Managing Poultry Reproduction to Satisfy Market Demands

Objective and Approach: Recent Advances in characterization of reproductive process in avian species provide a critical mass of information to allow evaluation, on an individual by individual basis, of reproductive effectiveness for both males and females. The industry depends on genetic selection to identify males of high potential economic value, but full return on that effort is not realized unless each male is fully utilized in a manner consistent with overall management needs. This symposium will highlight the challenges and evolving strategies for addressing a growing problem in the poultry industry: slow loss of reproductive effectiveness associated with genetic and management changes needed to meet ever-more demanding requirements for product cost and quality. The integrated series of presentations will illustrate how the primary breeder and producer can evaluate reproductive dysfunction as a first step to maximizing value in their unique situation.

1:00 pm - General Introduction and Introduction of Honorary Co-Chairs
Rupert P. Amann, BioPore, Inc., State College, PA

Honorary Co-Chairs are Peter E. Lake, Roslin Institute, Edinburg, Scotland, and Edward G. Buss, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.

1:15 pm - Overview of the Challenges Facing the Industry
David L. Pollock, Perdue Farms, Salisbury, MD

The primary breeder will face many challences in the next decade as demand of unique and competitive poultry products grow. Examples will be provided, along with comments on how enhanced reproductive technologies might help satisfy some of these demands.

1:30 pm - Lessons for the Poultry Industry Gleaned from Experiences with Other Commodity Species
Rupert P. Amann, BioPore, Inc., State College, PA

In contrast to other commodity animals, neither the poultry industry nor the academic community have devoted significant effort to determining how to maximize use of spermatozoa produced by elite males. A generalized overview of what types of studies are useful and the returns that could be expected will be provided.

2:00 pm - Retrospective Approaches when Faced with Flock Fertility Problems: Who Didn't Do It and Why?
Graham J. Wishart, University of Abertay, Dundee, Scotland

A general overview of sperm-egg interaction will be provided with examples, for both fowl and turkeys, of how one would (a) monitor a flock in real time to identify inadequate fertilization in the field; and (b) run a prospective analysis on how to raise fertility of a flock.

2:40 pm - Prospective Approaches to Avoid Flock Fertility Problems: Who Is Unlikely to Do it, From the Male Perspective
Annie M. Donoghue, USDA-ARS-GGPL, Beltsville, MD

Recent advances in methods for semen analyses allow evaluation of a male for reproductive potential before use. Examples of such tests, with examples for both fowl and turkeys, will be provided, along with comments on their practical application.

3:20 pm - Break

3:40 pm - Genetic Correlates of Reproductive Traits to Features of Economic Importance: What Do You Give Up?
Guy F. Barbato, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Ultimate success in the poultry industry demands solutions to problems that require minimal labor costs, often derived from exploitation of the genetic make up of the elite males selected for use. Results of studies on the correlated responses of reproductive traits with features of more obvious and immedicate economic return will be presented along with speculation as to what might be possible.

4:20 pm - Optimizing Delivery of Genetic Merit in Subtropical Climates Through Advanced Reproductive Technologies
Harpal Singh, Harmann Farms Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, India

Growth of the poultry industry in tropical climates presents unique challenges. Relatively low labor costs allow consideration of management strategies not possible in other parts of the world, but climatic conditions force a careful choice between optimized growth and other features, such as reproductive performance. Examples and suggested approaches will be provided.

5:00 pm - Summary of Challenges for the Future
Roy H. Hammerstedt, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA / BioPore, Inc., State College, PA

A brief history of the challenges that have been successfully met over the past century will be provided, with comments on the growing importance of enhanced reproductive performance. The presentations of Wishart, Donoghue, and Barbato will be put into perspective with the challenges set forth by Pollock and Singh, from the perspective of the primary breeder and producer, respectively.

5:30 pm - Close of Symposium

Effective Poultry Programming in the Next Century

Innovative Applications of Distance Education, Janet Poley, Univ. of Nebraska and President of ADEC

User Fees for Land Grant Universities Activities, Nick Sparks, Scottish Agricultural College

Balancing Research Programs: Applied and Basic, Jerry Cherry and Charles Beard

Reducing The Environmental Impact of Poultry Production:
Focus on Phosphorus

Phosphorus: An Environmental Concern, Andrew Sharpley, USDA/ARS/PS&WMR

Phosphorus: A Rate Limiting Nutrient in Surface Waters, David Correll, Smithsonian Environmental Resarch Center

Nutritional Approaches to Reducing Phosphorus Excretion, Park Waldroup, University of Arkansas

Reducing Phosphorus Runoff and Improving Poultry Production with Alum, Philip A. Moore, Jr., USDA/ARS/PPPSRU

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