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Poultry producers prepare for return of avian flu in the fall

Minnesota turkey producers are preparing for a return of avian influenza this fall. Turkey Growers Association executive director Steve Olson says the spread of the virus has slowed this summer because of increased biosecurity efforts and other factors.

“Weather has been a huge factor because the virus does not survive in the warmer temperatures or the sun light, and we’ve had quite a bit of sunlight the last month and a half (which has helped).  And wild birds are not shedding the virus, so it’s kind of worked its way through them and they don’t shed the virus into the environment.”

The last confirmed case of the flu in the state was June fifth. Olson tells Brownfield that growers are enhancing biosecurity by looking at individual barns as opposed to the entire farm.

“We keep what’s in the barn in, and what’s out of the barn out.  One example of that is the entryway itself.  Guys are installing what is called a Danish entry system, which is basically a bench or physical barrier where somebody comes into that entry area; they take off their boots and coveralls they’ve had on outside.  They step over into a different set of boots and coveralls before they go into the barn and likewise when they come out.”

Other steps growers are taking to protect flocks is designating equipment to a specific barn when possible and incorporating truck washes.

“That works pretty well for the summer months, but once we get into winter we’ve got some challenges.  So that’s something we need to look at closer (is there a way) to disinfect tires of trucks that are coming onto the farm to help prevent something there on a year-round basis.”

Enclosed hallways between buildings and power ventilation are other options growers are considering, but Olson points out barns that use power ventilation have still been hit by avian flu.