Unplucked

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.

Unlocking Better Hatchability: The Impact of Micronutrients in Poultry Breeder Diets

On this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance speaks with Dr. Mercedes Vazquez-Añon, Novus Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Accounts, to explore a challenge facing poultry producers worldwide: declining broiler hatchability rates. Recorded at the Poultry Science Association’s annual meeting, this conversation dives into how nutrition, especially micronutrients and trace minerals, plays a critical role in breeder fertility, embryonic development, and the quality of day-old chicks.
 
Dr. Vazquez-Añon explains how decades of genetic progress have improved feed efficiency and growth rates in broilers, but sometimes at the expense of fertility and reproductive health in breeders. The discussion highlights the often-overlooked importance of micronutrients like zinc, copper, and manganese, and why a more precise, science-based approach to mineral nutrition can help optimize skeletal and reproductive development from the pullet phase onward. Listeners will learn why a “more is better” approach to minerals can backfire, and how rethinking mineral balance is key to supporting better eggshell quality, chick health, and overall hatchability.
 
The episode also explores how evolving genetic lines and industry challenges, from avian influenza to rising economic pressures, make every fertile egg count more than ever. Dr. Vazquez-Añon offers actionable insights for nutritionists and producers, emphasizing the value of early intervention, precision feeding, and maternal nutrition strategies that give chicks the best possible start.
 
If you’re involved in poultry production, animal nutrition, or just curious about the science behind food production, this episode offers practical information and forward-thinking perspectives on how nutrition can help reverse the hatchability decline and drive sustainable success in the poultry industry.
 
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.

Strong Animals, Strong Systems: Exploring Sustainability and Storytelling in Animal Agriculture

On this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance sits down with Dr. Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, for an in-depth conversation about the future of food, the realities of animal agriculture, and the importance of connecting scientific progress with compelling storytelling. Recorded live at the Poultry Science Association’s annual meeting, their discussion takes listeners beyond the world of poultry to examine how cattle, culture, and the next generation of scientists are all part of creating a more sustainable food system.
 
Dr. Lyons shares the inspiration and vision behind A World Without Cows, a documentary film that explores the essential role of cattle in food security, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. The film was screened at the annual meeting and takes viewers around the world, sharing stories from farmers and communities whose lives are intricately connected to livestock. If you want to see more, you can watch the documentary and explore additional stories at https://worldwithoutcows.com.
 
The conversation also touches on the launch of Planet of Plenty, a company created by Dr. Lyons to further support initiatives that highlight innovation and optimism in agriculture. Andy and Mark dive into the challenges of communicating complex science to a broad audience and discuss why emotion and narrative are just as important as facts and data. They reflect on how food production and sustainability look very different depending on geography, culture, and local resources, and why it is so important to tell authentic, diverse stories from around the globe. The episode highlights the optimism and curiosity needed to lead in a rapidly changing agricultural landscape, and how true collaboration across disciplines, industries, and continents will shape the future of animal agriculture for years to come.
 
If you’re interested in how science, leadership, and storytelling intersect to shape our global food system, this episode offers insights, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on the stories that matter most in agriculture today.
 
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.

PSA Annual Meeting Symposium 2025: Boots on the Ground

In this special episode, Unplucked takes you inside the 2025 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, held in Raleigh, North Carolina. Host Andy Vance sets up the podcast booth right at the heart of the event to bring you exclusive interviews with researchers, educators, and graduate students shaping the future of poultry science.
 
Join nearly 1,200 members and guests from 39 countries as they share groundbreaking research and practical solutions across 600 symposia, abstract presentations, and posters. Hear from Dr. Jason Emerett of the University of Illinois on the evolving challenges of teaching poultry science, the impact of AI in the classroom, and preparing the next generation of scientists. Listen as graduate students discuss their projects on poultry disinfection processes, immune responses in turkeys, Salmonella control, antibiotic alternatives, and genetic markers for broiler fertility.
The episode also features Dr. Don McIntyre, a PSA legend with 45 years in the industry, reflecting on mentorship, the power of professional networks, and the collaborative spirit driving innovation in poultry science.
Key topics this year include avian influenza, immunity, genetics, nutrition, smart farming, and food safety—all driving the poultry industry forward.
 
Whether you’re an industry professional, researcher, educator, or student, this episode offers a front-row seat to the PSA’s mission of advancing, sharing, and applying the latest in poultry science worldwide.
 
Learn more about upcoming PSA conferences and events at poultryscience.org.
 
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.

Outlook of Poultry in EMEA

Nutrition is becoming a lever for both performance and footprint, and the strategy differs by region. Andy speaks with Dr. Behnam Saremi of CJ Bio about the outlook across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, where climate, feed availability, and policy targets push nutritionists toward new formulations. The discussion explains how single amino acids enable lower crude protein without sacrificing growth, how precision diets can reduce nitrogen and carbon outputs, and why immune status and health challenges should guide formulation choices rather than sit outside the model.
They also explore the role of data. Dr. Saremi shares where big datasets and AI can help connect physiology, feed economics, and sustainability metrics in ways that guide real decisions. The episode offers a practical set of ideas any nutritionist can test. Start with a clear outcome, validate with commercial trials, and bring procurement and operations into the conversation early so that better formulations become better results on the balance sheet and in the environment.
 
