AP&EA P.O. Box 240 Montgomery, AL 36101 Address Service Requested
May / June 2018 Vol. 13 No. 3
Board of Directors
Officers Kenneth Sanders President, Brundidge* Mitchell Pate, Vice President, Auburn* Jason Spann, Treasurer, Hanceville* Jason Shell, Secretary, Huntsville* Harold Hunt, Immediate Past President, Gadsden*
Directors Greg Abercrombie, Valhermoso Springs Johnny Adcock, Woodland Lou Ayers, Jasper Randy Caudill, Guntersville Dale Gambrill, Cullman Jarrod Goodman, Snead Ben Gore, Cullman Lane Holladay, Tyler Tim Holmes, Decatur Casey Jones, Hoover* Clint Lauderdale, Hanceville Neil Martin, Dothan David Massey, Enterprise Kevin McDaniel, Huntsville Dr. Shannon Morgan, Huntsville Shaun Morris, Eufaula Mike Pigg, Montgomery John Pittard, Guntersville John Roberts, Cullman Keith Rhodarmer, Collinsville Eric Rotermund, Decatur Roddy Sanders, Gordo Steve Smith, Hanceville Rod Thomas, Montgomery Ryan Turner, Guntersville Stanley Usery, Athens* Brad Williams, Troy Len Windham, Ariton Advisors Vernon Abney, Auburn Dr. Don Conner, Auburn University James Donald, Auburn University Dr. Joe Hess, Auburn University Jacob Davis, Montgomery Dr. Tony Frazier, Montgomery *Executive Committee Members
AP&EA STAFF
Johnny Adams – Chief Executive Officer Wanda H. Linker – Administrative Director Ray Hilburn – Associate Director Huck Carroll – Communications Director/Editor Jennifer Shell – Support Director
Alabama Poultry Magazine is published by the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association 465 South Bainbridge Street Montgomery, AL 36104 Phone: 334-265-2732 Fax: 334-265-0008
Send editorial and advertising correspondence to: Alabama Poultry Magazine Editor P.O. Box 240 Montgomery, AL 36101
Advertising rates and closing dates available upon request.
Editorial matter from sources outside AP&EA is sometimes presented for the information and interest of our members. Such material may or may not coincide with official AP&EA policy. Publication does not necessarily imply endorsement by AP&EA.
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CEO’s Message
We are a fortunate industry indeed to have young farmers like the Paysingers, our 2018 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year. With all their struggles with their daughter’s illness, they are still top producers. We give them our heartiest congratulations. They are the next generation in a long line of Alabama poultry producers who have and continue to be the backbone of an industry that feeds the world. They are worthy inheritors of an older generation. That older generation has been well represented by our current AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders. His energy is astounding. Throughout his presidency, he has traveled to every county grower association meeting at least once during the year. His outstanding leadership has been experienced in his efforts to recruit more growers into the association and open lines of communication between growers and integrators. His commitment to the association is illustrated by a funny incident when he participated in a grower committee conference call from the cab of his tractor while actually planting a crop. Our 2018 Evening of Fun was quite a show. The entertainment was excellent, showcasing two totally different styles of music. The Swon Brothers were energetic with their rockabilly style, while Cam was much more relaxed and reminiscent of the style of Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline. The venue of the BJCC Concert Hall gave a feeling of intimacy that has been lacking in years past. I also want to express my pleasure in seeing that the U.S. House of Representatives has included $650,000,000 in the farm bill for electric cooperatives and utility companies for the expansion of rural broadband service. It is a program that the Tombigbee Electric Cooperative of Hamilton, Ala., is already working on. Starting as a dial-up service in 2000, the company has relied on a combination of private loans and a government grant for a broadband pilot project that now serves 400 customers. Hopefully, one day soon, all of rural Alabama will benefit from this broadband internet service.
