Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The 2004 annual meeting was a joint meeting with S291, and was held in The Netherlands and Germany. The W-195 meeting was held November 6-14, 2004. David Thawley, the administrative advisor, was unable to attend this annual meeting. Meeting events: The following were included in the annual meeting: information exchange with faculty of Wageningen University (The Netherlands), state reports, hatchery tour, tour of two aviaries, tour of heated floor broiler facility, meeting with Nutreco, attend Eurotier, seminar provided by Skov (a Denmark equipment company) on European poultry housing and air scrubbing technologies. Information exchange with Wageningen faculty and state reports: 1. Hilko Ellen, Wageningen University Animal Welfare and Ammonia Emissions Issues for Poultry in the Netherlands 2. Peter van Horne, Wageningen University Competitiveness of the EU Poultry Industry 3. Tom Deick, Plant Research International Windshields for Poultry Farms  This Dutch researcher is measuring the efficacy of windshields (tree shelterbelts) to capture and disperse ammonia emissions from poultry and livestock facilities. 4. Bud Malone, University of Delaware (W195 and S291) Vegetative Environmental Buffers  from the front to the back side of the vegetative buffers, there has been a 99% reduction in wind speed, a 51% reduction in dust, a 47% reduction in ammonia, and a 13% reduction in odor; the types of trees to use, planting distances, weed control, and the effect of trees on fan performance are being evaluated 5. Kevin Chipperfield, British Columbia Trees as Air Filters on Poultry Farms  dust collection, soil nutrient levels, and particulate distribution are being evaluated 6. Paul Patterson, Penn State (W195) Vegetative Shelter Belts  12 demonstration farms are in place in Pennsylvania and tree stressors are being evaluated 7. Wendy Powers, Iowa State (S291) An environmental chamber research center has been constructed at Iowa State. There are eight chambers in the center and it can accommodate all species. A goal of this facility will be to evaluate dietary strategies to address air quality issues. 8. Tony Pescatore, University of Kentucky (W195 and S291) Reported on the impact of accurate measurement of fan ventilation rates on ammonia emissions estimates Ammonia Emissions from Broiler Houses  emissions from broiler houses are being measured 9. Theresia Lavergne, Louisiana State University AgCenter (W195) In-house pasteurization of broiler litter trials have shown that self-heating of litter results in a 90% or more reduction in pathogen levels and does not contribute to an increase in nutrient content of litter over a period of four to five flocks of chickens; the Master Poultry Grower program is in place and model farms have been identified, BMP monitoring will begin in 2005; the effectiveness of filter strips will be evaluated beginning in 2005 10. Eileen Wheeler, Penn State (S291) Ammonia Emissions from Broiler and Layer Houses  emissions are being measured and emission variation due to method of manure handling has been detected Other projects: Quantification of horse arena dust, using wetlands to reduce odor from hog manure, using dietary strategies to reduce emissions from dairy operations 11. Nick Zimmermann, University of Maryland (W195) Drinking Water Effects on Broiler Performance  drinking water samples have been collected in Washington, Delaware, Maryland, and Arkansas, the samples have been analyzed to determine what could be negatively affecting performance 12. Bill Saylor, University of Delaware (S291) Nutrient Management from Feed to Field  methods of altering diets to reduce phosphorus emissions are being evaluated, a reduction of 0.1% phosphorus in the diet is resulting in a 20-50% reduction in total phosphorus in the manure W195 Business Meeting: All states need to submit their written state reports to Theresia as soon as possible. We will need to submit our annual report to our administrative advisor within 30 days of this meeting. The process of completing the re-write of the W195 project is underway. Theresia has a draft of most of the required sections. Some of the members have reviewed the draft and made comments. Paul and Nick are still working on the methods section of the re-write. The group plans to complete the re-write in December. A location for the 2005 annual meeting needs to be selected. The following locations were suggested: Reno, Ocean City, Tulsa, North Carolina, and Dallas. The group will select a meeting location during the January meeting at the International Poultry Exposition. Election of Officers The members present elected the following persons to serve as officers: PRESIDENT: THERESIA LAVERGNE, LOUISIANA VICE PRESIDENT: BUD MALONE, DELAWARE SECRETARY: AUSTIN CANTOR, KENTUCKY

