USA



Home Blog Page 18

7 Things to Monitor for Early Disease Detection in Poultry

By
Sophi Fairman
-

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but prevention isn’t always possible for certain diseases. In those cases, early disease detection in poultry is the next best thing.

UK confirms bird flu cases at commercial poultry farm

By
Sophi Fairman
-
The UK government said on Tuesday that cases of bird flu had been confirmed in commercial poultry at premises in Yorkshire, hours after it increased the risk level of the disease from medium to high.
All poultry on the infected premises will be humanely culled, and a three kilometre protection zone had been put in place surrounding the premises, it said in a statement.
Bird flu, or avian influenza, which has killed hundreds of millions of birds around the globe in recent years, has increasingly spread to mammals, raising concerns it may lead to human-to-human transmission.
Earlier in the day, the government raised its alert level after two different strains of the virus, H5N5 and H5N1, were detected in wild birds in the country over the autumn, according to a government update on Tuesday.
Britain, which had increased the threat level to medium in mid-October, has experienced several bird flu outbreaks over the years, including one in 2021 that was then described as the largest-ever in the country.
Source: Reuters

Feed Strategy Seminar program at EuroTier 2024 announced

By
Sophi Fairman
-

The 2024 Feed Strategy Seminar series, held at EuroTier 2024, will provide insights into feed additive solutions for emission reductions in monogastric animal production. The 50-minute sessions will focus on practical, non-commercial, science-based approaches to improving swine and poultry’s environmental impact through feeding.

Three sessions – two for swine and one for poultry – span three days. Held on the technical forum stages in either the poultry or swine hall, each seminar will cover the latest animal feed additive research and solutions for emissions reduction. Admission is free.

This edition of EuroTier will be held November 12-15, 2024, at the Deutsch Messe in Hanover, Germany.

Fs Seminar Logo R (1) Edited

Feed additive solutions for reducing emissions in swine and poultry production

Location: Deutsch Messe, Hanover, Germany

  • SWINE SESSION | Nov. 12, 2024 | 16:00-16:50 | Swine Technical Forum Stage
  • POULTRY SESSION | Nov. 13, 2024 | 10:30-11:20 | Poultry Technical Forum Stage
  • SWINE SESSION | Nov. 14, 2024 | 14:00-14:50 | Swine Technical Forum Stage

SWINE SESSION | Nov. 12, 2024 | 16:00-16:50

Adaptogen: An innovative approach to animal stress management

Speaker: Professor Juan Carlos Illera Portal, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Stress management in swine during grouping and regrouping, and aggressive behavior are long-presented challenges that lack effective solutions for making animals stress free. However, the introduction of NR-Adaptogen offers a significant advancement in controlling stress by demonstrating the ability to reduce cortisol levels by 50%. This finding is substantiated by evidence from studies examined in milk, cortisol, cholesterol, serum and saliva, highlighting the potential of NR-Adaptogen to improve welfare and productivity in swine management.

Learning points:

  • Stress hormone in monogastrics and its impact on animal productivity
  • Measurement of stress in swine
  • Factors responsible for aggressive behavior of swine
  • NR adaptogen, a natural solution for improving animal welfare and productivity
  • Exploration of technical science behind NR Adaptogen

POULTRY SESSION | Nov. 13, 2024 | 10:30-11:20 

Reducing the environmental impact of feed with nutritional strategies leading to low CO2 emissions

Speaker: Dr. Diana-Christin Siebert, technical marketing manager, CJ Bio

Turkey Reports First Bird Flu Outbreak in Over a Year Amid Regional Surge

By
Sophi Fairman
-

Turkey has confirmed a new outbreak of the highly contagious H5N1 strain of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, at a commercial poultry farm, marking its first reported case in more than a year. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) announced that the virus was detected in Konya province, where 211 birds out of a flock of approximately 790,000 died from the disease.

The outbreak in Turkey comes as part of a broader seasonal increase in bird flu cases across Europe and the Middle East. Bird flu is particularly concerning in densely populated poultry farms, as it can spread rapidly and lead to significant losses in the poultry industry. Turkish authorities are expected to take further measures to contain the spread, though no additional cases have been reported.

