AP&EA P.O. Box 240 Montgomery, AL 36101 Address Service Requested
The Carroll’s of Ariton November / December 2017 Vol. 12 No. 6
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
Cory Early, Albertville
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, Russellville 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.
w w w. a l a b a m a p o u l t r y. o r g www.facebook.com/BamaChicken
President’s Message
It is indeed an honor for me to serve as president of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association for this year. Like others before me, I want to thank Johnny, Ray, Wanda, Jennifer, and Huck for the exemplary work that they do for our association. I would dare to say that they compose the best staff anywhere for an association such as ours. They make serving as president easy. It is an exciting time for the poultry industry in Alabama. Companies are expanding and that is always good news for our industry. This expansion will boost the economy in our state and in our local areas. Our association is ready and able to make this a time of opportunity for all segments of our industry. Also, the work going on at the Charles C. Miller, Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center at Auburn University is equally exciting. The center is coming together and a new administrative building is under construction now. This facility has no equal and places Auburn University at the forefront of poultry research and education. We look forward with anticipation to the full completion of this center in the future. The National Poultry Technology Center is now housed at the new facility and now has the tools to keep our industry on the cutting edge of housing design and equipment testing. Thanks to Jim Donald and the entire staff for all that you do to improve the profitability of our industry. Two of my goals for my year in office are membership and communication. Tagging along with Ray and Huck, I have attended four grower meetings so far, and have promoted our association with special emphasis on member benefits. I also attended a housing seminar conducted by the NPTC and was impressed with the quality of training that is ongoing for our industry. I intend to continue to be active during my term and attend as many functions as possible. Thanks again to the Executive Committee, the board, and the membership of the association for this privilege to serve.
Association News Association Meetings Christmas Open House Winter Board Meeting Grower Profile: The Carrolls of Ariton Industry News Auburn News Practical Applications Calendar of Events
pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg.
4 6 9 10 12 16 18 20 30
Featuring This Issue
Alabama Poultry Magazine
November / December 2017
3
Clyde Skates Again!
On Friday, Nov. 17, AP&EA celebrated Gov. Kay Ivey's first Turkey Presentation/Pardoning. Bates Turkey Farm celebrated the 68th time that they have presented a Clyde for pardoning by an Alabama governor. But, in the spirit of gender equality, Gov. Ivey not only pardoned Clyde 68, but also pardoned his life-partner in deliciousness, Henrietta. Ag Commissioner John McMillan, who was on hand to join the celebration, congratulated Bates Turkey Farm for its continued tradition of turkey production in Alabama. Becky Bates Sloane responded by recounting her family’s love for the one truly American holiday, Thanksgiving. Bill Bates would have been proud. Children from the Riverchase United Methodist Day School were on hand to serenade the governor and Clyde with songs of Thanksgiving cheer.
Gov. Kay Ivey gladly accepts the hand-off of a frozen Bates turkey from Becky Bates Sloane, with AP&EA CEO Johnny Adams doing the handing off. The newly pardoned Clyde and Henrietta were just thankful not to be wrapped in plastic.
4-H’ers Represent Alabama at National Poultry Conference in Lexington
LEXINGTON, Ky, – Alabama was well represented at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference by four talented young people. (Left to right) Trey Reese, who won third place in the Egg Preparation Demonstration event; Clay Woods, who took third place in the Turkey Barbecue Competition; and Clayton Guy and Mia Daniels. AP&EA was one of the sponsors of this 4-H event. Congratulations, to these fine students.