Auburn University: Performance of broilers reared on sand is equal to those reared on conventional bedding materials, even after 20+ flocks. Although using sand litter permits cleanout to be delayed for four to five years, the resulting level of material available at that time would require quite a lot of land for spreading. However, sand litter may be of interest to those developing golf greens or producing sod commercially, but the results of demonstrations comparing sand litter and traditional golf green mixes have not been promising. Top dressing trials with used sand litter are showing accelerated growth on grass plots. Recent work at Auburn University investigated temperature generation and its effect on bacterial numbers in litter composted by several methods. Although composting worked better in windrowed pine shavings litter if covered, the logistics of covering windrows in a 500-foot house are prohibitive. Pine shavings litter reached a higher temperature and composted more fully than sand litter. Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional and economic value of poultry litter ash as a replacement for dicalcium phosphate in the diet of broiler chickens. Results indicate that the complete substitution of dicalcium phosphate with poultry litter ash did not compromise growth performance of market age broilers. Poultry litter ash has value as a phosphorus supplement in poultry feeds. Poor management of mortality composting equipment has led to a number of problems. A stationary composter was evaluated and found to improve loading rate and efficiency of operation for broiler producers. An economic comparison of several types of poultry mortality incinerators located on both broiler and broiler breeder farms were tested. Significant differences in the cost of incineration were recorded between types of incinerators. Results indicated that while these differences in efficiency and cost represent wide variability in specific model design and operation, it is apparent that recent technological advances are quite attractive relative to traditional alternatives for carcass disposal. Incineration was shown to be a very cost effective, environmentally friendly method of disposal. An Interagency Waste Management Team was formed to develop educational materials and programs to support the agricultural sector in their efforts to comply with Alabama's AFO/CAFO regulations. Through various training programs, poultry growers in Alabama are now prepared to deal with the current AFO/CAFO regulations. The Team provides environmental education. Additionally, educational materials were developed to support poultry producers interested in initiating a tree-planting program. University of Delaware: In collaboration with colleagues at the University of Maryland a demonstration was conducted in 2003 to evaluate and demonstrate in-house composting as a viable disposal alternative in the event of an emergency disease situation. When low pathogenic avian influenza was detected on the Delmarva Peninsula in 2004, in-house composting was identified as the method of choice for containment, virus inactivation and carcass disposal of infected flocks. This procedure prooved to be a biosecure, environmentally sound and cost-effective option to deal with a highly pathogenic disease outbreak. Planting vegetative environmental buffers (trees) around poultry farms is gaining national and international interest as means of addressing emerging environmental, neighbor-relations and production concerns. Numerous demonstrations have been implemented over the past four years