The US Department of Agriculture last week issued a conditional license for an avian flu vaccine for use in chickens, amid an outbreak ravaging poultry flocks, contributing to the sky-high price of eggs.
Zoetis, the manufacturer behind the vaccine, announced the conditional approval Friday, saying in a news release its scientists had begun updating its existing avian flu vaccine in 2022.
Read MoreAcross the nation, bird flu is destroying flocks and creating egg shortages. In Southeast Louisiana, farmers are filling that poultry gap.
Kickn' Chickn' Farm is a homestead in Zachary that sells eggs. Over the past three weeks, Owners Chris and Nicole Young said business has grown and now the farm has backorders for all the eggs demanded.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the final USDA poultry tournament rule under the Packers & Stockyards Act.
“Farm Bureau appreciates USDA’s commitment to bringing greater fairness to farmers who raise poultry under the tournament system.”
Read MoreThe Southwest Louisiana resident who had the nation’s first severe case of bird flu has died, health officials announced Monday.
This is the first human death related to bird flu in the country.
Read MoreOn December 13, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced the detection of the first presumptive positive human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1, in Louisiana. Following a report of increased mortality in the non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry) on the property in southwest Louisiana, testing by Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL) has detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the flock.
Read MoreBird flu has been detected in a backyard flock in Southwest Louisiana after a person exposed to the flock tested positive for the illness.
The SWLA resident was the first person in the state diagnosed with H5N1 and became the first person in the U.S. with a severe case of the disease in the current outbreak. They are hospitalized in Louisiana in critical condition, health officials said Wednesday.
Read MoreTesting has confirmed a case of avian influenza in a backyard flock in Bossier Parish, Louisiana. The backyard flock owner alerted the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry of increased mortality in the backyard flock. Following an investigation by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the non-commercial backyard flock (non-poultry).
Read MoreA farmer in Sunset, Louisiana has designed and constructed a solar-powered and self-driving chicken coop.
KLFY News 10 recently featured this amazing design on a newscast, and now the chicken coop from Guidry Organic Farms LLC has caught the attention of so many.
Read MoreAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s proposed rule to make changes to the poultry tournament system.
“Farm Bureau appreciates USDA’s work to bring more transparency to the poultry industry. AFBF has long advocated for changes to ensure poultry farmers who contract with processing companies are treated fairly, and we’re glad to see many of our concerns addressed in the new rule.”
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced next steps it is proposing to address the many, complex competition issues in agricultural markets and create a fairer playing field for poultry growers and farmers. USDA is proposing the rule Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems, to address a range of abuses that have occurred in relation to grower ranking (commonly known as “tournament”) payment systems and additional capital investment requirements that poultry companies commonly ask of their contract growers for broiler chicken.
Read MoreHouse of Raeford has awarded $80,000 in college scholarships to 32 students through its 11th Annual Scholarship Program. This year marks a record number of recipients, reflecting the company's commitment to supporting education for its extended family, including employees' and farmers' families.
Each $2,500 scholarship was awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, community involvement, work experience, and personal goals.
Read MoreAre you planning to dye Easter eggs this year? Well, if you are, there is a bit of good news -- prices have dropped significantly.
Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson said prices of eggs have dropped quite a bit. As a matter of fact, the southern average for a dozen eggs was $4.17 last year but this year it's down to $2.71.
Read MoreIt's been nearly two years since the start of the worst avian flu outbreak on record — but Louisiana has avoided any commercial or backyard flock infections.
Read MoreThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that salmonella is responsible for 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year.
A new platform launched by Antera looks to improve these numbers. The program offers a “BioBarrier” against salmonella through surveillance systems and data analytics for improved poultry productivity compliance.
Read MoreContracted farmers and poultry dealers are preparing to adhere to the USDA’s dealer disclosure document on pay for growers, flock losses, food shortages, and complaints from farmers about food provided.
But not quietly.
Read More
