Cargill Poultry Research Center FAQs
April 19, 2018
(270 words)
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Frequently asked questions about the Cargill Poultry Research Center at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture:
What will happen at the new poultry health facility?
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture scientists, including graduate students and post-docs will be evaluating probiotics, prebiotics, nutraceutical and other products for their efficacy in keeping poultry healthy. Researchers will also be developing novel and promising probiotics and other products for commercialization.
Who will lead the facility?
Work at the facility will be conducted under the leadership of Billy Hargis, DVM, PhD, and distinguished professor. Hargis has been part of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science at the Division of Agriculture since 2000. He was named a Poultry Science Associate Fellow in 2015 and distinguished professor in 2017.
How many people will be working at the facility?
The facility is expected to support the work of 6-12 researchers.
How big is the facility?
The facility is 4,200-square feet and will have state-of-the-art lab space and 48 pens for birds.
Why is Cargill involved?
Cargill Protein, based in Wichita, Kansas, and parent Cargill, Inc., of Minneapolis, work with farmers, producers, manufacturers, retailers, governments, and other organizations to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Among its many agriculture industry efforts, the company processes agricultural commodities, including poultry, for food, feed and fuel. Cargill will be donating $150,000 for the project.
What’s the timeline for the facility?
Ground was broken for the center on April 19. The building is expected to be completed in mid-August.
Background
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the value of poultry production in the U.S. in 2016, including broilers, turkeys, chickens and eggs, was $36.688 billion. (See: https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/m039k491c/rv042w763/hx11xh82v/PoulProdVa-04-27-2018.pdf)
In 2016, Arkansas was ranked No. 2 nationally in broilers, producing 6.56 billion pounds and valued at more than $3.14 billion. Eggs were valued at $485 million and turkeys at $434 million. Arkansas was ranked No. 5 in turkeys and No. 10 in chicken eggs.
About Cargill
Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 153 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System 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 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu