OBJECTIVE A-1 ANIMAL AGRICULTURE (POULTRY) Poultry producers will implement practices or enterprises that will achieve individual

l and family goals related to profitability and quality of life. James Cochran, Area Specialized Poultry Agent (Robeson, Columbus, Cumberland, Bladen, Hoke) PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Poultry production is not drastically different in Robeson, Cumberland, Bladen, Hoke and Columbus counties. The audiences to be addressed include commercial contract poultry growers and small backyard home flocks. To a lesser but cooperative degree, are the interests of the commercial poultry company employees. Farm diversification has led to a second wave of new poultry house construction at a slower but steady pace since the first commercial poultry houses were built in the early 1990s. This expansion will continue for a couple more years. At the same time, 10-year veterans of commercial poultry production find themselves with diminishing loan amounts but faced with poultry house renovations and equipment upgrades to remain competitive. Imposing regulations affect all commercial farms with added expenses in handling poultry waste. Of growing concern is how small flocks may influence commercial poultry production particularly pertaining to diseases. Adding to this concern is the increase of the Hispanic population in these same commercial poultry production areas and with it the popularity of transporting individual small flock birds to and from other parts of the United States and from South America. A very multidisciplinary approach is warranted to address the issue driven problems related to economic commercial poultry production and the interrelationship with small flocks and poultry companies. Cooperating and coordinating Extension program delivery with the expertise and resources of private companies, other government agencies and agricultural organizations enhances the decision-making information that poultry producers receive. SITUATION STATEMENT There are 45 plus commercial poultry farm sites in Robeson County producing 20 million broilers and 1 million turkeys each year. This production has a value of over $50 million. Payments directly to contracting growers are over $5 million with an economic impact turnover estimation of over $15 million. Diversification into contract poultry production for many producers was to provide additional farm income. Aging houses, changing company guidelines and increasing regulations with regard to poultry waste utilization creates added expenses to growers without additional compensation. Major advances in production efficiency as experienced the last several decades in poultry production are unlikely for the future, so controlling these added expenses are key to these enterprises remaining economically viable. Future opportunities and challenges lie in identifying economical alternatives to land application of poultry litter on most currently used fields due to limiting phosphorous regulations. Newly appropriated USDA/NRCS EQUIP money in 2003 will help offset some incurred expenses associated with new regulations, but also come with mandated management practices.

Small poultry flocks play a critical role in limiting poultry diseases and the potentially crippling economic effects experienced in other states. TARGET AUDIENCES Employees of commercial poultry production companies Commercial contract poultry growers Employees of litter clean-out companies Non-poultry farmers utilizing poultry litter waste Government agencies: NRCS/SWCD, DENR/DWQ, NCDA&CS Robeson County Health Department Other private companies: feed stores, lenders, and equipment suppliers Agricultural organizations: Farm Bureau, NC Poultry Federation Small backyard flock owners including Mexican immigrants Government leaders/elected officials TEACHING POINTS Production practices and systems related to litter issues Availability of suitable insurance Dependable electrical service Water quality Equipment maintenance Pest management (rodent, insects, diseases, etc.) Compliance with regulations Alternatives to land application of litter Critical and proper information acquisition for decision making Information technology use Farm disaster preparedness (hurricane, disease, mass burial) PROGRAM DELIVERY STRATEGIES One-on-one contacts Group meetings (often company grower routes) Tours and field days Research trial results and demonstrations Mass media Direct mailings and email Extension publications and bulletins Notebooks Videos Internet and Homepages E-mail Networking with agribusinesses, agencies and organizations Specialized Advisory Committees Posters Exhibits Distance education (due to disease contact and transmission concerns) EVALUATION STRATEGIES Review existing records Review NCDA testing services results Documentation of NRCS cost share participation

Observations. Feedback from Specialized Advisory Committee Feedback from Extension personnel (Specialists and Agents) Feedback from farmers and agribusinessmen Feedback from companies and company representatives Surveys Pre and Post program testing. PROGRAMMING RESOURCES Cooperative Extension Specialists Other County Extension Agents Commercial Poultry company resource people Government agencies: NRCS/SWCD; DENR/DWQ; NCDA&CS Robeson County Health Department Extension publications and bulletins Intranet and Internet Waste Applicator Notebook North Carolina Agricultural Chemical Manual Videos Commodity Conferences Equipment and services suppliers Agricultural organizations: Farm Bureau, Livestock Association