West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources professor Joe Mortitz is advancing educational goals and objectives by serving as an invited speaker at multiple prestigious national poultry industry conferences in 2025. These include the U.S. Poultry Feed Mill Managers Conference, the Arkansas Nutrition Conference, and the Poultry Federation Live Production Conference—each drawing leading professionals from across the nation.
Moritz is a professor of poultry science at the Davis College with a joint appointment as a feed manufacture and poultry science specialist at WVU Extension. He offers valuable insights, education and research on West Virginia’s top agricultural commodity and the most consumed protein in the United States.
“It’s an honor to be invited to speak at a national conference, and to receive three invitations reinforces that WVU’s feed and poultry research is relevant and valued,” Moritz said. “There’s no greater impact than speaking to large gatherings of managers and nutritionists that represent the commercial poultry industry. These folks directly feed the U.S. and, through exports, the world.”
In addition to his outreach and research, Moritz maintains a robust, student-centered research program at WVU. He currently mentors four doctoral students, one master’s student, and several undergraduate students. He also teaches three classes and a laboratory course that serve approximately 130 undergraduate students each year.
In 2025 alone, Moritz’s laboratory presented six abstracts at national meetings and published eight peer-reviewed journal articles—a testament to the breadth and impact of his work.
Moritz and his laboratory team also contribute to community events, famously providing a roasted chicken lunch to FFA career development experience contestants in poultry, livestock, meats, and nursery landscape each year. They also prepare more than 800 chicken quarters for the annual Davis College Welcome Back Barbecue.
Moritz is also deeply involved in state and youth education efforts. He works closely with the West Virginia Poultry Association to provide industry-related educational programs, assists with the State Fair of West Virginia, and coordinates the State Career Development Events and 4-H poultry contests.
“When a research program consistently brings in funding, trains graduate students, and generates impactful data, that’s when speaking opportunities arise. This allows us to share research data with large audiences at these national meetings, as well as bring it into the classroom at WVU and across the state,” Moritz said.
Reflecting on his 24-year career at WVU, Moritz emphasized the importance of collaboration.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have great industry collaborators, amazing colleagues in Extension and the Davis College, and hardworking, conscientious graduate students. It has always been a team effort,” Moritz said.
The Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources envisions a world sustainably fed, clothed and sheltered. To learn more about the Davis College, visit davis.wvu.edu. Keep up with the latest updates and news on Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube by following @WVUDavis.
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Sk/11/11/25
CONTACT: Sydney Keener
Communications Specialist
WVU Division for Land-Grant Engagement
304-293-8986; Sydney.keener@mail.wvu.edu