October 2005 Archives

Avian Influenza

Causative Agent

There are many different strains of Avian Influenza (AI) worldwide. AI affects numerous species of birds such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl. At the present time there are two different classifications of AI worldwide that can be named. There is a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) and high pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI) form. Both strains are considered to be emerging diseases with the most common being the LPAI. In trying to determine what strain you are dealing with you look at the severity of the disease and as well as the clinical signs.

As we shift into colder seasons of the year, what should I be doing to prepare my cattle?
There are several options such as planting winter grasses and legumes to maintain adequate grazing. You can also start to store hay which provides adequate forage intake to cattle on summer pastures. You may also need to begin feeding hay early to cattle on short pastures to prevent low energy health problems before winter season.