NE-127 ANNUAL MEETING

OCTOBER 18-19, 2002

MYSTIC, CT

 

Minutes of Meeting.

 

In attendance: Mike Darre (Chair and host), Larry Miller (CSREES representative), William Vinson (project administrative advisor), Hongwei Xin, Bill Saylor, Lew Carr, Ken Koelkebeck, Paul Harrison, Allan Rahn, Sally Noll, Mary Beck

 

 A. Introductions

 

Mike Darre started the meeting with introductions and the meeting schedule. It was noted that the following members wanted to attend but were unable for various reasons – Rich Reynnells, Ted Odom, Eileen Wheeler, Bill Roush, Imna Estevez.

 

It was also brought to the committees attention that Kevin Roberson (MI) and Gary Riskowski (IL) are declining participation. Allan Rahn (MI) also will no longer continue to participate after retirement (Feb 1, 2003) which means the committee will be losing the single economist on the committee. 

 

Carr handed out bound NE127 2001 report. He indicated possible retirement in another one and one-half years. Mailing list was circulated among members for updating.

 

Executive committee changes were made due to resignation of Riskowski - Darre remained as chair, Noll moved into the secretary position, Wheeler moved to that of  Sr. Executive, and the Jr. Executive position was then left open.

 

B. Welcome

 

Mike Darre presented a video tour of the UConn campus and  welcome by Lou Pierro (Stoerr Agricultural Experiment Station)

 

C. Administrative Updates

 

Dr. William Vinson (administrative advisor) – emphasized that the project report is due 2 months after meeting is held (ie., December 13th). Advised starting project revision process now by assigning a committee – start with review of project objectives and makeup of committee. Project revision due in 2004.

 

Dr. Larry Miller (CSREES representative) – provided a written report on activities on the federal level – Deputy administrators have stayed the same but switched management areas. Rich Reynnells has been heavily involved in animal well being effort. No agency budget has been submitted, but there has been a requested continuation of current budget. IFAFS funding has been authorized but appropriations are not available. Noted new deadlines for NRI applications. Discussed setting of priorities for research through the CSREES/ARS Stakeholder Workshops. Questions were asked about the prioritization process and relationship to NRI grant RFP and review process. Circulated handout on National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS) website (http://www.lgu.umd.edu)

 

Miller has volunteered to write a letter to ARS supervisor John Simmons to encourage continued participation in NE 127 of Bill Roush who left Penn State recently to join ARS.

 

Nominating committee was assigned (Harrison, Darre and Noll) and to nominate members for both the Senior and Junior Executive positions (poultry scientist and engineer, respectively).

 

D. Station Progress Reports (30 minutes each)

 

Nebraska – Beck presented preliminary research in laying hens on two main areas -  heat tolerance and calcium mobilization. Heat tolerance in 3 strains of commercial egg layers was determined. Short term and acute exposure to hot temperatures was conducted and indicated strain differences in susceptibility to heat but no differences in heat production or RQ. Studies on calcium metabolism resulted in new discovery of estrogen receptor sites in the chicken duodenum, which were shown to decline with age. Two strains were also compared regarding their productive characteristics and hormonal profile. Influence of body weight and HyD supplementation were examined. Preliminary information may indicate that BMC (bone mineral content) may not be the best assessment of bone strength and that the organic matrix may be what is causing bone fragility problems in layers.

 

Minnesota – Noll presented research on inclusion of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in market tom diets. Results of two trials indicated that DDGs could be safely used in turkey diets at levels averaging 10% when diets were formulated on a digestible amino acid basis and made isocaloric to the control series diet containing corn, soybean meal and poultry by product meal based on growth and meat yield responses. Special consideration should be made to the levels of tryptophan and arginine when DDGs is used.  A survey of samples obtained from 5 ethanol-processing plants showed significant source effect on most chemical parameters (protein, ash, fat, minerals especially sodium, potassium and phosphorus) and amino acid digestibility. Poor digestibility of some sources of DDGs lowers potential value of product. Variability of sodium may be responsible for perceived flushing with use of DDGs in turkey diets.

 

Michigan – Rahn presented a report on the economic implications  of  UEP (welfare) guidelines for chicken egg layers emphasizing the implementation of increased cage space going from 48 to 67 sq. in. per hen. The change in space will result in a 28% reduction in hens housed per unit. Costs were included and analyzed considering changes in hen productive performance – egg production and mortality. Discussion included considerations of needing to provide supplemental heaters and how to distribute this heat in a large facility when hen numbers are decreased.

 

Maryland – Carr updated the members regarding administrative changes that closed the

Environmental Research Facility followed by the transfer of the unit to UM-Eastern Shore. Carr was transferred to Salisbury. Access to facility is available but no research support (labor) is provided. A project needs to be  finished  on ammonia release from broiler housing. Different litter additives will be examined and measurements made to characterize ammonia release. Will be collecting ammonia with phosphoric acid scrubbers and also conducting nitrogen balance. Discussed EPA regulatory action on ammonia release and particulate pollutant (2.5 microns). Estevez is continuing  behavior work with broiler breeders.

 

Illinois – Harrison presented results on egg layer manure and ammonia emissions with a  litter additive (AlClear) – used in liquid form. Application was made every 2 or 4 days (same volume/application) and evaluated at 7 and 14 days post initiation of trial. Control received equivalent volume of water. Al Clear decreased emissions (dependent on date of measurement after application). pH of manure was clearly associated with ammonia release. Discussion of possible inclusion of another control (manure, no application of either product or water).