Featuring This Issue
Refinancing Poultry Debt Association News Evening of Fun Golf Tournament Evening of Fun 2018 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year 2018 Economic Impact of a New Broiler House Practical Applications Calendar of Events
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Financial Planning
When Refinancing Poultry Debt Makes Sense By Beth Gardner, VP/Ag Loan Officer –
FFB Ag Finance, Enterprise, Alabama
Thinking of refinancing your poultry debt, but aren’t sure it’s a smart idea? There’s more to refinancing than just interest rate reductions. Sometimes you can actually spend more money in the long run by refinancing – even if the interest rate is lower. There are also times when surviving ‘short term’ is more important than paying more ‘long term’. Below are a few instances where refinancing might be a smart idea:
1. Your interest rate is high compared to market rates/your adjustable rate is about to change. These are two common occurrences that cause people to start “‘rate-shopping.” It’s been said that if you save a full 1percent on your rate then you should refinance, but that’s not always true. For instance, if the cost to refinance exceeds the interest savings over the life of the new loan, then it may not be a good deal. Ask your lender to prepare an amortization schedule that shows your loan situation and a proposed schedule based on refinancing. Look at both payment amounts and the total interest you’ll pay over the life of each. Think
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about how the refinancing will affect you both short- and long-term to determine the best option for you.
2. The current payment on your loan is unmanageable. Regardless of interest rates and refinancing costs, if your current payment makes it hard to pay expenses, then refinancing might help. Keep in mind that if lower payments are needed, a term that exceeds your current loan may be necessary. Make sure you’re willing to see that term increase, keeping in mind that the remaining life of your poultry houses will need to exceed the new term.
3. Your poultry integrator has changed your number of batches, outtime, and/or bird size. In instances where your poultry income has decreased due to these changes, refinancing may be a solution to help your cash flow. However, if changes from the integrator are temporary, you may have some options besides refinancing. (Example: Out time is extended for a year due to a problem the integrator is having). If you’re concerned about being past due on payments, your lender may be able to extend your payments and change your due date(s) by a few months. Compare the cost of a payment
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extension versus the cost to refinance. If this is a permanent change in income, refinancing may be needed to reduce your poultry debt payments and improve cash flow.
4. Upgrades are being required for buildings and/or equipment. Sometimes major upgrades are required and a new loan for these expenses would make the farm’s cash flow tight or negative. One way to make the upgrades more affordable is to have your lender refinance your current debt and combine the new upgrades into one loan. While not the most ‘glamorous’ reason to refinance, it could be a factor when determining whether integratorrequired updates can be completed. If refinancing your current debt is going to be expensive – and you can afford a new payment on a new loan for the upgrades – consider a new loan or an additional loan. It may save you money in the long run. 5. You can get a shorter term by refinancing. This doesn’t happen often, but is wonderful when it does! When rate differences are significant enough that refinancing existing poultry debt results in a lesser term with similar payment amount – seriously consider it.
If you can afford the projected payment on the new loan, you will save money in interest AND pay off your debt faster. If your interest expenses are going to decrease significantly, it might be a good idea to give your accountant a heads up before the tax year has ended.
6. You need a do-over. In the course of managing a poultry farm, debt can get out of hand. Sometimes you may need to combine all poultry related debt and refinance. It can be difficult to get credit card debt refinanced into farm debt, but if the credit card was used for farm-related expenses, gather statements or receipts that prove it. In addition, smaller loans that have been made for repairs, maintenance, or operating costs can possibly be refinanced, providing a longer term to help cash flow. A do-over only works if you’re dedicated to make necessary changes in the future. Whether cutting back on personal expenses, re-evaluating hired
labor costs, or making some other expense-saving decision, plan accordingly as you begin the refinancing process. If a reduction in poultry income is the problem, use the refinance to help plan expenses and payments based on the lower income. Make a conscious effort to save as much as possible if that income increases either temporarily or permanently. Lenders will complete projected cash flows that include supplies, repairs, maintenance, and other expenses. First, make sure you agree with the projections and then consider using them to help you create a budget. Think about cutting back on what you can and making an emergency fund for when you have unexpected repairs or a bad flock of birds. In the poultry business with limited lenders, eventually a farmer runs out of options for refinancing if they have to combine debt every few years.
