The Coccidiosis Conundrum: Progress or Plateau?

In this episode of Unplucked, host Andy Vance talks with Dr. Kayla Price of Alltech Canada about what it really takes to make progress against coccidiosis, one of poultry’s most persistent and costly challenges. The conversation cuts through the assumption that a tidy parasite life cycle leads to tidy control. In the barn, multiple pressures collide, from bird behavior to management realities, and the simple model gives way to a complex gut ecosystem that demands better prevention, smarter diagnostics, and tighter collaboration between researchers and producers.

Dr. Price explains how a deeper understanding of the microbiome can reshape control strategies, why host and species specificity matter when moving from lab results to farm decisions, and where genomics, metagenomics, and artificial intelligence can turn fecal samples into practical, point-of-care insights. She offers a clear case for rethinking diagnostics so that earlier detection does not always require opening birds, and for designing tools that fit the pace and constraints of commercial houses.

The episode also explores how to speed innovation without losing rigor. Dr. Price shares lessons on closing communication gaps between academia and industry, aligning projects with funder goals without compromising scientific questions, and writing for journals in ways that help readers understand the why and the how. Her advice is simple and powerful: Invite field perspectives earlier, value negative results as much as positive ones, and build a pipeline that carries ideas from bench to broiler house through honest feedback and continuous iteration.

 

CREDITS

Host - Andy Vance

Producer - Lyndsey Johnson

Audio Editor & Engineer - Michael Lunt

 

LEGAL

The information provided in this episode of Unplucked is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we discuss scientific research, public health, and industry practices, this podcast does not substitute for advice from qualified industry and scientific professionals. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official opinions of The Poultry Science Association, their respective affiliates, or employees.