(10/17/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana’s poultry industry has grown in recent years to become the state’s largest animal enterprise, bringing in $1.6 billion annually. The LSU AgCenter continues to conduct research to help the industry thrive in Louisiana along with outreach efforts to get young people interested in poultry science.

“Our commitment to the poultry industry is alive and well,” said Phil Elzer, AgCenter associate vice president and interim director of the School of Animal Sciences.

Most of the AgCenter’s poultry research takes place at the Hill Farm Research Station in Homer. Researchers are studying how feeding rates affect chick growth, energy and water use, and ammonia and odor levels. Poultry producers can visit the station’s demonstration houses to see the latest equipment and management techniques for raising broilers in Louisiana.

The School of Animal Sciences in the LSU College of Agriculture offers a poultry science concentration that consists of six courses, including those in management, production and judging. Students are encouraged to complete internships and travel to poultry-related conferences, such as the International Poultry Exposition in Atlanta.

“Workforce readiness is important for students interested in this industry,” Elzer said.

Elzer recently received a $7,000 grant from USPOULTRY that will go toward recruiting students to the School of Animal Sciences’ poultry science concentration and help fund student travel.

The AgCenter will host students from 16 land-grant universities for the 70th annual USPOULTRY judging contest April 5 to 9 in Baton Rouge.

Louisiana 4-H has received a $4,500 grant from the Louisiana Poultry Federation that will help fund the Poultry Ambassador Program, the judging contest at the annual AgCenter Livestock Show and awards trips to the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.

At this year’s Livestock Show, 173 pens of three broilers and 585 exhibition birds were exhibited. That is a total of 1,104 birds—nearly half of the 2,362 animals shown.

Questions about the AgCenter’s poultry programs should be directed to the following people:

—Jason Holmes, extension agent in Union Parish, is the primary contact for poultry outreach programs. He can be reached at JHolmes@agcenter.lsu.edu or 318-368-9935.

—Steve Borel, extension agent in West Baton Rouge Parish, is the superintendent of the LSU AgCenter Livestock Show. He can be reached at SBorel@agcenter.lsu.edu or 225-336-2416.

—Janet Fox, 4-H Youth Development department head, provides direction for 4-H poultry contests. She can be reached at JFox@agcenter.lsu.edu or 225-578-2971.

—Bill Owens, animal scientist, oversees research in the poultry demonstration houses at the Hill Farm Research Station. He can be reached at WOwens@agcenter.lsu.edu or 318-927-2578.

—Gerry Romero, research associate, works with poultry at the Central Research Station. He can be reached at GRomero@agcenter.lsu.edu or 225-763-5511.

—Dennis Ingram, professor emeritus, teaches poultry classes in the School of Animal Sciences. He can be reached at DIngram@agcenter.lsu.edu or 225-578-3950.