California, Washington report more suspected H5 avian flu cases

By
Sophi Fairman
-

Two states affected by avian flu outbreaks in dairy cattle and commercial poultry reported more probable H5 avian flu infections in farm workers over the last few days, four in California and three in Washington.

In other developments, federal officials reported more outbreaks in dairy cows and poultry, and in California, Los Angeles County announced that H5 has been detected in wastewater for the first time.

More illnesses suspected in farm workers

With the 4 new infections, the California Department of Public Health  (CDPH) has now reported 20 cases, of which 17 have been confirmed by testing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDPH also notes one other probable case in a dairy worker who met the probable case definition and had a sample that tested positive at a local lab; however, the CDC’s confirmation test was negative.

Also, the Washington State Department of Health on November 1 reported 3 more probable cases in people exposed to sick poultry, raising the state’s total to 12, of which 9 have been confirmed by the CDC. The patients traveled while they were sick to Oregon, which has recently reported the virus in poultry, including at a backyard farm where a pig also recently tested positive, the first known case in US swine.

In an October 31 statement, the Oregon Health Authority said the patients were monitored by Oregon health officials while in the state. All had been exposed to sick poultry in Washington. The agency added that the three people have returned to Washington for monitoring for 10 days after their last exposure to infected birds.

In its November 1 update on confirmed human cases so far this year, the CDC listed 41 cases in six states, with the jurisdiction pending for 1 case in patient exposed to poultry.

More outbreaks in dairy cattle and poultry

In animal health developments, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed 38 more H5N1 outbreaks in dairy cattle, 30 in California and 8 in Utah, which the state had earlier said are located in Cache County. The virus has now been confirmed in 442 herds across 15 states. When factoring in all livestock, including swine and alpacas, APHIS has confirmed 444 detections in 16 states.

Also, today APHIS confirmed more poultry outbreaks in three western states, including a commercial turkey farm in California’s Sacramento County that houses 48,300 birds. The agency also confirmed two outbreaks in backyard flocks in Washington, one in Okanogan County and the other in Stevens County, as well as an event involving backyard birds in Oregon’s Jackson County.

H5 detected in LA County wastewater

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced on November 1 that H5 avian flu has been detected at one of its wastewater sampling sites for the first time.

No human cases have been reported in the county, and the overall risk to residents remains low, the county said. It added that it is actively engaging with key risk groups, such as dairy and meat processing workers, to pinpoint any possible sources of the H5 virus in wastewater.

Source: University of Minnesota – CIDRAP

Researchers Use MALDI-TOF MS Method to Distinguish Between Low Avirulent and Highly Virulent E. faecalis Isolates

By
Sophi Fairman
-

USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project by researchers at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln that identified virulent from avirulent strains of Enterococcus faecalis isolates. The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. A summary of the completed project is below.

Project #F112: Identifying Virulent Avian Enterococcus faecalis Isolates by Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization – Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy

(Dr. Donald L. Reynolds, Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, University of Nebraska – Lincoln)

Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), a ubiquitous microorganism that is frequently found in hatcheries and unhatched eggs, may play an important role in contributing to decreased hatchability. Dr. Reynolds and colleagues aimed to develop a diagnostic tool that distinguishes virulent from avirulent strains of E. faecalis in a rapid and cost-effective manner by using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization – Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The MALDI-TOF MS method developed was able to distinguish between very low avirulent E. faecalis isolates and highly virulent E. faecalis isolates. However, the method was not able to clearly categorize those E. faecalis isolates that were found to be of low and moderate virulence (i.e., in-between highly virulent and avirulent) into avirulent or virulent categories.

The research summary can be found on the USPOULTRY website. Information on other Association research may also be obtained by visiting the USPOULTRY website, uspoultry.org.

Source: US Poultry & Egg Association

 

New Electrochemical Sensor Enhances Fructose Detection in Poultry Feed

By
Sophi Fairman
-

The nutritional quality of poultry feed is critical for bird health and productivity, with feed components like fructose directly impacting metabolic function and growth rates. Precise fructose analysis enables the formulation of balanced diets, supporting optimal nutritional intake for poultry.

