Summer 2009 ... Poultry research conducted by the USDA-ARS Poul-

Summer 2009
Volume 3 Issue 2
Poultry Research Presented at Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada
By Dr. Jody Purswell
Poultry research conducted by the USDA-ARS Poultry Research Unit and the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at Mississippi State was
presented at the American Society of Agricultural
and Biological Engineers annual meeting in Reno,
Nevada this past June.
Dr. Jeremiah Davis presented his recent work evaluating chopped switchgrass as an alternative litter
material. Results from this preliminary study show
that birds raised on finely chopped switchgrass perform as well as those raised on traditional pine shavings. A long-term use study will commence this fall
and run for multiple flocks, with the ultimate goal of
“grow your own” litter.
Extension Instructor Ms. Amy Schmidt and Extension Associate Mr. Jason Ward both presented results of research projects evaluating litter management practices. As part of Schmidt’s doctoral research program, she measured temperature distribution patterns in windrowed litter piles. Her research
showed a wide range of temperatures within the piles
and that temperature measurements at multiple locations in the pile will be necessary to assess how well
the pile is heating.
Mr. Ward tested inexpensive soil moisture sensors
to determine their accuracy for measuring litter
moisture content.
He found that soil moisture sensors cannot accurately estimate moisture content in litter that’s drying, like what occurs after de-caking.
Mr. Chris Ryals, an Engineering Technology graduate student from Porterville, presented a poster on
available heating from attic inlet ventilation. He
mapped historical solar radiation data for the broiler
belt to determine how much heat can be expected on
average during daylight hours according to geographic location.
Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran’s status is a violation of federal and state law
and MSU policy and will not be tolerated. Discrimination based upon sexual orientation or group affiliation is a violation of MSU policy and will not be tolerated.
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Poultry Science
Happenings
Dr. Alex Corzo Receives Hy-Line International Research Award
Dr. Corzo received the Hy-Line International Research Award at the 2009 Poultry Science Association Meeting held in Raleigh, NC. This award is for outstanding research published in the
proceeding calendar year. This award is unique as the nominees must be within ten years of
their final academic degree. Hence, this award is known as the most prestigious award for
young poultry scientists.
Alex Corzo was born in Bogota, Colombia, in 1972. He completed his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Universidad de La Salle in Bogota, Colombia. He then enrolled in a master’s
program at Oklahoma State University, where he performed research on
mycotoxins and phase-feeding for broilers. Upon completion of his degree in 2000, he then
joined Ed Moran’s group at Auburn University, where he obtained his doctoral degree in 2003
on research based on amino acid responses of heavy broilers. He then enrolled with the Department of Poultry Science at Mississippi State University, where he has performed both basic and
applied research and has collaborated with faculty from all over the world. In his short career,
he has been an invited speaker for 12 major nutrition conferences in 8 different countries, coauthored a book chapter, been first author of 28 peer-reviewed manuscripts and coauthor of 31
others, and taught undergraduate- and graduate-level courses at Mississippi State University.
Above: Dr. Corzo received the Hy-Line International Research Award at the
2009 Poultry Science Association Meeting held in Raleigh, NC.
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Poultry Science
Dr. Chamblee and his wife, Dana Chamblee
Dr. M.T. Kidd congratulates Dr. Chamblee.
Dr. Chamblee Accepts Position in MSU Administration
On July 1st Dr. Timothy Chamblee began his role as Director of Office of Institutional Effectiveness after working in the Department of Poultry Science for 20 years.
Tim graduated from MSU in 1981 with a B.S. in Poultry Science. After he obtained his Ph.D.
in Animal Physiology with a Specialty in Avian Carbohydrate Digestion, he returned to MSU
to teach poultry production, judging and processing. Recruiting and advising undergraduate
Poultry science students as well as working actively with graduating seniors on job placement
became one of his passions. “It is my goal to impact the life each student I advise and provide
them with ability to succeed, both professionally and personally. It is my sincerest hope that I
am a positive role model for each and every student who walks through the door of my office.”
