In the wake of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak on the Delmarva Peninsula, the University of Maryland Extension (UME) Poultry Team is helping chicken farmers combat the ongoing challenges posed by HPAI. The team is assisting farmers to deploy biosecurity measures through a coordinated approach that includes virtual education, timely updates, and collaboration with regional partners. The team is committed to equipping poultry producers with the resources and knowledge they need to effectively protect their flocks. Resources for growers can be found on the University of Maryland Extension website at go.umd.edu/poultry
In response to the outbreak, the UME poultry team is:
- Hosting Zoom Webinars: Providing farmers with expert-led discussions on biosecurity measures, outbreak response strategies, and the latest updates on HPAI.
- Sharing Timely Updates: Keeping the farming community informed of the latest outbreak developments through email alerts and notifications.
- Offering Online Resources: Maintaining a dedicated website with a comprehensive library of biosecurity protocols, a biosecurity audit tool, HPAI-specific guidelines, factsheets, hotlines, and training materials to empower farmers to safeguard their operations at https://go.umd.edu/HPAI-biosecurity
This initiative is a collaborative effort between UME, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Delaware Cooperative Extension, Delaware Department of Agriculture, and the Delmarva Chicken Association. Together, these organizations are leveraging their expertise to support the agricultural community during this critical time.
"Our role in Extension is to address the needs of our community, and the current threat of HPAI is one that deeply concerns poultry farmers, grain farmers and our allied businesses," said Jenny Rhodes, Principal Agent spokesperson for the UME Poultry Team. "Through education, outreach, and collaboration, we aim to provide the tools and information necessary to help mitigate the impact of these outbreaks."
Together, with a strong network of agricultural support, we can work to protect the poultry industry and safeguard our local communities against the impacts of HPAI.