Student Spotlight: Austin Mercer

Austin's Story

Austin Mercer is a third-year student at the University of Georgia pursuing a double major in Poultry Science and Agribusiness, with a minor in Avian Biology. Originally hailing from Lavonia, Georgia, located in one of the state’s top poultry-producing counties, Austin has been exposed to the poultry industry throughout his life. This early familiarity, combined with a strong academic foundation and extensive hands-on experience, has positioned him to pursue a successful career in the poultry industry, with a particular interest in live operations.

During high school, Austin initially planned to pursue engineering and structured his coursework accordingly, with no intention of applying to UGA. However, his career trajectory shifted during his senior year when he began working in a hatchery at House of Raeford under Columbia Farms. This experience sparked a strong interest in the poultry sector, prompting him to pivot away from engineering and refocus his academic goals. He adjusted his dual-enrollment coursework to align with poultry science and pursued admission to UGA. Through a visit from the UGA Department of Poultry Science to his high school, Austin connected with Dr. Jessica Fife, who provided guidance and mentorship throughout the application process.

Throughout his first two years at UGA, Austin continued working with Columbia Farms, where he advanced through multiple roles and ultimately served as an assistant manager. Building on this professional experience, he sought additional opportunities to expand his skill set. He became involved in research with Dr. Brian Fairchild in the Broiler Management and Physiology Lab, contributing to a variety of experiments, laboratory projects, and hands-on work at UGA’s Poultry Research Center. In addition, Austin has served as a Department of Poultry Science Avian Ambassador, collaborating with Dr. Fife and his peers to engage with high school students and represent the department at professional and community outreach events.

One of the most impactful experiences of Austin’s undergraduate career was his internship with Cobb-Vantress, Inc. during the summer of 2025. While working in the hatchery, he conducted a research trial focused on egg hatchability and gained valuable insight into the detailed operations of a commercial hatchery. Beginning with basic maintenance tasks, Austin’s strong work ethic and dedication allowed him to quickly progress to performing nearly all hatchery operations, including training full-time employees. Through this experience, he developed a comprehensive understanding of the hatchery process - from egg arrival to chick placement – as well as the influence of breeder management and equipment on hatchability outcomes.

Austin has also gained extensive experience in live operations, including pullets, broiler breeders, and broilers. Notably, he serviced his first broiler flock during the summer following his first year of undergraduate studies at UGA. With this broad industry exposure, Austin narrowed his career interests to either live operations or processing, ultimately deciding that he could make the greatest impact in live operations. He particularly enjoys working with broiler breeders, appreciating the strategic and forward-thinking nature of the role. As Austin describes it, “It’s kind of like a puzzle you’re putting together without knowing all of the pieces.”

Driven by perseverance, leadership, and a strong work ethic, Austin plans to leverage his research, industry experience, and involvement within the UGA Department of Poultry Science during his remaining year of his undergraduate career in hopes to one day making a meaningful contribution to the poultry industry.