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March 31, 2017 Update on Avian Influenza

“H7 avian influenza has been identified in Georgia; you can find the link to the News Release here. Please refer to the USDA-VS newsroom link, Tennessee (TN), Alabama (AL) and Kentucky (KY) Department of Agriculture websites for updates on the AI status in their respective states. While the case has been identified in a state that […]

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flock of chickens

March 20, 2017 Update on Avian Influenza

Avian influenza continues to be present in the US at low prevalence, and updates on the US and the international situation can be found at these sites: Avian Influenza — USDA Reinforcing control efforts amid outbreak of avian influenza in China — OIE World Organisation for Animal Health The most recent isolation was from a […]

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Canada geese

Migratory Bird Patterns: Animation from Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Curious about why bird diseases may show up in a seasonal pattern? See Citizen Science Reveals Annual Bird Migrations Across Continents, courtesy eBird and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which helps illustrate how avian influenza may show up in the US in spring and fall. Wild birds are great travelers, and Avian Influenza virus may spread […]

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Initial Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the US: 2017

March 5, 2017, Washington — The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H7 avian influenza (HPAI) of North American wild bird lineage in a commercial chicken breeder flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee. This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in […]

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Update on Avian Influenza: November, 2016

There are no US outbreaks of AI at the moment, but the situation in Europe and Asia is troublesome. The world Organization for Animal Health (OIE) keeps a running tally of where/when highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI; H5 and H7 serotypes) occurs. As of now, they list 12 European/Northern Asian countries with current (November 2016) […]

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Horse pasture management seminar at Witter Center

Maintaining horse pastures is the focus of a half-day seminar for horse owners and caretakers on Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m.–noon at the University of Maine J.F. Witter Teaching and Research Center, 160 University Farm Road, Old Town. Topics include improving the nutritional quality of horse pastures, innovative grazing strategies, weed control, managing heavy-use areas, […]

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Livestock 101 Field Day April 2

Basic practices appropriate for small-scale livestock producers and 4-H project leaders will be the focus of a Livestock 101 Field Day from 11:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the University of Maine J. Franklin Witter Teaching & Research Center, 160 University Farm Road, Old Town. The free public program will demonstrate hands-on […]

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UMaine Extension provides tips to gauge when goats, sheep need vet care

University of Maine Cooperative Extension has published a fact sheet for producers of goats and sheep to determine whether veterinary care is needed. “When to Call the Veterinarian — Tips for Producers of Small Ruminants in Maine” was written by Richard Brzozowski, UMaine Extension food system program administrator; Anne Lichtenwalner, DVM, UMaine Extension associate professor […]

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Bulletin promotes best care practices for poultry producers

A new resource that details best management practices for small-scale poultry producers is available from University of Maine Cooperative Extension. “Best Management Practices for Small Scale Poultry Producers in Maine” covers food and water, health and biosecurity, facilities and environment, record keeping and regulations. The bulletin is to help producers implement the highest standards of […]

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Poultry producers advised to remain alert for avian flu

Due to the recent outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (AI) on a large turkey farm in Indiana, poultry producers in Maine are reminded to maintain vigilance against its transmission, even in winter. As a result of the outbreak in Indiana, about 245,000 turkeys and 156,000 chickens have been euthanized, according to […]

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