Producer, farm protocols affected by avian flu outbreak

 All across Iowa, effects of the recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza have taken their toll, from high prices in grocery stores to taking extra precautions when dealing with birds. 

But, another group of Iowans has seen their own set of effects: the producers. 

Although the outbreak has only affected northern and central Iowa thus far, the threat of illness has caused producers across the state to be cautious. 

Forsman Farms, Inc., located in Minnesota, has a farm in Villisca. Elaine Balsley, an account manager for the company, said due to the outbreak in the Midwest, the company has taken extra safety precautions for all their farms. 

“First, we immediately did a full review of biosecurity systems to ensure we didn’t have any holes,” Balsley said. “In past business endeavors, we always limited visitor access to our farms but since the numerous outbreaks, we are now policing movement to and from our farms even more closely. We have also added and are strictly enforcing new truck-washing procedures. All incoming and outgoing trucks [to our facilities] at Forsman Farms facilities must receive a same-day truck wash and get sprayed and disinfected before entering our plant parking lot.”

These disinfecting procedures are also being carried through on smaller farms. 

Duane Barkman owns an organic egg farm just south of Red Oak. 

Barkman said all footwear and clothing is monitored closely and by the time he reaches his hens, his footwear has been changed three times. 

According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the virus can spread by objects such as shoes, clothing and equipment. 

Balsley said their farms followed safety procedures before the outbreak and continue to do so. Employees are required to take extra precautions when it comes to clothing and footwear. 

 “Barn employees continue to change into site-dedicated footwear upon arrival to the farm,” Balsley said. “They also have separate shoes for each different area that they work. All shoes are disinfected upon entrance of barns from any outside building and we have always provided liquid footbath stations at barn entrances for employees to utilize. All clothing for employees is provided.”

Barkman said most of his eggs are shipped to California for sale. When trucks come to pick up product, they are disinfected and the floors are cleaned thoroughly. 

Both farms said they have been taught about what symptoms to look for with HPAI and are currently not testing the animals.  

“All birds are monitored and kept a close eye on every single day,” Balsley said. “Employees are directed to report any signs of increased mortality or relevant clinical signs shown in the birds’ health to a manager or supervisor. At that time, the birds would then be tested.”

If a bird is suspected to be ill, Barkman said he would contact the appropriate agencies and have his bird tested. 

In cases where birds have tested positive, the United States Department of Agriculture, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the IDALS have assisted in the depopulation and disposal of infected flocks. 

According to a June 4 press release from IDALS, the “USDA has taken the lead in working with the owners of affected sites to ensure the safe and humane euthanasia of birds. USDA has more than 1700 staff and contractors helping respond to the avian influenza situation in Iowa.”

The IDALS is encouraging owners of infected birds to use humane methods to euthanize them, such as carbon dioxide asphyxiation. 

After euthanasia, the department has authorized disposal in the form of composting, containerized burial, rendering, incineration and pressurized auto-claving. 

According to the June 4 press release, “as of June 3, 24.1 million of the 27.7 million commercial layers and pullets have been euthanized.” The department has a functioning incinerator at a Cherokee landfill and landfills in Sioux and Mills counties are being used for disposal of other waste. 

The outbreak has affected about 50 percent of Iowa’s flock and infected almost 50 million birds in the country. 

“This situation has had numerous effects on the egg industry,” Balsley said. “Governmental officials and producers are working together to come up with new biosecurity practices and are forced to closely monitor all movement on their farms. Everyone in the industry is having to reevaluate the biosecurity risk of standard industry practices and deal with the increased cost of business.”

The Iowa Department of Public Health and Center of Disease Control consider the outbreak to be at low risk to human health and IDALS has biosecurity information on their website at iowaagriculture.gov/AvianInfluenza.