to define the design criteria of these plantings, measure emissions (ammonia, particulates and odor) reductions with these filters, and to assess potential implications on poultry productivity within these shelterbelts. The selection of trees suited for this program, their distance from ventilation fans, and a planting design to achieve specific objectives on each side of the farm is critical to the success of this initiative. Emissions data has been collected the past three summers at a test site having a three-row tree planting opposite tunnel ventilation fans. The relative reduction in ammonia, total dust and odor emissions across this 22 feet of vegetation has been 47%, 51% and 13%, respectively. Measurement methodology and ambient environmental conditions are challenges in emissions determinations. Long-term studies continue to asses the fate of nutrients captured by the vegetation. University of Kentucky: A study was conducted in commercial broiler houses in Kentucky 1) to evaluate sampling methodology for determination of nutrient content of broiler litter and 2) to determine variation in litter nutrient content among brooding and non-brooding areas. Results indicated that both the trench and point sampling procedures yielded similar values for litter pH, moisture, total nitrogen and total phosphorus. The trench method gave significantly higher values for total ammoniacal nitrogen, however, total ammoniacal nitrogen only accounted for 15% of total nitrogen. Significant variations in moisture, ammoniacal nitrogen, and phosphorus concentrations were observed among the litter samples from the different areas of the broiler house. Future studies will examine the impact of various dietary treatments on reduction of nitrogen levels in broiler litter. Two studies were conducted at the Kentucky Experiment Station with pullets of commercial white and brown shell egg laying strains to examine the effect of dietary trace mineral supplementation on manure concentrations of minerals. During a 19-week growth period, corn-soybean meal diets were fed with 1) no trace mineral supplement, 2) a conventional inorganic trace mineral supplement, and 3) a supplement containing substantially lower levels of trace minerals provided by organic sources (proteinates). The three diets were fed with or without the enzyme phytase in a factorial arrangement. In the white shell pullets, phytase lowered the concentrations of copper, iron and zinc in the manure by 16, 27 and 10%, respectively. Compared with the conventional inorganic supplement, the use of the trace mineral proteinates lowered the manure content of copper, iron and zinc by 23, 35 and 45%, respectively. Similar results were obtained with the brown shell pullets. No differences in final body were observed due to dietary treatments. Future studies will examine the impact of these pullet dietary treatments on the impact of bone mineralization and subsequent layer performance. Louisiana State University: The LSU AgCenter has developed and implemented the Master Farmer Program (Master Poultry Grower). The Master Farmer program is an effort to help agricultural producers address environmental stewardship through voluntary, effective and economically achievable Best Management Practices (BMPs). Phase I of this educational program was offered to poultry growers in 2003 and 2004. This phase focuses on environmental issues specific to production agriculture and poultry-specific BMPs and their implementation Phase 2 of this program is the designation of commodity specific model farms and validation of the effectiveness of BMPs on the model farms. In 2004, two poultry model farms were designated. On model farm #1, the monitored BMP is nutrient management in applying litter to pastures. On model farm #2, the monitored BMP is the use of buffer zones. At these model farms, water samples will be collected and analyzed in 2004 and 2005 to determine the effectiveness of these BMPs. LSU AgCenter extension personnel have evaluated methods of in-house pasteurization of broiler litter. The methods of in-house pasteurization of broiler litter were evaluated in on-farm trials within commercial facilities (conventional and class A houses). It