4
November / December 2017
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Local Association Meetings in November and December
There were a number of local association meetings held over the past two months, several having the same speakers. On Nov. 14, the Southeast Alabama Poultry & Egg Association met at Ariton Baptist Church. Speakers for that meeting included Robert L. Page, CPA. Page serves as an economist and farm management and agricultural enterprise analyst for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. He spoke on various accounting systems and proper record keeping, from a shoe box full of receipts to accounting software. He also spoke at the Wiregrass Poultry & Egg Association meeting in Opp on Nov. 30, at the Southern Grill. Page is available for consultations. Also speaking at Ariton were Patrick O’Haver of Sanovo Vax and Michael Odom of Farm Systems, Inc. of Luverne. Together they introduced the new Sanovo automated egg handling and packaging system for breeder growers. Farm Systems markets the system for Sanovo. The meal was proRobert Page
vided by the wonderful cooks at Ariton Baptist Church, with Monica Carroll and Keystone Foods providing the chicken. Sanovo was also represented by Michael Odom at the Central Alabama Poultry & Egg Association meeting at the Tom Harbin Ag Center on Nov. 16. Jess Campbell of the National Poultry Technology Center was the featured speaker. His topic was Improving Winter Performance. The meeting was catered by the famous Chicken Shack of Luverne. The Randolph County Poultry & Egg Association met on Tuesday night, Dec. 5, in the ALFA building in Wedowee. Dean Lett and Byron Lovvorn of Farm Systems presented the Sanovo auMichael Odom and Patrick O’Haver
Justin Lackey
6
November / December 2017
Alabama Poultry Magazine
tomated egg handling system and Justin Lackey of AgPro equipment sales in Oxford, gave a short presentation. AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders was able to attend several meetings, living up to his commitment to attend as many local association meetings as he possibly could. AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders
Jess Campbell
Alabama Poultry License Tag Contest I love my truck tag!
Deadline for submission is May 25
With the new year, it’s time to think CAR TAGS! Especially Alabama Poultry License Tags. You remember – those handsome poultry science scholarship raising tags that cost a tax deductible $50. Out of that 50, $41 and change comes back to the association. Then we send your local association $10 for your local scholarship fund. That means we use $31 from each tag for scholarships for qualified poultry science scholars. These dedicated guys and gals will be the poultry industry leaders of the future in Alabama. To give you an even better incentive to buy new or renew your existing tag, we’re going to have a contest. We want pictures of your customized tags, and the most creative tag will get a prize to be announced at the 2018 “Evening of Fun.” So send your tag pictures to me at huck@alabamapoultry.org. Send them as large as you can so that we can post them to Facebook and print in the magazine. Dress them up and accessorize any way you want, but they must be readable.
Horace Horn Wins ALFA Cultivator Award at 96th Annual Meeting
Horace Horn, former two-term president of AP&EA and current vice president of PowerSouth, was honored at the recent 96th annual meeting of the Alabama Farmers Association in Montgomery. He was awarded the ALPFA Cultivator Award for fostering relationships to benefit rural families.
ALFA President Jimmy Parnell (left) presents the Cultivator Award to Horace Horn, vice president of PowerSouth
8
November / December 2017
Alabama Poultry Magazine
DECEMBER 12, 2017 – Alabama poultry pros gathered with friends of Alabama poultry in government, education, Extension and the private sector to share the warm fellowship of the holidays at AP&EA headquarters. The room, as last year, was tastefully decorated by Kim Adams, wife of AP&EA CEO Johnny Adams. The holiday food was plentiful and delicious. It was a great opportunity for old friends to reconnect and a time to make new friends as well. It was also a great way to get into the Christmas spirit with good food and warm fellowship.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
November / December 2017
9
Kenneth Sanders
Casey Jones
Dr. Gary Lemme
Morning After the Party – It’s Time for the Board Meeting
After a catered breakfast, AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders opened the meeting with some brief comments. He welcomed our newest board member, Greg Abercrombie, a grower from Morgan County. He said, “It is a privilege and honor for me to serve in this position,” then thanked the staff for making his job easier. “They make sure it’s all done right,” he added. He reiterated his goal of getting every grower in the state involved with the association. To that end, he said, he had traveled a lot of miles with AP&EA Associate Director Ray Hilburn to grower meetings around the state. He also said he hopes those travels will bear fruit. With the conclusion of his remarks, he introduced Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan. McMillan thanked the association for its support. Now entering the eighth and last year of his term as commissioner, he remarked jokingly that the only time that he had been upset with the association is when they hired Ray Hilburn away from the department.
