Soybean meal is the backbone of modern poultry nutrition, yet most formulations treat it like a constant when it is anything but. In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Novus International’s Anne Fe Parino about the hidden variability inside the world’s most trusted plant protein and why nutritionists should be paying closer attention to trypsin inhibitors. Anne Fe explains how differences in genetics, climate, and processing create wide swings in anti-nutritional factors, why urease activity is a poor stand-in for trypsin inhibitor levels, and how even small changes in digestibility ripple through feed conversion, performance, and cost.

The conversation moves from lab to feed mill with practical steps any team can use. Anne Fe outlines how to test and trend trypsin inhibitor activity, how to manage heat treatment without damaging amino acids, and where protease enzymes can act like insurance when raw material quality shifts. She also shares lessons from analyzing samples around the globe, revealing how regional soy supplies can look similar on paper yet perform very differently in birds. For nutritionists balancing price, availability, and results, this episode offers a clear, evidence-based playbook for making soybean meal more reliable in real diets.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.

In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Dr. Rocio Crespo of North Carolina State University about what it really means to manage poultry health through a One Health lens. Dr. Crespo explains why many flock problems that appear to be infectious diseases often begin with nutrition and metabolism, and how delayed diagnosis keeps veterinarians chasing symptoms rather than causes. The conversation reframes production data as only part of the picture and makes a case for measuring what is happening inside the bird, from ionized calcium and mineral balance to early markers that flag risk before performance drops.

They explore the promise of precision livestock management and noninvasive monitoring that meets barns where they are. Dr. Crespo shares practical research on tools that can work at flock scale, including environmental gas sensing, sound analysis to detect changes in vocal behavior, and overhead camera systems that quantify eating, drinking, and movement without handling birds. She also walks through a realistic path to adoption, starting with randomized sampling and pilot measurements, then building toward smarter routines that fit labor, budgets, and equipment already on the farm.

If you want a grounded roadmap for moving from flock health to true animal health, this episode connects early diagnostics, precision monitoring, and economic biosecurity into a single, workable approach for modern poultry systems.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.

Trust is not something you buy. It is something you earn every day. In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Kim McConnell, founder of AdFarm and a lifelong advocate for agriculture, about how the animal agriculture community can close the widening distance between producers and consumers. The conversation starts with first principles. Be transparent about how food is raised, show the benefits in plain language, and tell real stories that people remember. Kim explains why short, clear messages paired with strong visuals work better than long fact sheets, how to choose the right channel for each audience, and why credibility grows when the industry leads with values and invites questions rather than waiting for a crisis to shape the narrative.

From there, they dig into collaboration. Kim shares lessons from cross-sector initiatives that put everyone at the same table with a shared purpose, and why good leadership, a clear mission, and steady momentum are the difference between meetings and progress. He offers practical steps any organization can adopt, from agreeing on simple outcome statements to using quick, positive proof points that show improvement on welfare, sustainability, and community impact. The episode also looks ahead at the next generation, with a case for investing in youth leadership programs that teach both technical skills and communication, so young people can step into the role of trusted ambassadors for food and farming.

This episode is a playbook for scientists, veterinarians, and producers who want to speak with confidence to people outside the industry. Start with why the work matters, translate complex ideas into benefits that feel relevant, and measure success not by how much you say but by how well it lands. If you are ready to build trust that lasts, this conversation shows how to move from good intentions to daily habits that change minds.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.

Newcastle disease is largely under control in the United States, yet vaccination choices still shape flock health and performance. In this episode, host Andy Vance talks with Dr. Brian Jordan of Zoetis about why not all Newcastle vaccines behave the same inside the bird and how a data-first approach can reveal hidden gaps in protection.

Dr. Jordan explains the concept of vaccine take, how routine PCR monitoring shows whether birds actually received and replicated a live vaccine, and why low take rates can set up a rolling reaction that chips away at growth, feed conversion, and overall flock immunity. He compares popular live strains and clarifies where recombinant options fit, then walks through a simple plan for spot-checking hatchery applications, reading CT distributions, and deciding whether the problem is process or product. The conversation closes with questions veterinarians should ask suppliers, how to layer Newcastle programs with other respiratory vaccines, and why quarterly monitoring can keep protocols honest without adding constant lab costs.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.

Campylobacter is not your typical poultry pathogen. In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Dr. Issmat Kassem of the University of Georgia Center for Food Safety about why this bug survives where others do not, and what that means for food safety from farm to processing plant. Dr. Kassem explains how Campylobacter thrives in the chicken gut, why its biology and genetics break some of the rules we apply to Salmonella and E. coli, and how the diversity of strains on farm narrows to a persistent few that make it through processing. The conversation traces how those processing tolerant strains complicate detection and control, and why a single intervention is rarely enough.

Listeners get a clear view of where the science is headed. Dr. Kassem outlines work to speed up detection and quantification, including modified media and approaches that target the microbe’s unique metabolism. He shares experimental results on antimicrobial light and new phytochemicals that can be layered with established interventions to improve reductions without sacrificing product quality. The discussion also zooms out to a practical message for the entire chain. Keep improving the system that already works, add smart hurdles where they fit, and invest in consumer education so safe handling keeps pace with scientific progress. Above all, remember that pathogens evolve, so our playbook must evolve too.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.

