Spring 2026
From the desk of Todd Applegate
Dear Poultry Science friends,
As we look forward to a productive 2026, I want to share some highlights from 2025 and express my gratitude to those who make our department thrive.
June 22-23, 2026
Avian Academy I
Avian Academy I is an annual two-day program hosted during the summer by the Department of Poultry Science for middle and high school STEM teachers, Vo-Ag teachers, and Extension Agents. Its purpose is to "educate the educators" about the importance, impact, and immense job demand our state’s number one industry has by providing hands-on labs and curriculum for participants to take straight back to their classrooms.
Registration opens soon! Please contact Dr. Jessica Fife (jfife@uga.edu) for more information.
September 29, 2026
Georgia Broiler Conference
During the Georgia Broiler Conference, industry professionals and producers come together to learn and discuss current issues facing the broiler industry specifically.
Registration will open later this year at poultry.caes.uga.edu!
March 25, 2026
Deep South Poultry Conference
The Deep South Poultry Conference is held each spring in Tifton, Georgia, in partnership with the Georgia Poultry Federation. It offers educational sessions for poultry producers in south Georgia, with a focus on broiler and breeder management.
Registration will open soon at poultry.caes.uga.edu!
June 24, 2026
Poultry Evaluation Training for Agriculture Teachers & Extension Agents
This new training will take FFA and 4-H poultry evaluation contest coaches through an in-depth look at each contest station, led by the poultry science faculty who develop the classes. Participants will be able to learn, ask questions, and practice throughout the day to better prepare their youth poultry judging teams.
Registration will open soon. Please contact Dr. Jessica Fife (jfife@uga.edu) for more information.
October 9, 2026
Alumni + Friends Homecoming Event
Save the date for our annual Alumni + Friends Homecoming Event! Registration will open this fall at poultry.caes.uga.edu.
April 14-16, 2026
Hot Weather Management Workshop
This workshop is hosted with the UGA College of Engineering and focuses on new technology and basic ventilation practices for poultry houses in hot weather. It covers poultry house design and operation, with an emphasis on environmental control.
The annual 2½-day workshop is designed for industry and university professionals interested in broiler house management. Topics focus on improving broiler performance during hot weather while keeping costs low.
Registration will open soon at poultry.caes.uga.edu!
June 25-26, 2026
Avian Academy II
Avian Academy II is a professional development training for middle and high school-level STEM and agricultural educators that have completed the first Avian Academy and are looking to further their knowledge and curriculum offerings as it pertains to avian science and biotechnology. This two-day training, taught by our world-renowned faculty, provides engaging content and hands-on labs that are easy to take back to your classroom and replicate.
Registration opens soon. Contact Dr. Jessica Fife (jfife@uga.edu) for more information!
November 3-5, 2026
Cold Weather Management Workshop
This workshop is a joint effort with the UGA College of Engineering and focuses on new technology and basic cold-weather ventilation procedures for poultry house design and operation. It's an annual 2½-day workshop for industry and university personnel with an interest in broiler house environmental control.
Topics focus on optimizing broiler performance during cold weather while minimizing costs.
Registration will open later this year at poultry.caes.uga.edu!