Now, he says that he is glad that Ray is with the association in light of all that has happened, including last year’s AI outbreak. Dr. Paul Patterson thanked AP&EA for support. He said that he is happy with progress in the college, especially in recruiting new and younger faculty. Grant awards are up. In fiscal year 2016 grants totaled $15.1 million, this year they totaled $18.4 million for 250 grant proposals submitted by faculty. Student enrollment is up, with a fall enrollment of 1,444 students, both undergraduate and graduate students. He touted the new administration and educational building at the Charles C. Miller, Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center. He also praised the work done by the National Poultry Technology Center in their new building at the Miller Center. Dr. Gary Lemme, head of Alabama Cooperative Extension System, updated the 4-H poultry program. He challenged his staff to come up with ways to promote the number one agricultural industry in Alabama to 4H. Thus Chick-Chain was developed, and, as he
reported, 700 young people actively participating in 45 counties. They have also begun several other programs to promote poultry awareness among the kids. Casey Jones gave the Allied Committee report. He cited a successful year with a variety of events, including the smoked chicken sale, Big Bass Fishing Tournament and the Allied Scholarship Golf Tournament in raising funds mainly for scholarship programs. The fund raising has been so successful that Casey reported, “We need to get the word out, because we have more scholarships than we have folks applying for them.” Before AP&EA President Kenneth Sanders presented the Grower Committee report. He appointed Stan Usery to be the new committee chairman. As Grower Committee chairman, he reported his continuing efforts to visit as many county association meetings as possible. He also thanked Ray Hilburn for his continuing efforts to recruit growers and set up county associations. We are all concerned about the prob-
Johnny Adams
Jacob Davis
Jim Donald
10
November / December 2017
Alabama Poultry Magazine
lems of biosecurity. Ray Hilburn announced that if anyone had suggestions for topics or speakers for the “Evening of Fun” grower seminar, they should call him, Stan Usery or Kenneth Sanders. Poultry Facilities Committee representative Mitchell Pate reported that the administration building was on track and scheduled to open by May 1, 2018. Still proceeding to blue printing and working on layouts for the processing facility. Fund raising continues, with hopes of making a good showing to companies in Atlanta at the IPPE in January. The advisory reports began with Dr. Joe Hess, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, who talked about the scientific activities of the Auburn department of poultry science. Hess reported that Wilmer Pacheco was working with USP&EA to produce a series of videos for GMPs in feed mills to be in compliance with the U.S.D.A. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Ray Hilburn read State Veterinarian Tony Frazier’s report. In the report, Frazier noted a planned conference call of
the Alabama Avian Health Advisory Board to discuss biosecurity audits to discuss the 14 principles for indemnity on High Path AI. He also said that they will likely be meeting with live production managers to make sure that each farm has an approved biosecurity plan. The Auburn department of poultry science report was presented by Dr. Don Conner. Conner thanked the poultry industry for its continued support. He said that Auburn trustees had given approval for architects to begin design on the 14 remaining structures on the Miller Center farm, with the highest priority going to the processing plant. He also reported that the department had 80 students, with 20 to 25 others enrolled in the 2+2 Program. Conner also introduced Chelsea Hooks, president of the Auburn Poultry Science Club. Jim Donald reported on the activities of the National Poultry Technology Center and Jacob Davis, giving the education report, told of the continuing teacher shortage for ag programs around the state. He also reported on the successes of Alabama FFA students. AP&EA CEO Johnny Adams ended the meeting with an update on the coming legislative session.
Chelsea Hooks Auburn Poultry Science Club President
Dr. Joe Hess
Mitchell Pate
Ray Hilburn
Commissioner John McMillan
Dr. Paul Patterson
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Dr. Don Conner
Greg Abercrombie
November / December 2017
11
Grower Profile
On the Farm With
Monica Carroll
12
November / December 2017
Alabama Poultry Magazine
The Carrolls of Ariton: Blake (15), Brittany (17), Monica and Chris