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Conclusion Every operation and farm family is different, so determine what’s best for your situation when it comes to refinancing debt. Always know how a refinance will affect you both today and in the future. Contact your accountant if your annual interest expense will be greatly reduced. Keep a record of any closing costs/fees for tax purposes. Seek a lender that understands the poultry business and knows how to set up your loan term and payments based on that knowledge. Refinancing might be the right choice if it meets both short/long term goals, saves money, increases cash flow and/or is needed to keep the poultry farm in operation. Beth Gardner has 25 years of banking experience. Located in Enterprise, Alabama, she can be reached at bgardner@ffb1.com or by calling 1-866-347-9944. First Financial Ag Finance is an Equal Housing Lender.
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Association News
Wiregrass P&EA President Bart Wilks
David McCurdy, state executive director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA), spoke at both the Wiregrass and Ariton meetings.
FSA’s McCurdy Headlines June Association Meetings in Kinston and Ariton
In the month of June there were two county poultry association meetings. Both meetings featured presentations from David McCurdy, state executive director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA). He discussed FSA’s primary mission of assisting Alabama’s farmers to get the best benefit from programs administered by the FSA, such as farm loans, disaster relief and conservation. At the Southeast Alabama Poultry & Egg Association meeting in Ariton, he was joined by FSA State Committee Chairperson Monica Carroll, a poultry grower herself. The Wiregrass Poultry & Egg Association meeting was held on Tuesday, June 12, in the Family Life Center at Ino Baptist Church in Kinston. The Wiregrass association includes membership from Coffee, Covington, Geneva, and Houston Counties. The meal was sponsored by First South Farm Credit of Andalusia and Enterprise, Alabama Ag Credit of Enterprise, and FFB Ag Finance of Enterprise. The Southeast Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, covering Barbour, Bullock, Dale, Henry, Pike and Russell Counties, was held on Tuesday, June 19, at the Ariton Baptist Church in Ariton. The meal was sponsored by First South Farm Credit of Ozark; Alabama Ag Credit, Dothan and Enterprise; and FFB Ag Finance of Enterprise. Representatives from each of the sponsors was on hand to answer questions for the growers.
Are You a Shotgun Shooter?
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Monica Carroll spoke at the Ariton meeting.
SEAP&EA President Michael Starling
We are looking for poultry producers who are interested in participating in a clay shooting tournament this fall. There will be a minimal charge and three growers will be on a team with an allied company person to make a four-person team. There will be one tournament in south Alabama and one tournament in north Alabama. Dates and times will be published in the next magazine. If you have questions or comments, call Ray Hilburn at 334-265-2732 or 334-320-5478. In south Alabama, we will be shooting at Ravenwood Sporting Clays in Newville. Up north we will be shooting at the Talladega Marksmanship Park. AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders Dates will be announced in the next magazine.
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Alabama FFA Holds 90th Annual State Convention
With competitive events held in Auburn on Tuesday, June 5, the awards were presented at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center in downtown Montgomery on Thursday, June 7. The convention’s theme of I can. We will. was emblematic of the attitudes displayed by these dedicated young people. With Alabama Poultry & Egg Association sponsoring the poultry awards, Associate Director Ray Hilburn was on hand to proudly present the awards to the winning teams in the poultry competitions. The awards for poultry evaluation went to : First Place – Enterprise FFA; Second Place – Albertville FFA; Third Place – Thorsby FFA; and Fourth Place – Benjamin Russell FFA (Alexan-
The winning Enterprise FFA poultry judging team, and their sponsor,
der City). First Place for Proficiency in Poultry Production went to Maggie Edwards. Maggie is a junior at Woodland High School, and the daughter of Greg and Sandee Edwards. Greg, a poultry grower, is also live production manager for Pilgrim’s, Carrollton, Ga. Congratulations, to all these great students. The future of Alabama agriculture is in good hands.
