Conferences and Workshops
Extension faculty for poultry science are actively involved in providing educational opportunities for poultry producers in Georgia. These programs are conducted independently and/or with the cooperation of the Georgia Poultry Federation, U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, Georgia Egg Association, allied industries and the county extension agents. The following are the major educational programs offered.
International Poultry Short Course | January
The UGA International Poultry Short Course provides a comprehensive overview of modern poultry production. It is intended for those individuals that have limited knowledge of poultry as well as those that might have considerable experience in one area of poultry production, but would like to have a better understanding of the overall industry. The course starts with a look at the evolution of the industry, then move on to nutrition, broiler breeders, commercial layers, bird health, egg quality/safety, and broiler processing. The UGA International Poultry Short Course is formatted to be interactive and hands on. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in bird necropsy, troubleshooting why eggs did not hatch, and participate in bird processing in a pilot processing facility. The 3 1/2-day short course is loaded with practical information meant to help you make a difference to the bottom line of your operation. For more information, please contact Dr. Casey Ritz (critz@uga.edu) or Dr. Brian Fairchild (brian.fairchild@uga.edu).
Deep South Poultry Conference | March
This conference is held each spring in Tifton, Ga. with the Georgia Poultry Federation. The conference provides educational programming for poultry producers in south Georgia, with an emphasis on broiler and breeder management. The conference regularly attracts around 125 participants from Georgia and Florida. For more information, please contact Dr. Claudia Dunkley (cdunkley@uga.edu) or Dr. Casey Ritz (critz@uga.edu).
Hot Weather Management Workshop | April
This workshop is conducted jointly with the UGA College of Engineering and emphasizes new technology and basic hot weather ventilation procedures for poultry house design and operation. This annual, two-and-a-half day workshop is for industry and university personnel with an interest in broiler house environmental control. The topics focus on optimizing broiler performance during hot weather while minimizing costs. Contact Mike Czarick (mczarick@uga.edu) or Dr. Brian Fairchild (brianf@uga.edu) for more information.
Avian Academy Teacher Education Program | June
Experience classes with UGA professors as you explore anatomy, biology, chemistry and math through the eyes of a poultry scientist in hands-on labs that are designed for you to take directly back to your classroom - curriculum included! For more information, please contact Jessica Fife at jfife@uga.edu.
Georgia Layer Conference | September
The Georgia Layer Conference is one of two new conferences that replaced the general "Georgia Poultry Conference" held in previous years. At this event, industry professionals and producers come together to learn and discuss current issues facing table egg and hatchery egg production specifically. For more information, please contact Dr. Lilong Chai (lchai@uga.edu) or Dr. Casey Ritz (critz@uga.edu).
Open House Event | November
Our Department of Poultry Science Open House is a FREE event that allows high school and potential college transfer students interested in science, technology, animals, and more for a day with UGA Department of Poultry Science faculty as they showcase their specialty in the poultry science and avian biology industries through various sessions.
Cold Weather Management Workshop | November
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 two-and-a-half 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. Contact Mike Czarick (mczarick@uga.edu) or Dr. Brian Fairchild (brianf@uga.edu) for more information.
National Egg Products School
The National Egg Products School, sponsored by the University of Georgia Dept. of Poultry Science and the American Egg Board, is a biennial, four-day school focusing on eggs and egg products.
The course brings together experts interested in poultry science and egg functionality from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and universities such as Iowa State, Texas A&M and North Carolina State. Dr. Manpreet Singh, Extension Food Safety Specialist in the Department of Poultry Science at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, is the school’s director.
Participants include food formulators, chefs and egg industry professionals, who receive a thorough introduction to eggs and egg products, from their initial formation through the packaging of liquid and dried egg products for industrial use. This “farm to fork” review includes side excursions into molecular structure, safety, microbiology and the latest research on egg nutrition.
Alongside the educational lectures and presentations, the program incorporates hands-on sessions where participants use a variety of egg ingredients to create products such as angel food cake, ice cream, mayonnaise and custard. The intent is to demonstrate the functional characteristics egg ingredients supply to these applications, investigate the scientific principles behind the functionality, and then taste the results.
Participants also learn about the effects of impurities or bad processing techniques. Eggs can provide functional benefits such as aeration, binding, humectancy and emulsification. In addition, real egg ingredients create better products in appearance and texture.
For more information, please contact Dr. Manpreet Singh (manpreet@uga.edu).
Hatchery/Breeder Workshop | April & August
For more information, please contact Dr. Jeanna Wilson at jeannaw@uga.edu.
Campylobacter Workshop
With the new USDA performance standards for Campylobacter, a major cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., the University of Georgia has developed a 2 1/2 day hands-on intensive training program specifically for those who want to learn about Campylobacter and its challenges in poultry. The workshop consists of lectures and hands-on group exercises designed to help attendees gain an understanding of Campylobacter and the concepts of its control on farms and in processing plants. The goal of the workshop is for attendees to gain a working knowledge of current techniques used to identify the pathogen as well as measures that can be implemented to control it. For more information, please contact Dr. Manpreet Singh (manpreet@uga.edu).
Nutrient Management Training
These educational programs for personnel and growers of poultry companies in Georgia are a continuation of programs initiated in 1999-2000, providing poultry producers with the information to develop nutrient management plans. Programs are designed to fit the needs of individual companies and are presented by UGA Extension faculty and county agents. Training is provided upon request. Contact Dr. Casey Ritz (critz@uga.edu) for more information.
Georgia Broiler Conference | September
The Georgia Broiler Conference is one of two new conferences that replaced the general "Georgia Poultry Conference" held in previous years. At this event, industry professionals and producers come together to learn and discuss current issues facing the broiler industry specifically. For more information, please contact Dr. Brian Fairchild (brianf@uga.edu) or Dr. Casey Ritz (critz@uga.edu).
Georgia Precision Poultry Farming Conference (Virtual) | May
Precision poultry farming is the use of advanced technologies to optimize the contribution and health/welfare management of individual animals. UGA poultry science Extension team will hosts the virtual Georgia Precision Poultry Farming Conference to provide a training and exchange opportunity focusing on precision poultry production. At this event, industry professionals, researchers, and producers come together to learn and discuss how precision farming technologies will impact the poultry industry. For more information, please contact Dr. Lilong Chai (lchai@uga.edu) or Dr. Casey Ritz (critz@uga.edu).