In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance sits down with Dr. Randy Mitchell, VP of Nutrition at Perdue Farms and a newly named Fellow of the Poultry Science Association, to examine how one of America’s most recognized poultry brands turns values into daily practice. Dr. Mitchell traces his path from a North Georgia farm to corporate leadership and explains how Perdue’s family-owned culture shapes decisions that reach from feed mills to grower barns. The conversation looks closely at two defining shifts for the company, the move to all-vegetarian feed and the transition to no antibiotics ever, and unpacks the research, cross-functional coordination, and grower engagement needed to make those commitments work at scale.

Listeners get a practical view of formulation under new constraints, including how broader access to plant proteins, synthetic amino acids, and feed-grade vegetable oils helped close performance and cost gaps. Dr. Mitchell discusses why the hardest work was not removing in-feed antibiotics but redesigning hatchery and farm programs to protect chick quality, litter condition, and overall flock health. He shares how Perdue evaluates tradeoffs, from bird welfare to customer expectations, and how the company weighs the real "cost of being Perdue" while staying competitive on throughput and efficiency.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.

Artificial intelligence and robotics are not the same tool, and understanding the difference changes how you plan, budget, and deploy technology in poultry science. In this episode, host Andy Vance talks with Georgia Tech’s Walker Bynes about where fixed automation ends and flexible robotics begins, and how AI fits in as the decision layer rather than the machine itself. Walker explains why most plants still rely on purpose-built machines for single tasks, and how the next wave aims for adaptable systems that can be reprogrammed to handle new jobs as conditions change in the house, the lab, or the plant.

The conversation breaks down embodied AI in plain language. Listeners hear how vision and language models help robots perceive space, generate action plans, and learn from complex sensor data, and why the quality of inputs, clear guardrails, and human oversight are essential for safety and reliability. In the lab, AI and automation act as a force multiplier by removing repetitive work and surfacing better experiment plans, while researchers stay in control of the science. Looking ahead, Walker sketches a practical roadmap that includes domain-specific models trained on poultry data, flexible robots that can be upskilled with software, and interdisciplinary teams that pair engineers with poultry experts to turn promising ideas into daily routines that save time and improve outcomes.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.

Moisture control sits at the center of good broiler management. In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Dr. Brian Fairchild of the University of Georgia about the house as a living system and how small environmental choices cascade into flock health, welfare, and costs. Dr. Fairchild explains why design and day-to-day execution both matter, how ventilation strategies should change with the season, and why chasing ammonia with more fan time often backfires by driving energy use without fixing the root problem. He walks through practical ways to keep a steady moisture balance, from programming controllers against real outdoor and indoor conditions to avoiding early morning evaporative cooling that only saturates the air.

The conversation expands into the decisions producers face on lighting, energy, and water. Dr. Fairchild outlines how LED technology lowered power bills and why aging bulbs with uneven spectra can undermine dimming programs if replacements are not chosen carefully. He shares a simple framework for water management that starts with peak flow capacity, then looks at quality through the lens of equipment reliability, because leaky or worn drinkers can create wet floors long before bird performance suffers. Listeners also get an inside look at innovations with staying power, including variable-speed fans that move the right amount of air at lower cost and newer plastic evaporative pads that tolerate poor water quality and can be cleaned effectively. Throughout, Dr. Fairchild ties research to the barn, showing how field trials, extension newsletters, and producer feedback turn ideas into routines that protect margins and keep birds comfortable.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.

Hatchability has quietly slipped in the United States over the last decade, and the cost shows up everywhere from breeder houses to the balance sheet. In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with industry veteran Doug Ward about why there is no single fix and why the biggest wins often come from getting the basics right. The discussion explores how older hatchery infrastructure, changing genetics, and uneven incubation can cloud what looks like a fertility problem. It also explains why male management matters just as much as hen nutrition, how litter quality and ventilation drive foot health and mating behavior, and where shell quality and egg handling intersect with new, high-throughput collection systems to make or break a hatch.

Listeners will come away with a practical checklist for improving results. Focus on feed quality on breeders rather than shaving pennies, keep a rigorous biosecurity program, ventilate for dry litter, invest in hatchery QA and breakouts so teams can manage what they measure, and maintain equipment so it performs to design. The episode also looks ahead at tools that could shift the curve, from precision sorting and pullet uniformity to AI-assisted chick sexing and targeted microbial strategies that support both performance and food safety.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.

In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Dr. Kayla Price of Alltech Canada about what it really takes to make progress against coccidiosis, one of poultry’s most persistent and costly challenges. The conversation cuts through the assumption that a tidy parasite life cycle leads to tidy control. In the barn, multiple pressures collide, from bird behavior to management realities, and the simple model gives way to a complex gut ecosystem that demands better prevention, smarter diagnostics, and tighter collaboration between researchers and producers.

Dr. Price explains how a deeper understanding of the microbiome can reshape control strategies, why host and species specificity matter when moving from lab results to farm decisions, and where genomics, metagenomics, and artificial intelligence can turn fecal samples into practical, point-of-care insights. She offers a clear case for rethinking diagnostics so that earlier detection does not always require opening birds, and for designing tools that fit the pace and constraints of commercial houses.

The episode also explores how to speed innovation without losing rigor. Dr. Price shares lessons on closing communication gaps between academia and industry, aligning projects with funder goals without compromising scientific questions, and writing for journals in ways that help readers understand the why and the how. Her advice is simple and powerful: Invite field perspectives earlier, value negative results as much as positive ones, and build a pipeline that carries ideas from bench to broiler house through honest feedback and continuous iteration.

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

Producer - Lyndsey Johnson

Audio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.