The Poultry Science Cluster was initiated in 2010. The Cluster brings together expertise from across the country to tackle some important research issues for the industry.
Activities within the Cluster can be divided into three main themes, which align with national research priorities:
- The biology and control of gut-borne bacterial diseases in poultry
- Biology and control of avian influenza in poultry
- Innovative production technologies and practices for Canada’s poultry sector
The research is divided into 12 core activities led by 21 principal scientists and a number of support personnel from the following institutions:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- University of Alberta
- University of Guelph
- University of Montreal
- University of Saskatchewan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization
Research activities within the Cluster, including reporting, are scheduled for completion March 31, 2013. This document summarizes progress made to the end of year 2 (March 31, 2012).
Major funding for the Cluster comes from the Growing Canadian Agri-Innovations Program, a $158 million five-year program announced in May 2009 to support industry-led science and technology projects. The program is delivered nationally by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) as part of the federal commitment to Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative designed to support the productivity, profitability and competitiveness of our agriculture industry. CPRC is contributing $589,000 towards the research over three years. Coupled with the funds from AAFC ($1.8 million) and those from other industry organizations ($170,000) and government offices ($293,000) plus in-kind contributions, the total Cluster budget exceeds $3 million.
1. The biology and control of gut-borne bacterial diseases in poultry
The pathogenesis and control of necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens
John Prescott, University of Guelph
Development of Salmonella Enteritidis vaccine for layers and breeding hens
Martine Boulianne, University of Montreal
Use of encapsulated essential oils for controlling enteric bacterial pathogens in chickens
Joshua Gong, Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada
2. Biology and control of avian influenza in poultry
Determining the molecular basis of adaptation of influenza viruses from their natural reservoir to domestic poultry
Yohannes Berhane, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Study of transmission of avian influenza virus
Jiewen Guan, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Immune response to avian influenza virus
Shayan Sharif, University of Guelph
FSQ038
Developing novel vaccines against avian influenza virus
38.1: Éva Nagy, University of Guelph
38.2: Suresh Tikoo, VIDO
38.3: Dele Ogunremi, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
3. Innovative production technologies and practices for Canada’s poultry sector
Maintaining leg and bone structure in commercial poultry
Doug Korver, University of Alberta
Assessing the behaviour and welfare of broiler breeders using alternative feeding strategies
Stephanie Torrey, Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada
Implications of toe clipping on the welfare of commercial turkeys
Hank Classen, University of Saskatchewan