April 18, 2023
The ongoing bird flu outbreak has cost the government roughly $661 million and added to consumers’ pain at the grocery store after more than 58 million birds were slaughtered to limit the spread of the virus....
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April 05, 2023
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus affecting the Reynolds Game Farm pheasant population....
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February 14, 2023
By Abby Schuft, Associate Extension Professor and Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Prevent Biosecurity The very first steps to preventing an introduction of HPAI are to have a biosecurity plan and use it. Many gamebird farms and hunting clubs have not been required to have biosecurity plan audits because the lower number of birds they...
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February 14, 2023
By Abby Schuft, Associate Extension Professor and Extension Educator, University of Minnesota As the nation has watched Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) hit state after state, it’s evident HPAI is going to be here longer than anyone would like. All avian industries, including yours, have to shift and take biosecurity to the next level as...
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February 14, 2023
By Peg Ballou, NAGA President Our association has been rocked with news that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has landed at some of our largest farms and oldest hunt clubs. What we’ve been dreading has come to pass. Amazingly, I’m still hearing that some of the clubs and farms we personally supply don’t yet have...
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January 11, 2023
This past week, the NAGA Health Committee heard a sobering report on the prospect for more outbreaks of avian influenza this fall and winter. Based on a map of where the disease has been found across the country, it’s a near certainty there will be more impacted poultry businesses, including gamebird businesses, as migratory birds...
January 11, 2023
Avian Influenza is here, it’s real and it affects both farms and clubs. What can you do to protect your farm while dealing with suppliers and guests? Join NAGA President Peg Ballou on Tuesday, October 11 at 7 P.M. EST to discuss options as related to the NAGA Code of Conduct. Peg will also address...
January 11, 2023
NAGA Board member and former president Tim Zindl has asked the association to let the membership know that he received confirmation on Friday, November 5th of highly pathogenic avian influenza in pheasants on his farm, Oak Ridge Pheasant Ranch, in Watertown, Wisconsin. After receiving many calls, emails and texts from people who had heard about the...
January 11, 2023
As more gamebird businesses are affected by avian influenza, several NAGA Board members have been asked what the organization is doing in response. The Past Since the outbreaks in 2014-2015, NAGA created the Secure Upland Gamebird Supply Task Force to create the Secure Upland Gamebird Supply Plan (SUGS), which provides assurances to state veterinary officials on the...
December 21, 2022
During the 2014-2015 avian influenza outbreaks, there was very little focus on the impact of the disease on hunting preserves and clubs. Fortunately, no gamebird business tested positive for the disease during that timeframe. Unfortunately, this led many to falsely believe pheasants could be immune. The current avian influenza outbreak has directly impacted the gamebird...
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October 01, 2022
USDA APHIS has confirmed an outbreak of HPAI on a gamebird farm in York County in Eastern Nebraska. More information can be found on the USDA APHIS website. NAGA continues to provide information to help members prepare for an outbreak. For example: It’s essential to have an approved biosecurity plan to be eligible for indemnity. Record...
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August 11, 2022
A Note From NAGA: It’s long been thought that avian influenza isn’t a concern during the summer when the temperatures are higher. We’re now learning that’s not always the case. NAGA has been encouraging hunting preserves and gamebird producers to be prepared, even during the summer months, by ensuring biosecurity plans are in place and,...
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April 16, 2020
On April 9th, the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) confirmed highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in South Carolina. Click HERE for tips on spotting infections early, preventing exposures, and the importance of communicating biosecurity protocols to everyone on your farm or preserve....
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June 07, 2019
Gene editing may be able to help control the avian influenza virus in the future, according to the results of newly released research. On June 4, 2019, the Roslin Institute, an animal research institute at The University of Edinburgh, announced scientists used gene-editing techniques to stop the virus from spreading in chicken cells grown in...
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December 07, 2018
Updates to virus elimination flat rate for egg layer barns, egg storage and processing facilities....
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August 15, 2018
August 15, 2018, Washington D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is issuing a final rule outlining the conditions under which USDA will pay indemnity to farms affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). It includes updates to USDA’s February 2016 interim rule. This final rule does three...
