The research funding was approved by the boards of directors of both organisations, based on recommendations from the Foundation Research Advisory Committee. The committee evaluates research proposals to determine their value to the industry, and then makes recommendations to the boards for funding. Committee members are professional specialists from different segments of the poultry and egg industry who represent a variety of disciplines.

The Association's research programme dates back to the early 1960s, when funds were first approved for poultry disease research. It gradually grew into a comprehensive program incorporating all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. Since the inception of the research program, USPoultry has reinvested more than $23 million dollars into the industry in the form of research grants, with the International Poultry Expo as the primary source for the funding. More than 50 universities and federal and state facilities have received grants over the years.

Gary Cooper of Cooper Farms and USPoultry chairman, commented: "An important part of USPoultry's service to the industry is research. The Foundation Research Advisory Committee is the core of the program. Committee members dedicate multiple hours studying and evaluating research proposals before making recommendations for funding. We sincerely appreciate their excellent work. And, a special thanks to Dr John Smith, Fieldale Farms, for his continued commitment in chairing the research committee."

The latest research grants include:

• Development of Best Practices for Shell Egg Disinfection Based on Efficacy, Egg Quality and Economics – Texas A&M University
• Using Adult Flies as Autodissemination Vehicles to Deliver Larval Fly Control Agents – USDA-ARS
• Heterosubtypic Protection again Infectious Bronchitis Virus – Auburn University
• Live Performance, Carcass Yield, and Breast Meat Discoloration of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with Different Levels of Zinc, Copper and Iron – North Carolina State University
• Electroencephalographic Assessment of Stunning Effectiveness in Broiler Chickens – Auburn University
• Impact of Incandescent, CFL, Cold Cathode (CCFL) and LED Lamps on Bird Health – University of Delaware
• Carbon Footprint Assessment and Calculation Tool Development for the Poultry Industry – University of Georgia