Poultry Scientists from Around the World to Convene at Auburn University
Some 700 poultry scientists from around the world will be in Auburn July 31-Aug. 3 as AU and the Department of Poultry Science host the 94th annual meeting of the Poultry Science Association at The Hotel at Auburn University.
Among the meeting's highlights, outgoing president Scotti Hester of Purdue University will pass the gavel to Auburn's own S.F. "Sarge" Bilgili, poultry science professor and Extension specialist.
The PSA is an international professional organization of 3,500 educators, scientists, extension specialists, administrators, industry professionals and producers committed to advancing the poultry industry.
Don Conner, poultry science department head, says the event will offer poultry scientists from academia, industry and government the chance to enjoy warm Southern hospitality while networking and exchanging scientific information.
The more than 300 technical presentations and symposia on the schedule will cover myriad poultry science fields including nutrition, environment and management, physiology, genetics, products and processing, immunology, avian genetic resources and poultry meat and egg quality.
Conner says attendees will get a firsthand look at the impact that the AU's poultry science department and its allied Peak of Excellence-the Poultry Products Safety and Quality Program-are having on improving the competitiveness of the poultry industry in Alabama and throughout the world. They also will tour the new state-of-the-art Poultry Science Building, which Conner says serves as a prominent symbol of the commitment that AU and the College of Agriculture have made to supporting the major agricultural business in the state as well as ensuring the delivery of the safest and highest-quality poultry meat and eggs to consumers worldwide.
The meeting will wind down Aug. 3 with the installation of Bilgili as the 2005-06 PSA president.
A native of Ankara, Turkey, Bilgili is an internationally recognized poultry scientist and an expert in poultry processing and products. He earned his D.V.M. degree in 1977 from Ankara University, then came to the U.S. in 1978. He received his master's degree in poultry nutrition and his doctorate in avian reproductive physiology, both from Oregon State University.
In 1985, he came to Auburn, where his primary focus has been the assessment, development, and implementation of live production and processing technologies to improve carcass quality, yield and wholesomeness of broilers.
For more information on the PSA meeting, contact the Department of Poultry Science at 334-844-4133.