ARITON – Monica Carroll should be the poster girl for Alabama poultry farmers, and in many ways she is. Profiled in numerous publications and now selected by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to chair a committee of five Alabama farmers, part of a national Farm Services Agency program, to help ensure USDA is providing farmers, ranchers, foresters and agricultural producers with the best customer service and provide a liaison between producers and the USDA. Still, with all the notoriety, she is a wife, mother and chicken farmer. She and her husband, Chris, have been growing for 17 years. They grow for Keystone Foods, and though their four 42” x 500” houses are considered old, they have kept them up-to-date with upgrades and innovations. Monica did not come naturally to the agricultural way of life. She grew up in largely rural Batesville, Miss. As the oldest of five children, she had little contact with agriculture. After high school graduation she entered Northwest Mississippi Community College to study business. The next fall, her sister also came to college, and they shared a dorm room. Monica saw that her sister had a book on animal science. It piqued her interest in agriculture. She switched her emphasis to ag business. After finishing community college, she had planned to enter Mississippi State the next fall. She had a summer in-
ternship opportunity with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service that took her to rural Geneva County, Ala. While there, she was recruited to attend Auburn University by her Soil Conservation Service supervisor. After two years in community college, she enrolled at Auburn University to pursue a degree in agricultural science. It was in one of her classes that she met her future husband, a Dale County farm boy named Chris Carroll. Shortly after Chris graduated in 1995 with a degree in animal science, they were married. They headed to Ariton, in Dale County, where his family had been farming for six generations. That summer Monica would attend class at Auburn then drive to Barbour County where she worked another internship for the newly named NRCS (the old Soil Conservation Service) in Clayton. Then she would drive home to Ariton. When Monica graduated in 1996, she began working with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Coffee County. Chris was partnered with his brother, Russ, on the family farm just south of Ariton, on the road to Ozark. They were raising cattle and row cropping. All of that changed in 1997 when Russ was tragically killed in a cattle hauling accident. Monica would often lend a hand on the farm during her off hours. Chris told her that she was a harder worker than anyone he could hire. He could trust her he said because,
Alabama Poultry Magazine
November / December 2017
13
and soybeans in rotation. He has a cattle operation where he pre-conditions under performing calves and makes them ready for market for a number of clients, as well as grazing out approximately 200 head of cattle a year. Chris has even set up a herd for Brittany and Blake to care for. There are 30 cows and one bull. He wants them to share that responsibility. Another responsibility they all share is on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, when the hired help is off. They are up early to tend to the chickens and feed Chris collects used motor oil from a trucking company, an oil change facility and the the cattle. That’s just life on the farm. Dale county school bus barn. He uses this oil to heat the chicken houses. The family is very involved in their community. Chris is president of the Dale “you break something, you know it’s going to cost a lot to County Farmers Federation. He is also a deacon at Ariton fix it.” That makes for a great partnership. Baptist Church, where he and Monica teach youth Sunday By the late 1990s they were beginning to think about school. starting a family. Charoen Pokphand, a Thai poultry company One thing that the family does for recreation on their had built a processing plant in Eufaula and was seeking beautiful farm is hunt, especially turkey hunt. Monica says growers. Monica and Chris attended the first round of recruit- that, “the opening day of turkey season is like Christmas day. ment meetings but were not ready to commit. As Monica Everybody gets excited.” Monica even has her own trophy says, after a lot of prayer and some policy changes by the corner in the den, with a prize turkey and a beautiful eightcompany, by the second round they were ready to start grow- point buck on the wall. ing chickens. Well done, Carrolls. In 2000, Bittany, their first child was born and they built their four poultry houses. Monica also became a stay-athome mom. It was an eye opening time for Monica, with all the work that had to be done. Still, it was great to have the time to spend with Chris and their new baby. Seventeen years and two children later, life seems pretty sweet. Brittany is 17, and a senior at Ariton High School. She has just won a softball scholarship to Wallace Community College in Dothan. She wants to be a veterinarian. Blake is 15 and a rising junior. He is a linebacker on his football team. He wants to be a farmer. They grow for Keystone Foods of Eufaula. They use peanut hulls for bedding, with heating provided by furnaces burning used motor oil, with some propane for brooders. Monica employs one full-time helper and Chris’ father provides some part-time help. All workers have been trained in proper bird handling by the company. The farm is prosperous. Chris is not only a great farmer but also an outstanding businessman. He row crops, raising wheat
14
November / December 2017
Alabama Poultry Magazine
On a blustery cold day, Gov. Kay Ivey was certainly delighted to welcome the Wayne Farms expansion at their plant in rural Coffee County. Later she donned her coat and hard-hat to fling a symbolic shovel of dirt to break ground for the expansion.