Conventional sugar detection methods are often inefficient and lack the sensitivity needed for precise measurements. With consumer demand for high-quality poultry products on the rise, the industry requires innovative, accurate analytical methods to enhance feed formulations. This study addresses this need by investigating electrochemical detection, whic

Research Overview

The study focused on developing an electrochemical detection method for fructose, utilizing synthesized Ag–ZnO–AgO nanoparticles.

To prepare the sensor, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was modified with nanoparticles using a catalytic ink made from 20 mg of nanopowder, 2 ml of ethanol, and 20 µl of Nafion solution. The ink was ultrasonically blended for uniformity, applied to the GCE (cleaned and polished with distilled water and aluminum oxide), and dried at room temperature.

The electrochemical testing employed a three-electrode system, using the modified GCE as the working electrode, a graphite counter electrode, and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode in a 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solution. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to assess the sensor’s response to a 0.3 M fructose solution, with sensitivity and performance evaluated at sweep rates from 10 to 100 mV/second.

Results and Discussion

The Ag–ZnO–AgO nanoparticles demonstrated strong electrochemical properties for fructose detection. XRD analysis confirmed the successful formation of a hexagonal wurtzite structure, while FTIR spectra and SEM images provided detailed insights into the nanoparticles’ functional groups and surface morphology, contributing to enhanced electrochemical activity.

Once fructose was added, the modified GCE showed a marked increase in current response, indicating effective electrochemical oxidation. The sensor also achieved a linear response to fructose concentrations, which is essential for practical applications in feed analysis, with a low detection limit supporting high accuracy even in complex feed matrices.

This method provides a reliable approach to monitoring fructose levels in poultry feed, enabling producers to optimize formulations for improved growth and health outcomes. The ability to perform real-time analysis further supports quick decision-making in feed management.

Conclusion

This research successfully developed and validated an electrochemical detection method for accurate fructose quantification in poultry feed. The use of Ag–ZnO–AgO nanoparticles as a sensing material highlights the potential for this technology to improve the precision and efficiency of sugar analysis in feed.

Monitoring critical nutritional components like fructose is increasingly important for meeting evolving industry standards and consumer expectations. By bridging laboratory research and real-world applications, this study provides valuable insights for optimizing poultry feed formulations. Future research could explore this method’s application to additional feed components, equipping producers with even more advanced analytical tools for enhancing poultry health and productivity.

Source: AZO Sensors

Secretary Vilsack discusses Pure Prairie Poultry closure, bird flu dairy testing program

By
Sophi Fairman
-

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said Thursday the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state departments of ag should work to reopen the shuttered chicken processing plant in Charles City.

He also detailed USDA’s new milk testing program to prevent the spread of avian flu. He spoke during a press conference Thursday in Des Moines.

Vilsack said the Pure Prairie Poultry bankruptcy represents an “unusual” and “very unfortunate” circumstance among USDA’s large portfolio of expanding processing capabilities around the country.

Pure Prairie Poultry received $45.6 million in grants and loans from USDA in 2022 to expand and renovate a processing plant in Charles City, which it closed Oct. 2 shortly after the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship took over care of the company’s 1.3 million broiler chickens in the state. The state eventually had to euthanize the chickens, and some Republican lawmakers have since expressed a “deep concern” for the USDA’s oversight of these programs.

Vilsack said the Pure Prairie Poultry plant was one of over 400 projects and $1.4 billion invested to expand processing capacity across meat production.

“You can compare and contrast our portfolio and its performance to any commercial bank in the country … the default rate is very, very low,” Vilsack said.

He urged the farmers who were affected by the closure to take advantage of the Livestock Indemnity Program, and to make a claim under the Packers and Stockyards act which will create a ranking preference as the bankruptcy assets are liquified.

Vilsack said there is a need for processing facilities like the Charles City plant that closed and he hopes a buyer can be found to take over the facility.