With a lengthy and wide-ranging list of service activities covering university and professional
organizations relevant to his academic discipline, he has reached his goal of impacting the
lives of the students that he advised. In his new role as Director of Office of Institutional Effectiveness, he will be able to continue this work on a higher level. The office will report to
the MSU provost and VP for Academic Affairs to coordinate all MSU activities associated
with accreditation and will do so via monitoring reporting activities of all MSU units. This is
an excellent move for Tim and an important step for MSU in the accreditation process. Although he will be missed in Poultry Science, we know Dr. Chamblee can get the job done!
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Poultry Science
by Dr. Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton
Low Atmospheric Slaughter of Broilers
Led by the Mississippi State Poultry Department a team birds will bleed as well as those slaughtered by the elecof researchers from USDA and Department of Nutrition, trical stun – exsanguinations method. Originally there
Food Science and Health Promotions is working with
was concern over the ability of people in the shackling
Techno Catch of Kosciusko, MS on the development of area to distinguish between the LAPS birds and DOAs;
a new humane method of broiler slaughter. The system
a series of test runs involving 5,000 birds has clearly
utilizes low atmospheric pressure (LAPS) and works by demonstrated that DOAs can easily be detected with
rendering the birds insensible in the same manner as
pilots who fly too high. Once the birds are unconscious,
the atmospheric oxygen is further reduced to cause
death.
Some 4 years into the project, it is nearing commercial
minimal training.
Process ability was another issue the group investigated.
While no problems associated with evisceration were
anticipated, there was the possibility that the lungs
might be more difficult to remove. Again, there have
production. Final approval of the system for use will be been no inspection issues during the most recent test
applied for this year. The system is unique in many
runs. Meat quality has been proven to be as good as
ways. The birds are insensible when dumped and
current methods provide in every case. The most recent
shackled thus eliminating that as a potential welfare is-
series of tests are ongoing with final results expected
sue for the birds. It does not use any type of gas so
very soon. These tests involve consumer taste panels
none has to be purchased or stored. It has been care-
along with laboratory analysis examining factors such
fully designed to fit onto the back of virtually any proc-
as moisture retention, tenderness and marinating pick-
essing plant by adding a conveyor. The existing dump
up and retention.
system in the plant will be compatible with the equipment.
For Mississippi State, this is a very exciting project
as it has the potential to completely change the slaughter
The newest research has been on the quality of the meat method so that animal welfare is no longer a processing
produced and the factors that could impact inspection.
plant factor. At the same time, the equipment is rela-
Repeated trials have been run at O.K. Foods, Ft. Smith
tively simple, fully automated and does not require ex-
processing plant. Results have demonstrated that the
pendables.
Poultry Science
Page 5
Trade barriers -- A Tricky Business
by Dr. Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton
International trade of raw poultry has been a major factor in
Microbiological criteria present another means of blocking
keeping our markets stable over the last 20 years. They con-
trade. For example, some countries do not allow U.S. poultry
tinue to be important to our economy. However, at times
to be imported because we report the presence of Salmonella
trade barriers in their many forms have halted international
on some of our raw poultry. This barrier is not clearly de-
trade and thus affected the way poultry companies do busi-
fined and differences in detection methods, methods of re-
ness. Most of us think of trade barriers as restrictions on
porting and other issues have made this a very difficult area
trade between countries put into place by a government, in-
for trade discussions. Last fall, an international group of 26
cluding subsidies, tariffs, quotas, duties, and embargoes.
scientific experts from 16 countries, together with the Food
However, there are other more subtle trade barriers in place
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations were
for other reasons.
convened to address the issue of Salmonella specifically.
The group was asked to consider the principal scientific and
Biosecurity is a major cause of embargos against specific
technical factors along with the impact of variations in com-
products from various areas around the world. For example,
mercial production practices, control strategies and testing
just two years ago, there were embargos for poultry because
regimes among trading countries of the world.
of avian influenza. There are long standing barriers based on
similar issues. Some of these are not scientifically based
The group discovered that “zero-tolerance” for Salmonella is
even though that is the reason given for their existence.
interpreted differently and therefore is not an appropriate requirement as there is no universally accepted means of elimi-
One example is the use of chlorine in poultry immersion
nating Salmonella from raw poultry or even any practical
chillers to control pathogens such as Salmonella. Canada has method for verifying its absence. This group is putting tolong held this position. The reason is a fear that triha-
gether a scientific publication recommending that measures
lomethanes which are chemicals that can be formed by the
to control Salmonella in poultry are needed throughout the
reaction of proteins with chlorine in very high levels. Some
production-processing system, and they are recommending
of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. However, re-
that any requirements be tied to a measurable food-safety
search has shown that the levels of chlorine required are far
statistic.
above what can be used in poultry operations. Therefore, in
reality, trihalomethane formation is not a valid reason for re-
We can hope that science will prevail, but it is likely that
fusing the poultry washed in chlorinated water. Nevertheless, politics will find new trade barriers to replace any eliminated
the barrier still exists. From time to time other countries have by science.
also had this same embargo.
