Chicken Community Gathers on Delmarva for Scientific Conference
A major conference for the U.S. poultry industry, the 60th National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing and Live Production, is drawing more than 430 attendees to Ocean City, Md.
The National Meeting is presented by Delmarva Chicken Association, the nonprofit founded in 1948 to advocate for Delmarva's chicken community. The conference kicks off Tuesday morning in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center with a full day of speakers and panel discussions focusing on poultry health and processing. Attendees will enjoy a reception and dinner at Seacrets that night. On Wednesday, the conference continues, adding a focus on live production. DCA will also present awards to outstanding flock advisors for the five Delmarva-based chicken companies on Wednesday afternoon. An offsite educational meeting for chicken growers, featuring speakers from the National Meeting, is also on the agenda.
"We are thrilled to welcome researchers, poultry professionals, government officials, chicken company employees, and students to the 60th National Meeting," said Dr. Claudia Osorio, chairperson of DCA's National Meeting Planning Committee. "This conference offers an excellent chance for everyone in the poultry industry to stay informed about the latest research, as well as many other current topics affecting our industry. It's a great chance to connect with colleagues and be inspired to advance the science of poultry."
Trey Forsyth, Chief of Staff in USDA's Office of Food Safety, will review USDA priorities and plans at the conference. Other topics on deck include field experience on emerging avian diseases; lessons learned from the 2025 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) cases on Delmarva; the latest research on salmonella prevention; setting up flocks for success in the first two weeks of life; and an overview on poultry exports.
Major sponsors of the 60th National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing, and Live Production include Clear View Enterprises, Elanco, Farm Credit, Aviagen, Best Veterinary Services, DE-Chem, BinSentry, York Ag, Cal-Maine Foods, WATT Global Media, JH Environmental Solutions, and Zoetis.
"The National Meeting is an important forum for veterinarians, processing facility managers, grow-out managers, live production managers, flock supervisors, allied businesses, government regulators and officials, research faculty and others involved in poultry to meet and share what's new in their fields," said Holly Porter, DCA's executive director. "We're pleased that so many past attendees were eager to return to this meeting, and that others chose to experience it for the first time."
The day before the National Meeting, DCA hosts its College Scholarship Golf Tournament at GlenRiddle Golf Club in Berlin, Md. The annual tournament devotes 100 percent of its proceeds to DCA's College Scholarship Program, which earlier this year awarded scholarships totaling $23,500 to 12 students pursuing careers in the chicken community.
The National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing, and Live Production, hosted by Delmarva Chicken Association, is returning to Ocean City at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.
About Delmarva Chicken Association
Delmarva Chicken Association, founded in 1948, is the Delmarva chicken industry's voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education and member relations. DCA's vision is to be the most-respected chicken organization in the United States. For more information about the Delmarva Chicken Association, visit www.dcachicken.com or call 302-856-9037.