News

Biosecurity continues to remain high on poultry farms

The Michigan Allied Poultry Industry says biosecurity continues to the number one method to reduce avian influenza outbreaks.

Executive Director Val Vail-Shirey tells Brownfield with the recent outbreak at an Indiana turkey farm, poultry farmers are on high alert. She says standard biosecurity protocols include everything from employees showering in and out of barns, requiring workers to personally not own poultry, and limiting people and vehicles that enter farms.  “You’re not going to want a delivery truck to go from one farm to another, those trucks need to be washed, wheels washed—just everything possible in biosecurity.”  Vail-Shirey says, “It is of great concern.”

She says if there was an outbreak in Michigan, it could decimate the industry.  “As in many states you’ll find clusters or areas very close in proximity where these farms are located—that would just be an immediate concern.”  Michigan is the sixth largest egg producer in the country and also produces turkeys and broilers. Vail-Shirey says most of the farms are located in West Michigan.

She says while avian influenza does thrive in cold weather, the risk of it spreading is highest from March through June when birds start migrating north.

AUDIO: Interview with Val Vail-Shirey