On April 15-17, 2003 ARS convened a symposium on poultry research. Attending were representatives from each of the ARS laboratories conducting poultry research, representatives for each of the major poultry segments (broilers, layers, turkeys and breeders), representatives from some of the major poultry companies (Perdue, Cal-Maine, Pilgrim’s Pride, Cobb-Vantress), related USDA agencies (CREES, APHIS), and several representatives from various allied industries (participants). ARS scientists presented their research activities in Genomics, Production, Animal Health, Pre-harvest Food Safety, Post-harvest Food Safety and Animal and Environmental Well-being (see agenda). Although not all poultry research could be presented at this meeting, a complete listing of all of the poultry research activities with links to project descriptions and accomplishments is available (complete project listing). To complete the 2-day meeting, several commodity group representatives gave presentations on ARS poultry research and their perspective regarding future needs and directions.

Conclusions from the meeting were:

1)      Overall all of the current ARS poultry research projects are important to the poultry industries and should be continued

2)      ARS research activities need to be made more visible to the producers and to the general public

3)      Environmental and animal well-being issues are becoming more important, e.g. manure, birds space, molting, litter, water and air management

4)      Consideration should be given to seeing feathers and spent hens as a further resource and not a waste product – more research needs to be conducted in this area to capitalize upon this opportunity

5)       Research into lowering trade barriers based upon science needs to continue or accelerate to ensure a healthy export market for poultry and poultry products

6)       There is a pressing need to do more research on methods to preserve the female germplasm.

7)      Consumer-driven research initiatives are becoming more important and should factor more into future research projects.

8)      More research on alternative packaging of poultry products is needed.

9)      Continued dialogue between ARS researchers and the poultry industry should continue in all venues and a further summary meeting, such as this one, should be held again in approximately five years.