was determined that pathogens were reduced by 90% or more by this process. Also, it was determined that nutrients in the litter did not build up over a period of three to four consecutive flocks. University of Maryland: Zimmermann is experimenting with various statistical methods to relate drinking water quality to chicken growth performance. Using drinking water analyses and poultry performance datasets from Washington state and Maryland, he has shown strengths and weaknesses of various statistical methods. Poultry farmers can increase their income by using science based knowledge to make decisions on drinking water quality. Classification and regression tree analysis have been employed to provide farmers with information regarding thresholds of water inclusions likely to impact broiler growth performance. S-Plus (Statistical Sciences, 1999) was unable to provide insightful results. Further exploration of our data sets is planned using CART and SYSTAT (SPSS, Inc.) and perhaps other statistical methods. North Carolina State University: An experiment was conducted to determine if feeding genetically modified low-phytate (LP) soybean meal (SBM) to turkey poults would support growth performance equal to or better than those fed diets containing normal SBM and reduce phosphorus (P) excretion from poults raised to 18d. A phytase enzyme (E) (Alltech; KY) was also incorporated into the trial. The following parameters were measured; growth performance, AMEn, and apparent nitrogen retention (ANR). Feed consumption and feed to gain, by pen, and individual BW where determined at 6 day intervals to 18d. Also measured at 18d: percent toe and tibia ash, tibia breaking strength, and P levels in fecal samples. Another experiment was conducted to determine if feeding degermed-dehulled corn (DDC) to turkey poults would support growth performance as well or better than those fed diets containing normal corn and would reduce phosphorus (P) excretion from poults raised to 21d. Degermed, dehulled corn (DDC) is produced by dry milling and results in the removal of 80% of the corn phytate P. Penn State University: On seven cooperator poultry farms Penn State University and NRCS personnel are studying trees as vegetative filters. Preliminary results suggest a benefit for mitigating neighbor concerns with commercial poultry production as well as decreasing dust and ammonia exposure. In the next five years, measurements will be made around the houses to record effect of vegetative filters on reducing poultry house contamination of the surrounding environment. Two studies were conducted to use dietary strategies in commercial turkeys diets to reduce the fecal phosphorus in the litter. In one study, poults were fed two different diets (commercial control and low-P treatment diets with 20 % lower total phosphorus in the grower and finisher diets). No significant differences in growth or feed conversion were found between the control and the low-P diets. Humerus and femur bone densities of the control and low-P birds were not different at 14 or 19 weeks of age. Also, no significant differences between dietary treatments were found at 19 wks for processing yields. In the second study, BUTA males were reared on diets with reduced available phosphorus from 20 and 30% of the commercial levels for the grower and finisher diets. No difference in body weight, feed conversion, or bone density was found. No evidence of increases in broken bones or reduced leg strength was found between for the duration of the 13 wk study. An environmental management systems (EMS) tool for the poultry industry sought to set environmental priority, design and implement environmental protection measures, and communicate and monitor environmental performance. It was adapted from national and existing PA Farm*A*Syst materials, and field-tested on 10 layer, 10 broiler and 10 turkey farms in PA. Eleven priority areas were evaluated for risk assessment on a scale from 1-low to 4-high risk. Example average scores for drinking water supply were: 1.7 layers, 1.7 broilers, 1.4 turkeys, however, the range of scores were 1-2.3, 1-4 and 1-4, respectively, indicating improvement opportunities. Survey responses indicated the tool