Washington update

Jesse and Doris Lyons are the recipients of the 2008 Poultry Extension Special Recognition Award for their exceptional contributions to state, regional, and national extension programs. The National Poultry Extension Workshop continues to be possible only through the dedicated efforts of volunteers. In a welcome break from tradition, the workshop was moved from Sunday to Monday morning, which reduced personal conflicts related to Saturday travel and early Sunday meetings. The Future Trends in Animal Agriculture 2008 Symposium was “Complementary Relationships in Animal Agriculture.” The 2009 Quadrennial Poultry Extension Workshop will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina. The National Poultry Waste Management Symposium coordinator for 2008 is Casey Ritz, University of Georgia. The USDA grants, deadlines, and procedures can be found on the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Internet site (http://www.csrees.usda.gov). The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Plant and Animal Systems has yearly internal reviews of its various portfolios that summarize the accomplishments and impacts of system personnel. Program accountability requires documentation by everyone. Now and in the future, cooperation, networking, teamwork, and participation in multistate research committees are essential to our ability to make meaningful contributions to the poultry system. Several universities now provide animal welfare education programs, including participation in assessment competitions and distance education. The Animal Welfare Assessment Contest will be coordinated by Michigan State University for the next few years. Tyson Foods sponsors the Poultry Science Association Support Personnel Award, and Felicity Dennis of the University of Alberta was the 2008 recipient.     

Washington Update

Opportunities and change continue to occur at an accelerating rate. The exotic Newcastle disease (END) crisis in the traditional commercial industry led to a related problem for game bird producers due to confusion in defining a game bird, which is also a commercial venture. Time spent planning rather than reacting to situations is often a luxury but must be moved to a higher priority. One example is the Triennial Extension Workshop, which is proposed to become a biennial event. We continue to develop and implement innovative programs based on relevance to animal agriculture and societal requirements. As a team, we have achieved an excellent synergy and impressive results through our cooperation and networking. A special award is provided to an extension person each year to ensure contributions are recognized that might otherwise be overlooked. The Texture Technologies Corporation Support Personnel Award is new this year and recognizes the essential contributions of farm, laboratory, and other personnel. Also, the American Poultry Historical Society (APHS) continues to recognize career contributions to the poultry system through the Hall of Fame. As always, anyone wishing to be part of program planning and development is welcome. If you are not called, take the initiative and volunteer.     

Washington Update

Paul Patterson is the recipient of the 2005 Poultry Extension Special Recognition Award for his exceptional contributions to regional and national extension programs over many years. Current responsibilities include the recently completed National Swine Alternative Housing project; liaison to several multistate research committees; review of grant proposals, plans of work and accomplishment reports and Hatch projects; coordination of biobased plant nutrient related workshops; and evaluation of CRIS reports. The National Extension Workshop has a long track record of accomplishment, which has been possible only through the dedicated efforts of volunteers. The Future Trends in Animal Agriculture 2005 symposium was “Certification and Education Programs: Current Status of Farm Animal Welfare.” The Triennial Poultry Extension Workshop will become a biennial event in 2007. The National Poultry Waste Management Symposium was led by Mike Hulet in 2004. Susan Watkins is the coordinator for 2006; please contact Susan to volunteer.New procedures for USDA grants and deadlines can be found on the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES) Web site. The CSREES/Plant and Animal Systems (PAS) review of their portfolio on animal health and welfare resulted in an outstanding evaluation (95/100). Increasing demands for accountability require increased documentation by all persons in our system. Michigan State and Purdue University are providing leadership in several animal welfare educational areas, including assessment and distance education programs. The Texture Technologies Corporation Support Personnel Award recipient is JoAnna Tharrington Foegeding, North Carolina State University. This award will be sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. in 2006. We are achieving impressive results through cooperation and networking, which are of increasing importance. Continued teamwork and increased participation in multistate research committees is essential.     

Washington Update

Theresia LaVergne was the recipient of the 2006 Poultry Extension Special Recognition Award for her exceptional contributions to regional and national extension programs. A new responsibility for national program leaders is being named as co-liaison to one or more land-grant universities. Continuing responsibilities include: departmental review team leader; liaison to several multistate research committees; review of grant proposals, plans of work and accomplishment reports, and Hatch projects; and evaluate Current Research Information System reports. The National Extension Workshop has been possible only through the dedicated efforts of volunteers. The Future Trends in Animal Agriculture 2006 symposium was “Addressing International Trade Complexities of Animal Welfare.” The 2005 Triennial Poultry Extension Workshop was considered very successful, with the next workshop to be held in 2009. The National Poultry Waste Management Symposium coordinator for 2006 was Susan Watkins, University of Arkansas, with Casey Ritz (GA) the coordinator for 2008. The USDA grants, deadlines, and procedure can be found on the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service Web site (http://www.csrees.usda.gov). The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service Plant and Animal Systems Unit now has yearly internal reviews of their various portfolios. Program accountability requires documentation by everyone. Michigan State University and Purdue University are providing leadership in several animal welfare educational areas, including assessment and distance education programs. Coordination of the Animal Welfare Assessment Contest will be at Michigan State University for the next few years. Tyson Foods has taken over sponsorship of the Poultry Science Association Support Personnel Award, beginning in 2006 with Karen Schwean-Lardner of the University of Saskatchewan as the 2006 recipient. Cooperation, networking, teamwork, and participation in multistate research committees are essential to the ability of extension personnel to continue to make meaningful contributions to the poultry system.