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Symposium: What Should Extension Poultrymen be Doing?1
Symposium: What Should Extension Poultrymen be Doing? 1 Chairman H. E. HATHAWAY Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803
HE purpose of this panel discussion is to examine the functions or roles of extension poultrymen in today's poultry industry. As the number of poultry producers and related businesses have declined in recent years, the methods of serving the industry have changed. The panel members, which include a Dean, Department Head, Extension Poultryman, and industry representative, have been asked to express their views on the following questions:
Members A DEAN'S POINT OF VIEW H.
W.
GAEREN
Dean and Coordinator of the College of Agriculture, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30601
There is a temptation to use the same kind of poultry extension program in the 1970's as in the 1950's and 1960's. However, this kind of program will not be adequate to meet the needs of today's poultry industry. One of the main concerns of extension poultrymen should be to grow professionally. To do this, it is necessary to be a member of professional groups, such as the Poultry Science Association. It is also essential that specialists spend more time in
their College or University library and visit with others on their campus who are involved with similar problems. This includes participation in seminars. Extension specialists need to take sabbatical leaves the same as their colleagues in teaching and research. These leaves should not be taken just for the purpose of obtaining an advanced degree. In addition, research projects should include extension specialists as a member of the team. To accomplish all of this extension poultrymen will be required to spend more time on their College or University campus. But this is necessary if they are to meet the needs of the most sophisticated agricultural enterprise in the world today.
1
These summaries of the presentations given in the symposium at the 59th annual meeting of the Poultry Science Association, were prepared by H. S. Johnson, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801.
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Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Michigan on April 18, 2015
1. What should extension poultrymen be doing? 2. How can extension poultrymen serve the large integrator, or does the integrator want their help? 3. What type and kind of research should extension poultrymen be doing? 4. Should extension poultrymen be assisting with youth programs? If so, what types of programs need to be stressed?
T
20
HATHWAY, GARREN, HARTUNG, MOYER AND YEISER
A DEPARTMENT HEAD'S POINT OF VIEW T. E. HARTUNG
Department of Poultry Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68503
serve as catalyst between poultrymen and University staff members. (3) Fact finder. They must be willing and able to serve as a third party, i.e., between poultrymen and hatcherymen. (4) Field researcher, (5) Public relations person, (6) Placement adviser for students, and (7) Recruiter of students.
A SPECIALIST'S POINT OF VIEW D. D. MOYER
Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
The main function of extension poultrymen is that of a problem solver. Integrators continue to look to extension for answers to their specific problems. In the future, extension poultrymen will be highly trained in one major field. They will spend very little time with county programs, but will spend the majority of their time working directly with industry. Addi-
tional time will be spent with various agencies. There will be more split appointments with the switch being made to research. The main emphasis in youth programs will be on science projects while judging will tend to disappear. Problem solving, however, will continue to be the major function of poultry extension specialists.
AN INDUSTRY PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW B. G. YEISER
Yeiser's Incorporated, Winchester, Kentucky 40391
A confidential questionnaire was sent to SO integrators in various parts of the U.S. An attempt was made to send the questionnaire to an equal number of businesses involved with eggs, turkeys, and broilers. Thirty-six replies were received. The responses indicated that a majority of the integrators used some of the services offered by extension poultrymen. Those who did not use any of the services listed such reasons as "lack of knowledge," "lack of contact and/or cooperation," "keep my business private," and "have same services
available internally." Further questioning indicated the integrators considered extension poultrymen who were trained in pathology or nutrition to be of the greatest help to them. Other areas mentioned included marketing, engineering, and management. The final question was this: Do you see any place for the poultry specialist in the future of the integrated poultry operation? Twenty-five replied "yes" and six answered "no."