On Dec. 12, Wayne Farms broke ground on an expansion for their facility in Jack, Ala. The Jack plant is a part of their Enterprise complex. The new facility will add 200,000 square feet to the existing facility and add more than 400 positions. Capacity will increase to almost 400,000 chickens per day. Wayne Farms CEO and President Clint Rivers said, “This investment in our Enterprise operation is a strategic decision. The expansion is part of our ongoing growth in south Alabama. We’ve invested more than $200 million in the Wiregrass area, and it’s a success story for us and the communities where we live and work.” Then he added, “The relationship has been outstanding, the workforce is solid, and the support from business, government and community leaders has been exemplary.” On hand for the ground breaking, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey touted the accomplishments of Wayne Farms and their commitment to the Wiregrass. This expansion will include a new state-of-the-industry processing line that will focus on the Wayne Farms’ new premium NAKED TRUTHTM line of chicken products. This line will feature chickens raised to Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Step 2 program standards.
Aviagen Celebrates Compartmentalization Certification
Dr. Greg Rosales and Dr. Eric Jensen with the compartmentalization certificate from the National Poultry Improvement Plan and the USDA.
16
November / December 2017
ELKMONT – On Dec. 1, at Aviagen’s pedigree and grandparent facilities there was a celebration of accomplishment. For a decade they had been working to achieve something that no other U.S. primary breeder had achieved – Compartment Certification. With that certification in hand, it was time to celebrate. Dr. Eric Jensen, Aviagen’s vice president of Veterinary Services for North America was effusive in his praise for the team that achieved the goal. On hand for the celebration were representatives from the National Poultry Improvement Plan and the USDA Animal Plant Inspection Service. On hand also was Dr. Greg Rosales, who recently retired from Aviagen. He had been a leader on the team from the project beginning.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Alabama Poultry Magazine
November / December 2017
17
Auburn News
Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame Member, Staley Fincher, Dies
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame member, Staley Fincher. The funeral service for Staley E. Fincher,Sr. was held Monday , Dec. 11, 2017 at Jeffcoat Trant Funeral Home with burial at Auburn Memorial Garden Cemetery following, Reverend Libba Stinson officiating. Staley passed away Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 at East Alabama Medical Center after a brief illness. Mr. Fincher was born September 29, 1929 in Randolph County Alabama and moved to Auburn when he was a child with his adoptive parents, Robert "Rob" and Lura Fincher. He attended school and graduated from Auburn High School. He is survived by his wife, Leona Dawson Fincher of Auburn, a long-time nurse in the Lee County area and two sons, Staley E. "Ed" Fincher, Jr, (Cathy) and George R. Fincher (Jackie) and grandchildren Jacob E. Fincher (Noel), Megan Smith, and Kyle Smith. Mr. Fincher was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Jean; parents Robert and Lura Fincher; sisters Nellie Rue Parker and Christine Cunningham of Randolph County, Ala., Lera Wilson Baxter of Auburn; and brothers Porter Fincher and Judson Fincher of Valley, Ala. A Korean War era veteran, he earned his poultry science degree from Auburn in 1955, and went to work on the Auburn University poultry farm and became farm superintendent in 1958. He served in that capacity until retirement in 1993. During that time he served as a valued member of
the research, teaching and extension team and assisted with many research projects that have had a significant impact on the poultry industry. One of his proud accomplishments was induction into the Alabama Poultry Hall of Fame in 2014.
Staley touched the lives of so many people that are now or have been involved in the poultry industry and to commemorate this, the family has decided to establish a scholarship in his name. The Staley E. Fincher Scholarship will be set up through the Alabama Poultry Foundation at the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. Anyone wishing to make a tax deductible contribution to this scholarship, please make check out to: Alabama Poultry Foundation and note it to the Staley E. Fincher Scholarship. Please mail all contributions to AP&EA, P.O. Box 240, Montgomery, AL 36101. We will try to get in touch with as many of the former poultry farm workers as possible, but please contact as many people as you can that you know worked for or with Staley to let them know of this opportunity to honor Staley and his family. If you need more info or if you have comments, please contact Ray Hilburn at AP&EA.
Auburn Ag Holds 111th Grad Breakfast
On Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, AP&EA sponsored the 111th Student Recognition & Graduation Breakfast for the Auburn College of Agriculture. Poultry science instructors, extension folks and students cooked omelets for graduates and their family and friends. Kent Smith (center) graduated and is going into a very nice position as a manager trainee with Pilgrim's Guntersville. Here he is flanked by AP&EA Associate Director Ray Hilburn and Dr. Don Conner, head of Auburn University's department of poultry science. Auburn poultry science graduates have, on average, four or more job opportunities upon graduation.
