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1. Iowa bird farmers prepare for possible return of avian flu
By Erin Murphy, Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
The Gazette
March 21, 2016
DES MOINES - As a grim anniversary approaches, Iowa chicken and turkey farmers stand on vigilant watch.
Iowa bird farmers were conducting business as usual this time a year ago. Roughly a month later, the first case of bird flu was confirmed.
In the months that ensued, the disease decimated Iowa chicken and turkey flocks, resulting in the deaths of more than 31.5 million birds over the spring and summer of 2015. The financial impact to the state's economy was more than $1 billion, according to one report.
As that anniversary approaches and migratory birds return to Iowa, chicken and turkey farmers are keeping a close eye on their flocks, hoping to prevent a recurrence of the destructive bird flu, or catch a recurrence quickly.
"We're coming into a time where I think everyone in the industry is very mindful of our experience last year," said Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Poultry Association. "And I know in talking with our farmers that they're doing everything they can to keep their flocks safe during this year's migration."
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2. Iowa Emergency Management Prepares for Euthanizing Poultry
By Joyce Russell
Iowa Public Radio
March 21, 2016
Iowa poultry producers are on the alert for a possible reoccurrence of the deadly avian flu which decimated flocks last year.
The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is taking steps to more efficiently euthanize birds if the disease strikes again.
The agency helped coordinate the statewide response last year. That included hauling water to affected areas to create the foam to kill birds, and coordinating hazardous materials teams for cleanup.
"We continue to coordinate with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for a possible avian flu response," said Bureau Chief Joyce Flinn.
Flinn says last year funds from USDA were limited, and that slowed down euthanasia. This year her agency has pre-staged equipment around the state for euthanizing infected animals.
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3. Trich disease diagnosed in another South Dakota cattle herd
Associated Press
KSFY.com
March 21, 2016
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A reproductive disease of cattle has been found in another South Dakota herd.
The state Animal Industry Board says bovine trichomoniasis, or trich, was recently diagnosed in a bull that was leased to a ranch with pastures in Gregory and Mellette counties.
Several herds have been found to have the disease since last November.
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4. Bioterrorism List Change Could Improve Vaccine Research
By Associated Press
NewsRadio1310.com
March 21, 2016
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - Federal officials are considering removing the microorganism that causes brucellosis from the list of bioterrorism agents.
Wildlife advocates, agricultural groups and state government officials support the idea because it would lift burdens on vaccine research. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that Brucella abortus bacteria have been on the list of organisms closely regulated by the federal government since the early 2000s. The regulations are meant to keep potentially dangerous organisms and toxins out of the hands of bioterrorists.
Removing Brucella abortus from the list would make it easier for researchers to get a strain of the bacteria and work on developing a better brucellosis vaccine. Currently, getting the bacteria requires large amounts of paperwork and restrictions that complicate shipping and research conditions.
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5. BLM Seeks Experienced Horse Trainers to for Pilot Program
By Edited Press Release
TheHorse.com
March 19, 2016
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced an opportunity for experienced horse trainers to participate in a new pilot program called the Trainer Ambassador Pilot Program (TAPP).
The BLM hopes to contract with experienced trainers who use minimal resistance or natural horsemanship techniques to have them train wild horses and help the BLM place them into good homes. Deadline to submit a proposal is April 22.
Proposals for the pilot program will only be accepted from trainers residing in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
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6. Virus killing Ontario lambs has troubling echoes of Zika [Canada]
By: Jennifer Yang Global health reporter
Toronto Star
March 21, 2016
By now, the plot is familiar: A mysterious virus appears. The disease, spread by mosquitoes, is linked to an alarming surge in birth defects. There is no vaccine or treatment.
The world has been watching this nightmare unfold in countries such as Brazil, where the Zika virus is suspected of causing birth defects and other neurological disorders. Now, in Ontario, another viral outbreak is being linked to a surge in newborn deformities, albeit in a different population: sheep.
The little-known Cache Valley virus has long circulated in Canada but veterinarians are alarmed by what they say is the largest outbreak in recent memory.
And there are reasons to worry about Cache Valley beyond its disturbing impact on baby lambs. While its risk to humans is currently low, there are signs that the virus could be causing more problems than we realize - and, if it ever explodes the way Zika has, the world will be just as unprepared.
"Cache Valley is not very well understood at all. It was kind of ignored for a long time," said medical entomologist Philip Armstrong, who studies the virus and conducts mosquito surveillance for the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station.
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