APA’s Top Bloodlines

List of 25 coming for 150th anniversary

By Norma Padgett, APA president

The year 2023 marks the 150th anniversary of the forming of the American Poultry Association (APA), North America’s oldest, continuous livestock organization. Several years ago the APA began planning a year-long celebration worthy of such an event. This led to the formation of a 150th anniversary committee responsible for the development of several initiatives that would properly commemorate such an accomplishment.

One of those initiatives was to identify and recognize some of the premier North American exhibition poultry strains/bloodlines developed by dedicated breeders that preceded our current generations, both ensuring that these strains are properly recognized but also securing the information for the generations that follow.

The list-makers

In order to accomplish this initiative, a three-person panel of well-known and respected breeders/judges was formed in the late summer of 2022. The members of the group have an accrued a total of almost 200 years of experience breeding, exhibiting, and judging throughout North America and are avowed students of the exhibition poultry world.

Their identity will remain anonymous until the end of the anniversary year in order to avoid any undue pressures from others concerning who is or is not on the list of 25.

The APA charged this group with developing the list using their own guidelines and definitions of what determines a premier breeder/bloodline.

The only restriction provided by the APA’s 150th Anniversary Committee was that the list could not contain any living members, only those breeders who have passed on.

One of the primary ground rules adopted by the panel was that any name on the list of 25 had to be a unanimous choice. After months of research, conference calls and sharing of thoughts/experiences, the list of 25 has been finalized, including bloodlines throughout North America.

Watch throughout the year

The names on the list will be revealed to members on a monthly basis (2-3 per month), and will culminate with the National Meet and anniversary celebration in Columbus, Ohio in November.

The names will be presented in no particular order; in other words, there is no ranking of the 25 names. Of those being recognized, each name will be accompanied by a short description of them and their particular strain/bloodline.

Nearer the end of 2023, once the summaries have been fully shared, an extensive list of those names considered will also be shared.

Additionally, all names and summaries of those recognized will be included in a planned year-end summary of the 150th anniversary activities.

A book of APA history

The APA has led poultry production and exhibition through 150 years of war and peace, economic depression and prosperity. Mark Fields intended to write the definitive account, but was cut short by his untimely death. Christine Heinrichs picked up the project and the book is now available.

The book features many historic photos, along with documentation of the conflicts and struggles APA leaders and its members confronted over the years. Creating the first Standard in 1874 was a significant step forward. Breeders argued fervently over Standard descriptions and how to certify judges. Black and white illustrations created controversy. Colonel Sanders sponsored 4-H scholarships and bought lunch for 4-hers at shows.

For the anniversary year, only members who attend APA shows will have access to it. Stop by the APA table at the next show and pick up your copy. If you are not already a member, join and get your copy.

Keep up to date

In summary, these 150th anniversary activities are to recognize some of those superior bloodlines and the people responsible for, but also in securing the information for the generations in our hobby that follow.