 

Koelkebeck examined  alternative molting programs for chicken layers to compare feeding diets to manage molt vs. fasting programs. Two trials were conducted using diets composed primarily of corn, wheat midds, corn gluten meal, distillers grains, or combinations to be compared with 4 or 10 day feed withdrawal. Pre molt, molting, and post molt performance were evaluated. Behavior data is being analyzed. Preliminary indication is that fed programs still are not equivalent to 10-day fasted program but that diets based on wheat midds gave almost similar results.

 

Iowa – Xin reported results in 3 areas – ammonia emissions from poultry housing, heat production, heat relief strategies, and feeding behavior studies. The ammonia emission work is part of an IFAFS project to quantify and mitigate ammonia emissions from layer and broiler housing. Each house is monitored over a  1 year time period every 2-3 wks with a 2-3 day continuous measurement of CO2 and  NH3. A special mobile unit has been constructed (PMU). There are 6 sampling points used in each barn plus the manure storage area. Emissions will be evaluated to include impact of diet and type of housing and ventilation.

 

Heat and moisture production from layer hens was determined at TNZ during molting. THI (Temperature heat index) and THVI (includes air velocity) were calculated from data collected from broilers exposed to factorial combinations of  3 different dry bulb temperatures, 2 dew point temperatures and 3 air velocities. THVI should better predict heat stress conditions for broilers.

 

Feeding behavior of chicken hens that had beaks that were either left untrimmed or were trimmed was determined by measuring frequency of eating and intake. Beak trimming had some effects on frequency of eating and also seemed to indicate that beak trimmed birds left more coarse sized particles in the feeder.

 

Delaware – Saylor presented an overview of a large IFAFS project focusing on

phosphorus reduction in manure through dietary modification (microbial phytase, 25OH Vitamin D, citric acid) and the effects on amounts and forms of excreted phosphorus in swine and  poultry. Specifics were presented on studies with broilers conducted at Delaware where  diet treatments varied in phytase, available phosphorus and corn (low phytic acid). Treatments were able to reduce total P in litter.

 

Connecticut – Darre conducted studies with fluorescent lighting (red vs. white) using red to decrease cannibalism in layer hens. Bulbs were outfitted with a red plastic filter over bulb. Red light increased body weight; red light improved egg quality (haugh units); still collecting data on cannibalism and feather pecking.

 

Darre also showed how the NE127 web page (http://www.sp.uconn.edu/~mdarre/NE-127/) has been set up and updated. A listing of committee members is provided (suggestion to remove industry cooperators or get their permission to have information posted). There is space for annual report. A discussion followed of how much should be posted  – individual report or summary report? Probably just summary report with person listed for additional contact

 

Question was raised on how to link the NE127 web page with NIMSS web page and vice versa?

 

E. Discussion – Project Rewrite

 

Question was asked if project would need renewal, rewrite, or an extension – probably renewal if no major change in objective (extensively revised last time).

 

Review of objectives:

 

Suggestion to include aspects of well being and sustainability  (i.e., waste management) aspects

 

Change Objective 1 to:

 

1) (Delete “to”) Characterize physiological and behavioral responses of poultry to critical environmental factors

 

Revise 2nd objective to:

 

To develop dynamic models of these responses for optimizing technical and economic aspects of sustainable poultry production systems and to assess the impact of these systems on poultry well-being

 

OR

 

To develop dynamic models of these responses for optimizing technical and economic aspects and enhancing animal well-being of sustainable poultry production systems.

 

OR

 

To evaluate the dynamic interactions between the bird and its environment that optimizes technical and economic aspects and enhance animal well-being of sustainable poultry production systems.

 

OR

 

2) Optimize technical and economic aspects of sustainable poultry production systems and enhance poultry well-being using information from Objective 1.

 

This was the last and most agreed upon wording of objective 2nd

 

Harrison suggest adding a 3rd new objective  to cover the aspect of well-being

 

Nomination report – Darre presented election slate: Ken Koelkebeck  for Senior Executive and Hongwei Xin for Junior Executive

 

Motion was made to accept the nomination slate and approved

 

New committee member suggestions:

 

Engineers

 

Richard Gates KY (Xin has contacted and Richard has indicated that he will join the group); Saylor suggested Gary van Wicklen and another from Del (behavior/housing systems); Harrison suggested Ted  Funk (IL) – environment emphasis. A suggestion was made to wait and see who might be hired to replace Riskowski replacement.

 

Economist

Paul Aho to replace Allan Rahn (Allan to contact)

 

Volunteers were requested for rewrite committee -

Mike Darre, Ken Koelkebeck and Sally Noll

 

Vinson to check on deadlines (2004)  for rewrite

 

What is needed for rewrite?

 

Darre indicated that individual reports are needed before Thanksgiving – email as attachments in Word or Wordperfect. Provide summary plus report.

 

Meeting location and dates-Proposed to meet at Dutch Inn, Gallilee, Rhode Island on Oct 17/18 of 2003. Time should be allowed for project rewrite. Darre will serve as host again as meeting is being held on east coast instead of Midwest location.

 

Darre made a motion to  acknowledge Allan Rahn for his contributions to the committee especially in economics, and animal welfare guidelines.  Requested that Allan consider continuing on committee as industry cooperator or ex officio member. Carr made a motion to recognize Mike’s effort as chair and host of committee for this years meeting.

 

The meeting ended with an interesting presentation by Peter Scheifele on Animal Bioacoustics Research. Noise is prevalent in many animal environments (wild and domestic settings) and can be destructive to both animals and humans and may result in regulatory action. Equipment in agriculture and other  such as zoos can generate hearing loss.  Hearing assessment in animals consists of use of electro physiology to assess hearing in animals – auditory brainstem response. Tests have been conducted for marine mammals and deer.

 

Meeting was adjourned followed by a tour of the Marine Sciences Department at the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut.

 

Respectively submitted by Sally Noll, Secretary