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Maggie Edwards, with Ray Hilburn. Maggie was elected to serve as FFA vice president.
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Evening of Fun Golf Tournament
Friday, May 10, dawned overcast and a little threatening for the annual AP&EA Evening of Fun Golf Tournament. Still, no one was worried. In fact, it turned out to be a great day, with the slight overcast keeping the temperatures at bay and giving the poultry pros a good day for indulging their fantasies. The Robert Trent Jones Silver Lakes Golf Course was in great shape, as our golfers hit the two courses, named appropriately “Mindbreaker” and “Backbreaker.” The course was challenging and no one got through unscathed by disappearing balls. In fact, I have it on good authority that several water hazards rose dramatically due to the number of unidentified objects falling from the sky. And, at times, there seemed to be more golfers “fishing” for lost balls than actually playing. Still, there were some incredibly good shots and marvelous putts. I even managed to get some extraordinary putts on camera. Best of all, everybody had a great time raising money for the association. It was a great day for that.
2018 Hole Sponsors Alabama Farm Credit Alabama Power Company AlaTrade Foods American Proteins Aviagen Boehringer Ingelheim Ceva ChemStation Clear View Enterprises Cobb-Vantress Cumberland D & F Equipment Diamond V DS Smith DSM Nutritional Products First South Farm Credit
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Fitco GSM Steel & Mechanical Contractors Hubbard LLC Industrial Repair Service International Paper J & R / Farm Systems K Supply Keystone Foods, Huntsville L. B. White – Casey Jones Live Oak Bank Marel P.S.S.I. Randy Jones & Associates Southwestern Sales Sunbelt Rentals Zoetis
And, The Winners Are
Back in the clubhouse, the poultry pros gathered for some good K-Supply provided barbecue for lunch and tall tales of golfing exploits, even as their scores were being tallied. Closest to the Hole winners were recognized first: Shon Howard, Bryant Sparks (won two holes), Rick Flemming, Randy Bruce and Tanner Wells. The golf teams were awarded their prizes: 3rd Place – Drew Wood, Cypress Hathorn (a grower), Mark Gaines (also
a grower) and Tanner Wells;
2nd Place – Casey McCormick, Patrick Bright and Lane Camp.
1st Place – Frank Loftis, Adam Langley, Harold Hunt and Tim Graul. Congratulations, to the winners and thanks to all who participated. Special thanks to our sponsors.
2018 VIP SPONSORS American Proteins ChemStation Costco D&F Equipment Sales Elanco
PLATINUM
Second Place – Very Good
First South Farm Credit GSM International Paper J&R/Farm Systems Inc. K Supply
AlaTrade Foods, LLC Merck Animal Health GOLD Aviagen, Inc. Motion Industries C & E Supply, LLC NIPCAM Services CEVA Packers Sanitation Services, Inc. Cobb-Vantress, Inc. Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative DS Smith Sunbelt Rentals Hubbard LLC The Vincit Group Kaman Industrial Technologies Inc. Zoetis Marel Poultry Advanced Poultry Equipment & Supplies, Inc. Alabama Ag Credit, FLCA Alabama Farm Credit, ACA Alabama Power Company Allen Farm Solutions Inc. Animal Health International
First Place – The Winners
SILVER Boehringer Ingelheim Cintas Corporation Cumberland DSM Nutritional Products, LLC Huvepharma
Third Place – Pretty Good
Closest to the Hole Jones-Hamilton Company Kerry Taste & Nutrition L.B. White Company Live Oak Bank MWI Animal Health Randy Jones & Associates
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Evening of Fun
The Paysingers get their Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year sign.
