Name: FeedCheck Soy Cost: Contact your local Canadian Biosystems (CBS Inc.) representative or distributor for price information Available at Canadian Biosystems websites (link) Intended use A FeedCheck Soy device is ...

Jerry Emmanuel, BSc, MSc, is a Poultry Nutrition Specialist and Feed Sales Consultant with Cargill. He works with three poultry teams in the Western Canada district, consulting with customers to ...

The first presentation in the PIP Flock Forum series took place in Red Deer, Alberta, on February 26, 2024. Titled Flock Forum: Mystery Mayhem and Mastery of Fiber, the event ...

Tony Krynski, BSc, is the Western Canada Technical Service Manager at Aviagen. Krynski works closely with Aviagen internal experts to help customers achieve the best-possible welfare, performance, and sustainability with ...

Grain storage plays a critical role in poultry feed production, and improper practices can lead to mold growth and mycotoxin production. In this article, we explore the challenges associated with ...

Name: Grain bin monitoring tool Cost: Contact your system provider to get the quote based on the size of your operation Available at: Manufacturer’s website Intended use Grain bin monitoring ...

Name: Mycotoxin tester Cost: Contact the manufacturer for price information Available at https://www.vicam.com/ Intended use A Mycotoxin tester device is used to detect and quantify specific mycotoxins in feed samples. ...

Stories of professionals who changed the course of their careers after meeting their mentors, experiencing hands-on learning, and discovering the welcoming and diverse poultry community. Victoria Sikur, BSc, MSc, is ...

In the intricate world of poultry farming, ensuring the health and productivity of your flock is important. Recently, there has been a growing concern about the impact of mycotoxins on ...

Dr. Teryn Girard, DVM and Tracy Tee, RVT both from Prairie Livestock Veterinarians, have been recognized with 2024 Alberta Veterinary Medicine Association (ABVMA) and Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association (ABVTA) Awards.  ...

January PIP Innovation Showcase 2023 series launched in January 2023 with Dr. Luis Romero: Using Gene Expressions to understand Problems and Solutions of Poultry Production. In this webinar, Dr. Romero ...

There is so much to learn about fiber, an often overlooked component in a healthy poultry diet. Join us for Flock Forum: Mystery, Mayhem and Mastery of Fiber on February ...

Name: FeedCheck Express Cost: Contact your local Canadian Biosystems (CBS Inc.) representative or distributor for price information Available at Canadian Biosystems websites (Link) Intended use A FeedCheck Express device is ...

Two beloved champions of Alberta agriculture, science, education, and the environment were recently lost during a backcountry hiking trip that ended in tragedy on September 29, 2023. Dr. Doug Inglis, ...

Poultry producers are exposed to various health risks due to the presence of dust in poultry houses. Poultry house dust consists of organic matter such as feathers, dander, feed particles, ...

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in poultry facilities is a critical factor for maintaining optimal conditions for poultry production and safeguarding the health of birds and producers. However, these facilities often ...

As is so often the case with those that love animals, Taresa Chieng entered the U of A with hopes of becoming a veterinarian. Halfway through her degree, she changed ...

Proper vaccination is essential to prevent diseases and improve poultry performance.  To better understand vaccination methods and ideal vaccine storage, we have to consider the composition of the vaccines. Live ...

“Happy to be alive and healthy, enjoy work and sports, love my family, love animals, love God. Motivated to do well.” This quote from Nancy Fischer sums up her joy ...

Name: AgriShield – Risk Assessment and Planning Platform Cost: $149/year (1-month free trial available) Available at Farm Management Canada website (Link) Intended use AgriShield is a valuable risk assessment and ...

Managing risk in poultry operations A farmer’s life is stressful. The unpredictability of the Ag sector, as well as the workload pressures, can take a toll on farmers’ well-being. With ...

Using the Process Behavior Chart

As discussed in the current newsletter issue article, a Process Behavior Chart (PBC) is a control chart that can monitor the variation in your process over time. Here is a ...

One of the enduring challenges in agriculture is finding ways to connect people with industry and on-farm expertise to students and young people. Many are interested in a career in ...