was helpful to their operation, and 75% preferred the 3rd party assessment to self-assessment. The assessment tool was effective in documenting performance and identifying environmental opportunities. And PA stake-holders have proposed adopting this tool for poultry producers with a state-wide certificate program for environmental excellence and stewardship in animal agriculture (PEACCE). Texas A&M University: Completed data collection in 2.5 year 18 flock study to accurately determine the amount of litter and caked litter produced under modern broiler rearing conditions. Initial analysis of the data reveals that the amount of litter produced is dramatically reduced compared to previous reports. This is likely due to improved litter and drinker management as well as longer periods between total house clean out procedures. Virginia Tech: Over supplementation of nitrogen currently occurs due to the inability of the hen to fully utilize the nitrogen available in diet formulations. Thus, research evaluating varying levels of protein in the diet of laying hens was conducted. Three levels of CP (18, 15, and 12%) were used to start the trial and a phase feeding program was used. In the high CP program the CP was reduced normally, in the medium CP Program the CP remained the same during the second phase and then reduced to 12% during the final phase, and in the low CP program the CP remained at 12% for the duration of the trial. Feeding the Medium regimen to laying hens had similar effects on performance as did the high program. Hens fed the low CP program had lower performance, but still maintained production at greater than 80% for the entire trial. We can conclude that the level of protein in the laying hen diet can be reduced from what is currently being used and still maintain performance. In the upcoming year, further evaluation of the use of specific amino acids (Threonine, Arginine and possibly isoleucine) to reduce overall CP and phytase use in the laying hen will be conducted.

Auburn University: Bilgili, S. F., J. B. Hess, J. P. Blake, M. K. Eckman, R. A. Norton, K. S. Macklin, E. A. Guertal, 2004. Rearing broilers on sand: A result demonstration project. 4 pp. In: Proceedings XXII World's Poultry Congress, Istanbul, Turkey. Blake, J. P., 2004. Methods and technologies for handling mortality losses. 8 pp. In: Proceedings XXII World's Poultry Congress, Istanbul, Turkey. Macklin, K. S., J. B. Hess, S. F. Bilgili, J. P. Blake, and R. A. Norton, 2004. Bacterial counts associated with composting litter between flocks. pp 177-180. In: Proceedings National Poultry Waste Management Symposium, Memphis, TN. Guertal. E.A., J.B. Hess, J.P. Blake, S.F. Bilgili, R.A. Norton and K.S. Macklin, 2004. Poultry Litter Sand as a Source for Putting Green Construction. Proceedings of the ASA/SSSA/CSSA Meeting, Denver, CO. Hess, J. B. and K.S. Macklin, 2004. Disease Suppression and Performance Enhancement Through Litter Composting Between Flocks. Timely Information Flyer prepared for the AL Poultry and Egg Association and distributed to over 2500 Alabama broiler growers. Blake, J. P., 2004. Environmental priorities: Being a good neighbor. 8 pp. In: Proceedings Pheasants 2004, McFarlane Pheasant Farm, Janesville, WI. Blake, J. P., 2004. Doing what is right for the environment. pp. 1-5 In: Proceedings 27th Technical Turkey Conference, Manchester, England. Hess, J. B., S. F. Bilgili, M. K. Eckman, J. P. Blake, R. A. Norton, and E. Guertal, 2004. Project #552: Field Adaptation of Sand as a Litter Source for Broilers. Final Report for US Poultry and Egg Association, Tucker, GA. 13 pp. Blake, J. P. and J. B. Hess, 2004. Litter Treatment Options. 5 pp In: Proceedings 2004 Georgia Poultry Conference, Athens, GA. Hess, J.B., S.F. Bilgili, J.P. Blake and M.K. Eckman, 2003. Studies on the use of alternative litter sources for broilers. Zootechnica International, Jan. 2003, pp. 42-45. Downs, K. M., J. B. Hess, J. P. Blake, R. A. Norton, A. Kalinowski, A. Corzo, and C. M. Parsons, 2003. Suitability of a dehydrated poultry mortality-soybean meal product for use in broiler chicken diets. