Progress 04/01/24 to 03/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:Worked performed as part of this grant has been presented broadly to industry, academia, and federal researchers and regulators via talks at the International Poultry Scientific Forum/International Poultry Processing Expo, The Poultry Federation Food Safety Conference. It has also been shared via an academic seminar at Virginia Tech and was also presented to internationally at the Amevea meeting in Colombia topoultry producers and veterinarians. It was shared directly with industry at the National Chicken Council Processors meeting. Changes/Problems:As noted in previous report, we had to start Aim 1 later, which has pushed us back. Aim 1 has now been completed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This work has involved training of three graduate students and one undergradate. Training and professional development opportunites have included conference presentations, presentations between collaborating institutes (UGA and UIUC), and direct interactions/collaborations with FSQA, live production personnel in the poultry industry. One graduate student presented work on this project at a workshop for broiler service technicians. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Work has been presented via conference presentations (IPSF/IPPE 2025, Poutry Federation Food Safety Meeting 2025, GA Association of Food Protection Meeting 2024) all of which were attended by members of the poultry industry, and most of which were also attended by academics and government researchers/regulators. The project also involves close collaboration with industry and we have been sharing our data directly with them as the project progresses. They presented some of the results of this research at the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Biennial Meeting in 2024 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to submit a paper detailing results of Aim 1 that demonstrates directed processing/logistic slaughter based on serovars and Salmonella load can be used effectively to reduce Salmonella We will complete Aim 2 (modeling) and begin work on Aim 3
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Major goal 1: to develop and test a directed processing approach in broiler chickens based on Salmonella serotype identity and levels During the reporting period, we completed farm and plant sampling for Aim 1We screened approx 50 broiler houses per week and followed these through processing (pre and post chill). Farm samples were screened for serovars of concern and Salmonella load was determined. This information was used to process broiler flocks containing high levels of Salmonella, including serovars of concern, later in the shift (directed processing=ON) and compared to no change in processing order (=OFF). Wedemonstrated that this approach for directed processing/logistic slaughterwas highly effective not only at reducing overall Salmonellain chickens (p<0.0005) but, importantly, also at reducing serovars of concern at processing. Major goal 2: simulate directed processing under industry-relevant parameters and assess benefit - we began statistical analyses of farm data (Salmonella prevalence, load, serovars of concern). Work toward this aim is on-going. Major goal 3: implement a logistical and feasible directed processing scheme for processors - nothing to report
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Progress 04/01/23 to 03/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audience in this reporting period has been directly with the broiler production industries. We have presented our findings to industry via stakeholder meetings in person and virtually Changes/Problems:As we were preparing to begin this work, it became clear from other projects in our lab, as well as from other researchers (industry and academia), that Salmonella quantification was extremely variable using the methods we had proposed in this grant. Since drected processing is heavily dependent on accurate quantification, it was important to address this before begining the propsed work. To do so, we spent time optimizing sample types that could be best used to assess Salmonella quantification in broiler houses - we assessed six different types of samples, and compared prevalence determination via molecular and culture methods, and assessed the two best methods using the quantification assay. This delayed us by several months, and we began sampling from farms in spring 2024 toward completing Goal 1. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate students involved in this project have been trained in fieldwork, sample collection and Salmonella isolation and quantification. Professional development activities have involved direct interactions with food safety and live production teams in industry How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our data on Salmonella quantification of different sample types has been presented at stakeholder meetings (e.g., presentations to industry at National Chicken Council meetings; industry HACCP Rountable hosted by NCSU) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Sampling and analysis for Goal 1 will be completed in the next reporting period and we wil begin working on Goal 2
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Major goal 1: to develop and test a directed processing approach in broiler chickens based on Salmonella serotype identity and levels -For this goal, we spent the first several months optimizing the sample collection method to ensure accurate Salmonella quantification. We began sampling houses in spring 2024 Major goal 2: simulate directed processing under industry-relevant parameters and assess benefit - nothing to report Major goal 3: implement a logistical and feasible directed processing scheme for processors -nothing to report
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