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March 07, 2018
Cold weather in portions of the United States has produced large concentrations of wild waterfowl in a number of areas, including Maryland—where an aerial survey counted more than 1 million waterfowl in tidal tributaries of Chesapeake Bay. That figure is well above the state’s five-year average and a red flag to producers of gamebirds, chickens...
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April 14, 2017
The Tennessee state veterinarian has released the control zone surrounding two Lincoln County poultry farms affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The statewide poultry health advisory is also lifted, and poultry owners can now resume regular activity. “We have determined through extensive testing that HPAI has not spread to other poultry flocks in our...
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November 04, 2016
The U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA) passed a formal resolution supporting the North American Gamebird Association’s Secure Upland Gamebird Supply Plan. Drafted at the USAHA’s recent annual conference in Greensboro, North Carolina, the resolution reads: “The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) supports the current funding from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and...
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April 08, 2016
Harrisburg, PA - Despite few highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) reports in early 2016, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding reminds poultry producers of the need to remain vigilant and practice good biosecurity measures. Having sound biosecurity protections in place are among the best preventative measures producers can take to protect the state’s $13 billion poultry industry, he said....
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March 08, 2016
A year after deadly avian influenza hit Minnesota, testing of more than 6,000 wild birds has yielded little insight into the role, if any, that waterfowl and other species played in the outbreak. As the state Department of Natural Resources plans to scale back testing efforts, state poultry growers urge continued vigilance, including testing different species of wild birds and using different methods, such as testing blood instead of droppings....
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February 10, 2016
Effective February 9, 2016, a biosecurity plan must be in place to allow a farm to be indemnified for losses due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. This is an emergency rule put in place by the USDA. These actions are being taken in an effort to solidify policies surrounding the payment of indemnity and further strengthen biosecurity adherence at poultry operations....
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January 30, 2016
A new study just released from the University of Minnesota says farmers tilling fields near turkey barns may have fueled the spread of last spring’s avian influenza outbreak. According to the study, soil in the tilled fields may have been contaminated with the droppings of migrating birds believed to be a source of the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza....
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April 28, 2015
The Health Committee of the North American Gamebird Association has been meeting each week to exchange and provide information on the latest outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H2N5). We’ve been cranking out a steady dose of tips on how to prevent and protect an outbreak from occurring on your place. But what should you be doing to be ready in case you suspect you have an outbreak on your farm?...
April 28, 2015
Despite major efforts by poultry facilities in the central United States, incidents of highly pathogenic influenza continue to be confirmed. It is simply a fact that despite taking every precaution, your farm may still be exposed to this virus that is lethal to most birds, and to your bottom line. In the worst case scenario, quick action can still save you money, and provide the greatest opportunity for reimbursement for losses....
April 23, 2015
Wild ducks continue to be the top suspects for new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) that have occurred in the western and central United States. While migrating waterfowl may not be responsible for the spread of the disease within small regional areas, the large distances between outbreak areas continue to lead experts in the field to believe that wild ducks are the most likely carrier....
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March 26, 2015
As members of the North American Gamebird Association, we must be watchful of the resurgence of high-path Avian Influenza on the North American continent. This page provides information and resources you should monitor and research frequently to stay informed about the disease, its location and what you can do. It would be impossible to gather and present all information regarding to Avian Influenza in one location. The links at the bottom of this page will hopefully give you a good start on information yourself. This page has been marked so it is visible for members only. If you know someone that needs access to this information, please encourage them to be come an NAGA Member today....
January 27, 2015
Funding was included in the 2014 Farm Bill to determine the feasibility of insuring poultry producers for a catastrophic disease event. As you know, USDA has offered crop insurance for many years - but never for poultry. Part of the required research is gathering input from those that might be involved or interested. Watts and Associates (W&A) of Billings, Montana was hired to do this research. Meetings are scheduled in the following locations: Atlanta GA 1/26, St. Cloud MN 2/3, Modesto CA 2/10, Lancaster PA 2/12....
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March 20, 2013
TheUS Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service coordinates the NPIP program to coordinate State programs aimed at eliminating pullorum from commercial poultry. Pullorum disease can also affect turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl, pheasants, sparrows, quail, geese, pigeons, and doves. Many NAGA members run hatcheries that are Certified by NPIP as having a Pullorum-free breedeer flock....
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