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 12:222-228. Bowers, B. D., J. B. Hess, S. F. Bilgili, J. P. Blake, and M. K. Eckman, 2003. Measuring sand litter temperatures during brooding. J. Appl. Poultr. Res. 12:271-274. Bowers, B. D., J. B. Hess, S. F. Bilgili, J. P. Blake, M. K. Eckman, and E. A. Guertal, 2003. Nutrient buildup in sand litter. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 12:522-525. Hess, J. B., J. P. Blake, S. F. Bilgili, M. K. Eckman, R. A. Norton, K. S. Macklin, and E. A. Guertal, 2003. Sand litter tested on broiler farms. Scientific Review, http://www.feedinfo.com/asp/scientific/science 2 pp. Blake, J. P. and J. B. Hess, 2003. Progress Report:Water Quality Issues in Poultry Production and Processing. AD-421 Progress Report. For: CSREES, Washington, DC Hess, J. B. and J. P. Blake, 2003. Alabama State Report. Water Quality Issues in Poultry Production and Processing. For: W-195 Annual Meeting. 4 pp. Hess, J. B., S. F. Bilgili, J. P. Blake, and M. K. Eckman, 2003. Progress Report: Field adaptation of sand as a litter source for broilers. For: US Poultry and Egg Association, Tucker, GA. 2 pp. Blake, J. P., 2003. How good is your dead poultry compost. pp. 2-3 In: Current Concepts in Broiler Production, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University, AL. Spring 2003. Blake, J. P., 2003. How well are you composting? Poultry Digest Online, Watt Poultry. Vol. 3, No. 8. 2 pp. Bowers, B. D., J. B. Hess, S. F. Bilgili, J. P. Blake, and M. K. Eckman, 2003. The nutrient level buildup in sand litter. Poultry Digest Online, Watt Poultry. Vol. 3, No. 6. 3 pp. Blake, J. P., 2003. Disposal of Hatcher By-products. Wildlife Harvest 34(5):62-65. Blake, J. P., 2003. Composting Dead Birds. Wildlife Harvest 34(4):46-50. Blake, J. P., 2003. Evaluating the Cost of Incineration. Wildlife Harvest 34(3):44-45. Macklin, K. S., J. B. Hess, S. F. Bilgili, M. K. Eckman, J. P. Blake, and R. A. Norton, 2003. Addition of water to composted pine shavings and sand litter and effects on bacterial counts. Poultry Sci. 81(1):57. Macklin, K. S., M. A. Davis, J. B. Hess, S. F. Bilgili, M. K. Eckman, J. P. Blake, and R. A. Norton, 2003. Effects of composting pine shaving and sand litter on bacterial counts. Poultry Sci. 81(1):125. University of Kentucky: Refereed journal articles: Singh, A., J. R. Bicudo, A. L. Tinoco, I. F. Tinoco, R. S. Gates, K. D. Casey, and A. J. Pescatore, 2004. Characterization of nutrients in built-up litter using trench and random walk sampling methods. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 13:426-432. Abstracts: Ao, T., A. H. Cantor, A. J. Pescatore, M. J. Ford, and J. L. Pierce, 2004. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of simultaneous supplementation of ±-galactosidase and citric acid on nutrient release, digestibility and growth performance of broiler chicks. Poultry Sci. 83 (Suppl. 1): 148. Ao, T., A. H. Cantor, and A. J. Pescatore, 2004. In vitro evaluation of feed-grade enzyme products at pH levels simulating various parts of the avian digestive tract. Poultry Sci. 83: 1807 . Cantor, A. H., A. J. Pescatore, M. J. Ford, H. D. Gillespie, T. Ao, and A. N. Mañón, 2004. Comparison feed restriction, dietary aluminum sulfate and a low density diet for force molting brown egg laying hens. Poultry Sci. 83: 1778. Cantor, A. H., P. Y. Hester, A. J. Pescatore, M. J. Ford, H. D. Gillespie and T. Ao, 2004. Influence of supplemental 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and phytase on bone parameters of laying hens fed low-phosphorus diets. Poultry Sci. 83: 1768. Pescatore, A. J., K. D. Casey, and R. S. Gates, 2004. Ammonia emissions from broiler houses. Poultry Sci. 83 (Suppl. 