In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Dr. Kayla Price of Alltech Canada about what it really takes to make progress against coccidiosis, one of poultry’s most persistent and costly challenges. The conversation cuts through the assumption that a tidy parasite life cycle leads to tidy control. In the barn, multiple pressures collide, from bird behavior to management realities, and the simple model gives way to a complex gut ecosystem that demands better prevention, smarter diagnostics, and tighter collaboration between researchers and producers.
Dr. Price explains how a deeper understanding of the microbiome can reshape control strategies, why host and species specificity matter when moving from lab results to farm decisions, and where genomics, metagenomics, and artificial intelligence can turn fecal samples into practical, point-of-care insights. She offers a clear case for rethinking diagnostics so that earlier detection does not always require opening birds, and for designing tools that fit the pace and constraints of commercial houses.
The episode also explores how to speed innovation without losing rigor. Dr. Price shares lessons on closing communication gaps between academia and industry, aligning projects with funder goals without compromising scientific questions, and writing for journals in ways that help readers understand the why and the how. Her advice is simple and powerful: Invite field perspectives earlier, value negative results as much as positive ones, and build a pipeline that carries ideas from bench to broiler house through honest feedback and continuous iteration.
CREDITS
Host - Andy Vance
Producer - Lyndsey Johnson
Audio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
LEGAL
The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.
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27:14
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27:14
The Science Behind Modern Broilers
In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance sits down with Dr. Doug Korver to unpack what decades of genetics and nutrition have really done to modern broilers, and what it means for the next decade of poultry production. Dr. Korver explains why visual storytelling matters just as much as data, reflects on the iconic side-by-side comparisons of broilers across eras, and lays out the simple truth that biology has limits. The conversation explores the trade-offs behind faster growth and improved feed efficiency, the consequences for bone health and meat quality, and why issues like myopathy and breeder restrictions require fresh thinking about selection goals, management, and maternal nutrition.
They move from the bench to the barn, discussing why tightly controlled research does not always translate cleanly to 60,000-bird houses, and how to bridge that gap through practical trial design and collaboration. Dr. Korver shares insights from his work on the National Academies committee updating poultry nutrient requirements, including the push for models that keep pace with changing genetics and the reality that many vitamins and minerals are still fed with wide safety margins. This episode also looks at forces beyond the farm, from consumer perception to policy, and why true sustainability must include economics, welfare, environmental impact, and a product people still want to buy.
CREDITS
Host - Andy Vance
Producer - Lyndsey Johnson
Audio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
LEGAL
The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.
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30:34
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30:34
A Gut Feeling: Turning Gut Science into On Farm Results
In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Dr. Lisa Bielke of NC State about what gut health really means in poultry and why bacteria in the gut are not just along for the ride. Dr. Bielke traces her path from early probiotic work to today’s omics era, explains how data is reshaping what we know about the microbiome, and shares why selecting probiotics for specific functions can deliver benefits that go well beyond food safety.
The conversation covers emerging challenges in turkeys, including Eimeria and Histomoniasis, and unpacks how behavior, production systems, and regional disease pressure make turkeys a distinct scientific and management puzzle compared to broilers.
Together, Andy and Lisa dig into vertical transmission from breeders to chicks, why this early microbial handoff may explain inconsistent probiotic results, and how Salmonella can quietly impair performance through inflammation even when birds look healthy.
Dr. Bielke discusses practical ways to measure inflammation, the push to translate lab insights to on-farm decisions, and why the future of microbiome work is not only about disease control but also about improving nutrition and longevity. This episode is packed with great insights and advice for current and future poultry scientists out there.
CREDITS
Host - Andy Vance
Producer - Lyndsey Johnson
Audio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
LEGAL
The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.
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29:24
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29:24
Avian Influenza's Leap from Poultry to Cattle
On this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance sits down with Dr. Scott Kenney of The Ohio State University to unpack how highly pathogenic avian influenza appeared in dairy cattle and what that means for poultry producers. Dr. Kenney explains the virology in plain language, from receptor binding and reassortment to why certain tissues act like virus factories. He shares results from high-containment studies showing that intranasal exposure produced limited disease in cows, while direct exposure of the mammary gland led to severe illness and extremely high virus levels in milk, and he connects those findings to practical risks in milking parlors and waste-milk handling.
The conversation moves from lab to barn with clear takeaways on biosecurity and surveillance, including why pasteurizing waste milk and tightening traffic in and out of milking areas can reduce cross-species transmission risk. Dr. Kenney also frames the situation through a One Health lens, discussing how to monitor for mammalian adaptation, what producers should watch as migration season approaches, and how vaccines and antivirals fit into preparedness for animals and people.
CREDITS
Host - Andy Vance
Producer - Lyndsey Johnson
Audio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
LEGAL
The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.
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32:05
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32:05
Can We Remove Inorganic Phosphorus? The Future of Poultry Diets with Phytase Innovation
In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance explores the cutting edge of poultry nutrition and feed innovation, live from the Poultry Science Association’s annual meeting. Andy talks with Dr. Emma Song, Global Technical Director at Sunhy Biology, about her latest research into phytase and its potential to completely replace inorganic phosphorus in poultry diets. Dr. Song shares insights from her presentations at the conference, detailing how advanced phytase enzymes are making more phosphorus available to birds, improving feed efficiency, and significantly reducing feed costs without sacrificing animal health or performance.
The discussion moves beyond broilers, as Dr. Song outlines the next steps in researching phytase application in turkeys and layers, and what it could mean for the broader industry. Andy is also joined by Matt Einarson, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at SAM Nutrition and Nexus powered by SAM. Matt discusses the company’s sustainability-driven approach to novel feed additives and the importance of scientific partnerships with universities and researchers to drive true innovation. Together, they talk about the challenges and opportunities facing poultry producers today, from global supply pressures to the need for more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective nutrition strategies.
Whether you are interested in new enzyme technologies, removing inorganic phosphorus, or the future of sustainable poultry production, this episode delivers a thought-provoking look at the science and strategy shaping tomorrow’s poultry diets.
CREDITS
Host - Andy Vance
Producer - Lyndsey Johnson
Audio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
LEGAL
The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.
Unplucked - Stripped-down, honest discussions about poultry science.
No fluff. No filter. Just real, transparent, and topical conversations about the science, challenges, and breakthroughs shaping the poultry industry. Unplucked goes beyond the headlines and industry jargon to deliver candid discussions with the experts, researchers, and professionals who know poultry best.
Whether it’s debunking myths, tackling tough questions, or exploring the latest innovations, Unplucked brings you the raw, unvarnished truth about poultry science—because the best insights come when we strip things down to what really matters.
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