Arkansas farmers brace for impacts of Avian influenza

KUAR | By George Jared/ Talk Business & Politics

A flu that is nearly 100% lethal to poultry is spreading across the U.S. Thirty-four states have had confirmed cases of the deadly H5N1 avian influenza, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and poultry farmers in Arkansas should continue taking precautions.

The most recent outbreaks were in backyard cases in Oregon and Washington state. Oklahoma was added to the list of states after the disease was confirmed in a commercial breeder flock in Sequoyah County on May 1, the USDA reported.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-05-18/arkansas-farmers-brace-for-impacts-of-avian-influenza

Mary Hightower/UA Division Of Agriculture

A backyard chicken seen wandering the streets on October 30, 2021.

Influenza could threaten state’s poultry industry

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Disease, especially avian influenza, could impact Arkansas poultry producers in 2022.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is urging poultry owners to increase biosecurity measures on their operations in response to several reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in other states to include some in the Mississippi Flyway.

HPAI is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry and wild birds. HPAI virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock. Symptoms can include sudden increase in bird deaths with no clinical signs, lack of energy and appetite, decrease in egg production, soft- or thin-shelled or misshapen eggs, and more.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/02/influenza-could-threaten-states-poultry-industry/

Solar a Viable Option to Power Arkansas Poultry Farms

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Springdale native Millard Berry had an idea that would transform the agriculture industry in the Natural State. In 1893, he bought an incubator to raise chicks. Four years later, he was a founding member of the Arkansas Poultry Association and started the poultry industry in Arkansas, one that pumps billions of dollars into the state’s economy and produces thousands of jobs each year, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

To support this expensive industry, scientists are constantly finding ways to reduce costs. Solar energy, net metering and grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have benefited a Cleveland County poultry grower, said Yi Liang, associate professor-biological and agricultural engineering.

“Poultry farming is an energy-intensive business, with gas and electricity as major expenses,” said Liang, who works as part of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/07/solar-a-viable-option-to-power-arkansas-poultry-farms/

PANELS — Banks of solar panels set up as part of the Boyd farm installation in Cleveland County, Arkansas. (Image courtesy Stephen Boyd)