CREDITSHost - Andy VanceProducer - Lyndsey JohnsonAudio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
 
LEGALThe 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.

Chicken or Egg: Is the Public Misinformed or Are We Miscommunicating?

You can be right on facts and still lose on trust. Communications strategist Hinda Mitchell joins Andy to talk about how poultry and livestock leaders can connect with people who do not live near a barn. They discuss the power of simple explanations and real images, how to respond when a crisis hits, and why answers land better when they come from people who do the work. Hinda lays out a proactive approach. Explain how food is raised before others define the story, invite questions, and treat tough conversations as opportunities rather than threats.
The episode is filled with examples producers can copy. Build a rhythm of sharing small, honest updates. Keep numbers in plain language and tie them to everyday concerns like affordability and safety. Train the whole team on who speaks and how to listen. Listeners leave with a step-by-step framework for earning credibility one conversation at a time.
 
CREDITSHost - Andy VanceProducer - Lyndsey JohnsonAudio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
 
LEGALThe 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.

Egg Prices

When eggs get expensive, everyone notices. To separate signal from noise, Andy welcomes Brian Earnest, lead protein industry analyst at CoBank, for a clear walk through supply, demand, and the structural changes that shape the retail shelf. They explain how highly pathogenic avian influenza cut laying capacity, why recovery is uneven, and how cage-free conversions changed the cost structure and the product mix. The episode puts headlines into context, comparing eggs with pork, beef, and chicken, and explaining how regional markets and contracts complicate simple year-over-year comparisons.
Producers and buyers get practical takeaways. Brian outlines indicators to watch in flock numbers, placement data, and feed markets. He also describes scenarios that could bring prices down or keep them sticky, and how retailers think about promotions when shoppers feel price fatigue. It is a calm, data-driven discussion for anyone who needs to plan budgets, manage expectations, or answer consumer questions with confidence.
 
CREDITSHost - Andy VanceProducer - Lyndsey JohnsonAudio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
 
LEGALThe 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.

Extension

Good science is only useful when it reaches the people doing the work. Andy sits down with Dr. Tony Pescatore to explore how the land-grant system turns research into practical help for farmers, integrators, and educators. They revisit a career that spans printed bulletins, county meetings, and the early internet, and look at how today’s mix of short videos, podcasts, and searchable factsheets meets people where they are. The conversation highlights what makes extension credible. Responsiveness, independence, and a focus on the specific problem in front of the producer.
Listeners get a set of timeless principles. Ask better questions before offering answers. Translate jargon without losing accuracy. Share tools that fit the labor and equipment people actually have. Dr. Pescatore also reflects on how extension bridges backyard flocks and commercial complexes without judgment, and why that broad view helps the entire sector stay resilient during disease events and market shocks.
 
CREDITSHost - Andy VanceProducer - Lyndsey JohnsonAudio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
 
LEGALThe 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.

The Minds Behind the Science: Meet the People Driving Poultry Innovation

Career paths in poultry science rarely run straight. Andy talks with Dr. Marc de Beer, president of Aviagen North America, about how a grounding in nutrition became preparation for leading a global genetics business. They discuss curiosity as a career tool, the difference between lab certainty and field ambiguity, and how to make decisions when data are good but incomplete. Dr. de Beer shares the practices he uses to evaluate risk, build resilient teams, and keep a long view when the news cycle pulls focus to the next crisis.
This is also a conversation about culture. Listeners hear how mentorship opens doors, how to give feedback that moves projects forward, and how to maintain scientific integrity inside commercial pressure. From designing clean experiments to translating results for customers, the episode offers a practical playbook for scientists who want to lead and for leaders who want to keep science at the center of their decisions.
 
CREDITSHost - Andy VanceProducer - Lyndsey JohnsonAudio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
 
LEGALThe 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.

Feed the Future: Innovations in Poultry Nutrition

Precision nutrition is a mindset as much as it is a set of tools. PSA President Dr. Martin Zuidhof joins Andy to map how data, modeling, and feeder technology can reshape breeder and broiler programs. They explain how individual bird data unlocks new ways to control body weight, improve uniformity, and match nutrients to biological need rather than to averages. The conversation clarifies what precision feeding can already do, where it still needs refinement, and why small improvements in consistency can yield large gains in welfare and efficiency.
Listeners get a realistic picture of implementation. Dr. Zuidhof shares lessons from successes and stumbles, including how to design trials that translate to commercial houses, how to focus on a few controllable variables at a time, and how to communicate change so teams understand the why behind new protocols. The episode closes with a look at sex-specific formulation, variable protein strategies that protect margins and the environment, and a practical checklist for using data to guide feed decisions rather than to overwhelm them.
 
CREDITSHost - Andy VanceProducer - Lyndsey JohnsonAudio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt
 
LEGALThe 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.