Poultry Processing and Swine Physiology Research Unit

US Department Of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service

South Atlantic Area

P.O. Box 5677, 950 College Station Rd

Athens, GA  30604-5677

Phone:  706/546-3345

Fax: 706/546-3633

Mission Statement

The Poultry Processing and Swine Physiology Research Unit’s mission is two fold.

First, is to develop fundamental information of the factors affecting poultry meat microbiological safety which address sections: Production and Processing Ecology, Processing Intervention Strategies and Food Security of National Program 108 Food Safety. Achievement of these goals will lead to the development of innovative technologies that will assure the delivery of high-quality, wholesome poultry meat products to consumers.

Second, is to discover the physiological and endocrinological factors underlying variations in seasonal infertility in swine which addresses Component 1:  Understanding, Improving, and Effectively Using Animal Genetic and Genomic Resources of National Program 101, Food Animal Production.  This requires detailed study of fat cell biology and the brain- pituitary-endocrine gland system.  Achievement of these goals will lead to development of practical methods for optimizing reproductive efficiency, which will, in turn, increase efficiency of meat production and improve the human diet worldwide.

For more information, please email Rhonda Mashburn