Dr. Benson's research group is actively involved in the development, evaluation, improvement and development of educational materials for emergency poultry disease response. Within emergency poultry disease response, the general framework is based on the USDA APHIS guidelines for avian influenza virus (AIV) response. "When HPAI outbreaks occur in poultry, the preferred eradication and control methods are quarantine, enforcement of movement restrictions, and depopulation (culling) of all infected, exposed, or potentially infected birds, with proper disposal of carcasses and rigorous cleaning and disinfection of farms and surveillance around affected flocks. ”

The research group has developed a patented and licensed mass emergency depopulation procedure, initiated field recommendations for composting, and discovered critical issues with current equipment disinfection procedures.

A comprehensive four day Emergency Poultry Disease Response certificate program is being offered through the Avian Bioscience Center and Division of Professional and Continuing Studies. This program offers hands on opportunities to learn about all of the major elements involved in an emergency disease response.

Dr. Benson's research group is involved in monitoring and abatement of PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in Delmarva poultry houses. This project, funded by the USDA CREES NRI program, included four objectives: A) Measure the PM2.5 and PM10 particle concentrations from typical commercial broiler houses; B) Measure ammonia emission rates from typical commercial broiler houses; C) Relate PM2.5, PM10 and ammonia concentrations to bird activity and management practices; and D) Develop and disseminate information to extension clientele (poultry companies, government agencies and growers) and incorporate results into teaching materials for new course on agricultural ammonia and particulate emissions for undergraduate and graduate students. Collection of data for objectives A - C has been delayed due to equipment issues. The project uses a ThermoScientific DF-1405 TEOM which is has been downgraded to a D-1405 model. The downgraded model has been more reliable and is currently in use monitoring a broiler flock. A new agricultural air quality course is under development for Spring 2010.

Dr. Benson's research group is starting a new project to evaluate new lighting technologies for poultry houses. Lighting represents a major electrical demand for poultry production and many producers use conventional incandescent light bulbs. Alternative lighting technologies including compact fluorescent (CFL), halogen, cold cathode and light emitting diodes (LED) lights have been developed for other industries.  Fluorescent lights are more efficient and are used in layer operations, but are more sensitive to cold temperatures.  Compact fluorescent provide improved efficiency versus incandescent and can utilize existing fixtures, but are often not dimmable.  Cold cathode lights may provide significant energy reductions at an affordable level.  Light emitting diodes (LED) are very efficient and have long life, but only recently have begun to be affordable. The study, planned for one year, will allow the mean time to failure, lighting intensity drop off, and energy efficiency to be evaluated.