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Michigan on April 18, 2015
Extension poultrymen have the greatest number of industry counterparts they have ever had. As a result, some of the extension specialists functions have been eliminated. However, extension poultrymen still have many roles to perform. These include: (1) Programmer. They must be able to define their responsibilities and give them priorities. (2) Catalyst. They must
HE purpose of this panel discussion is to examine the functions or roles of extension poultrymen in today's poultry industry. As the number of poultry producers and related businesses have declined in recent years, the methods of serving the industry have changed. The panel members, which include a Dean, Department Head, Extension Poultryman, and industry representative, have been asked to express their views on the following questions:
Members A DEAN'S POINT OF VIEW H.
W.
GAEREN
Dean and Coordinator of the College of Agriculture, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30601
There is a temptation to use the same kind of poultry extension program in the 1970's as in the 1950's and 1960's. However, this kind of program will not be adequate to meet the needs of today's poultry industry. One of the main concerns of extension poultrymen should be to grow professionally. To do this, it is necessary to be a member of professional groups, such as the Poultry Science Association. It is also essential that specialists spend more time in
their College or University library and visit with others on their campus who are involved with similar problems. This includes participation in seminars. Extension specialists need to take sabbatical leaves the same as their colleagues in teaching and research. These leaves should not be taken just for the purpose of obtaining an advanced degree. In addition, research projects should include extension specialists as a member of the team. To accomplish all of this extension poultrymen will be required to spend more time on their College or University campus. But this is necessary if they are to meet the needs of the most sophisticated agricultural enterprise in the world today.
1
These summaries of the presentations given in the symposium at the 59th annual meeting of the Poultry Science Association, were prepared by H. S. Johnson, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois 61801.
19
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Michigan on April 18, 2015
1. What should extension poultrymen be doing? 2. How can extension poultrymen serve the large integrator, or does the integrator want their help? 3. What type and kind of research should extension poultrymen be doing? 4. Should extension poultrymen be assisting with youth programs? If so, what types of programs need to be stressed?
T
20
HATHWAY, GARREN, HARTUNG, MOYER AND YEISER
A DEPARTMENT HEAD'S POINT OF VIEW T. E. HARTUNG
Department of Poultry Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68503
serve as catalyst between poultrymen and University staff members. (3) Fact finder. They must be willing and able to serve as a third party, i.e., between poultrymen and hatcherymen. (4) Field researcher, (5) Public relations person, (6) Placement adviser for students, and (7) Recruiter of students.
A SPECIALIST'S POINT OF VIEW D. D. MOYER
Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
The main function of extension poultrymen is that of a problem solver. Integrators continue to look to extension for answers to their specific problems. In the future, extension poultrymen will be highly trained in one major field. They will spend very little time with county programs, but will spend the majority of their time working directly with industry. Addi-
tional time will be spent with various agencies. There will be more split appointments with the switch being made to research. The main emphasis in youth programs will be on science projects while judging will tend to disappear. Problem solving, however, will continue to be the major function of poultry extension specialists.
AN INDUSTRY PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW B. G. YEISER
Yeiser's Incorporated, Winchester, Kentucky 40391
A confidential questionnaire was sent to SO integrators in various parts of the U.S. An attempt was made to send the questionnaire to an equal number of businesses involved with eggs, turkeys, and broilers. Thirty-six replies were received. The responses indicated that a majority of the integrators used some of the services offered by extension poultrymen. Those who did not use any of the services listed such reasons as "lack of knowledge," "lack of contact and/or cooperation," "keep my business private," and "have same services
available internally." Further questioning indicated the integrators considered extension poultrymen who were trained in pathology or nutrition to be of the greatest help to them. Other areas mentioned included marketing, engineering, and management. The final question was this: Do you see any place for the poultry specialist in the future of the integrated poultry operation? Twenty-five replied "yes" and six answered "no."
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at University of Michigan on April 18, 2015
Extension poultrymen have the greatest number of industry counterparts they have ever had. As a result, some of the extension specialists functions have been eliminated. However, extension poultrymen still have many roles to perform. These include: (1) Programmer. They must be able to define their responsibilities and give them priorities. (2) Catalyst. They must