Upcoming UADA workshop to address poultry house ventilation
June 23, 2026
By Ryan McGeeney
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Proper ventilation key to poultry health
- Minor adjustments can have huge impacts
- Attendance is free, online registration required
(313 words)
Download photos of ventilation fans
JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas poultry farm managers will have the opportunity to learn about the latest in ventilation technology and techniques at the Ventilation Practices and Principles workshop from the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
The workshop is scheduled for July 9, from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Craighead County Extension Office at 611 E. Washington Ave. in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Lunch will be provided.
Zac Williams, extension poultry husbandry and management specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said the workshop will cover important aspects of caring for poultry during the heat of the summer.
“The workshop will cover hot weather ventilation, including static pressure, wind speed, relative humidity and some basic maintenance,” Williams said. “Attendees will learn how bird physiology plays into heat stress and how we use the principles of ventilation to keep our birds cool and productive. Any service techs or growers will benefit from attending.”
Attendance at the workshop is free, but online registration is required.
In the June edition of Avian Advice, a monthly newsletter published through the Division of Agriculture, Williams described tunnel ventilation as “the backbone of environmental control in modern commercial poultry barns.”
“The condition of the ventilation system often determines whether birds merely survive heat events or continue to perform efficiently through them,” he said.
Williams said the margin for error in such ventilation systems is small and can have substantial impacts on poultry productivity.
“Relatively minor maintenance issues — dust accumulation on fan blades, worn belts, or partially opening shutters — can quietly reduce airflow by 20-30 percent, undermining cooling capacity and increasing the risk of heat stress, poor feed conversion and uneven flock performance,” Williams said.
According to the Poultry Federation, poultry production represents more than 174,000 jobs in Arkansas, with production spread across more than 6,500 farms. In 2024, the Arkansas poultry industry generated $6.7 billion in cash receipts, according to the federation.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Zac Williams at zwilliams@uada.edu or 601-527-2871 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact:
Ryan McGeeney
rmcgeeney@uada.edu
501-671-2120