USDA poultry research farm gets organic certification

A poultry research farm run by USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Fayetteville, Arkansas, has become the first of such facilities to receive organic certification.

Scientists at ARS' Poultry Production and Product Safety Research Unit began developing the agency's Organic Poultry Research facility last year and recently received organic certification.

Researchers Anne Fanatico and Annie Donoghue will use the facility to study ways of using natural compounds to reduce food-borne pathogens and diseases in poultry. The pair is leading a group of researchers conducting similar efforts nationwide.

ARS said pathogens such as salmonella and campylobacter are primary concerns for organic poultry farmers, but safe, effective and approved organic treatments for birds are in limited supply.

Research conducted with the University of Connecticut and the University of Arkansas have indicated natural compounds like caprylic acid, a fatty acid naturally found in milk and coconuts, and essential plant extracts all have antimicrobial efficacy against enteric pathogens in poultry. Such compounds could help solve food safety concerns in organic production systems, ARS said.

Fanatico and Donoghue also have formed the Organic Poultry Advisory Board, enabling them to work directly with organic producers to address pathogen and disease issues on an organic poultry farm.