Poultry Science
Page 6
By Michael Kidd, Ph. D.
Department Head and Professor
Faculty and students presented fourteen abstracts at the 2009
PSA annual meeting held in Raleigh, NC from July 21-23. The
abstracts encompassed the following areas of research: table egg
layer nutrition; embryogenesis/chick quality; microbial populations of litter; broiler lighting; broiler nutrition; and broiler
breeder nutrition.
Table Egg Layer Nutrition
Research in Dr. Corzo’s laboratory with distillers dried grains
with soluble (DDGS) was presented by Mr. Loar, a graduate
student, in two abstracts. Both abstracts presented results from
Bovans Single Comb White Leghorn hens fed diets containing 0,
8, 16, 21 or 32 % DDGS of diet for 15 weeks of production post
molt layer performance, layer production, and egg characteristics
did not differ among DDGS diets. Consumer acceptance of eggs
was measured by a sensory evaluation test. As dietary DDGS
increased in the diet, yolk color increased in shades of dark red.
Also, eggs from hens fed DDGS had better flavor and overall
acceptability.
Embryogenesis/Chick Quality
Three abstracts from Dr. Peebles laboratory involved embryogenesis of in ovo nutrition. Mr. Pulikanti, a Ph.D. student under
Dr. Peebles, placed temperature sensors (transponders) in eggs at
day 11 of incubation. The sensors tested were not only successful in measuring internal egg temperature throughout incubation,
but they also aided in metabolic correlations during embryo development. Dr. Peebles presented two abstracts on the impact of
in ovo administration of L-carnitine on broiler performance and
tissue chemistry. L-carnitine was injected into Ross 308 eggs at
18 days of incubation using an AviTech IntellilabTM egg injector. Although hatchery performance, broiler performance, and
carcass yield were not affected by in ovo nutrition, chick moisture and glycogen concentration were altered indicating that nutrition impacted subsequent broiler metabolism. Mr. L. Barbosa,
a visiting student from Brazil, presented finings of supplementing chick starter feed with up to 40% water which the high moisture feed was provided in chick trays prior to placement. Live
performance of broilers was not affected by moisture feed treatments in this experiment, but abdominal fat deposition was decreased as moisture in feed increased.
Litter Bacteria
Dr. Kiess presented an experiment to assess media types for
Campylobacter quantification of broiler litter from a commercial
farm. Although a media enrichment process did not improve
campylobacter detectability, the media used were able to quantify the bacteria even though the incidence in the broiler house
was low. Ms. Barker, a graduate student under Dr. Kiess, also
evaluated litter bacteria. She quantified aerobes, anaerobes, and
coliforms distributed in varying depths of litter. It was determined that the bottom layer of litter (~24 inches deep) had less
bacteria then the top layer and the middle (~12 inches deep)
layer of litter.
Lighting
Mr. Everett, a graduate student, and Ms. Hoover, an undergraduate student, presented abstracts concerned with lighting and
chick quality. Mr. Everett conducted a lighting titration (2.5, 5,
10, and 15 foot candles) in commercial broilers from 1 to 7 days
of age. The lighting source was incandescent and results indicated that 2.5 foot candles should be adequate during brooding.
Also, a linear increase in mortality was observed as light intensity increased. Ms. Hoover evaluated incandescent versus high
pressure sodium light during brooding. The high pressure sodium light treatment provided a fivefold increase in light (2.0
versus 10.6 foot candles) intensity, but was without effect on
chick quality, broiler performance, and subsequent carcass
yields.
