Hofacre holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, a master’s degree in poultry science and doctorate in veterinary medicine from Ohio State University. He also has a master’s degree in avian medicine and a Ph.D. in veterinary medical microbiology from the University of Georgia. He has held positions as director of veterinary medicine at a turkey production company, Cuddy Farms, served seven years as a vice president and member of the board of directors for Ross Breeders, and as the manager of technical service for Bayer’s poultry business in the U.S. Hofacre served as the executive vice president of the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP) from 2003 to 2016. He retired from the University of Georgia after 19 years as a professor in the Department of Population Health and the Director of Clinical Services for the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center in Athens, Georgia. In May 2013, Hofacre and his wife started a private contract research company, The Southern Poultry Research Group, near Athens, Georgia.