USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved four new Board Research Initiative (BRI) topics for this year’s competition. The boards of directors for both organizations approved the topics following recommendations from the Foundation Research Advisory Committee (FRAC). This committee assesses research proposals for their relevance to the industry and advises the boards on funding decisions. The FRAC members are professionals from various segments of the poultry and egg industry, bringing diverse expertise to the evaluation process.

The BRI was established by the boards of USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation to address urgent challenges facing the poultry and egg industry. Operating alongside the Association’s long-standing research program, the BRI enhances the original program’s impact and long-term success. Each year, the boards select key areas of research for focus, ensuring that the Initiative targets the most pressing needs of the industry.

USPOULTRY research funding supports projects that address broad industry needs and deliver practical, science-based benefits to the poultry and egg industries, including animal welfare; breeder management for turkeys and broilers; meat bird management; commercial egg production; poultry health and disease; environmental management; food safety; hatchery management; nutrition; processing; and employee safety and health. Research focused primarily on the development, validation or advancement of a specific commercial product or technology, as well as projects receiving substantial commercial support, may be less likely to receive funding.

This year’s BRI topics address Colibacillosis in Commercial Layers, Reduced Fertility in Broiler Breeders, Presence of PFAS in Incoming Potable Water Supplies to Poultry Processing Facilities and On-Farm Depopulation Using Nitrogen. Visit the USPOULTRY website for complete descriptions of the topics and instructions for submitting a preproposal.