Dr. Phil Stayer began his career with the company as a corporate veterinarian in 2001. He completed his undergraduate degree at Pennsylvania State University and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. He also earned a Master of Science degree in Poultry Pathology from Mississippi State University.

After exploring private practice, he realized that his passion lied with poultry and working in corporate veterinary medicine. Throughout his tenure with the company, Stayer has been an invaluable asset, as he provides a constant wealth of knowledge. He is board certified by the American College of Poultry Veterinarians, has been published in Poultry Health Today, has presented at several national conferences in the industry and participates in numerous allied organizations.

As someone whose primary responsibility is providing care to our flocks, Stayer takes biosecurity seriously, and is uncompromising in his teaching of animal welfare practices and preventative care for our birds. “I think with any commercial chicken producer, they want to take care of the animals. Wayne-Sanderson Farms is very much in the forefront of that,” said Stayer. “We have animals to take care of. They take care of us, and we take care of them. It’s a win-win situation.”

Biosecurity begins with each and every employee. Everyone in the company plays a role in ensuring our flocks are protected from potential harms or diseases. Employees agree to not have backyard poultry or visit places where outside poultry could influence the health of our flocks at Wayne-Sanderson Farms. Continual training reminds employees of the proper way to handle live birds, which is with gentleness and respect.

As a co-chair of the animal pillar for the Amazing Starts with Me program, Stayer now has a new platform to encourage and educate employees about the company’s biosecurity and animal welfare practices. “Taking care of preventing disease is a responsibility of every employee,” said Stayer. “From the start to the finish, we take care of our animals at Wayne-Sanderson Farms.”