07/27/2005

Poultry Scientists from Around the World to Convene at Auburn University

AUBURN, Ala. — Some 700 poultry scientists from around the world will be on the Auburn University campus July 31 to Aug. 3 as AU and the Department of Poultry Science host the 94th annual meeting of the Poultry Science Association.

The Poultry Science Association is an international professional organization comprised of about 3,500 educators, scientists, extension specialists, administrators, industry professionals and producers who are committed to advancing the poultry industry. Since 1908, the PSA has maintained a level of prestige that ranks it among the top professional organizations in the field.

The annual meeting will offer poultry scientists from academia, industry and government opportunities for professional networking and scientific information exchange. Don Conner, head of the AU Department of Poultry Science, said that he and his department are excited about this opportunity to showcase the state, the university, the College of Agriculture and particularly the Department of Poultry Science.

“Specifically, we want to show off our new state-of-the-art Poultry Science Building,” Conner said.
Scientific sessions will be devoted to myriad poultry science fields including nutrition, environment and management, physiology, genetics, products and processing and immunology. There will also be special symposia on conserving avian genetic resources and poultry meat and egg quality. In total, more than 300 technical presentations are scheduled.

This meeting will be an excellent occasion to showcase Auburn University in a positive light to an international audience, Conner said. In addition to the PSA attendees, members of the World’s Poultry Science Association also will join in the meeting, which will be headquartered at The Hotel at Auburn University.

Attendees will get a firsthand look at the impact that the poultry science department and its allied Peak of Excellence, the Poultry Products Safety and Quality Program, are having on improving the competitiveness of the poultry industry in Alabama and throughout the world. The new Poultry Science Building serves as a prominent symbol of the commitment that Auburn University and the College of Agriculture have made to supporting the major agricultural business in the state as well as ensuring the delivery of the safest and highest quality poultry meat and eggs to consumers worldwide.

At the conclusion of this year’s annual meeting, S.F. “Sarge” Bilgili, CoAg professor of poultry science and an Extension poultry science specialist, will be presented with the PSA gavel as he assumes the office of president.

Bilgili is an internationally recognized poultry scientist and an expert in poultry processing and products. Bilgili joins the elite company of other Auburn University faculty members who previously served as PSA presidents, including Ed Moran (1999-2000), James Marion (1985-86), Claude Moore (1980-81) and J.E. Ivey (1929).

Alabama currently ranks third in poultry production in the United States. Alabama’s poultry industry generates more than $2.1 billion in cash receipts and contributes more $8.3 billion to the state’s economy.

This will be the third time Auburn University has hosted the PSA annual meeting. It was held here first in 1929 and again in 1977. For more information, contact the Poultry Science Department at 334-844-4133.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu

For immediate release