18
November / December 2017
Alabama Poultry Magazine
NPTC Holds Poultry House Construction and Retrofitting Short Course
On Tuesday, Nov. 28-29, the National Poultry Technology Center, at the Charles C. Miller, Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center, conducted a Poultry Housing Construction and Retrofitting Short Course. There was a very good turnout for both days of the seminar. Sixteen different states were represented, as well as Mexico and Nicaragua. Topics covered ran the gamut of Financing and Cash Flow to Plumbing and Storage. One early presentation by John Smith, DVM and retired director of poultry health services for Fieldale Farms, reported on the dangers to the industry of the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) and its potential impact on broiler housing. There were lots of opportunities for service techs to get hands on experience in many of the demonstrations and to get up close with construction techniques to help growers gain more efficiencies in their housing and retrofitting. Several outside experts such as Walter Petty, president of Atlantic Power Solutions, and Graham Kelly and Vance Keaton of Live Oak Bank, were brought in to augment the excellent NPTC team to make the course more effective.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
November / December 2017
19
Practicer Applications
Strategies for Managing E. Coli Bacteria in Stormwater Runoff Dianna V. Bourassa, Ph.D. Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist Poultry Processing Department of Poultry Science
Keep live haul areas covered
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit defines allowable limits of chemicals and bacteria allowed to be discharged into Alabama waters. For industries that slaughter warm-blooded animals (poultry processing plants), ADEM has a specific set of discharge limitations and monitoring requirements. Within this general permit, poultry processing plants are required to monitor the discharge of water produced from storm events. Each plant must collect storm water two times per year for analysis according to the general permit. The water samples are collected at specific drainage points from the first flush, which is the first inch of rainfall and typically contains 8090 percent of the rain event pollution. The storm event must produce a minimum of 0.1 inches of rainfall and there must not have been a previous storm event producing more than 0.1 inches of rainfall in the previous 72 hours. Systems for storm water management including detention basins, vegetated swales, and sand filters are excellent for the treatment of water quality parameters such as biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, phosphorus, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen, but less ideal for inhibiting the growth of bacteria such as Escherichia coli. Alabama’s storm water permit allows for 235 E. coli bacteria per 100 mL in the daily limit with a 126 E. coli bacteria per 100 mL monthly average limit. However, in many cases this limit is exceeded. To combat this problem, processing plants use a storm water pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) which includes best manufacturing practices (BMPs) to minimize E. coli bacteria as much as possible. Strategies for controlling fecal bacteria, including E. coli, can be divided into several implementation tiers based on the level of water contamination. Tier 1 strategies should be utilized by every processing plant when applicable. Tier 2 strategies should be implemented when Tier 1 BMPs are not adequate for controlling storm water E. coli. Tier 3 strategies
20
November / December 2017
are options for major infrastructural changes for storm water control improvements. Tier 1 BMPs focus on the removal and prevention of fecal bacteria from washing away with storm water during a rain event. These BMPs largely address removal of feces from broilers, however, other fecal contributors need to be considered. This includes animals such as rodents, predators, and wild birds. Rodent control programs can minimize fecal contamination from mice and rats, close attention to collection of escaped animals and DOAs can minimize predators, and prevention practices for wild birds such as decoys for Canada geese can minimize issues from migrating flocks.
Tier 1 recommended BMPs for facility SWPPPs include: • Routine schedule of dry cleanup of live animal holding, staging, storage areas. • Routine schedule of dry cleanup of other paved areas across or near to where live animals may have been transported. • Park and store live haul trailers and coops under cover to minimize exposure to storm water. • Frequently monitor and collect any animals which may have escaped. • Store dead on arrival (DOAs) under cover to minimize exposure to storm water. • Wash equipment and vehicles in areas which discharge to processing plant water treatment systems. • Maintain stringent insect and rodent control programs. • Maintain areas with grass or vegetation. Sunlight will kill E. coli bacteria. • Train and regularly refresh training for employees on processing plant BMP procedures.