Name: RH/TEMP Monitoring Data Logger  Cost: around CAD$120  Available at the manufacturer’s website and on Amazon How does it work? Temperature and relative humidity data loggers operate by continuously measuring ...

Devin Dittmer, U of A Unit Supervisor DRTC (Dairy Research and Technology Center) - Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci – AFNS Dept. and Founder, Homeroom Holsteins Program How ...

Accessing the internet is a powerful tool to help you communicate with other people, search for information and learn. There are many tools that you can use to monitor your ...

Dr. Doug Korver, PhD is retiring after 26 years teaching and mentoring university students, publishing over 75 peer reviewed articles, leading innovative research trials and traveling the world as a ...

In our previous article, the importance of testing feed mixing uniformity was introduced and the reader was taken through the test procedure, from sampling the feed all the way to ...

Name: Chloride Quantab Test Strips  Cost: $103  Available at: Manufacturer’s website Intended use Chloride Quantab Test Strips have various industrial uses to measure chloride concentration in an aqueous sample. This ...

When formulating a diet, the ultimate goal of nutritionists is to match nutrient supply with the nutrient requirements of animals. This will ensure that an animal receives all of the ...

Name: Grain Sampling Probe Cost: around CAD$ 400 to 600  Available at: Manufacturer’s website Intended use Grain probes are used for representative sampling of various granular materials, such as grains ...

With a BSc, MSc and recently conferred PhD in Animal Science, a passion for applied agriculture research and a background in knowledge translation and genomics, Dr. Natalie Diether is uniquely ...

Methods of measuring and treating iron in water on the farm

Name: Water Iron Filter Cost: approximately $ 9,000 CAD  Available at: Manufacturer’s website and hardware stores Intended use Water Iron filters are used to treat drinking water by removing iron ...

See more, guess less!

An intensely curious mind, love of learning and a desire to give back. These are a few of the things that have fueled Jo Ann Chew’s path from teen in ...

Researchers and producers are always on the lookout for an economical, nutrient rich and local feed ingredient that can increase productivity and decrease ever-rising feed costs. The faba bean fulfills ...

Water is an essential nutrient! Water quality affects poultry growth, efficiency, and livability and is influenced by microbial level, pH, mineral content, hardness, and organic matter load. See below some ...

Life as a university student can be challenging. The stress of exams, uncertainty about the future, money woes and, for many, the trials of adjusting to life away from home ...

In our previous article, we discussed the digestion kinetics of various fiber types, the effects of fiber on nutrient utilization, gut microflora, and immunity. This article discusses the effects of ...

Name: Instant on-site animal feed analyzer  Cost: From CAD$9200  Available at manufacturers’ websites Intended use The on-site feed analyzer is a portable NIR (Near Infra-Red) analyzer of feed ingredients and ...

Over the years, U of A professor Dr. Frank Robinson witnessed students coming to the end of his animal science courses with success, enthusiasm, and good marks. Nonetheless, he repeatedly ...

In our previous article, we discussed the definition of fiber, its sources, types, and strategies to overcome technical problems associated with increased dietary fiber. In this article, the digestion kinetics ...

Name: Feed sieve shaker Cost: Cost is unavailable for the Aviagen and Hy-Line sieve shakers (pictures shown above). The average price for similar manual feed sieves is about $250 Availability: ...

Hosting and mentoring students from the U of A mini-internship program is a way of giving back to the agricultural community. It also provides an opportunity to build confidence and ...

January The first ominous presence of avian influenza is reported on January 9, 2022. Two poultry sites in Newfoundland had confirmed outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), an H5NI ...

A historical perspective change toward dietary fiber in poultry nutrition has recently taken place. Fiber was previously considered a non-digestible and energy-diluting dietary component that can negatively impact poultry digesta ...

Name: Color of Water Checker Cost: CAD$68  Available at: Manufacturers’ websites Intended use The color and appearance of poultry drinking water are essential factors in on-farm observational water tests. Observational ...

All of our newsletter posts are available in the blog on PIP’s website.  Here you can find the topics and the links for the full research updates covered in 2022.  ...

All of our newsletter posts are available in the blog on PIP’s website.  Here you can find the topics and the links for the full article about the People of ...

