09/18/2026
🐔 Building connections between poultry health, industry & animal health officials!
From August 24-27, TAMU partners and Infectious Animal Diseases (IIAD) completed another Poultry State Animal Health Official (SAHO) Course, bringing together 11 state veterinarians and one USDA-APHIS federal veterinarian for four days of education, discussion, and industry engagement.
The course was funded by USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, and it provided specialized education on the U.S. commercial poultry industry while creating opportunities for SAHOs to connect directly with poultry industry stakeholders. By gaining a better understanding of the industry’s daily operations and the potential impacts of movement restrictions and regulatory actions, participants are better equipped to work collaboratively with industry during future infectious disease outbreaks.
Special thanks to Dr. Dee Ellis and Sarah Carrell for leading this event, Dr. Morgan Farnell and Dr. Dee Ellis for providing poultry and veterinarian contacts. And our POSC graduate students Cody Poole and Jacob Porzeinski for their contributions and assistance throughout the week.
We also appreciate our industry partners — Pilgrim’s, Cal-Maine Foods, CEVA, Aviagen, S3, Texas Poultry Federation, and Hy-Line North America — for generously providing meals, venues, and opportunities for fellowship and discussion. We appreciate them for taking the time out of their busy schedules to put on this important event.
Events like this are made possible through collaboration across departments, organizations, and industry, and we are proud to have been part of bringing these groups together. 🤝🐔