1): 124. Pescatore, A. J., K. D. Casey, R. S. Gates, M. J. Ford, E. F.Wheeler and H. Xin, 2004. Ammonia emissions from broiler houses during three consecutive flocks. Proc. XXII Worlds Poultry Congress, Instanbul, Turkey, p. 992. University of Delaware: An Evaluation of In-House Composting of Catastrophic Poultry Mortalities. N. Tablante, L. Carr and G. Malone. Proceedings to International Poultry Scientific Forum. Jan. 27, 2004. p.38. In-House Composting of Avian Influenza Infected Flocks. G. Malone. Proceedings 2004 Virginia Poultry Health & Management Seminar. Roanoke, VA April 12, 2004. p. 23. Composting poultry losses. G. Malone. Proceedings 2004 Poultry Information Exchange. Surfers Paradise, Qld., AU. April 19, 2004. pp. 39-42. In-House Composting of Litter and Poultry Carcasses Infected with Avian Influenza. G. Malone, S. Cloud, B. Alphin, L. Carr and N. Tablante. Poultry Sci. Vol. 83 (Suppl 1) 2004. Delmarva In-House Carcass Composting Experiences. Proceedings to 39th National Meeting on Poultry Health and Processing, Ocean City, MD. October 7, 2004. pp 27-29 Efficacy of Trees to Capture Emissions from Tunnel Ventilated Poultry Houses. G. Malone, G. Van Wicklen and S. Collier. Proceedings to International Poultry Scientific Forum. Jan. 27, 2004. p.22. Using Trees to Reduce Dust and Odour Emissions from Poultry Farms. G. Malone. Proceedings 2004 Poultry Information Exchange., Surfers Paradise, Qld, AU. April 19, 2004. pp. 33-38. Planting Trees Around Poultry Farms: A Proactive Environmental Initiative. G. Malone, D. Hansen and G. Van Wicklen. Proceedings to First World of Agroforestry. Orlando, FL. June 28, 2004. p.257. Louisiana State University: Lavergne, T.K., M.F. Stephens, D. Schellinger, and W.A. Carney, Jr. 2004. Making Poultry Litter Safer for Re-Use. Louisiana Agriculture. 47(4):10. North Carolina State University: Godwin, J. L., J. L. Grimes, M. J. Wineland and A. Gernat, 2004. The use of dehulled degermed corn to reduce phosphorus excretion from turkey poults raised to 21 days of age. Abstracts of the Southern Poultry Science Society, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, Atlanta, GA. Godwin, J. L., J. L. Grimes, A. G. Gernat, and M. J. Wineland, 2004. The use of low-phytate soybean meal to reduce phosphorus excretion from poults raised to 18 days of age. Poultry Science 83 (supplement 1):167. Penn State University: Hulet, R. M., P. H. Patterson, and T. L. Cravener, 2004. Heavy tom strains fed low calcium and phosphorus diets supplemented with phytase 1. Growth performance and carcass yield. Poultry Sci. 83 (Supl. 1): 265. Patterson, P. H., R. M. Hulet, T. L. Cravener, P.Y. Hester, P. J. Kleinman, and A. N. Sharpley, 2004. Heavy tom strains fed low calcium and phosphorus diets supplemented with phytase 2. Impact on litter total P, soluble P and bone integrity. Poultry Sci. 83 (Supl. 1): 266. Patterson, P. H., L. E. Lanyon, and A. H. Mende, 2004. An environmental assessment tool for poultry farms developed as part of environmental management systems. Poultry Sci. 83 (Suppl. 1): 559. Patterson, P. H., 2004. Management strategies to reduce air emissions: emphasis ammonia. Poultry Sci. 83 (Suppl. 1): 194. Martin, G. P., P. H. Patterson and C. A. B. Myers, 2004. In house composting of layer manure for pest control. Poultry Sci. 83 (Suppl. 1): 441. Texas A&M University: Carey, J. B., 2004. Overview of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality General Permit for Dry Litter Operations. Pg 163-164 Proceedings 2004 National Poultry Waste Management Symposium, October 24-26, 2004, Memphis, TN. Carey, J. B. 2004. Development of on-farm treatment of animal waste. Poultry Science 83 (Suppl #1):404. Coufal, C. D., C. Chavez, P. L. Niemeyer, and J. B. Carey, 2003. Measurement of annual litter production and nitrogen mass balance of broilers reared on rice hull litter. Poultry Science 82 (Suppl #1) 21. Virginia Tech: K. F. Knowlton, J. S. Radcliffe, D. A. Emmerson, and C. L. Novak. 2004. Animal management to reduce phosphorus losses to the environment. J. Anim. Sci. 82 (E. Suppl.) E173-E195. Novak, C., and S. E. Scheideler, 2004. The Effect of Dietary protein level and TSAA:Lysine ratio on egg production parameters and egg yield. Poultry Science 83:977-984. Novak, C, 2004. Virginia Poultry Federation Audit Program Update. 2004 Virginia Poultry Health and Management Seminar, Roanoke, Virginia. April 15, 2004. S. E. Scheideler, C. L. Novak, U. Puthpongsiriporn, H. Yakout, and N. Ceylan. 2004 Nutritional aspects of egg quality. Presented at the XXII Worlds Poultry Congress, Istanbul , Turkey, June 8  13. Sun, X., C. L. Novak, A. McElroy, and T. Sefton. 2004. The use of a drug free feeding program to maintain performance of broiler chicks from 0 to 49 days of age. Presented at the XXII Worlds Poultry Congress, Istanbul , Turkey, June 8  13.