All of our newsletter posts are available in the blog on PIP’s website.  Here you can find the topics and the links for the full article about the tools covered ...

There is a global movement in the poultry industry away from prophylactic/Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGP) due to concerns over antimicrobial resistance and posing a potential threat to human health. The ...

Name: Water Iron meter Cost: $66  Intended use The Water Iron meter is used to check the Iron level in water.  Iron occurs naturally in water, usually at less than ...

Kerry Nadeau, BSc. Manager/Supervisor U of A Poultry Unit ALES/AFNS PIP Board, Heritage Chicken Program Steering and Education and Mentoring Committee member. Despite juggling a multitude of responsibilities at the ...

What is it? The HCP Adopt-A-Chicken Program provides an opportunity for anyone to sign up and support the rare breed chickens housed at the U of A. All funds from ...

Helen Anne Hudson is a generational farmer with a passion for animals, family, chickens and eggs, research and the environment. From championing sustainability and poultry research, rescuing horses, planting trees, ...

Name: Water EC Meter Cost: $60 to $250  Available at: Amazon and manufacturers’ websites Intended use Water EC meter is used to measure water Electrical Conductivity (EC). Electric conductivity is ...

Read for a description of two of the most common reasons for carcass condemnation in poultry, possible causes and ways to potentially reduce condemnations in your flock.

Introduction Avian Influenza (AI) outbreaks can be devastating for the poultry industry and result in enormous financial losses. Biosecurity is essential to control the disease, but airborne transmission through the ...

Nicole Zukiwsky has learned to recognize opportunities, shift plans, and say yes when opening new doors because you never know when an undiscovered world may await. Passion for the poultry ...

Name: Smoke emitter  Cost: $15 to $130 Available at Hardware stores, Amazon, and manufacturers’ websites Intended use A smoke emitter such as a smoke pen, smoke grenade, or any other ...

Carcass condemnation is a costly problem for the poultry industry. This article will briefly describe two of the most common reasons for carcass condemnation in poultry, what might cause it, ...

Name: Manometer  Cost: $65 to $130 Available at Hardware stores, Amazon, and manufacturers’ websites Intended use A manometer is used to measure differential pressure at the poultry barns. The static ...

With a background in facilitation and conflict training, a curious mind, and a desire to make connections at all levels of the poultry industry, Karen Summerfield has found a perfect ...

Name: Portable CO2 meter  Cost: around $185  Available: hardware stores and Amazon Intended use This device is used to measure CO2, air temperature, dew point, wet bulb temperature, and relative ...

Dr. Teryn Girard is a highly sought after speaker, instructor and commercial and small flock poultry veterinarian in Alberta. Read on as she shares thoughts about the state of commercial ...

Sudden Death Syndrome in Poultry Sudden death syndrome (SDS) is a condition affecting fast-growing birds. Death usually occurs within one to two minutes and the dead birds are frequently found ...

Commercial enzymes (such as phytase, xylanase, Beta-glucanase, lipase, protease, and amylase) are used in poultry diets to increase nutrient digestibility, degrade antinutrients, liberate minerals, improve feed efficiency, reduce feed cost, ...

Frank Robinson’s reputation as a teacher is legendary. As his retirement approaches, it is an honour to share some of the creative ways that he has informed, encouraged, and inspired ...

Dr. Martin Zuidhof, Professor, Poultry Systems Modeling and Precision Feeding, U of A Faculty of ALES and AFNS, has weathered skepticism, negativity, setbacks, and challenges to develop a feeding system ...

Drinking water is one of the transmission methods of Avian Influenza (AI). Water sources can be contaminated by infected materials and transmitted to poultry farms. The risk of the chicken ...

Name: Pinless Moisture Meter  Cost: $85 to $100 Available at Home-Depot, Amazon, and manufacturers’ websites Intended use A Pinless Moisture Meter device can measure litter moisture at the poultry barns. ...

This Research Showcase highlights what is possible when academia, industry and farmers work together to explore and develop solutions within the unique Western Canadian context.'

There are many factors that influence egg shell quality such as bird age and strain, growth trajectory, stress, disease, mycotoxins, production system, and nutritional factors.

