Avian Influenza

The Department of Agriculture announced a coordination center to assist producers impacted by meat processing plant closures late last week. USDA says livestock and poultry producers face an unprecedented emergency due to COVID-19, particularly with the closing of meat processing plants in several states ...

Different strains of avian influenza were found over the holiday season globally, according to two global health agencies that say the number of human infections appears to have decreased over time. Meatingplace reports that since December, the H5N6 strain of avian influenza has been reported in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, South Korea and Taiwan, in addition to H5N8 outbreaks in Italy and Russia..

Have some chickens begun to move into your neighbors’ yards?   It’s a growing trend said Chrislyn Wood Nicholson, USDA Veterinary Medical Officer.   “More and more people are starting to own backyard poultry for a lot of different reasons. One is to know where their...

Bird Flu has been detected in some states in the Southeast, but for now, Oregon has remained disease free.   Oregon Department of Agriculture State Veterinarian Dr. Brad LeaMaster said no detected cases doesn’t mean producers can relax.   “...

The recent avian influenza discovery in Tennessee has many producers reviewing their biosecurity options.   USDA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Jack Shere said it can be simple, cleaning everyone and anything who goes in or out of the coop, but it can also be more complex such as heat tents.  ...

Two cases of avian influenza in Tennessee has proven a great reminder of how critical it is for poultry producers to work with their staff so that they can recognize the signs of the disease and about biosecurity.   USDA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Jac...

It’s too early to know if the wild bird that was found to have a strain of avian influenza in Montana carried a highly pathogenic type, but it is sending warning signals across the poultry industry.   USDA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Jack Sher...

The USDA announced on Monday a wild duck shot in Montana was carrying the H5N2 strain of avian influenza.  That’s fueling calls to scrap a USDA proposal to allow organic poultry more access to the outside.   Pro Farmer’s First Thing Today report says the sick bird was harvested for surveillance purposes.  Farmers are concern...

As the weather cools, wild birds begin their migration south with many flying over the Northwest.   Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Mariah Crawford said the area survived last winter with no cases and she hopes the success can continue with pre-planning.   “...

The faster-than-expected return of U.S. poultry exports to the international markets after avian-flu restrictions is causing some competitors to lower their poultry prices to keep market share.   A Rabobank report says the European Union and Brazil are aggressively defending market share and have reduced their poultry prices up to 20%.  Th...