Since the first $5,000 research grant issued in 1963 to Dr Allen Edgar at Auburn University to study control measures for infectious bursal disease (Gumboro disease), the investment in research and innovation by the USPOULTRY research programme has been a vital component in the impressive growth and success of the US poultry industry.

USPOULTRY’s research programme was implemented 50 years ago in response to the need of the poultry industry for research directed toward solving the most important problems facing the industry. Today, the USPOULTRY research programme funds research in 19 topic areas at research institutions incorporating all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. The current list of research priorities include the following: animal welfare, breeder management (broiler/turkey), broiler management, commercial egg production, diseases, employee safety and health, environmental management, feed mill operations, food safety, further processing, genetics, hatchery management, human nutrition, live haul, market turkey management, nutrition, poultry housing, pullet management, and processing.

The Foundation Research Advisory Committee serves as the essence of the programme. Over the years, committee members have dedicated numerous hours of their time each year to evaluate and assess research proposals before making recommendations for funding. Their insight and commitment has helped make the research programme what it is today.

“Research is, and continues to be, an important aspect of USPOULTRY's service to the industry. We are proud to have achieved $25 million in research funding over the last 50 years. USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation are committed to continuing to grow the research programme and to supporting the needs of the poultry industry,” said USPOULTRY president John Starkey.