Stan Usery
Grower Seminar: A Little Business Before the Fun
On Saturday afternoon, June 9, even as the bands across the street in the Concert Hall of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex were getting warmed up and doing their sound checks for the 2018 Evening of Fun, poultry growers from around the state were gathering in the Sheraton Ballroom to tend to some business and learn a little. With Stan Usery, chairman of the Grower Committee, presiding, first on the order of business was the election of grower representatives on the AP&EA board of directors. Tony Wood, of Brantley, was elected and Stan Usery was reelected to a additional two-year term. Probably the most enjoyable segment of the meeting was the introduction of the Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year. The honor for 2018 went to Jaffe and Christy Paysinger and their children, Mason, 10, and Molly, 6, of Elkmont. The Paysingers operate six broiler poultry houses for Tyson Foods at Paysinger Farms and Big Oak Farms. The program featured the current regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Region 4, which includes Alabama, Trey Glenn. Glenn had served as head of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) from 2005-2009. Glenn reported that because of the dedicated work of ADEM, EPA conducted very few environmental inspections in Alabama, but was available as a resource. Lance LeFleur, the current director of ADEM, followed Glenn with a presentation on ADEM’s role in Alabama agriculture. The primary goal, he stated, was to, “Assure for all citizens of the state, a safe, healthful and productive environment.” He gave a rundown on some statistics related to the 850 AFO/CAFO registered facilities in Alabama (800 of which are poultry producers) and their economic importance to the state. He stressed that ADEM is an ally to the farmers, and not an adversary. He revealed that ADEM saved poultry farmers more than $3,000,000 annually because of no QCP inspection costs and no construction storm water permit fees. After LeFleur’s presentation, five lucky growers each won a brand-new crisp $100 bill, just for coming to the seminar. That made the trip to Birmingham even more fun. Then, after a picnic supper of hot dogs and hamburgers in an adjoining ballroom, it was time to go Light Up the Night!
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Trey Glenn
Lance LeFleur
BIRMINGHAM – When the doors finally opened to the Concert Hall at the Birmingham-Jefferson Complex on Saturday, June 9, for the AP&EA 2018 Evening of Fun, the award-winning Red Bay FFA String Band was ready to get going. Pouring heart and soul into their time on stage, these talented young musicians were a treat to experience. One of their young ladies did a wonderful rendition of the National Anthem. As they finished, AP&EA CEO Johnny Adams took the stage to welcome AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders. He, in turn, brought out the AP&EA Executive Committee for introduction. Next on the agenda was the introduction of the 2018 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year, Jaffe and Christy Paysinger, with their children, Mason, 10, and Molly, 6, from Elkmont. The Paysingers are broiler growers for Tyson Foods. Following the introduction, a drawing was held for two large screen televisions donated by American Proteins. Then it was time to Light Up The Night! From the moment the Swon Brothers came on stage, it was easy to see why they were so popular on the Voice. With such energy and stage presence, they were a definite hit with the audience. One their younger fans, Miles Hyde, began to join in on a Tim McGraw
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song, “I Like It, I Love It.” Seeing him so enthusiastically singing, the Swon Brothers invited him on stage to help them finish the number. They sang a number of country/rock songs, including “About Last Night,” “Jag,” “Don’t Call Me,” “Whatever Happened” and more. There was even an electric guitar version of the “Star Spangled Banner” that would have pleased Jim Hendrix. With the show that these guys put on, it’s a sure bet that they will be getting top billing any day now. When Cam came on stage, things began to mellow out. Here voice ran the gamut of plaintive to sassy as she performed songs from her album, like “Mayday,” “Half Broke Heart,” and “Runaway Train.”Then she got into a Patsy Cline tribute with “Sweet Dreams.” She finished with her two big hits, “Burning House” and her newest release, “Diane.” After her show, she sat on the stage and talked with her fans. She’s a great gal. Then it was time to head over to the Sheraton Ballroom to dance the night away with the rocking sounds of the Momentum Party Band.
