USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved $380,000 for four new research grants at four institutions through the Comprehensive Research Program. The research funding was approved by the boards of directors of both organizations, following recommendations from the Foundation Research Advisory Committee (FRAC). This Committee assesses research proposals to evaluate their potential impact on the industry and subsequently advises the boards on funding decisions. Composed of experts from diverse sectors of the poultry and egg industry, the Committee includes professionals from various scientific disciplines.

The Association’s Comprehensive Research Program dates to the early 1960s when funds were first approved for poultry disease research. It gradually grew into an all-inclusive program incorporating all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. Since the inception of the research program, USPOULTRY has reinvested more than $37 million, or $65 million adjusted for inflation, into the industry in the form of research grants. More than 50 universities and federal and state facilities have received grants over the years.

“One of the many pillars of USPOULTRY's and the Foundation’s service to the poultry industry is research. Evaluating the multitude of research projects requires not just time, but a deep commitment to understanding their potential impact, as each decision shapes the future of innovation and progress in our industry. Members of the FRAC spend countless hours reviewing and evaluating the proposals before making recommendations for funding, and we appreciate their time and commitment,” said Jonathan Cade, Hy-Line International, and USPOULTRY chair.

The research grants for each institution include:

Digital PCR Method for the Detection and Estimation of Salmonella Load in Poultry Samples 
Florida State University

Dual Biocontrol of Salmonella in Poultry: Targeted Killing Plus Vaccination
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service

Investigating the Contribution of Satellite Cell Heterogeneity to Wooden Breast Myopathy
Ohio State University

Deboning Salmonella Contamination: Does Cross-Contamination During Debone Contribute to Salmonella Contamination in Ground Turkey? 
Kansas State University