A monitoring program to keep an eye on wild birds that might be carrying highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is underway in an effort to prevent potential spread of the disease this fall as recovery from its impacts is continuing in the hardest hit states. The effort coordinated by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) involves collecting samples … Read More
NW Food Processors Talk Biosecurity for Poultry
The bird flu epidemic in the Midwest has grabbed the attention of livestock producers and food processors across the country. The Northwest Food Processors Association brought together experts to Puyallup, Washington, to talk about biosecurity and to learn from the recent epidemic that devastated egg producers in the Midwest. The message to attendees: What happened there could happen here, and … Read More
Iowa Avian Flu Conference Summary
The “Avian Influenza Outbreak…Lessons Learned” Conference was held recently in Des Moines, Iowa. There USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Dr. John Clifford, chief vet officer for USDA APHIS among others addressed those in attendance. USPOULTRY provided the following summary. “Two hundred and thirty-two enterprises and operations have been hit by avian influenza since early spring with … Read More
Restocking of 1st HPAI Site
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and U.S. Department of Agriculture have announced that a turkey farm that was infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has started restocking their barn with birds. The farm completed the cleaning and disinfection process and has negative environmental tests. They have also announced they are begining the process of lifting 69 … Read More
Vilsack Addresses Avian Flu Conference
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed future avian influenza preparations for the fall season at the Avian Influenza Outbreak…Lessons Learned Conference in Des Moines this week. The secretary’s speech focused on the incident command structure, vaccination and indemnification process, and better communications in collaboration with the poultry industry. “I suspect and anticipate that we will learn from this particular conference a … Read More
Biosecurity Key to Fighting Bird Flu
There are three general principles for a successful biosecurity program: go onto a farm clean, leave the farm clean, and if in doubt…clean and disinfect. That was the message from Shawn Carlton, technical service manager with Cobb-Vantress, at USPOULTRY’s 2015 Hatchery-Breeder Clinic held in Nashville, Tennessee. In his presentation, Carlton provided best practices for “Sanitation at the Breeder Farm.” He … Read More
Iowa Bird Flu Sites Depopulated, Clean-Up Underway
State and federal officials in Iowa say all sites hit by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Iowa have been depopulated and clean-up is well underway. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and U.S. Department of Agriculture said depopulation has been completed at all 77 premises, with 34 million birds affected. According to USDA, disposal has been completed … Read More
Poultry Producers to Discuss Lessons Learned from Bird Flu
Poultry producers will meet in Des Moines, Iowa, at the end of this month to discuss what they’ve learned from this year’s outbreak of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The “Avian Influenza Outbreak…Lessons Learned” Conference has been scheduled for July 28-29, 2015, at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, and registration is free to qualified stakeholders of the poultry industry. The … Read More
No Disaster Declaration for Avian Flu in Iowa
Iowa officials are disappointed that President Obama has denied their request for a disaster declaration in the state due to the outbreak this year of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa could not believe the denial in the face of the losses for Iowa poultry producers: “After yesterday’s Agriculture Committee hearing and listening to testimony from … Read More
Senate Ag Committee Gets Bird Flu Update
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry heard the latest information on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak. This news release from committee chairman Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., says the disease has spread rapidly and forced egg and poultry producers to depopulate millions of birds across the country, creating short and long-term damaging effects on rural economies. … Read More