Fred Dustan Clark, DVM, PhD
Extension Poultry Veterinarian
Whitaker Arena

Dr. Clark will talk about diseases, treatments and disease prevention He will also speak about anatomy and disease recognition. Clark is one of several veterinarians designated as a trainer for security issues involving America’s poultry industry.

Dr. R. Keith Bramwell, Ph.D.
Reproductive Physiologist

Dr. Bramwell attended Brigham Young University where he received his B.S. in Animal Science in 1989. He then attended the University of Georgia from 1989 to 1995 where he received both his M.S. and Ph.D. in Poultry Science where he developed the sperm penetration assay, which is still in use today, as both a research tool and as a practical trouble shooting instrument for the poultry industry. He then spent one year studying in the Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory at Colorado State University. In 1996, Bramwell returned to the University of Georgia as an Assistant Professor and Extension Poultry Scientist.

Dr. Bramwell joined the Center of Excellence at the University of Arkansas as an Extension Poultry Specialist in the fall of 2000. His areas of research include the many factors (both management and physiological) that influence fertility and embryonic mortality in broiler breeders. Specifically, he has been involved with studies on the effects of breeder flock age on the decline in fertility and sperm-egg interaction, hatchability and the associated increases in early embryonic mortality from a commercial perspective. Other areas of interest are related to hatching egg handling and storage and the effects on hatchability and embryo livability. His work will continue to focus on the various areas of the poultry industry as they relate to reproduction and hatchery management.

SIGNIFICANT PAPERS

• Bramwell, R.K. and B. Howarth. 1992. Preferential attachment of cock spermatozoa to the perivitelline layer directly over the germinal disc of the hen's ovum. Biology of Reproduction 47:1137-1147.
• Bramwell, R.K., H.L. Marks, and B. Howarth, 1995. Quantitative determination of sperm penetration of the perivitelline layer of the hen's ovum as assessed in oviposited eggs. Poultry Science 74:1875-1883.
• Bramwell, R.K., C.D. McDaniel, J.L. Wilson, and B. Howarth, 1996. Age effect of male and female broiler breeders on sperm penetration of the perivitelline layer overlying the germinal disc. Poultry Science 75:755-762.
• Bramwell, R.K. and B. Howarth, 1992. Cross-reactivity of sperm-binding proteins from the chicken, turkey, and duck oocytes. Poultry Science 71:1927-1932.
  McDaniel, C.D., R.K. Bramwell, J.L. Wilson, and B. Howarth, Jr. 1995. Fertility of male and female broiler breeders following exposure to elevated ambient temperatures. Poultry Science 74:1029-1038.

Dr Bramwell will speak on embryology and hatchery issues. Dr. Bramwell joined the Center of Excellence at the University of Arkansas as an Extension Poultry Specialist in the fall of 2000. His areas of research include the many factors (both management and physiological) that influence fertility and embryonic mortality in broiler breeders. Specifically, he has been involved with studies on the effects of breeder flock age on the decline in fertility and sperm-egg interaction, hatchability and the associated increases in early embryonic mortality from a commercial perspective. Other areas of interest are related to hatching egg handling and storage and the effects on hatchability and embryo livability. His work will continue to focus on the various areas of the poultry industry as they relate to reproduction and hatchery management.

DR. SUSAN E. WATKINS
Extension Poultry Specialist

Dr. Watkins received a B.S. in Animal Science in 1983 from the University of Arkansas and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Poultry Nutrition from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Watkins has served as a Poultry Extension Specialist since 1996.

Dr. Watkins' area of focus is broiler and turkey production. Dr. Watkins provides the poultry industry with technical support in the areas of drinking water quality, litter management, litter treatments, facility sanitation and bedding material alternatives. Dr. Watkins has conducted evaluations on the Bio-burner that has been developed as an alternative poultry floor sanitation procedure. Dr. Watkins also conducts applied research evaluations for the industry in the areas of bird strain comparisons and new products used in poultry production. In 2007, Watkins was named one of the "Top Guns" in the poultry industry by Poultry USA magazine. In 2008, Watkins was awarded the John W. White Outstanding Extension State Faculty Award by the Division of Agriculture.

Dr. Watkins works with the poultry industry to provide quality educational programs in the areas of human relations training and technical training. Dr. Watkins works with The Poultry Federation with the planning of The Poultry Symposium and The Nutrition Conference. Dr. Watkins is also active with the planning and coordination of The National Waste Management Symposium held every two years.

Dr. Watkins serves as the Departmental Coordinator for the internship program. Dr. Watkins also serves as Poultry Science Club advisor and she serves as the student advisor for the College Student Career Program hosted by U.S. Poultry and Egg.

SIGNIFICANT PAPERS

• Watkins, S.E., The Bio-Burner: A New Tool in Poultry Sanitation. 1999. Avian Advice 1:2-4.
• Watkins, S.E., F.T. Jones, F.D. Clark, and J.L Wooley. Raising Broilers and Turkeys for Competition. Cooperative Extension Service. 4HFSO416-2M-11-97N.
• Murakami, A.E., E.A. Saleh, S.E. Watkins, and P.W. Waldroup. 2000. Sodium Source and Level in Broiler Diets With and Without High Levels of Animal Protein. J. Appl. Poultry Res. 9:53-61.
• Watkins, S.E., P.W. Waldroup, J.P. Peters, and A.D. Desai. 1999. Stability of Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate and Chlortetracycline in Combination in a Pelleted Pig Feed. Animal Feed Sci and Tech. 81:35-42.

Samuel N. Nahashon, Ph.D.
Team Coordinator - Research Professor
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research
Tennessee State University
Field of Specialization: Guinea Fowl Nutrition and Genetics

Dr. Nahashon will discuss CURRENT research on the optimize nutrient requirements and management practices for improving reproductive and production efficiency of the guinea fowl. Utilize functional genomics tools to improve poultry production efficiency, ensuring quality of poultry products, and safeguard the environment from pollutants of inefficient poultry production systems.