VOL 2* N*. 52 USD A called into Avian flu outbreak Honored as the Pennsylvania Poultry Federation’s Industrymen of the Year were, from left: Mr.,and Mrs. Tom Bross Jr., turkey Industryman; Mr. and Mrs. Raymond W. Sauder, Egg Industryman: and Mr. and Mrs. Ben Burkholder. Broiler Industryman.'- Poultry industrymen honored BY LAURA ENGLAND GRANTVILLE Three poultry industrymen and 11 retired poultrymen were honored by the Pennsylvania Poultry Federation at its annual awards banquet, Oct. 28, at the Holiday Inn, Grantville. Selected as Industrymen of the Year in their respective categories were Ben Burkholder, Raymond W. Sauder and Tom Bross Jr. The three each received a plaque presented by the 1982 winners Jay Livestock exhibitors taking to show trail HARRISBURG - livestock exhibitors are making final preparations to hit their major show trails of the year. And, those trails are leading to Harrisburg and Louisville, Ky. and for some to both. Hie Keystone International livestock Exposition opens in the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg on Friday and con tinues through next Wednesday. For a complete schedule of the judging, turn to Page D 2 and review the classes that are laun ched with the opening sheep categories on Friday and continue through the final swine events on Wednesday, Nov. ST. Also, there’s a rundown of the many special events that are held in conjunction with KILE, beginning with the Pennsylvania Livestock Association banquet on Friday night through the in tercollegiate and junior livestock judging contests on Tuesday, Nov. a. Four Sections Irwin, broiler industryman, Bob Bucher, egg industryman, and George Wentz, turkey in dustryman. Ben Burkholder, of Victor F. Weaver Inc., New Holland, was honored as the 1983 Broiler In dustryman of the Year. One of the first employees of Victor Weaver in 1938, Burkholder has held numerous managerial positions including plant manager, manager of Weaver Quality Eggs, director M Wk And, next Saturday the North American international Livestock Exposition gets underway in Louisville, Ky. A review of major judging and other events, along with a listing of some of the Penn sylvania exhibitors planning a trip down to Kentucky, can be found on pagcDS. Both the KILE and NAILE in formation are part of Lancaster Farming’s expanded “Livestock Latest” coverage found in the D Section. Ljacwtar Fanafcg, Satanby, October 29,1903 of purchasing, and currently vice president of manufacturing. He was president of both the Pennsylvania Egg Marketing Association and the state Agricultural Advisory Council, is a representative of Victor F. Weaver on the Department of Agriculture and is serving on the Processing Committee for the Poultry and Egg Institute. Selected as the 1983 Egg In dustryman of the Year was Raymond W. Sauder of R.W. Sauder Inc., Lititz. Sauder’s business currently processes and markets 19,000 to 20,000 cases of local eggs from independent farms. Also, 150,000 chicks are raised from day one to 20 weeks for the company’s farmers. Sauder is a past president of the Pennsylvania Egg Marketing Association and is one of the founders of the Pennsylvania Egg Service Exchange. He is a member of Hess Mennonite Church and serves on the lititz Area Mennonite School Board. Dedicating 37 years to the business, Tom Brass Jr. was named 1983 Turkey Industryman of the Year. Founder and president of Round Hill Foods, New Oxford, Brass started in the business in 1946 when be purchased a locker plant in New Oxford and converted it into a combination grocery store and butcher shop. Today, Round Hill Foods deals with hatching, fanning, feed preparation, grow-out, processing, distribution and administration. About 150 people are employed at Round Hill, many of whom have been with the company since it began. In addition to the Industrymen of the Year. 11 retired poultrymen (Turn to Pace A 26) Live auction ? exhibit ban begins Wednesday BYLAURA ENGLAND GRANTVILLE Mild strains of avian in fluenza, which first affected Lancaster County in April, have now reached highly pathogenic levels and the disease is considered a national concern, according to Dr. Max Van Buskirk Jr. Van Buskirk, of the Pennsylvania Depart ment of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal In dustry, told members of the Pennsylvania Poultry Federation, Thursday, that the virus attack rate had increased, and its impact was changing. 11,000 birds lost "We are now seeing more severe signs,” Van Buskirk said, “and production has dropped considerably.” Although the number of birds lost to the disease is undetermined. Van Buskirk cited one Lancaster County producer who lost 11,000 of his 60,000 birds. The poultryman’s production, which had been at 40,000 eggs a day, dropped to 26,000 and is now down to zero. Both broiler and layer flocks, and some breeder flocks, have been infected by the disease, Van Buskirk said. By Sept. 1, 20 commercial flocks in the county had been diagnosed with avian influenza: the number now totals 46. Quarantines imposed To combat the disease, Lancaster County is placing quarantines on infected flocks or those suspected of the disease, Van Buskirk said. Producers will not be allowed to market their birds without a permit. Permits, he said, will be issued on a case-by-case basis. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's position on the matter will be discussed at a meeting in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Van Buskirk, who will attend the meeting, said he expects the USDA to follow up on the county quarantine and possibly impose a state quarantine. Cases of avian influenza have now been reported in Franklin County and at least two flocks in Maryland, Van Buskirk said, but it hasn't been determined if the cases are of high or low virulence. Precautions needed The disease, which is transmitted by people and through affected birds, has no effect on meat and eggs and poses no threat to humans, Van Buskirk stressed. Precautions against the spreading of avian influenza need to be taken. Van Buskirk said that feed delivery truckers should use foot baths and stay out of houses and buildings. He also suggested that trucks be sanitized after delivery. "Farmers have to accept the responsibility to protect themselves and their neighbors,” Van Buskirk said. "It's most important to act responsibly." $7.50 per Year
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