“Hard things are hard for a reason. But if it were easy, everybody would do it.”
— Dr. Randy Mitchell, PSA Fellow and Vice President of Nutrition at Perdue Farms
Few leaders embody the transformation of the poultry industry over the past two decades as thoroughly as Dr. Randy Mitchell. In a recent episode of Unplucked, the Poultry Science Association’s official podcast, Dr. Mitchell sat down with PSA Executive Director Andy Vance to share his journey from a family farm in north Georgia to his current role steering innovation at one of the nation’s top poultry producers.
A Childhood Rooted in Agriculture
Dr. Mitchell’s connection to poultry began young—picking up eggs on the family farm, a task he jokingly tried to avoid as a child. “Chickens were a lot of work,” he laughed. “If I had to tell my 12-year-old self I’d end up here, he’d probably be disappointed.” But his path into poultry science was forged by opportunity, hands-on industry experience, and a deep respect for the people who raise the birds we all depend on.
Pioneering Nutrition and Antibiotic-Free Production
Perdue Farms has long been known for its leadership in antibiotic-free and vegetarian-fed poultry—moves that sparked both excitement and skepticism when first introduced. Dr. Mitchell was there from the beginning.
“There was concern—would the birds grow well? What would it cost? What about litter quality?” Mitchell recalled. “We didn’t get it perfect at first, but we committed to doing the hard work.”
That hard work included rethinking nutrition from the ground up. With access to a broad portfolio of plant-based proteins and feed innovations from Perdue Agribusiness, Mitchell and his team formulated diets that could sustain bird health and performance without animal byproducts or antibiotics.
Innovation Built on Collaboration
One of the most enlightening aspects of the episode is Mitchell’s emphasis on teamwork. From R&D and feed formulation to farmer education and hatchery management, the journey to “No Antibiotics Ever” wasn’t a solitary mission—it was a company-wide transformation.
“The easiest part was taking antibiotics out of the feed,” Mitchell said. “The hardest was changing what we did in our hatcheries and farms—ensuring clean eggs, improving litter quality, and rethinking every step in the system.”
Leading by Example
Dr. Mitchell’s career reflects a rare combination of scientific excellence, practical wisdom, and leadership. He was named a PSA Fellow in 2025, the Association’s highest honor. “To be recognized by people I’ve admired my entire career—that meant everything,” he shared.
His contributions span not just the commercial side of the industry but the advancement of poultry science itself. A past PSA President and longtime board member, Mitchell remains focused on the future: “We’ve got to continue growing our membership and strengthening our global leadership in poultry research.”
A Glimpse into the Future
When asked what excites him most about the future of poultry nutrition, Mitchell pointed to environmental stewardship, precision nutrition, and real-time data collection on farms. With new technologies, nutritionists can receive daily feedback on feed performance, dramatically accelerating innovation.
“There’s a lot we’re still learning, especially about alternatives like probiotics and essential oils,” he said. “But the tools we have now—and those coming—will make a huge difference in how we care for birds and improve sustainability.”
Advice for the Next Generation
Dr. Mitchell’s advice to students and early-career professionals? Keep an open mind.
“Don’t assume you know exactly what you’ll do,” he said. “I never thought I’d do animal behavior research—but it’s become some of the most rewarding work I’ve done.”
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