Return to TFB Main Page
Return to Current Edition
Texas Agriculture Archive

October 18, 2002

By Drew Wenner
TFB Publications Marketing Director

A ribbon cutting ceremony held Sept. 20 marked the beginning of a new era of business and educational cooperation for the Texas broiler industry.

After many months of site preparation, construction, and equipment installation, four new "state-of-the-art" broiler houses were dedicated by the Texas poultry industry and Stephen F. Austin State University. The new facility, now known as the Center for Applied Poultry Studies and Research, is the realization of a unique vision that was developed and shared by several key poultry industry leaders, the University, and the SFA Poultry Science Department.

"It makes sense that SFA should be a leader in education and research in poultry science, since we are located in the broiler growing area of Texas," said Dr. Tim Cherry, SFA associate professor of agriculture. "This expansion brings SFA into a very competitive arena with poultry science programs throughout the country, and SFA is the only university in the USA with this type of facility."

What is so unique about this facility? A key element is that the entire project was completed with minimal investment of state and university funds. All four houses were built with donations either of money or equipment from companies involved in the poultry industry. SFA only set aside the land to build on.

"I would like to thank everyone in the poultry industry for making this project possible," Cherry said. "It couldn't have happened without their dedication."

Donors included Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, Tyson, Lubing Systems, Multi-Fan, Big Dutchman Feeders, General Shelters, D & B Poultry Supply, Diversified Imports, and L.B. White. Animal Science Products provided the lunch for the dedication, which was, of course, chicken.

Mr. Larry Allen, southwest regional sales manager with Big Dutchman said, "The feeder systems we installed here at the center are the latest technology available, and Big Dutchman is proud to be a partner with the University and other manufacturers in this important project."

The facility is expected to generate around $145,000 annual gross income. The money earned from the sale of broilers raised in the facility will be put to a number of uses.

"The concept of income generation to fund academic programs is a creative approach to expansion in a tight economy," Cherry said. "Plans are to use the income to improve the facilities, pay the supervisor's salary, and fund scholarships in poultry science and recruiting efforts."

Modern broiler production is a highly demanding and technically challenging enterprise. The industry needs trained specialists to work in the field with producers and with processing and marketing operations. The goal is to reach maximum efficiency and output and to produce top quality food products for a highly competitive world market.

The Center for Applied Poultry Studies is designed to provide a research and learning environment for students to train and become familiar with the latest commercial techniques. The four houses will provide undergraduate students with hands-on experience, allowing classroom principles to be applied in a commercial setting. Different management practices will be utilized in each of the four houses, allowing students to compare the practices. Graduate students will also conduct research.

In the coming years it is expected that this partnership will yield many new production innovations and a steady stream of trained professionals for this important and expanding agricultural segment of the Texas economy.