Hall County’s poultry industry was celebrated Thursday morning with some of its biggest names describing the industry’s effect on the area, as well as checking its pulse during the economic hard times.

The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce put on the event, which was sponsored by Merial Select, at the Gainesville Civic Center.

After 100 or so people dined on eggs and other breakfast foods, they listened as a slew of speakers assessed the poultry industry that was a Hall County staple long before chicken became a common sight in grocery store refrigerators.

"Thanks to Gainesville and Georgia innovation and outstanding leaders over the years, the backyard chicken and the
barnyard chicken has been transformed into the king and queen of the modern worldwide agriculture," said Abit Massey, president emeritus of the Gainesville-based Georgia Poultry Federation.

"The poultry industry is important to this area, and the important teamwork of those ... here this morning have placed the eyes of the world on Gainesville and Hall County as the cradle and the capital of the modern poultry industry."

Before becoming the association’s president emeritus in January, Massey served for 48 years as the group’s president, advocating for the industry and often was found lobbying in Atlanta on its behalf.

The event also featured panelists from the poultry industry speaking on a variety of topics.

The group comprised Keith Pritchard of Merial Select; Tom Hensley of Fieldale Farms; Louise DuFour-Zavala of the Georgia Poultry Lab; and Mike Barton, Stork Gamco; and David Lathem of L&R Farms.

Hensley talked about difficulties the poultry industry has faced in the recession, with poultry companies losing money in 2008.

But the industry is improving, as 2009 is on track for a break-even year, he said.