Latest news with #N.C.DepartmentofAgriculture
American Military News
01-05-2025
- Health
- American Military News
NC poultry farms are free of bird flu, a greenlight to expanding exports
The World Organization for Animal Health this week declared North Carolina's commercial poultry farms bird flu-free, lifting a months-long suspension of poultry exports, according to a N.C. Department of Agriculture release. Since January, a High Path Avian Influenza outbreak in the state's commercial poultry flock has stopped farmers from exporting and trading their birds to some foreign counties. Perhaps the biggest market that closed was China, which buys chicken feet — or paws, as they are called — from growers in the state. 'This will help North Carolina poultry industry as a total a whole lot,' said Bob Ford, executive director of the North Carolina Poultry Federation. 'I would say some of those shipments have been sitting on back order waiting.' Ford said it was unclear when overseas shipments would resume, but now that the world organization has designated North Carolina's commercial flock bird flu-free, nothing is stopping them from restarting. The state exported about $347 million worth of poultry and poultry products last year, according to the agricultural department. While North Carolina was barred from exporting poultry, other states filled the demand, said Jeffrey Dorfman, professor of agricultural and resource economics at North Carolina State University. But that's not ideal, he said. 'In a year with a lot of turmoil in agriculture, it is nice to get some good news and for farmers to get some money in their pockets,' he said. North Carolina bird flu outbreaks North Carolina farmers suffered a trio of bird flu outbreaks in January, the only outbreaks to happen at commercial flocks so far this year. The first outbreak happened Jan. 7 at a chicken egg farm in Hyde County. There, 3.3 million birds had to be killed or composted. On Jan. 27, 1,856 turkeys had to be killed at a farm in Sampson County. And a day later, some 24,400 more turkeys had to be destroyed at a separate Sampson County farm, according to the agriculture department. 'Compared to other states, we've done a pretty good job of managing HPAI,' said Heather Overton, a spokesperson for the state Department of Agriculture. By comparison, Ohio has had 78 infected commercial flocks this year, totaling more than 25 million birds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Pennsylvania has had 40 infected flocks totaling 7 million birds. Poultry is king in NC Thousands of farms raise chicken and turkeys for corporations in large, long and tightly packed barns across the state. Many farms sit just north or east of Mecklenburg County. Others stretch from north to south near Interstate 95 to the east. North Carolina ranks first among all states in poultry and egg cash receipts, according to the agricultural department. Farmers here raise about a billion birds per year, most of which are broiler chickens — or chickens raised for meat. Broiler chickens are the state's top agricultural commodity, bringing in some $5.6 billion in cash receipts for farmers each year, according to the agricultural department. This week's declaration doesn't mean there couldn't be a new freeze on exports and international trade, Overton said. North Carolina sits along a popular flyway for migrating birds, which can spread avian flu from farm to farm, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farm equipment and workers can transport it too if they carry traces of infected bird manure or saliva into barns. 'Just because we have been declared HPAI-free does not mean that the risk of HPAI is gone,' Overton said. 'As long as it's in wild birds, there's always a chance it can get into our own birds.' ___ © 2025 The News & Observer. Distributed at Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu detected in North Carolina turkey flock, Agriculture Department says
Turkeys in a commercial Sampson County flock have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, the N.C. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday. The 1,856-bird flock is the second commercial operation this month to test positive for the virus, which is often referred to as bird flu. On Jan. 7, the state reported it had found the virus in a 3.3 million-chicken egg laying operation in Hyde County. The virus has been circulating among wild birds for years now, with some outbreaks among commercial and backyard operations. Over the past 30 days, cases have been found among 66 commercial flocks and 41 backyard flocks nationwide, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture Data, with 17.8 million birds impacted. 'With HPAI being pervasive in some wild bird populations and the recent cases around the country, all flock owners, commercial and backyard, should remain vigilant with their biosecurity,' Mike Martin, the state veterinarian, said in a written statement. When birds in a commercial poultry flock test positive for bird flu, North Carolina officials typically kill all of the birds by filling barns with foam. The carcasses are then composted at the farm in an effort to prevent the extremely infectious virus from spreading further. As that's happening, state Agriculture officials also test nearby commercial facilities to see if they have cases. Since 2022, 21 flocks of poultry have tested positive for bird flu in North Carolina. A cattle herd in Western North Carolina also tested positive for the virus last spring. There have been no reported bird flu cases in humans in North Carolina, but there have been 67 nationwide, including one death. Signs of bird flu among birds include lethargy; decreased appetites; twisting of the head or neck; decreased egg production and swelling of birds' comb, eyes, head and wattles, among others. State agriculture officials are urging anyone whose birds are showing symptoms to call their local veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division at 919-707-3250 or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System at 919-733-3986. This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider signing up for a digital subscription, which you can do here.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NC poultry flocks test positive for highly pathogenic bird flu
Turkeys in a Sampson County flock have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, marking the second commercial operation in North Carolina this month to be affected by the virus, according to reports from the Charlotte Observer. The N.C. Department of Agriculture announced the positive test results on Tuesday, highlighting the ongoing threat of bird flu, which has been circulating among wild birds and impacting commercial and backyard flocks nationwide. Earlier this month, a 3.3 million-chicken egg-laying operation in Hyde County also tested positive for the virus. ALSO READ: Gaston County confirms first case of rabies 'With HPAI being pervasive in some wild bird populations and the recent cases around the country, all flock owners, commercial and backyard, should remain vigilant with their biosecurity,' said Mike Martin, the state veterinarian, in a written statement. Since 2022, 21 flocks of poultry in North Carolina have tested positive for bird flu. Additionally, a cattle herd in Western North Carolina tested positive for the virus last spring. Nationwide, the virus has impacted 66 commercial flocks and 41 backyard flocks over the past 30 days, affecting 17.8 million birds. While there have been no reported cases of bird flu in humans in North Carolina, there have been 67 cases nationwide, including one death. State agriculture officials continue to urge vigilance and biosecurity measures to prevent further spread of the virus. VIDEO: Gaston County confirms first case of rabies