Name: Mini Thermo-Anemometer Cost: $140 to $270 Available at Home-Depot, Amazon, and manufacturers’ websites Intended use A mini–Thermo-Anemometer device is used to measure relative humidity (%), dew point, wind chill, ...

Name: Infrared thermometer  Cost: around $85  Available at pharmacies Intended use An infrared thermometer device is used to measure body temperature. Standard body temperature in day-old chicks Chick body temperature ...

The first few days after the hatch is a crucial time for chicks as their digestive and immune systems develop. Immediate access of chicks and poults to a complete diet ...

An insightful and entertaining conversation with three up and coming young female poultry professionals who share the highs and lows of their chosen profession. Meet Rachelle Davidson, Technical Services Lead ...

Kristin Westersund is a game changer, with a passion for animals, a razor sharp ability to both foresee and anticipate future agricultural trends and a desire to create hygge within ...

Name: Water test strips Cost: around $18  Intended use The intended use of the water strips is to test for How to use the water strips? Dip the strip into the water ...

Read More to learn best practices for taking water samples, testing and innovative ways to clean biofilm and protect your water lines.

Name: Thermal imaging camera Cost: around $1100  Intended use Thermal imaging cameras are valuable managerial and educational tools in poultry production. Intended use of the cameras include but not limited ...

Air quality is very important for bird health and performance. All barns require a minimum ventilation to exchange air. The main objective of barn ventilation is to control moisture. Excessive ...

Foot pad dermatitis , hock burn lesions, and breast blisters are a form of contact dermatitis (skin irritation) in broilers, turkey, and breeders. The skin irritation starts with small areas ...

Feather pecking is a behavioural problem, which can be caused by environmental, genetic, or nutritional factors. The common age for feather pecking is during peak egg production, but it can ...

What happens when you invite an eclectic group of academics and industry professionals, an exceptional teacher and seven intrepid kids from a hamlet in the middle of Alberta to launch ...

In January 2021, PIP’s Board of Directors mandated a review of the partnership’s purpose, performance, and direction. The Board was motivated by the belief that conducting this review at an ...

Chicks are more sensitive to cold than adult birds because their small body is not ready to properly regulate body temperature and their feathers don’t offer very good protection. Therefore, ...

The leaves have fallen and winter is almost here again. It is important to prepare the barn for this time of year to keep the birds warm, avoid unnecessary expenses ...

Residual yolk sacs tell the story behind a flock's early life management. Measuring residual yolk sacs can provide information that you can use to improve your practices for future flocks.

Meet Jeff Notenbomer, second generation owner of Willow Creek Poultry, who meets the distinct challenges of his breeder hen industry through innovative management practices and precise attention to detail. Read ...

'The economic analysis of the research predicted that increasing prepubertal body weight gain by 10% and advancing the pubertal growth phase by 20% compared to the breeder-recommended target growth could ...

People often dream about the farm lifestyle, the benefits of growing your own food, living on the land, teaching your kids the value of hard work and being in close ...

Poultry diets need to be supplemented with sodium, an element essential for many physiological functions. However, the source type of sodium is a key factor in achieving an optimum diet. ...

'PIP brings farmers, academia and industry together at one table to meet the needs of the feather industries in Alberta. This project will support PIP to give our farmers the ...

We are excited to welcome two new team members. Dr. Mohammad Afrouziyeh has joined us as a Research Associate and Thania Moraes MSc as an Extension Technician!

Did you know wings make up 8% of the chicken? Canadian farmers produce over 1 billion wings per year!

Did you know? Today’s modern chickens were domesticated around 8000 years ago. They evolved from the red jungle fowl, Gallus gallus.

How to make the perfect boiled egg! Thanks to our partner, Egg Farmers of Canada, for the great tips!! View the video: https://loom.ly/-aCqKNI

Not enough wings for the Super Bowl?  Here’s a fun article on the situation in the USA: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/02/02/chicken-wing-shortage-super-bowl/

Fenton MacHardy, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away in Kelowna, BC on January 4, 2021. Born in Vermilion, AB on February 2, 1921, he was predeceased by his cherished ...