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The Momentun Party Band
After the Concert
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The Paysingers of Elkmont
Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year
ELKMONT – The first thing most folks want to know is where Jaffe got his name. He grins and explains, “Years ago,” he says, “there was a dry goods store in Athens. The man who owned it was named Ben Jaffe. My mother just liked the name Jaffe.” Jaffe, who has lived his entire life in Elkmont, credits his grandfather with his passion for farming. “My grandfather was old school,” Jaffe says, “he believed that an idle mind was the Devil’s workshop. One day, my brother, Chris, and I would throw a pile of rocks over the fence, and if there wasn’t anything to do the next day, we’d throw them back over the fence.” He smiles fondly remembering that farm, now only three miles from his own farm. Jaffe started his professional life after a high school career that did not destine him for college, not on the farm, but
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working a temporary job for Engelhard Chemicals, but soon was brought on full-time as a chemical mixer. Then Englehard was bought by BASF, and Jaffe began to be promoted, first to supervisor and then to area manager over all chemical mixing. He was doing very well with the chemical company, but the call to farm was never far from his mind. He continued to work with his grandfather raising cattle and mules. One day in 2006, his high school buddy, Morgan Ellis, invited him out to his four-house poultry farm. Unbeknownst to Jaffe, Morgan’s wife, Amber, had invited her best friend, Christy, for a visit. Actually, it was probably a setup. Christy says she thought there must be something wrong with Jaffe when they first met. “He kept looking at me with this kinda goofy smile , “ she says. She laughs, saying that Amber had told her Jaffe had money.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Molly, 6, and about to enter the first grade, can now enjoy visiting the farm and frolicking in the yard with her dog, Maggie Lou.
Jaffe laughs and jokes, “Back before I got married I did have money.” The impression of wealth was reinforced on their first date. Jaffe had just returned from a cattle sale with his pockets full of $100 bills. They were married in 2007, and their first child, Mason, was born the following year. Christy grew up in Madison County, far removed from a rural lifestyle. She works at Redstone Arsenal as a security specialist. She was pretty unprepared for a farm life. She relates a story of how early in their marriage, a bill came in from the rural co-op. She opened the envelope to see a fertilizer bill for $15,000 and freaked-out. When Jaffe got home from work, he reassured her that bills like that were just a part of farming. Since that time, she lets him open the bills. In 2011, Morgan Ellis and his wife decided to sell their farm. After 14 years in the chemical business, Jaffe was ready to farm on a full-time basis. So, in September 2011, as Jaffe
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Mason, 10, may be a budding crop scientist, or a really good cattleman. He won first place in his school’s science fair with a project on the best forage grasses.
describes it, “We took the leap of faith and got into the poultry business.” The farm was already a producing poultry farm for Tyson Foods, Shelbyville, with four houses. A previous owner had built two of the houses in 1990, with the Ellises adding two additional houses in 1999. These 40’ x 400’ houses became Paysinger Farms. Because the Ellises were involved in building another house, the Paysingers were delayed in moving into their new farm house. On New Year’s Day, they moved in. Christy was almost nine month pregnant, and on Jan. 21, their daughter, Molly Clara, was born. Things were going well for the Paysingers. The poultry business was prospering, and they had some cattle. They were active in their church, New Bethel Baptist. Jaffe had built a reputation as the kind of neighbor who would not turn down a request for help. Just as things were going so well, Molly got sick. For a while there was no diagnosis, but in July, after an ambulance trip from Huntsville to Memphis, at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Molly was diagnosed with leukemia. It was a devastating blow. Christy went to Memphis with Molly. The treatment regimen kept Molly in the hospital for 90 days. Much of that time Christy stayed at the nearby Ronald McDonald House. Jaffe remained in Elkmont tending the farm and taking care of Mason. On rare occasions, he was able to get up to Memphis to be with his wife and daughter.
