The Biosecurity Resources Are Available to Farms at No Cost
The Center for Dairy Excellence hosted a Dairy Industry Conference Call on Wednesday, April 3 to provide updates on the rapidly evolving health situation with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affecting dairy cattle and Pennsylvania’s response. The conference call recording is now available, and the Center has scheduled weekly conference calls going forward on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. EST to share regular updates on this evolving situation. The Center is also working closely with the Penn State Dairy Extension Team to provide “Everyday Biosecurity Kits” to farmers upon request.
Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/hpai-industry-call to access the recording and learn more about upcoming conference calls. To join next week’s call on Wednesday, April 10, view the following connection details:
- Dial +1 301-715-8592
- Enter Meeting ID: 813 6659 8116
- Enter Passcode: 162069
- Or join the call via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81366598116?pwd=YXdVTHhsU2RlS2xXQitNZTQ2V1hxUT09
Dairy producers and service professionals who joined the call heard from Dr. Alex Hamberg, the Pennsylvania State Veterinarian, and Dr. Hayley Springer of Penn State Extension. Both panelists answered questions about how this disease is affecting dairy cattle and how dairy producers can prioritize biosecurity to keep their operations safe. The USDA has confirmed that there is no threat to human health and milk. Dairy products remain safe to consume.
“We appreciate Dr. Hamberg and Dr. Springer’s willingness to answer a wide range of questions from dairy producers and service professionals who joined the call. Each week, we will continue to host conference calls with the PA Department of Agriculture to share updates about Pennsylvania’s response to the situation and emerging news that might affect producers and those working with farms,” said Jayne Sebright, Executive Director at the Center. “One of the most important things to remember is that having robust biosecurity protocols in place on your dairy can help prevent and manage HPAI if it would develop in Pennsylvania.”
According to the USDA and partners, HPAI is primarily spread by birds to animals and will spread on farms by people carrying matter from infected birds — such as dust, dander, and bird droppings — on their clothing, gloves, soles of their shoes, vehicle tires, animal trailers and other equipment, in addition to contaminated water. To help dairy producers prioritize biosecurity on their operations, the Center for Dairy Excellence is partnering with Penn State Extension to offer “Everyday Biosecurity Kits” to dairy farms at no cost. The kits include a compilation of printed biosecurity resources from across the industry, including the National Dairy FARM Program, Penn State Extension, and the SMS Secure Milk Supply.
Each kit will include:
- A biosecurity “No Trespassing” sign (with both English and Spanish) to display on your farm
- Laminated copies of biosecurity signage/documents
- A visitor sign-in log sheet
- A short guide for what to include in your own biosecurity kit
- Additional printed resources
“In this rapidly changing health situation, good biosecurity remains one of the best tools for protecting your herd from a variety of diseases, including this newly emerging illness,” shared Dr. Alex Hamberg, Director, Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at the PA Department of Agriculture. “This includes limiting contact between cattle other animals, including wild waterfowl, that are known to carry HPAI. Ensuring free ranging animals and birds do not have access to feed bins, water troughs, spilled feed and animal housing is a good start in beefing up biosecurity.”
To request an “Everyday Biosecurity Kit” for your farm, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/biosecurity-kit or call the Center at 717-346-0849. The kits will be mailed out in the coming weeks while supplies last.
As the dairy industry learns more about HPAI and how it is affecting dairy cattle, the Center for Dairy Excellence will continue to share updates from across the industry. Visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/newsletter to sign up to receive email updates.