News & Updates

When a highly contagious virus like avian influenza strikes a poultry operation, one of the worst things a producer can do is keep it a secret. Instead, poultry industry leaders stress open communication with other bird owners who may be at risk. ... read more

Dr. Mark Davidson, USDA, reinforces that the US is prepared for potential avian influenza outbreaks this fall and that the country is ready to vaccinate if necessary. ... read more

As fall arrives in the United States, concerns about the possible return of avian influenza remains high. Here are 8 recent news stories and blogs concerning the virus, both in the United States and internationally. ... read more

When Mike Rowe and his crew for the Discovery Channel show “Dirty Jobs” went to a Hickman’s Family Farms egg facility in Arizona, Rowe stated “Not everybody is comfortable seeing exactly where their food comes from.” ... read more

Avian influenza, legislation concerning animal antibiotics, new uses for eggs and weather-related problems highlighted the news concerning the global poultry industry for the week ending October 15. ... read more

When conducting a test, whether in the laboratory or in the marketplace, you can learn the most if you can control all factors which can impact the outcome you are trying to measure and varying only one factor at a time. As reported last year, the American Egg Board’s packaging task force conducted retail tests in 2015 on egg cartons that are more informative and have better graphics to see ... read more

The effectiveness of any biosecurity program is affected by what is in the program and whether the program is being followed. All it takes is one instance of a policy circumvented on a day that an infectious disease is waiting outside the poultry house door. Industry biosecurity practices proved inadequate in stopping the introduction and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the U.S. Midwest in spring 2015. ... read more

In response to a critical need in the industry, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) has approved $550,000 in emergency funding to support further avian influenza research and communication. ... read more

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on October 13 awarded contracts to Harrisvaccines and Ceva to manufacture doses of avian influenza vaccine. ... read more

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Tom Smith, vice president of quality management at Jennie-O Turkey Store, offers five tips for other poultry processors to follow, based on Jennie-O’s experience, in order to be prepared in advance of an outbreak at their own facilities. ... read more

A free guide to avian influenza had been published by the UK’s National Farmers Union (NFU) and the British Free Range Egg Producers’ Association (BFREPA). ... read more

Highly pathogenic H5N6 avian influenza has been detected in Laos for the first time since March 2014. ... read more

Enhancing biosecurity is the talk of the U.S poultry industry this fall with everyone trying to make sure that their farms have perimeter buffer areas around their poultry houses and lines of separation between the outside of the poultry house and where the birds actually live. Everything is focused on reducing the chance for the avian flu virus of getting onto a poultry farm and from getting inside the poultry ... read more

The global poultry industry had a busy week with one acquisition finalized, another planned, and expansion updates for two other companies. A recall, a lawsuit and further concerns about avian influenza also made the headlines. ... read more