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Knowing that Molly’s immune system, when she was able to come home, would be severly compromised, he built a shower in his workshop at the farm, so that he could bathe and change clothes before coming back to the house. Jaffe and Christy learned to really trust each other’s judgement. While in Memphis, she could not always call him to help her make decisions about Molly’s treatment. Likewise, he could not call her to help him make decisions about Mason. Part of the Paysinger’s cow/calf herd enjoy some shade beside the houses. The times when Jaffe went to Memphis to be with Christy and Molly, their from Tyson, Shelbyville. They also have an outstanding neighbors pitched in to help on the farm. Something for record of environmental stewardship. which the Paysingers are very grateful. They are also grateful Their community involvement goes well beyond their to Christy’s employer for letting her take as much time from neighborhood. Christy, a member of the Society of Industrial work as was needed. Security Professionals, is an active member of the charities Two years into her illness, Jaffe decided, with Tyson’s committee through her work, serving Kids to Love and the blessing and a very understanding banker, to build two addi- Food Bank of North Alabama. She also works with various tional 55’ x 600’ houses. Those houses, along with the other other childhood cancer support groups. four, are producing very well now. Jaffe served on the Limestone County Cattleman’s AsFinally, after three years of struggle, Molly is well. She sociation board of directors and as president from 2014-15. is at home and family life is getting back to normal. She can As an industry we are blessed to have the Paysingers as even visit the chicken houses and play with her dog, Maggie our 2018 Alabama Poultry Farm Family of the Year. Lou in her backyard. Congratulations on a job well done! Through her courageous battle against leukemia, Molly has inspired others and raise awareness for childhood cancer research. Through her efforts, more than $20,000 has been raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as well as raising money by collecting pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Molly will be entering the first grade this year, at Johnson Elementary, while Mason will be starting the fifth grade. Mason loves science and farming. He won his science fair with a project on different types of forage grasses. It was certainly an appropriate subject for a member of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Associations. His prize was a scholarship to the Huntsville’s Space and Rocket Center Space Camp. In addition to the six poultry houses, the Paysingers have a 100 head cow/calf operation selling through Tennessee Livestock Producers. They also have a lucrative hay producing operation. With six broiler houses, the Paysingers have an outstanding record of performance. Both Paysinger Farms and Big Oak Farms have received the #1 Grower of the Week Award for excellence in performance
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Practical Applications
48 Hours to Processing Joe Hess, Ruediger Hauck, Wilmer Pacheco and Dianna Bourassa, Poultry Science Department, Auburn University
House management and bird handling during the last 48 hours prior to processing are crucial to preserving the broiler growth and health that growers have nurtured throughout the rest of the growing process. In addition, human food safety bacteria that have lain dormant for much of the growout can bloom during the birds’ feed withdrawal, during hauling and on the yard. An over-arching concept for preparing birds for catch and transport is to keep the birds calm in the hours approaching catch. There is always increased human activity during the last 48 hours of a growout, but planning these activities to avoid stressing the birds will help to reduce mortality in broilers and will maintain normal eating and drinking patterns for as long as possible, increasing the pounds of birds delivered to the processing plant. Feed outages must be avoided throughout the growout, but especially during the period leading up to catch as growth losses at this time cannot be recovered before the birds move to market. Also, disrupting feeding patterns at this time may cause birds to gorge on feed, which may make it difficult to empty the digesting tract prior to catch. Lastly, disrupted feeding patterns late in the growout may disrupt intestinal bacteria, which might increase the growth of food safety bacteria such as Salmonella and Campylobacter just as the birds are being prepared to go to the plant. Keep light intensity at the level the birds have been used to as much as possible to reduce stress. Despite the need to work in the houses more often in the days prior to catch, uniform light intensity will keep birds calm, eating, drinking and growing until the catch crew arrives. Growers need to conform to management program suggestions from their integrator regarding feed and water withdrawal as conditions differ with each operation. A common program involves removing feed for eight hours with water offered until catch. Some integrators suggest closing feed bin slides several hours prior to raising the feeders. Moving feed from cross augers and hoppers at this time insures that pelleted withdrawal feeds are not available to new chicks at placement of the next flock. Timing feed such that pans are cleaned up prior to raising the feed lines reduces leftover feed, but must be balanced against running the pans empty too early as feed outages at this time are costly. Some integrators suggest raising feed lines partially rather than to the ceiling as this seems to keep the birds more active and moving to the waterers.
