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Barr prioritizes HPAI preparedness in 2023

Michigan’s poultry industry remains concerned about the devastation highly pathogenic avian influenza can cause.  

Head of the Michigan Allied Poultry Industries Dr. Nancy Barr tells Brownfield she hopes to expand preparedness efforts for producers.

“I think we need to maintain a very high level of biosecurity, we need to be prepared and we need to plan so that if we do become impacted, we can minimize and mitigate the effects as much as possible,” she says.

With only one Michigan commercial flock affected in 2022, Barr says growers have been able to supply other regions.

“Although egg prices are quite high, they haven’t necessarily felt the benefit of that because of the way that eggs are marketed and the farmers aren’t setting the price,” she shares.  “We are a net export state for eggs so we have certainly provided eggs to other areas in the country.

Barr says she’s excited about the growth expected for Michigan’s poultry industry as she transitions into the new role after working more than 20 years with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.  She replaces Allison Brink who plans to focus more on ag consulting.

Brownfield interviewed Barr as part of the recent Michigan Agri-Business Association Winter Conference.