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Extension specialist encourages “conceptual biosecurity” as avian flu persists

Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to infiltrate poultry facilities despite ongoing improvements in biosecurity.

Dr. Abby Schuft is a program leader in the University of Minnesota Extension Agricultural and Natural Resource Systems Department.

“We are now beyond having clean boots and clean clothing when we enter the housing where our birds are. There are so many other environmental concepts, some environmental factors, that are playing into how the virus is spreading.”

She tells Brownfield producers need to go beyond enhanced biosecurity and strive for a more conceptual approach.

“Who else is raising birds near you? Where’s the feed mill, where’s the processor? Where’s the bedding coming from? Are you near a really highly-traveled highway? And what are those business concepts (like) the layout?”

Schuft encourages poultry producers and bird owners to be very observational as migratory patterns increase and harvest advances.

There have been 17 cases of avian flu across eight Minnesota counties the past several weeks.