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Water access allows birds to move feed through their gastrointestinal system, while lack of water consumption either through raising the water lines or through bird inactivity will leave intestines with incomplete feed removal and will increase carcass contamination in the plant. Water lines are often left down until the catch crew arrives or close to the beginning of catch. Keeping birds hydrated reduces shrink and helps to keep birds from being overcome by the stress of transport, particularly in hot weather. House temperature should be comfortable for the birds during this period so that they move about normally and go to the drinkers. For the 48 hours prior to catch, bird comfort insures that birds will continue to eat and drink and bird growth will be optimized. Closer to catch, bird comfort will maintain normal activity and keep birds drinking, which will reduce the amount of shrink the birds show as they are carried to processing.
Minimizing Shrink Shrink is, for our purposes, defined as the amount of weight lost by broilers from the time feed is removed (which is necessary for processing quality) and when the birds are weighed at the processing plant. Much of this weight loss is moisture loss through the digestive tract and through panting. Growers can reduce shrink through correct access to feed and water prior to catch and by keeping the birds comfortable. Offering water until catch allows the birds to move feed through their systems and helps keep the birds hydrated during transport, thus maximizing bird health and broiler pounds attributed to the flock. Many growers watch water consumption carefully during the last 48 hours to make sure the birds
Alabama Poultry Magazine
are staying hydrated. House temperatures should keep the birds in their comfort zone as indicated by observing bird behavior, but temperatures should not be low enough to drastically reduce bird activity as birds often don’t move at low temperatures, which can negatively impact water consumption. One exception to this is during winter growouts. House temperature may be lowered during the last four to six hours prior to catch in cold weather in order to prepare the birds for transport temperatures different than those that they have experienced in the house. Most diseases take longer than 48 hours to develop. So if broiler health takes a turn for the worse during this late stage of husbandry, the problem normally has its roots some days earlier. However, late coccidiosis challenge can cause intestinal problems and hurt feed conversion numbers right at the end of the growout. Necrotic enteritis will cause similar losses in efficiency and can follow coccidiosis challenge. Airsac problems starting earlier in the growout may add to stress during catching and transport and increase mortality going into the plant. A bigger problem is the bloom of bacteria that occurs during feed withdrawal and may accompany stress during late growout. This is where many food safety bacteria increase going into the plant. Some poultry companies run liquid treatments such as acidifiers through the med-
icator late in the growout to control gut bacteria. Catching and transport can influence bird quality entering the plant and integrator programs to monitor catching crews and keep birds comfortable during transport and on the yard can help reduce stress in broilers. Catching broilers is a difficult job and animal welfare training helps to keep catch crews reminded that proper animal handling techniques are an important part of the catching process. Good animal welfare stewardship must extend all the way to slaughter for society to condone our care of the birds. Efforts by the grower, catch crew and live haul personnel are crucial to maintain broiler productivity, animal welfare and food safety through processing.
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May / June 2018
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Cullman County Poultry & Egg Association Annual Meeting Saturday, July 21, 2018 Cullman Civic Center Cullman
Marshall County Poultry & Egg Association Annual Meeting Friday, July 27 Civitan Park Guntersville
AP&EA Industry Seminar Sept. 25-26 Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center Auburn
Alabama Poultry Magazine