowing the fan motor to transfer all its power to the fan blades – insuring maximum air moving capabilities. However, if tensioners fail to work properly the result is likely to be serious losses in ventilation rate and windspeed. Given the environment they have to work in, with all the moisture and dust that cannot be avoided in a poultry house, it is no wonder that one of the most common and problematic issues is tensioners freezing up and thereby robbing the fan of much of its power to move air. Luckily, this can be a simple problem to remedy.

In the photos below, you see a typical frozen belt tensioner and the obvious loss of fan power that results, seen in the fan’s not being able to fully open the butterfly shutter and amounting in this case to a loss of about 2,270 cfm’s. After a simple repair, full rated fan power was restored.

One quick way to become aware of this problem is to notice whether the shutter louvers of a fan (in this case – butterfly shutter) are opening fully – if not, you know something is not fully operational, and it may well

be a stuck tensioner. You may also notice slack in the belt as it runs. This slack can be seen by watching the fan operate and noticing the belt jump as it runs back to the motor pulley. With the fan unplugged, you can see and feel the slack belt with very little pressure being applied by hand. Once you take the belt off – which may not be easy with the frozen tensioner – you can see whether the tensioner springs back into position away from the center of the fan, or is stuck.

The cure for a stuck tensioner usually is applying some corrosion cutting spray (WD-40, Break-free, PB Blaster, etc.) and gently tapping on the mounting bolt until it comes free. Applying more lubricant and working it gently back and forth will usually get the tensioner back in working order. This routine worked well on the frozen tensioner shown on this page, and the result was restoring about 2,270 cfm’s of previously lost airflow.

As it turned out, every fan in this house suffered from a frozen tensioner.

Assuming an equal increase in fan power by unsticking them all, this grower was losing the equivalent of one whole fan due to frozen tensioners. The hour it would take to un-freeze the other nine belt tensioners would be time well spent.

On this fan, the tensioner was frozen at about 12:00 o’clock and did not move when the belt was removed. Photo taken from outside of fan operating with the frozen tensioner shows fan has lost power and cannot fully open the butterfly shutter. RPM meter reading shows fan turning at only 491 RPM (1472 meter reading divided by three blades).

After simple repairs freed the tensioner, allowing it to apply proper pressure to the belt, this fan was able to fully open the butterfly shutter, running at its full rated 542 RPM. The frozen tensioner had robbed 10 percent of the fan power, about 2,270 cfm – but the loss was easily restored by a simple twominute repair.

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The Bottom Line Not all stuck tensioners will un-freeze so easily.

Some may even need to be replaced. This can easily be a $40 repair per tensioner, but given the potential gain, it is a maintenance expense worth spending. If and when you do replace belt tensioners, we recommend using ones with a grease fitting installed and regularly greasing them, making this wind-speed robber a thing of the past. When choosing fans for replacement, a belt tensioner with grease fitting is definitely a positive feature on any fan.

Either way, there are not many quicker, more simple, maintenance repairs that a grower can do that stand to A properly tensioned belt should not be easily deflected and so easily yield 10 percent increase in air moving power the tensioner should move with a spring action when you use on a single fan. The next time you are at the fan end of moderate pressure. If the belt easily flexes and the tensioner your houses – check your belt tensioners! is not moving, check to see if the tensioner is frozen up.

Auburn College of Ag Honors ... Continued from page 7 Companies. The federation has 400,000 members; Alfa has more than 1 million policies in force in 11 states.

Billy Powell of Montgomery – B.S., animal sciences, ’66, and Ph.D., ’70. Powell is the long-time executive vice president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and editor of Alabama Cattleman magazine. He also is executive director of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

Recipients of the college’s first Alumni Service Awards are: Ray Hilburn of Luverne – B.S., poultry science, ’78.

Hilburn spent 30 years with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries as director of poultry programs before joining the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association as

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membership director in 2011. On Jan. 1, 2014, he was named associate director of the association.

Paul Pinyan of Auburn – B.S. animal and dairy sciences, ’88. Pinyan, who also holds a law degree from Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law, is executive director of the Alabama Farmers Federation and general manager of Alfa Services Inc., which offers federation members marketing assistance, health insurance, farm supplies and other products and services.

Nominations for the awards were submitted by departments and units within the College of Agriculture. The final selection was made by a committee that included the dean, associate deans, department heads and unit directors.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Allied Fund-Raising Golf Tournament

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

7 9 31 22 23 10 5 25 2 8 32 15

Thursday, October 23, 2014 Chesley Oaks Golf Course, Cullman

Alabama Poultry Industry Workshop November 11 – 12, 2014 Auburn Hotel and Convention Center

County Association Meetings Clay County Poultry & Egg Association Tuesday, July 29, 2014 6:30 p.m., Miss Anita’s Restaurant, Lineville

Marshall County Poultry & Egg Association Annual Meeting Friday, August 1, 2014 Civitan Park, Guntersville

Souteast Alabama Poultry & Egg Association Tuesday, August 12, 2014 6:30 p.m., Old Louisville School, Louisville

Alabama Poultry Magazine