The US Poultry & Egg Association and the USPOULTRY Foundation recently approved more than $570,000 in funding for seven new research grants at institutions across the country through the Comprehensive Research Program. The funding was authorized by the boards of both organizations following recommendations from the Foundation Research Advisory Committee (FRAC), a group of industry experts who evaluate proposals based on their potential to deliver meaningful impact. Representing a wide range of scientific disciplines and industry sectors, the FRAC ensures research investments address the most relevant challenges and opportunities facing poultry and egg production.

“Through USPOULTRY and its foundation, we are investing in the future of the poultry industry by advancing innovation, supporting cutting-edge technologies and, most importantly, strengthening our people. From researchers and leaders to the people working every day across operations, we are committed to enhancing safety, opportunity and long-term success for the workforce that keeps our industry moving forward,” said Bill Griffith, Peco Foods, and USPOULTRY chair.

The research grants for each institution include:

• Development of an Open-Source Online Platform for Forecasting Risks of Poultry Avian Influenza - University of Georgia
• AI-Driven Robotic Solutions for Labor Shortages in Poultry Processing - Texas A&M University
• CuR PATH: A Rapid On-Farm Detection Kit for Highly Pathogenic Food-Borne Pathogens - US Department of Agriculture – Agriculture Research Service
• Collaborative Epidemiologic Investigation of Clostridial Dermatitis in the US Turkey Industry - University of Minnesota
• Evaluating Potential Public Health Impacts of Level-Based Salmonella Performance Standards for Poultry Products - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Role of Increasing Levels of Magnesium and Its Interaction with Calcium on Eggshell Quality in Aged Hy-Line W-36 Laying Hens - Mississippi State University
• Optimizing Peracetic Acid Interventions in Poultry Processing: Balancing Dosage, pH, Food Safety and Wastewater Sustainability - Georgia Tech Research Institute

Source: US Poultry & Egg Association