The Perch ISPA Newsletter
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May 3, 2024 Edition
Avian Health
The situation with HPAI in cattle and our understanding of how commercial poultry is affected and involved continues to evolve rapidly as more is understood about the disease and how it moves. This overview from USDA summarizes it well:
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 virus is an emerging disease in cattle. Federal and State agencies are moving quickly to conduct additional testing for HPAI (H5N1) virus, including viral genome sequencing to provide a better understanding of the situation to characterize the HPAI (H5N1) virus strain or strains associated with these detections as well as other components of this disease event at the connection between animals, people, and the environment. The genetic and epidemiological data indicate spillover of the virus from wild birds to dairy cows and some instances of spread from dairy to dairy and from dairy premises to poultry premises. Based on this analysis, we have learned that the whole genome sequence for virus found in positive herds in 8 states and on two recent commercial poultry premises in two different states indicates it is the same strain affecting both dairy cattle and poultry. While it is still unclear exactly how virus is spreading, the virus is shed in milk at high concentrations; therefore, anything that comes in contact with unpasteurized raw milk, spilled milk, etc. may spread the virus including other animals, vehicles, and other objects or materials. Therefore, both dairy and poultry producers should redouble biosecurity efforts and be vigilant about monitoring for and controlling disease in their herds and flocks.
Additional resources:
USDA Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Detections in Livestock.
Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) - Click here to access the BOAH page and sign-up to receive email updates.
Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University
BOAH Biosecurity Recommendations for Poultry Raised Outdoors – On May 1, 2024, BOAH again issued a letter recommending flocks with outdoor access be kept inside. To receive a copy of the current letter or to be on the list to receive future letters, please contact Dr. Maria Cooper, Director, Avian Health Division.
Something to Crow About!
Purdue Animal Sciences Department honors its 2024 Distinguished Alumni; Zachary Tucker of Maple Leaf Farms honored with Early Career Award
The Purdue Animal Sciences Department hosted its 2024 Animal Sciences Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony on Friday, April 26. Maple Leaf Farms’ Zachary Tucker received an Early Career Award. He graduated from Purdue in 2012 and received a degree in animal sciences. He also received a master’s degree from Purdue in agricultural economics and a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Tucker is a fourth-generation family member of Maple Leaf Farms, Inc., which is known as a global leader in duck production and breeding. He has been working at the company full-time for over 11 years and is now the Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. Tucker is on the Family Council and is the Philanthropy Committee chair; furthermore, he will join the board of directors for Maple Leaf Farms later this year.
The Poultry Health Management School (PHMS) educates farmers and avian health professionals on the latest research discoveries and innovations in the poultry industry to improve flock health and performance. A majority of the PHMS attendees are farm owners, production managers, and avian health professionals seeking continuing education for increasing technical skills and knowledge. There are two tracks, a Turkey/Broiler Track and a Layer Chicken Track. This year the schools are being held in Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences on the Purdue University West Lafayette campus May 14-15 for Turkey/Broiler Track and May 16-17 for Layer Chicken Track. Click here to register.
Joniskan to Join US EPA Animal Agriculture and Water Quality Subcommittee
On April 30, 2024, the EPA announced the selection of nominees invited to serve on the Animal Agriculture and Water Quality Subcommittee (AAWQ) of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee. Becky Joniskan, ISPA, was nominated by the United Egg Producers for consideration by EPA for service on the AAWQ, and she was one of the nominees invited to serve on the committee. The goal of the AAWQ subcommittee is to provide recommendations to inform EPA’s decisions regarding improvements to implementation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permitting program to more effectively reduce nutrients and other types of water pollutants from Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs), including determining whether any revisions to the regulations are warranted, and whether EPA can otherwise support the efforts of AFO operators to protect water quality. Joniskan’s environmental regulatory experience from her time at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, her current work with Indiana poultry farmers, her participation on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Agricultural Nutrient Alliance, and engagement with environmental committees of national poultry organizations contribute to her qualifications for the role. Her first meeting is May 30-31, and she welcomes your input on effective nutrient management programs and practices.
Indiana Primary Election Day, Tuesday May 7 – Whether you Gobble, Cluck, Quack, or Crow; Left Wing or Right Wing; it’s important to let your voice be heard in the upcoming elections! Share your needs and experiences with your candidates and elected leaders – constituents are valued teachers and advocates.
Join our flock
ISPA Poultry Health Specialist - Click here to apply now! We are searching for a new nest-mate! Please join us yourself or share this opportunity within your networks.
ISPA Board of Directors – Reminder – Nominations for the ISPA Board of Directors are due to Becky Joniskan at rjoniska@purdue.edu no later than May 10. She’s also available to answer questions about board responsibilities and expectations, or you can ask any board member as well. Please see the April 19, 2024 edition of The Perch for more details.
Flocking Together
Animal Agriculture Alliance 2024 Stakeholders Summit May 7-9 Kansas City
Poultry Health Management School Turkey/Broiler May 14-15 and Layers May 16-17 Purdue University West Lafayette
United Egg Producers Legislative Board & Committee Meetings May 22-24 Washington D.C.
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council Annual Meeting June 17-22 Santa Rosa, CA
Indiana State Board of Animal Health Quarterly Board Meeting July 16 Indianapolis
NPIP Biennial Conference August 26-30 Providence RI
National Chicken Council Chicken Marketing Summit July 29-31 Birmingham AL
National Turkey Federation Leadership Conference September 16-18 Washington D.C.
US Animal Health Association Annual Meeting October 10-16 Nashville TN
UEP & AEB Joint Annual Executive Conference October 14-18 Colorado Springs
National Chicken Council Annual Conference October 17 Washington D.C.
ISPA Dates to Remember
ISPA Annual Meeting and Quarterly Board of Directors Meeting, June 12, Indiana Soybean Alliance, Indianapolis
ISPA Johndrew Memorial Golf Outing, September 12, The Fort, Indianapolis
ISPA Quarterly Board of Directors Meeting, September 25, Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences, Purdue University
ISPA Governors Presentation and ISPA Quarterly Board of Directors Meeting, November, Indiana Statehouse
ISPA Evening Under the Stars Banquet, February 11, 2025, Indiana Roof Ballroom, Indianapolis
ISPA on Social Media – Follow us, and we’ll follow you back!
ISPA Facebook and Your Indiana Turkey Farmers Facebook
ISPA Instagram and Your Indiana Turkey Farmers Instagram
ISPA LinkedIn
ISPA Staff Contact Information – Give us a Quack!
Rebecca Eifert Joniskan, President, rjoniska@purdue.edu (317) 646-2453 Mobile
Jeffrey Deutschman, State and Federal Programs, deutschman@purdue.edu (765) 496-3594 Phone Number