The Spread Of Avian Flu Continues In Poultry Farms

May 16, 2023

It was confirmed on Friday at a non-commercial poultry operation in Lacombe County. It's unclear how many birds there were infected with the H5N1 strain. Recently, there were four additional cases of avian flu in 3 commercial poultry flocks in Quebec and one in Ontario. The CFIA didn't release any information about what types of flocks were involved or how many birds were in those flocks. It's very likely all of the birds that didn't die from the disease would have to be destroyed.

It's widely believed the disease is spread to domestic flocks by migratory birds which are now returning to Canada. Industry officials are concerned that as more migratory birds make their way north, more cases of avian flu will be reported. BC has been the hardest hit over the past year, followed by Alberta.

Click here to see more...

Video: Assessing Welfare Resources During Late Finish - Dr. Anna Johnson & Emma Coursey

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Anna Johnson from Iowa State University and Emma Coursey from the University of Illinois discuss research evaluating welfare resources during the late finishing stage on commercial swine farms. They explain how feeder management, water use, space allocation, and pig health influence welfare outcomes and practical on-farm management. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Small resource issues can become larger welfare problems when multiple stressors interact across finishing barns."

Meet the guests: Dr. Anna Johnson / anna-johnson-05028a14 is the Morrill Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Iowa State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from Texas Tech University and completed her master's degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on practical solutions that improve farm animal welfare, including sow productive lifetime, animal-human interaction, environmental enrichment, and Precision Livestock Farming.

Emma Coursey / emma-coursey-183810241 is pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine after earning a bachelor's degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. Her academic interests include swine health, production, and animal welfare, with research experience evaluating welfare resources in commercial finishing pigs.