“Our goal is to hopefully get the thing reopened, and everybody, frankly, everybody should be working towards that,” Vilsack said. He noted a buyer would also help in determining the potential losses.

Testing for bird flu

USDA announced Wednesday it would begin testing bulk raw milk for avian flu in a national effort to slow the spread of the bird flu.

The Secretary of Agriculture said the increasing number of herds impacted in states like California, plus the discovery of an infected hog in Oregon on Wednesday, prompted the department to implement a system of greater biosecurity.

“Let’s make sure everybody understands, the milk is safe, the beef is safe, the pork is safe,” Vilsack said Thursday. “There’s no issue relative to the food supply.”

USDA launched a similar, voluntary pilot program to bulk test milk tanks on dairies in June, and in July, the state of Colorado mandated weekly bulk dairy tank testing.

“The success in Colorado led us to believe that it would be appropriate to take a look at developing a broader surveillance effort,” Vilsack said.

The new program will start in November, testing milk silos at processors in states that have reported outbreaks. Vilsack said the virus can show up in the milk before an animal shows any symptoms of the flu.

“So, testing will give us an opportunity to get, maybe, ahead if you will,” Vilsack said.

Vilsack said this will help to inform the department of the most affected areas that need increased biosecurity. The testing protocol will eventually expand to all 50 states.

Iowa has had a total of 13 herds affected, according to USDA, and a total of 14 states have confirmed cases in dairy herds.

Map of states that have confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in livestock. (Map courtesy of USDA) 

Vilsack said on Thursday that the start of migratory bird season could also cause the spread of the virus.

Vilsack said the case in Oregon where a backyard pig was infected with the virus is significant, but is “not related to the dairy situation.” He said there is nothing extra that pork producers in Iowa should do because of this discovery.

“Pork producers deal with a variety of viruses on an ongoing basis, they’re very familiar with it,” Vilsack said.

Vilsack said he was headed up to Ames later in the day to learn about the progress of developing a vaccine for the flu at Iowa State University.

Source: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Bird Flu Outbreaks Escalate in the EU, Raising Pandemic Concerns

By
Sophi Fairman
-

Bird flu is spreading at a faster pace in the European Union this season, significantly outpacing the milder outbreaks of 2023. This surge has raised alarms about a potential repeat of past crises, where outbreaks led to the deaths of tens of millions of poultry, and has reignited concerns over possible transmission to humans. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, has already claimed the lives of hundreds of millions of birds globally in recent years.

Since August 1, marking the start of the migratory season, EU countries have reported 62 outbreaks on poultry farms, predominantly in the eastern regions, according to data from the World Organization for Animal Health. This represents a notable increase from just seven outbreaks at the same time in 2023. However, it remains below the 112 cases reported by late October 2022. So far, there have been no human or cattle cases reported in the EU this season, unlike in the U.S., where the virus has infected nearly 400 dairy herds across 14 states and affected 36 people since April.

The virus poses a potential risk to human health, with recent cases involving workers on an infected commercial egg farm. Additionally, its spread to other mammals, including dairy cattle and swine in the U.S., has raised concerns about mutations that could make the virus more transmissible among humans, potentially sparking a new pandemic.

Yann Nedelec, director of the French poultry industry group Anvol, acknowledged the urgency of the situation, noting that the current level of spread is “more worrying” than at the same time last year. Bird flu is a seasonal disease among poultry, often introduced through the feces of infected migratory birds in the autumn and decreasing with spring migration patterns.

Some EU countries have been hit harder than others this season. Hungary, for instance, has recorded the most outbreaks since August 1, with cases rising quickly in recent weeks. In Poland, the EU’s largest poultry producer, the virus prompted the culling of 1.8 million birds, with nearly 1.4 million culled from a single farm in Sroda Wielkopolska. Meanwhile, France, which suffered severe losses during the 2022-23 season but experienced a relatively mild season last year, has heightened biosecurity measures as of mid-October in response to rising bird flu cases in neighboring countries.

As the season progresses, the EU’s agricultural and health authorities remain vigilant, ramping up preventive measures to mitigate the risks of further spread within poultry farms and potential transmission to humans.

