A new research project led by the University of Connecticut will use a holistic approach to explore ways to enhance the sustainability of antibiotic-free poultry production.
“We used a systems-based approach for this research. We divided the industry into three interconnected units: the chickens, the humans and the environment. When we thought about people, we considered all aspects of the poultry industry – from producers to processors to consumers,” explained Kumar S. Venkitanarayanan, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and Professor at the University of Connecticut.
The 30-person interdisciplinary team – which includes microbiologists, poultry welfare experts, agricultural engineers, economists, sociologists and more – will work together to find new ways to improve bird, human and environmental health, while also increasing consumer acceptance and economic returns to farmers.
Chicken health
The project will address sustainability when it comes to chicken production, including finding new ways to control necrotic enteritis and coccidiosis in broilers, the development of feed and diets to improve bird performance without antibiotics and look at how to improve bird welfare.
Human health
During the five year project, experts will work to find innovative ways to increase the sustainability of poultry production by developing an outreach program for poultry producers and other stakeholders, empowering the future workforce with skills needed for sustainable broiler production and by developing methods to enhance consumer confidence and acceptance for new technologies in food production.
Environmental health
Researchers will develop strategies to recycle poultry litter in order to reduce the environmental impact and find new ways to control antimicrobial resistance dissemination in the poultry production environment.
Investment in sustainable food production
The research was one of nine projects recently awarded $10 million by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems Program as part of a program to improve the sustainability of the nation’s food supply.
“In an effort to help American farmers produce nutritious, high-quality products in a way that conserves natural resources and protects the environment, these projects will provide needed research to overcome critical barriers facing the industry,” NIFA Director Scott Angle said in a statement. “Investments in research that promotes sustainable systems will result in long-term improvements in agricultural practices that will benefit consumers, farmers, and the environment.”
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