Summary
Environmental control within poultry houses is an important factor in poultry production. Ventilation is important in maintaining an environment conducive to achieve optimum bird health and performance. Grower income is reduced as energy costs continue to rise. Understanding how to ventilate and operate poultry houses to achieve and maintain productive environments is crucial for both the grower and the integrator. Two workshops are offered annually (May for hot weather ventilation and October for cold weather ventilation). Attendance in each workshop has grown to over 100 participants for the last two years. This year the workshop was broadcasted as a webinar, and 35% of the participants attended through that means of delivery.
Situation
Broiler house design has improved greatly over the years to meet the requirements of modern broilers. As a result, environmental conditions can be controlled much more closely with outside weather conditions having less of an effect. Management of these houses is complex and a lack of understanding of basic principles invariably has a negative influence on broiler flock performance and results in higher operation costs. A need for training flock supervisors who in turn will pass information on to the growers continues to be of high demand. With increases in costs of travel some companies are having difficulty justifying the cost of send people to attend the workshop in Athens.
Response
Poultry ventilation workshops for new and experienced broiler flock supervisors have been held for two and a half days on a biannual basis in a cooperative effort between the departments of Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Poultry Science. The winter school focuses on cool weather ventilation to maintain optimum air quality and minimize fuel usage and electricity expenditure. The summer school focuses on optimum ventilation rates to reduce energy costs while providing conditions for broiler comfort and growth during hot weather. This year the workshop was successfully broadcasted via a webinar in which 37% of the attendees participated. In 2009, approximately 260 people from broiler complexes in GA, other states and countries have attended the workshops.
Impact
Approximately 40% of the flock supervisors in the state have been through both of these schools. Several poultry companies have had all their flock supervisors attend. After receiving this training, flock supervisors are better equipped to address their growers' issues and questions. Depending on the management practices savings of 10 to 35% in fuel usage have been observed. Conservative estimates of the economic impact that have resulted from lower fuel and electricity usage plus improved livability, growth, feed efficiency and yields exceed $ 2.4 million annually. It has been necessary to establish waiting lists for enrollees in the workshops due to demand for this training. The addition of the webinar component has made the workshop available to a larger audience.
State Issue
Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability
Details
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Year:
2009
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Geographic Scope:
International
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County:
Clarke
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Program Areas:
- Agriculture & Natural Resources