Broiler Nutrition
Dr. Bill Dozier, formerly of USDA-ARS Poultry unit, collaborated with Dr. Corzo to evaluate metabolizable energy needs
of Ross 708 broilers from 36 to 47 days of age during a summer
grow-out. Linear improvements in feed conversion and calorie
conversion were noted when energy was increased from 1,425 to
1,470 kcal/pound in 9 kcal/pound increments indicating the importance of meeting energy needs during a summer grow-out.
Dr. Corzo evaluated chick (1 to 21 days of age) responses to two
amino acids limiting after threonine in the diet (value and isoleucine). In addition to demonstrating valine’s essentiality in chicks
by its dietary limitation, he also demonstrated that not meeting
the isoleucine need will decrease valine’s efficiency.
Broiler Breeder Nutrition
Dr. L. Araujo, a former post-doc in the Poultry Science Department, presented two abstracts dealing with feeding Cobb 500
hens a Diamond V fermentation product on breeder and progeny
performance. The fermentation product increased hatchability
and hatch of fertile. Furthermore, results indicated that the fermentation product may increase breast meat yield, with no effect
on live performance.
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Poultry Science
MISSISSIPPI STATE—A senior agriculture
administrator at the University of Idaho is the new vice
president for one of Mississippi State University’s oldest academic units.
MSU President Mark Keenum announced Monday, August 3, 2009 that Gregory A. Bohach is being named
vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry
and Veterinary Medicine. His appointment is pending
formal approval by the board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning.
“Agriculture is one of Mississippi State’s historic academic foundations,” Keenum said. “with Dr. Bohach’s
broad educational background and professional experience, we have found a true 21sst century leader for the
Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.
“Like other institutions of higher learning throughout
the nation, MSU is facing tremendous present and future challenges,” he added. “We are confident Dr.
Bohach has the necessary skills to enhance our wellestablished national reputation and address the evolving
missions of this critical unit that directly serves so many
aspects of life in our state and nation.”
Bohach has been serving concurrently as associate dean
of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences,
and director of the Idaho agricultural Experiment station, Idaho center for Host-Pathogen Interaction Research, and Idaho State EPSCor/IDeA Programs.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of
Pittsburgh/Johnstown, and master’s and doctoral degrees from West Virginia University. He also completed
a master’s at Connemaugh Memorial Hospital in Johnstown and post-doctoral work at the University of Minnesota.
Complete information on Bohach’s professional career,
as well as the MSU vice presidential search process is
available at www.agvpsearch.msstate.edu/.
In a vision statement submitted as part of the interview
process, Bohach said leaders at land-grant institutions
like MSU and Idaho “must have in-depth knowledge
and appreciation of crop and animal commodities and
the forestry industry, and also how they impact the environment and society.”
In the prepared statement, he observed, among other
things, that: --Natural-resource use and allocation” are
becoming highly scrutinized and undoubtedly
will affect these industries to a much greater extent in
the future.”
Gregory Bohach
--Agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine soon
will “experience increased visibility and prominence”
due to predictions “that we will face substantial global
population increases, debates concerning water quality
and availability, climate change, calls for sustainable
energy, and new social and economic issues in both urban and rural communities.”
--Land-grant institutions are being called upon to address these and other emerging issues.
“In doing so, we must identify key programs in which to
invest resources,” he added.
Bohach will hold a faculty appointment in MSU’s department of biochemistry and molecular biology, as well
as adjunct faculty status in the college of Veterinary
Medicine’s basic sciences department.
The Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary
Medicine is composed of six major units: the colleges of
Agriculture and Life Sciences, Forest Resources, and
Veterinary Medicine; forest and Wildlife Research Center; Mississippi Agricultural and forestry Experiment
Station; and MSU Extension Service.
Primary functions performed by division employees are
teaching, research, extension, and service. These take
place at the main MSU campus, three diagnostic laboratories, four research and extension centers, 15 branch
stations and locations, and county extension offices in
all 82 counties.
In addition to university students, the division serves
agriculture and forestry producers, agribusiness firms,
industrial firms, families, youth, local government entities, and numerous other organizations and associations.
Longtime division administrator Melissa J. Mixon has
been serving as interim vice president.
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Poultry Science
For more information contact:
Michael Kidd, PhD
Head and Professor
662-325-3416
[email protected]
www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry
Department of Poultry Science
Mississippi State University
Hill Poultry Science Building
Box 9665
Mississippi State, MS 39762