Tier 2 BMPs and facility improvement strategies are the next step for improving E. coli numbers in storm water runoff. These require some additional planning when storm events are predicted or more minor infrastructure changes.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Maintain rodent control programs
Route reception area wash water to wastewater treatment
Tier 2 recommended BMPs for facility SWPPPs and facility improvement strategies include: • Development of strategies to perform dry and wet cleanup prior to predicted storm events. • Utilization of commercial biofiltration systems (e.g. Filter Soxx) specific to bacterial removal. • Building facilities can be guttered and downspouted to direct rainwater away from potentially contaminated areas. • Retrofitting surfaces that attract or promote perching or nesting spaces by wild birds in order to discourage this behavior. Tier 3 strategies include major infrastructure changes that may improve E. coli levels in storm water runoff, but will be much more intensive and costly to implement.
Tier 3 facility improvement strategies include: • Collection of the first flush of a rain event into storage tanks followed by treatment of the water collected. •Building or digging trenches to divert storm water into wastewater treatment systems. • Paving of some to all outdoor areas allowing for dry sweeping prior to water wash down. • Live haul areas should be given primary consideration, but non-animal areas such as the parking lot should be considered. • Specialty porous pavement that allow storm water to pass through versus run off can be considered.
Once the SWPPP BMPs are in place, detailed records of BMP implementation need to be kept. These records will help to determine the effectiveness of BMPs as well as improvements seen following any infrastructure improvements. Record keeping and review can also help identify potential need for employee training in addition to regular refresher trainings.
Examples of where stormwater runoff can be collected for environmental testing
22
November / December 2017
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Alabama Poultry Magazine
November / December 2017
23
Managing Mortality in Breeder Flocks Joseph B. Hess, Brendan Gould, Ruediger Hauck, Joseph J. Giambrone and Wallace D. Berry, Poultry Science Department, Auburn University
Broiler breeder males and hens have been selected for enhanced meat growth (for the broilers) in addition to egg numbers and health. Breeding for meatiness has brought significant management challenges in obtaining maximum eggs and chicks from breeder flocks. One issue with ensuring a profitable number of hatching eggs hen housed is mortality of hens during the production period. Many situations can lead to higher-than-expected mortality although management techniques can help reduce mortality in most cases. Obviously, disease issues must be discussed regarding breeder mortality, and local vaccination programs are constantly changing based on local or regional health challenges. Poultry company veterinarians review health trends regularly, often in conjunction with the state diagnostic laboratory system administered through the state veterinarian’s office and the Alabama Department of Ag and Industries. Two common diseases that lead to mortality in hens include fowl cholera and viral arthritis. Vaccines control many of the viral diseases, but regional shifts in disease strains often require changes to the vaccination program to reduce mortality and losses in performance. Cholera is caused by a bacterial source and can lead to birds dying quickly with few signs, although respiratory signs and joint involvement can often be seen as well. Several vaccines are used to control cholera and may be adjusted if cholera becomes a problem locally. Recently, blackhead has been a health issue in breeder
24
November / December 2017
production. Histomonas organisms, often carried in worms of several types, are the agents that cause this condition. Blackhead is a difficult disease to treat and managing worm populations may offer the best protection against this protozoan disease. Although blackhead often occurs in pullets, breeder hens can develop the disease if they have not developed immunity early on. Bringing birds into production can be a stressful time for the hens and many management decisions regarding feeding must be initiated at this time. Feeding too much or too little in relation to the flocks progression toward peak can influence egg production and may increase mortality as well. Recent research at Auburn has examined the link between bringing birds into production and early mortality. Large or rapid increases in feed allotments such as those seen in early lay may lead to conditions similar to “refeeding syndrome� as seen in people fed too much too quickly after a period of starvation. Blood-level electrolytes (salts) can become imbalanced to the point that sudden death results. Provided that the pullets arrived on the breeder farm as a uniform group, careful increasing of feed allotments for flocks increasing in production will help insure that birds do not experience a spike in mortality in early lay. Calcium tetany can be a problem if hen blood calcium levels drop while trying to form the shell of an egg in the reproductive tract. Hens suffering from calcium tetany often have muscle weakness or paralysis to the point where they cannot leave the scratch area and may be injured by the males. Often, calcium tetany may be assumed to be male damage instead of a lack of blood calcium. This problem is
