Arkansas Poultry Researchers Among Poultry Science Association Honorees

We may overlook the countless factors that account for a good chicken dinner, but researchers with the U of A Division of Agriculture think about it every day.

From the hatchery to the processing line, and all areas in between, the scientists continually seek solutions to evolving challenges in poultry production, Arkansas' largest agricultural sector. Broilers, chicken eggs and turkeys account for about $7 billion in Arkansas cash farm receipts, according to the latest Arkansas Agricultural Profile.

The Poultry Science Association, a 118-year-old professional organization with approximately 2,000 members, recently recognized several people with the Division of Agriculture for the work they do to improve the poultry industry. 

Casey Owens, a professor of poultry processing and products in the Department of Poultry Science and the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, has dedicated her career to both research and education in poultry science, with an emphasis on the production and processing factors affecting poultry meat quality and the development of technologies to detect them.

Owens was named a Poultry Science Association Fellow, the highest honor bestowed by the association, and was also presented with the Novus International Teaching Award July 12 at the conclusion of the association's annual meeting, this year in Toronto.

"Dr. Owens has been at the center of cutting-edge research in poultry science for more than two decades," said Dave Caldwell, head of the Department of Poultry Science. "Her contributions to processing and product quality, specifically mitigation efforts for muscle myopathy in commercially processed poultry, lead the field. 

"She has also contributed to recent advancements in poultry processing automation by helping guide engineers with the multi-state Center for Scalable and Intelligent Automation in Poultry Processing and has proven to be an excellent educator with students and stakeholders through her courses and workshops. We're proud of her successes and service to the Division of Agriculture and Bumpers College and congratulate her on this well-deserved honor."

A Division of Agriculture faculty member since 2000, Owens conducts research through the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and she also holds the Novus International Professorship of Poultry Science in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the U of A. 

She teaches courses in the Departments of Poultry Science, Food Science and Animal Science, and serves as the undergraduate curriculum chair. Her industry outreach includes delivering workshops on meat and egg processing.

Owens has been a member of the Poultry Science Association for 30 years, including five as a student. In addition to being a regular presenter of research, she has served in leadership roles for the association's journal, Poultry Science, and the annual conference.

The Fellow honor is the latest in a string of notable achievements for Owens, including the National Chicken Council Broiler Research Award in 2016 for a body of work that included contributions to the development of the Meullenet Owens Razor Shear for assessing meat tenderness and characterization of broiler breast myopathies, development of identification methods for white striping and woody breast, and utilization of woody breast in further processed products. 

"I am truly honored and humbled to be recognized as a Fellow of the Poultry Science Association," Owens said. "This recognition represents much more than my individual accomplishments. It reflects the influence and support of countless people throughout my career of research, teaching and service."

Owens said the teaching award was especially meaningful for her because of the deep sense of fulfillment she has gained from the profession.

"Teaching has been the most rewarding part of my 26 years at the University of Arkansas," she said. "Throughout my career, I have believed that teaching is about more than delivering information — it is also about helping students connect science to real-world applications and preparing them for successful careers."

Poultry Nutrition Research

During the awards celebration, Michael Kidd, a professor of poultry science for the Division of Agriculture, was also presented the American Feed Industry Association Poultry Nutrition Research Award.

Kidd holds the Adisseo Endowed Professorship in Global Sustainable Poultry Nutrition at the Division of Agriculture's Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and has served as both the director of the center and head of the Department of Poultry Science.

"Dr. Kidd leads one of the world's most recognized programs in poultry nutrition," a Poultry Science Association news release stated. "Renowned for his expertise in amino acid nutrition, Dr. Kidd has published more than 450 articles, mentored more than 60 graduate students and spoken at more than 130 international events. A PSA Fellow and former president of the Poultry Science Association, he remains an influential voice shaping the future of the discipline."

Kidd, an El Dorado native, earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in poultry science from the U of A and a doctorate from North Carolina State University specializing in nutrition and immunology. He also serves as an Extraordinary Professor at South Africa's University of Pretoria Department of Animal Science. 

Professional and Undergraduate Awards

Justin Blankenship, manager of the Poultry Science Feed Mill since 2020, was recognized by the Poultry Science Association with the Tyson Foods Inc. Support Personnel Award.

Blankenship's career in the Department of Poultry Science has touched nearly every aspect of its research support operations. Since joining the department in 1996, he has served as a research assistant at the Poultry Science Veterinary Farm, worked on feed formulation and delivery at the Poultry Science Feed Mill and managed the Poultry Environmental Research Laboratory.

"Justin's 30-plus years of experience, technical expertise and dedication to our department make him vital to the success of the Poultry Research Complex," said Rodney Wolfe, manager of the Poultry Research Complex. "He is widely respected by all who work with him, both university and industry personnel." 

Allie Bowerman, a recent honors graduate of the Department of Poultry Science, received the Andrew F. Giesen III Poultry Science Undergraduate Internship Award.

As an undergraduate, Bowerman conducted immunology research with Gisela Erf, the Tyson Endowed Professor of Avian Immunology, and presented an honors thesis on immune responses to a herpesvirus vaccine in turkey layer pullets. At last year's Poultry Science Association meeting, she won the best poster award. She also received the Department of Poultry Science's 2026 Outstanding Senior Award and was named a Senior of Significance by the U of A Alumni Association. 

Bowerman will begin a master's degree in poultry nutrition at the U of A this fall.

"These distinguished individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation and leadership within the poultry science community," the Poultry Science Association news release said. "Their achievements reflect the excellence that propels our field forward."

North American Poultry Trends

During the conference, Craig Bacon, head of the Department of Food Science, presented a breakout session on North American poultry trends and challenges, with a focus on chicken quality and efforts to improve eating characteristics. 

To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit aaes.uada.edu. Follow the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station on LinkedIn and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.

About the Division of Agriculture: The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture's mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation's historic land grant education system. The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three system campuses. Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.