As part of the 2013 International Production & Processing Expo education schedule, the American Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association will host a new conference for poultry processors, Animal Care and Handling – Focus on Poultry. Taught by leading experts in the field, the program will provide poultry processors with in-depth instruction on best practices for poultry handling and transportation, current stunning systems technology, and will address factors that can impact welfare and affect poultry quality. The registration fee for the program is $100 for all Expo attendees.

"The new poultry focused Animal Care and Handling program is both timely and essential. The poultry industry is being challenged in the area of animal welfare, and a program such as this can offer valuable, time-tested guidance for the proper care and handling of the birds," remarked John Starkey, USPOULTRY President.

“This program is another example of the synergistic benefit of integrating our respective tradeshows at the IPPE. We are able to offer an even stronger education program to benefit our attendees,” said AMI President J. Patrick Boyle.

Dr. Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton of the University of Arkansas will present on Stunning Systems for Chickens and Turkeys. Dr. Sarge Bilgili of Auburn University will discuss Factors Affecting Chicken and Turkey Quality. Dr. Karen Christensen of OK Foods will provide an Overview of NCC, NTF, and UEP Animal Care Guidelines, and Dr. Eva Pendleton of Pennsylvania State University will present on Broiler, Layer and Turkey Handling & Transport Quality Assurance.

The 2013 IPPE, one of the world's largest poultry, feed, and meat industry events, will be held from January 29-31, 2013 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. The Animal Care and Handling – Focus on Poultry program will be on Monday, January 28, from 1– 5 p.m. The conference agenda can be viewed at www.ime13.org and www.ipe13.org.