National Poultry Technology Center at Auburn University

10/19/2026

We have our 2027 NPTC Poultry Housing Tips Calendars printed and shipping orders! If you are interested in purchasing calendars for your growers or your teams, scan the QR code or use the link below.

https://secure.touchnet.net/C20021_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=7474&FROMQRCODE=true

10/16/2026

Could broiler-house roofs become part of your water-management strategy?

On one commercial four-house farm, harvested rainwater supplied more than half of annual production water and helped reduce the water bill by about 54%. The potential benefits depend on local water costs, rainfall, system design, and maintenance.

See what the case study that was led by Carson Edge, Assistant Research Professor with the National Poultry Technical Center, Auburn University, found in the full Alabama Extension article link below.

We want to thank our farm partner, Kevin Allen, for his long-term collaboration with the NPTC!

10/13/2026

We want to congratulate two of our team members on their recent promotions!

Cody Smith has demonstrated outstanding growth as a research and Extension professional with the National Poultry Technology Center. He has taken a leading role in developing and deploying advanced on-farm data collection systems designed to monitor poultry house environmental controls and support energy modeling research. Through specialized work in sensors, instrumentation, computer programming, and troubleshooting, Cody has become a key contributor to our large-scale research projects.

In addition to his technical accomplishments, he has independently developed and delivered hands-on training programs focused on poultry house tightness, fan maintenance, and environmental management, providing education to farmers and industry professionals across the United States and internationally.

Cody has also contributed to peer-reviewed publications, Extension programming, facility operations, and fleet management. His combination of technical expertise, problem-solving ability, professionalism, and dedication to serving the poultry industry has made him an essential member of the NPTC team and supported his promotion to Research Engineer III.

10/13/2026

We want to congratulate two of our team members on their recent promotions!

Over the last few years, Kelly Griggs has been focusing on applied research in water quality in evaporative cooling systems, particularly the causes and mitigation of mineral scaling in cooling pads. She has developed research test systems, led applied studies, authored and co-authored Extension and peer-reviewed publications, and translated complex technical findings into practical training programs for poultry producers and industry professionals from across the U.S. and internationally.

In addition to her research contributions, Kelly serves as the primary coordinator for NPTC workshops and industry partnerships, providing critical leadership in event management, sponsor relations, and stakeholder engagement. Her technical expertise, initiative, and commitment to serving the poultry industry have made her an invaluable member of the NPTC team and supported her promotion to Research Engineer V.

10/07/2026

Earlier this summer, Charlie Peacock, President of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, awarded Jess Campbell the 2026 Distinguished Service Award for his 25 years of service to the Alabama poultry industry. While at Auburn, he hosted over 157 poultry seminars, delivered over 550 presentations, and authored 68 newsletters and 186 magazine articles. Most importantly, he has answered questions and developed solutions for countless industry professionals and growers!

The award was presented by Clint Lauderdale to Jess today at the 2026 Alabama Poultry Industry Workshop in Auburn, AL.

Please congratulate Jess Campbell on the well-deserved honor!

10/05/2026

Alabama poultry growers can now take advantage of utility tax exemptions on electricity and natural gas used in poultry houses. The exemption became effective September 1. ALFA has provided a step-by-step guide to help producers apply and determine eligibility.

Learn more:

Alabama farmers may qualify for an exemption from utility taxes on electricity and natural gas used in poultry houses, commercial greenhouses, pivot irrigation systems and commercial catfish aeration systems. The exemption took effect Sept. 1.

09/30/2026

We have our 2027 NPTC Poultry Housing Tips Calendars printed! If you are interested in purchasing calendars for your growers or your teams, scan the QR code or use the link below.

https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsecure.touchnet.net%2FC20021_ustores%2Fweb%2Fproduct_detail.jsp%3FPRODUCTID%3D7474%26FROMQRCODE%3Dtrue&data=05%7C02%7Cjdd0042%40auburn.edu%7C94def558655f4bde4b6d08df1a5a8ba9%7Cccb6deedbd294b388979d72780f62d3b%7C0%7C0%7C639258648361276203%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Z3NYDscbA1CcvI9HlNVndNOif9CKBLuwRQrDF6349G4%3D&reserved=0

09/29/2026

We recently published this article to highlight the damage that occurs over time and the loss in heating efficiency with broken radiant tube heater air intakes. We want to thank Jeff Wilson with Space Ray Heating for his expertise and for sharing photos of extreme soot build-up in tube heaters.

Most manufacturers have developed resources, such as YouTube videos and written guides, to help you clean and maintain the tube heaters on your farm.

Ignoring a torn heater intake duct in a poultry house can quietly increase fuel use, reduce heating efficiency, and contribute to costly heater repairs long before obvious problems appear.

09/29/2026

Last Wednesday (Sep 23), we held our 2026 NPTC Fall Rookie Broiler Workshop.

We want to thank Donnie Wright and Jay McKnight, Diversified Agriculture, for providing two sessions on Rotem Controllers. We want to thank Jim Rose, Sebastian Pena, Reece Verkamp, Chore-Time, for providing two sessions on Chore-Time controllers.

We want to thank Heath Whiddon, Lubing Systems, for speaking about management opportunities with drinker systems, Clint Lauderdale and Steve Carpenter, Poultry Guard, for discussing management strategies to get the most out of litter amendments.

Lunch was provided by Randall Upchurch and Kelcey Sims with Poultry South and Clint Lauderdale and Carpenter with Poultry Guard.

We want to thank our 2026 Friends of the NPTC Sponsors: Ag Lighting Innovations, Aviagen, Chore-Time, A Division of CTB, Inc., Cobb, Cumberland Poultry, Double L Group, LLC, Eagan Manufacturing, Georgia Poultry Equipment Company, Lubing Systems, LP, Proxy-Clean Products, Space-Ray, Valco, and Weeden Sprinkler Systems.