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INVESTIGATOR: Temu, V. W.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA 23803

STUDIES ON SUSTAINABLE CROP-LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS FOR FREE-RANGE POULTRY AND GRAIN TEFF (ERAGROSTIS TEF) PRODUCTION IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: There is arapidly growing demand for high-value agricultural foods produced naturally and/or humanely. Such products are considered tastier and more nutritious and fetch higher premiums as consumers become more concerned about agrochemical residues in their foods. Such is the unsatisfied demand for free-range poultry products. The mid-Atlantic region, in particular has great demand for grain teff from its large and growing population of Ethiopians. Teff is also gluten free, and therefore, a healthy alternative for about 2 million people in the US suffering from celiac disease. Grain teff production offers great economic opportunity to resource limited farmers and former tobacco growers in the region. For example the 2015 teff flour imports from Ethiopia ranged from 6,000-8,000 metric tons by January 2016 and were expected to reach 18,000 metric tons. North America's over 50% of global gluten-free market share is projected to grow to about USD 7.6 billion by 2020. However, producers need information on practical solutions to disease and food safety pathogen problems associated with buildup of poultry manure. This study seeks to assess environmental friendly approaches to sustainable management of integrated crop-livestock systems involving high-value small grain production and free-range poultry in the mid-Atlantic region. The focus is on preventing excessive buildup of poultry manure in disease pathogems by integrating free-range production with that of grain teff and thus achieve efficient nutrient utilization. With equipment and research infrastructure to be acquired, Virginia State University may offer better services to students and small limited-resource farmers in Virginia and the mid-Atlantic.

OBJECTIVES: This project aims at generating research-based data on sustainable management approaches to integrated free-range poultry and grain teff production focusing on the performance of chicken and teff, the yield and quality of meat, eggs,and grain, animal health and food safety as well as fertility management. It is assumed that with dual-purpose breeds, producers can sale identified poor layers for meat and generate some revenue to cover some costs of concentrate feeds. That a producer can keep harvesting eggs from the remaining birds until the flock reaches its pick laying phase, and sale them for meat at the natural decline in egg production. The preference for dual purpose paultry is intended to benefit limited resource producers better than is possible with a pure system for layers or broilers. With regards to grain quality, this study will assess the likelihood of such problems related to molds and yeasts.