AUBURN, ALABAMA, US — Two faculty members from the Department of Poultry Science at Auburn University are leading a research project in partnership with ADM Animal Nutrition to develop poultry feed enzymes to improve animal health and nutrition.

Auburn assistant professors, Charles Starkey, PhD, and Jessica Starkey, PhD, began the research in July with students in the poultry science program conducting experiments at Auburn’s recently completed Charles C. Miller Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center. The experiments are focused on feed mill enzyme processing stability and live broiler chicken growth and digestibility, according to the university.

As part of its role in the multispecies research and teaching partnership, ADM Cares donated $80,000 to support student researchers at Auburn and stipends for visiting research scholars.

“Working with ADM will not only help accelerate our research, but it will directly benefit our students through diverse, hands-on educational experiences in our lab and through internship and networking opportunities,” Starkey said.

Students on Auburn’s campus will have the opportunity to work with ADM’s research and development facilities around the world as they help develop poultry enzyme products to be used in poultry diets to improve digestion, facilitate more flexible feed formulations and improve sustainability in poultry production.

“We see this as the beginning of a productive collaboration and look forward to working closely with some of the best enzyme scientists in the world at ADM,” he said.

Todd Werpy, chief science officer with ADM, said the partnership is an investment in future generations of poultry producers.

“We’re excited about our partnership with Auburn University’s Department of Poultry Science and proud to support their mission to develop future innovators in the field of animal nutrition,” Werpy said. “We’re proud to partner with the Starkeys, accomplished researchers who will be working alongside our own research and development team to create cutting-edge solutions in animal nutrition.”