New grain system supports poultry farmer’s career switch

By
Sophi Fairman
-

Until last year, Michigan farmer Cal Schipper operated a poultry farm near Holland, selling eggs produced by his 1.6 million hens. Then, he decided to sell the operation and become a corn and soybean farmer.

“The poultry industry involves a lot of auditing and regulations, and even with all of our egg layers, we could see that down the road, it was going to be hard to compete with the big companies in the egg industry,” Schipper said. “We saw an opportunity to sell and took it.”

He set up his new 1,200-acre corn and soybean farm — Schipper Family Farms — on land he owned directly across the road from the poultry operation. He works with his two sons, Riley and Elliott, on the no-till operation.

Schipper is no stranger, however, to crop farming or grain storage. He grew his own corn on the poultry farm to provide feed for the hens, and he had on-site grain storage equipment that was included in the sale. So, he turned to GSI to design and build a new one on the crop farm.

Completed in time for fall harvest, the new system offers 240,000 bushels of corn storage capacity and 60,000 bushels of soybean capacity — enough to not only meet current needs but also to support future expansion.

Schipper plans to buy additional land and plant more corn and soybeans over the next 10 years. “I have learned over the years to always look down the road and make things bigger than you currently need,” he said.

The new system, designed and installed by GSI dealer Oakridge Farm Supply, based in Hamilton, includes:

  • Three dry storage bins, a 20,000-bushel wet storage hopper bin and a  4,000-bushel overhead loadout hopper tank.
  • A tower dryer with a capacity of 2,100 bushels per hour at a 5 point per hour moisture reduction.
  • Three bucket elevators,  including a 12,000 bushel-per-hour leg that can handle the grain that comes from the field to a dump pit; a 3,500 bushel-per-hour leg that takes grain from the wet bin to the dryer; and a 4,500 bushel-per-hour leg that transports the grain from the dryer to the storage bins.

Schipper is pleased with the new system, which he said has helped make his farming operation highly efficient. “We got it up and running in time for harvest and it worked great,” he said. “It was set up to provide high capacity with the latest technology.”

Being able to unload grain faster and get back to the field more quickly meant that only two semi-trucks were needed instead of three, according to Schipper. “Plus storing grain on the farm saves time and money by not having to wait in line at a grain elevator and being able to pick the right time of year to market the grain for higher prices,”  he said.

Karl Haverdink, co-owner/sales at the GSI dealership, said it was an honor to work with Schipper Family Farms on the project.

“All of us here at Oakridge Farm Supply are grateful to them for giving us this opportunity,” he said. “Having known the Schipper family and their farming practices for many years, we know how important grain handling efficiency and product quality is to them.”

Haverdink said that in West Michigan, every available harvesting day is important and valuable. “Maintaining the quality of the grain is very important in our area,” he said. “Most of it is used in the livestock feeding industry. Without proper drying and storage, it is impossible to maintain the best ingredients for our livestock growers.

“We would like to thank GSI and their employees for all of the support, especially our district rep, David Ellis, for all of the assistance,” he added.

“We are thankful for the continued innovations and improvements the GSI Group has made through the years. To offer our customers the best storage, drying and handling equipment available in today’s market is an added advantage.”

For additional information, farmers can email Karl Haverdink at oakridgefarmsupply@gmail.com  or visit grainsystems.com  to find a GSI dealer serving their area.

1...171819...504Page 18 of 504

Poultry News

Poultry News

USDA Study Reveals Complex Factors Affecting Worker Safety in Poultry and...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released studies examining the impact of evisceration line speeds on worker safety in poultry and swine processing...

USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Backyard Poultry Flock in...

Poultry News

Pennsylvania Leads Nation in Bird Flu Response

Poultry News

Guelph/Eramosa approves backyard chickens in rural residential areas

Canada

Chlorine Dioxide: An Effective Solution Against Avian Influenza

Health & Disease

Copyright © 2024 poultryproducer.com . All rights reserved.

Translate Web in Your Language »