Prospective Students
Poultry Science: A global industry with a world of opportunity for you
A revolution has occurred in poultry production - a revolution that is shaping the future of the industry and for the women and men who will lead it.
The past five decades have seen the poultry industry emerge as a major player in global markets:
- Poultry production has increased approximately 800 percent worldwide - more than 6.8, 2.5, and 11.2 times the rate of increase for beef & veal, pork, and lamb & mutton, respectively.
- Highly efficient production methods provide the world with an abundant supply of high quality protein.
- The U.S. poultry industry leads the world in its fusion of science, business, marketing, and entrepreneurial vision.
- Nearly a quarter of the planet's poultry is produced in this country.
The men and women who pioneered the poultry industry operated with the knowledge that the growth of this fledgling agribusiness was dependent on innovation and risk taking.
It's a business with both local and global perspectives.
The career possibilities are boundless. Come be a part of the vision.
Evolution of the Global Market Place
Like any business with roots in agriculture, the poultry industry has evolved from a community enterprise in which poultry meat and eggs were sold to neighbors through the local store.
Today, the neighborhood is the world. It's a global marketplace that demands the latest technology in processing, packaging, storage, and distribution systems. The U.S. poultry industry competes in a market not limited by national boundaries and cultures.
The reasons? Poultry products are nutritious, low-cost, and not subject to religious or cultural prohibitions - they have easy access to markets in every region of the world.
Exciting challenges await future poultry professionals. Worldwide demand means expanded production and competition in providing broilers, turkeys, and table eggs to consumers. The challenge is for U.S. poultry companies to position themselves to capture a greater share of the world market. Even as domestic consumption increases, a greater percentage of U.S. poultry is being sold internationally.
The U.S. poultry industry must operate in the global environment if it is to continue to succeed. Tomorrow's poultry professionals may need to understand Spanish or Chinese with the same skill as they comprehend the grain futures market at the Chicago Board of Trade. A North Carolina poultry executive will be required to understand the needs of customers half a world away. Thinking globally is no longer an option, it's a necessity. If we do not provide the world's poultry technology, someone else surely will.
Poultry is Big Business in North Carolina
In fact, poultry dominates the state's agricultural economy. Recent North Carolina Department of Agriculture statistics show that poultry represents nearly 39 percent of all cash receipts from agriculture.
By comparison, the value of North Carolina poultry exceeds that of beef cattle, all fruits & vegetables, tobacco, and greenhouse / nursery receipts by 10.5, 7.8, 4.3, and 3.3 fold, respectively.
Conservative estimates place the "farm gate" value of North Carolina poultry products at $2.8 billion.
Today, North Carolina poultry companies produce more than 720 million broilers, 39 million turkeys, and 89 billion eggs.
- North Carolina currently ranks #2 nationally in turkeys, #3 in total poultry, #4 in broilers, and #10 in eggs.
- North Carolina produces nearly 10% of all US poultry
Poultry Science...Is It Right For Me?
Good question! The process of selecting a college major should be accompanied by good questions, and there are three rather simple ones to determine a career path:
- Do you enjoy it?
- Are you good at it?
- Does the world need it?
With the answers to those questions in mind, you should select a major that will provide you with as many options as possible.
What skills do you need to be successful in the poultry industry?
- Communication and "people" skills - the ability to transfer ideas effectively in spoken and written form. With a global focus, comes the importance of conversational skills in a second language.
- Computer literacy - a key element.
- A strong work ethic
- A good technical base - a basic understanding of nutrition, diseases, physiology, environmental issues, economics, and business principles.
Poultry Science Scholarships
Through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and organizations, students pursuing undergraduate degrees in Poultry Science at N. C. State may apply for more than 30 Poultry Science scholarships. A number of these scholarships arc designated for entering freshmen with outstanding high school credentials that have been accepted into the Poultry Science program. With approximately $50,000 in annual scholarship funding available, the NC State Poultry Science Department enjoys one of the highest levels of scholarship support in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
