Sarge Bilgili was born March 26, 1954, in Ankara, Turkey. After completing the primary school in Ankara, he attended junior high school in Columbus, OH during a three year residence in the U.S. He completed high school in 1972 and received his D.V.M degree in 1977 as a class valedictorian, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Turkey. Upon graduation, he worked as a District Veterinarian in Sariyer, Istanbul, later returning to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University as a Research Assistant.

In 1978, he came to the U.S. with a national competitive graduate scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Turkey for graduate studies. He received his M.S. degree in Poultry Nutrition form Oregon State University in 1981 under the direction of Dr. George Arscott. In 1982, he accepted a graduate research assistantship at the Department of Poultry Science at Auburn University. He completed his Ph.D. degree on Avian Reproductive Physiology in 1984 under the direction of Dr. Joseph Renden. After completing his mandatory military service in Turkey, he joined Auburn University as an Extension Poultry Specialist and Assistant Professor in 1985.

>The primary focus of the extension (75%) and research (25%) appointment of Dr. Bilgili has been the assessment, development, and implementation of live production and processing technologies to improve carcass quality, yield and wholesomeness of broilers. Extension program has been complemented and strengthened by applied research and field trials targeting the immediate needs of the poultry industry.

Dr. Bilgili's unique and multidimensional approach to extension programming in the area of poultry processing technology has resulted national and international recognition, as evidenced by numerous articles in refereed and trade journals, symposia publications and technical presentations in national and international meetings.

EDUCATION:

1984 - Ph.D., Auburn University, Department of Poultry Science
1981 - M.S., Oregon State University, Department of Poultry Science
1977 - D.V.M., Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Turkey

EXTENSION AND RESEARCH OVERVIEW:

The extension and research programming efforts are specifically directed to the broad area of Poultry Processing Technology and encompass assessment and implementation of technology that will be reflected in optimum product quality, plant efficiency, and ultimately profitability. The evaluation and/or generation of pertinent technology to enhance product quality, yield and safety must be relevant, timely, and applicable within the operational and economic confines of the industry.

Overall, focus has been to bridge the gap between the live production and processing phases of broiler production and include: (1) identification of genetic, nutritional, management, and environmental factors influencing meat yields; (2) evaluation of interactive influence of live production constraints and processing parameters , under commercial conditions, on broiler carcass quality and grade; and (3) development and assessment of intervention and control strategies to enhance product safety and wholesomeness. Research and extension programs are uniquely blended to complement each other in addressing the immediate needs of the processing clientele. Technical assistance is also provided to the allied industry (processing equipment manufacturers, poultry health and feed additive industries, primary breeders) as well as to backyard poultry and game bird farms in the State.

Graduate Students:

SELECTED SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS:

Macklin, K.S., J.B. Hess, S.F. Bilgili, and R.A. Norton, 2005. Bacterial levels of pine shavings and sand used as poultry litter. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 14:238-245.

Oyarzabal, O. and S.F. Bilgili, 2004. Effects of post-chill application of acidified sodium chlorite to control Campylobacter spp. and Escherichia coli on commercial broiler carcasses. J. Food Prot. 67(10):2288-2291.

Scheuermann, G.N., S.F. Bilgili, S. Tuzun, and D.R. Mulvaney, 2004. Comparison of Chicken Genotypes: Myofiber number in Pectoralis muscle and myostatin ontogeny. Poultry Science, 83: 1404-1412.

Yalcin, S., S. Ozkan, G. Oktay, M. Cabuk, Z. Bayraktar, and S.F. Bilgili, 2004. Age-related effects of catching, crating, and transportation on core body temperature and blood parameters of broilers measured a different seasons. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 13):549-560.

Dozier, W.A., R.J. Lien, J.B. Hess, S.F. Bilgili, 2003. Influence of early skip-a-day feed removal on live performance and carcass yield of broilers of different sexes and strain sources. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 12:439-448.

Bowers, B.D., J.B. Hess, S. F. Bilgili, J.P. Blake, and M.K. Eckman, 2003. Sand litter temperatures during brooding. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 12:271-274.

Bowers, B.D., J.B. Hess, S.F. Bilgili, J.P. Blake, and M K. Eckman, 2003. Nutrient buildup in sand litter. J. Appl. Poultry Res.12:522-525.

Scheuermann, S.F. Bilgili, J.B. Hess, and D.R. Mulvaney, 2003. Breast muscle development in commercial lines of broiler chickens. Poultry Sci. 82:1648-1658.

Bilgili, S.F., A.L. Waldroup, D. Zelenka, and J.E. Marion, 2002. Visible ingesta on pre-chill carcasses does not affect the microbiological quality of broiler carcasses after immersion chilling. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 11:233-238.

Bilgili, S.F., 2002. Slaughter quality as influenced by feed withdrawal. World's Poultry Sci. J. 58: 123-130.

Dozier, W.A., III, R.J. Lien, J.B. Hess, S.F. Bilgili, R.W. Gordon, C.P. Laster, and S. Vieira, 2002. Effects of early skip-a-day feed removal on broiler live performance and carcass yield. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 11:297-303.

Johnson, L. C., S. F. Bilgili, F. J. Hoerr, B. L. McMurtrey, and R. A. Norton, 2001. The influence of Escherichia coli strains from different sources and the age of broiler chickens on the development of cellulitis. Avian Path. 30:475-479.

Johnson, L. C., S. F. Bilgili, F. J. Hoerr, B. L. McMurtrey, and R. A. Norton, 2001. The effects of early exposure of cellulitis-associated Escherichia coli in 1- day-old broiler chickens. Avian Path.30:175-178.

Hess, J. B., S. F. Bilgili, A. M. Parson, and K. M. Downs, 2001. Influence of complexed zinc products on live performance and carcass grade of broilers. J. Appl. Animal Res. 19:49-60.

Macklin, K. S., R. A. Norton, J. B. Hess, and S. F. Bilgili, 2000. The effect of Vitamin E on cellulitis in broiler chickens experiencing scratches in a challenge model. Avian Dis. 44(3):701-705.

Downs, K. M., J. B. Hess, and S. F. Bilgili, 2000. Selenium source effect on broiler carcass characteristics, meat quality, and drip loss. J. Appl. Animal Res. 18:61-72.

Bilgili, S. F., G. I. Montenegro, J. B. Hess and M. K. Eckman, 1999. Sand as litter for rearing broiler chickens. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 8:345-351.

Bilgili, S. F., G. I. Montenegro, J. B. Hess and M. K. Eckman, 1999. Live performance, carcass quality, and deboning yields of broilers reared on sand as a litter source. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 8:352-361.

Poole, G. H., C. E. Lyon, R. J. Buhr, L. L. Young, A. Alley, J. B. Hess, S. F. Bilgili and J. K. Northcutt, 1999. Evaluation of age, gender, strain, and diet on the cooked yield and shear values of broiler breast fillets. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 8:170-176.

Laster, C. P., F. J. Hoerr, S. F. Bilgili, and S. A. Kincaid, 1999. Effects of dietary Roxarsone supplementation, lighting program, and season on the incidence of leg abnormalities in broiler chickens. Poultry Sci. 78:197-203.

Bilgili, S. F., 1999. Recent advances in electrical stunning. Poultry Sci. 78:282-286.

Yalcin, S., G. Bilgen, G. Oktay, Z. Acikgoz, and S. F. Bilgili, 1998. Effect of season and dietary energy level on composition and strength of skin in naked neck birds. Br. Poultry Sci. 39:627-632.

STAFF PHOTOS:

Charlotte Wilson
Research Assistant II
Lab Supervisor
(334) 844-2625

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