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Stronger biosecurity urged as HPAI risks are far from over
While the migratory season for birds has slowed down, the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza is far from over. Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn says it’s going to be here until the end of May, possibly early June. “That’s why we encourage our producers to pay close attention their flocks, increase their biosecurity, and have a close relationship with their veterinarian.”
She tells Brownfield producers need to implement more stringent biosecurity practices. “We’re encouraging all producers, if they can, to keep their flocks indoors right now,” she says. “We want to make sure they don’t have access to water sources that waterfowl have the same access to, we want to protect their feed and we want to protect their water.”
Chinn says an outbreak is costly to farmers and causes ripples throughout the production chain.
“It impacts our communities and our rural areas a lot,” she says. “The amount of feed they are fed, the labor that it requires to help take care of these animals. When you have to go in and depopulate, that’s a hit for that local community. It’s a hit for the farmer, but it’s also a hit for our grain markets because if you depopulate, you’re not able to feed them. And then you have to let that farm sit empty for a while so you can make sure the virus is completely eradicated.”
She encourages producers to keep a close eye on their flocks for signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza, and if they notice changes in their flock to reach out to their local veterinarian or the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
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