9.     Producers can pass on or sell their poultry farm as long as the building facility is acceptable to their company and the new owners are capable of operating the facility in a way that will produce a quality product. 10. The producer makes the final decision in purchasing new equipment. Minimum standards may be required by the company.
11.      Companies will work with the producer on an individual basis to address chick quality concerns whenever they may arise.
12.      Even though final bird condemnation is controlled by the USDA inspectors, companies will work with USDA to improve the inspection process.
13.      Auburn University, in cooperation with the AP&EA grower committee and poultry companies, will develop general information to help potential producers better estimate expected income and expenses from a poultry operation.
14.      Companies provide prompt payment to producers in accordance with the federal Packers and Stockyard Act.
15.     Companies will employ a system to insure that company employees who also grow chickens will not be shown any favoritism.
16.      Producers are required to dispose of dead birds daily using a method of disposal approved by the Department of Agriculture and their company. Disposal methods may be inspected by company personnel for compliance. Birds may not be placed on a farm with inadequate bird disposal. The Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and Auburn University, will provide to producers a list of the proper bird disposal alternatives.
17.      Companies are encouraged to develop long-term contracts. 18. Producers can join any organization or association. A producer's membership in any organization will not affect his settlement in any way.
19.     The industry will develop educational opportunities for service people to attend that will enhance their communication skills. The Alabama Poultry and Egg Association will also incorporate more communication/inter-personal programs in their workshops and seminars.
20.    Companies and producers will be mindful of the changing economic needs of each other.
21.     DOA's will not be charged to producers.

We believe that this recommended best management practices list will be helpful in improving the important relationship between companies and producers. This list was developed in part by a prioritized list of concerns developed by a company/grower committee which included a producer for each company in the state and a company official from each company in the state. We want to take this opportunity to thank those company employees and producers who volunteered their time to make this effort a success. As an industry, we see this process continuing and constantly changing so that we can always meet the needs of those who make up this great industy. (Developed 1995)

     It is important for the poultry industry to have a strong relationship between companies and producers for continued industry growth in Alabama. In an effort to help insure a positive relationship between companies and producers, the following recommended best management practices list has been developed by the industry.
     The Alabama poultry industry is proud to be a national leader in developing programs that address possible future concerns in a way that protects the industry and public interest without the need for unnecessary government regulations. In Alabama, we developed best management practices for the environmentally-safe disposal of dead birds, and we are now proud to implement this program which will help to maintain a strong and prosperous relationship between companies and producers.

1.     All live birds are weighed at the plant by a bonded weighmaster on certified scales. Scales are checked daily by weighmaster and routinely by State Weights and Measures as required by law. Producers are allowed to personally watch live birds being weighed.
2.     All feed is weighed at the feed mill by a bonded weighmaster on certified scales. Scales are checked daily by weighmaster and routinely by State Weights and Measures as required by law. Producers are allowed to personally watch feed being weighed.
3.     Companies provide to producers a written chain of command to use in addressing questions or concerns with their company. Producers are encouraged to work through the chain of command until their question or concern is adequately addressed.
4.      Companies provide all documentation that impacts a producer's settlement check in a timely manner. This is also required by the federal Packers and Stockyard Act. Producers are encouraged to work through the provided chain of command if they have any questions concerning documentation that affects their settlement check.
5.     Companies will have employee/producer meetings on a regular basis to share information and create a better dialogue of communication between the company and producers.
6.     The industry has developed a program to better educate producers about the various facets of the poultry business, including poultry production, processing, hatchery operations, feed mill operations and how they affect each other and the entire process. In addition, the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association will place a renewed emphasis on grower education through the annual grower meeting and the Grower Committee. Producers are encouraged to attend educational seminars and meetings.
7.      Companies will set up tours of the poultry complex to better inform and educate producers about the various facets of the industry.
8.     All efforts will be made to insure proper handling of birds from farm to plant, including the removal of birds killed by catching crews. Damage by catching crews of producer's equipment or facilities will be reimbursed by the company.