Alabama Poultry Magazine
Severe arthritis in a leg joint
seen in hens first thing in the morning or after feeding. Avoiding calcium tetany involves improving uniformity in flocks so that feeding programs are applied to birds ready to perform, starting breeder feed at 5 percent production so that high calcium levels don’t shut down the hen’s calcium mobilization pathways and managing heat stress through water availability and temperature control. Egg yolk peritonitis is a frequent cause of death in breeder hens. This condition can become a major cause of mortality if E. coli or salmonella bacteria are involved. Egg yolk peritonitis is caused by yolk material released into the body cavity or brought back into the body cavity from the reproductive tract. Birds brought into production quickly may produce too many yolks at a time, increasing the incidence of this condition. Careful control of body weight increases as bird move from first egg toward peak production can help to minimize this condition. Water sanitation may help reduce the incidence and severity of bacterial infections if egg yolk peritonitis becomes a recurring problem. Leg problems are a frequent cause of mortality and culling in broiler breeder flocks. Although staph (common bacteria) lesions and viral arthritis are common causes of leg weakness, each breeder grower must determine whether their houses are fitted to minimize leg problems in hens. Ruptured tendons, a common cause of leg problems, can come from a number of causes. Adequate depth of shavings in the scratch area may help to reduce leg injuries when hens are moving between the scratch area and the slats. In addition, scratch-area shavings may decrease during lay as hens eat shavings and deposit them under the slats with their feces. For that reason, growers may need to evaluate shaving depth in mid-lay and decide with their integrator whether to add shavings. Shaving and slat quality should be assessed to make sure sharp wood or wire is not injuring birds’ feet. Wet litter in the scratch area may increase footpad burns, which may offer an avenue for staph to become established in the bird. Any entry point may increase in staph problems in the legs and joints. Staph may cause bumblefoot and/or spread through the bloodstream to joints and tendons. Even staph entry through respiratory or intestinal tracts can lead to staph migrating to the leg joints and tendons. Female maturity (readiness to mate) in relation to male maturity can lead to slatting of hens and female mortality if the males are more mature than the hens after housing. Male and hen maturity must be closely co-
26
November / December 2017
ordinated to reduce aggression to a manageable level. Weepy vents may increase mortality through infection, hen pecking or culling. Weepy (soiled) vent appears to come and go with no obvious change in management techniques identified to improve this condition. Although some breeder hen mortality problems may arise from disease issues, breeder growers can contribute to reductions in hen mortality by monitoring their house and equipment for mortality triggers such as shaving depth and skin punctures. Low mortality allows hens to increase eggs and chicks per hen housed and can help growers put more money in their pockets.
Alabama Poultry Magazine
A very mild liver lesion
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words – Light Intrusion
Light intrusion during power ventilation is a serious issue in today's modern broiler houses. Light shades or hoods will help solve this problem. Light hoods constructed of lumber and metal are positively cost effective and can be helpful to control light intrusion, but they are often restrictive of airflow into the house.
Light shields constructed as shown (left), with only a 2x6 extended down the wall, have the potential to be restrictive to incoming airflow. This is most often seen during the transition period between sidewall ventilation and tunnel ventilation when 30-40 percent of the fans are running. As more fans are called for, the house pressure increases at a faster rate than the resulting incoming air volume – equaling less efficient fan usage and less ability to address increasing house temperature. You can often “hear the roar” outside as the fans try to pull air into the house through the light shields.
28
November / December 2017
Alabama Poultry Magazine
It is important to understand that such restriction is NOT the fault of the vent itself, or the number of vents. As seen above, a careful inspection can show that some shields are even more restricted than they appear from the outside. This 2x4 cross member decreased the free airflow into this shield by 23 percent.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Advertising Index Alabama Ag / Alabama Farm Credit American Proteins Aviagen Cumberland Ecoconcepts Ecodrum First South Farm Credit Jones-Hamilton PLT Impact Poultry Products Klarion Merial Mistie Wiggs Northwest Envirofan Randy Jones Ins. Agency Southwest Agri-Plastics Sunbelt Rentals
30
November / December 2017
pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg. pg.
5 31 17 25 8 15 7 27 14 21 2 6 4 32 25 23
AP&EA “Big Bass” Fishing Tournament Friday, May 11, 2018 Lake Guntersville
AP&EA “Evening of Fun” Golf Tournament Friday, May 18, 2018 Silver Lakes Golf Club Glencoe
AP&EA “Evening of Fun” Concert Saturday, June 9, 2018 Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Birmingham
Alabama Poultry Magazine
AP&EA Annual Meeting July 16-17 Sandestin Hilton Beach Resort Destin, Fla.