In this episode, Dr. Fred Gingrich, AABP Executive Director, talks with Dr. Suzanne Dougherty a poultry veterinarian and Executive Vice President of the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP). AABP, AASV and AAAP often collaborate advocacy efforts as allied organizations of the AVMA. Suzanne shares information about the poultry industry which includes broilers, turkeys, egg layers, and other birds such as ducks, quail, and pheasants. She discusses improvements in animal welfare and antimicrobial stewardship efforts as well as challenges associated with “no antibiotics ever” programs. Just like the cattle industry, improvements in management, nutrition, genetics and preventive medicine programs have improved production efficiencies, sustainability and animal well-being. Suzanne explains some of the major disease challenges the poultry industry faces, such as respiratory and enteric disease, and the process for depopulation in the event of a disease outbreak or environmental disaster. The AVMA depopulation guidelines are utilized to assist veterinarians and producers during these unfortunate circumstances. We also discuss small backyard poultry, the disease risks such flocks can bring to commercial flocks due to differences in surveillance, and resources AAAP has for veterinarians working with small backyard flocks. She discusses the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) from the USDA that is utilized by the poultry industry. The NPIP is a voluntary State–Federal cooperative testing and certification program for poultry breeding flocks, baby chicks, poults, hatching eggs, hatcheries, and dealers. You can learn more about AAAP and join this association by visiting this link.