NEWARK. Del. A 190-de gree soapy water bath sprayed under pressure of 3,000 pounds per square inch is a frontline defense against the avian influen za (AI) virus. As unlikely as it may sound, truck washes arc an integral part of keeping AI out of commercial broiler flocks on the Delmarva Peninsula. “High-pressure truck washes are in important biosecurily mea sure for keeping this disease from multiplying in Delmarva,” said Dan Palmer, University of Dela ware Cooperative Extension poul try specialist. Although AI poses no threat to human health, its effect on the $1.25-billion-per-year broiler industry and related grain indus tries on Delmarva could be devastating. Poultry growers, broiler inte grator companies, university researchers in the College of Agri cultural Sciences, cooperative extension, state departments of agriculture, USDA, and the Delmarva Poultry Industry Inc. (DPI) have galvanized efforts to control spread of the disease since it was identified in Pennsylvania in January. Although no commer cial flocks on Delmarva have been found to be positive for AI, expo sure to the virus has been con firmed in two backyard flocks in Maryland. LOOKING FOR an extra hand? Someone that's<ijpfc reliable, dependable, lough, rugged? Someone that won't cost you bundle? You can find just what you are looking for at your nearest Massey Ferguson dealer. You'll find an attractive 50-95 PTO hp MF 300 Series tractor just waiting for you. These tractors are designed to work hard and not complain about working conditions or long hours. PEOPLE'S SALES & SERVICE Oakland Mills, PA 17076 (717) 463-2735 SCHREFFLER EQUIPMENT Pitman, PA 17964 (717) 648-1120 R.W. KELLER SALES Perkasle, PA 18944 (215) 257-0101 GUS FARM EQUIPMENT Seven Valleys. PA 17360-0085 (717) 428-1967 LEBANON VALLEY IMPLEMENT CO. 700 E Linden St Richland, PA 17087 (717) 866-7518 University, Poultry Industry Control AI To coordinate containment and eradication efforts, DPI publishes an emergency procedure manual on poultry disease that details steps to prevent introduction and spread of the disease. By follow ing these procedures, university and industry personnel have been able to respond quickly and appro priately to the threat of AI. Palmer and Cliff Hicklin, direc tor of transportation for Allen’s Family Foods, coordinated efforts to set up truck wash stations for all trucks headed to the Peninsula from outside points. “The logistics of covering all major routes into the Peninsula have been mind-boggling,” Pal mer said. The first route covered was for trucks coming onto the Peninsula from points north. Route 13 is the major access, and Tim’s Truck Wash at routes 13 and 40 in Wil mington was ready to respond. Equipped with a wash pad and containment area for runoff from the wash, the station met all requirements. Owner Tim Eshel man stocked up on the required disinfectant and began washing 10 to 12 trucks per day. After a soapy bath, trucks are rinsed with hot water, then cold-rinsed with disinfectant. Trucks that have been through the wash are issued certificates that allow the drivers entry to * MASSEY FERGUSON ARNETT'S GARAGE Rt 9 Box 125 Hagerstown, MD 21740 (301) 733-0515 S.G. LEWIS AND SON West Grove, PA 19390 (215) 869-9440 869-2214 poultry company facilities. Some companies may require trucks to go through an additional disinfec tant wash at the gale to their grounds. Covering other points of entry to the Peninsula hasn’t been as simple as the Wilmington station. A temporary truck wash is on standby in Queen Anne’s County, Md. There, a sewage-treatment plant in Stcvensville on Kent Island already had a containment pad to collect wash water. By con tracting with a portable truck wash company, a satisfactory sta tion has been set up to cover this truck route from western Pennsyl vania if DPI feels it is needed. Palmer says another wash, if needed, will be set up in Poco moke City, Md. This portable sta tion on Sharp Energy property will cover traffic from the Chesa peake Bay Bridge Tunnel. In addition to setting up biose curity measures, university per sonnel have been extensively involved in virus isolation at laboratories in Newark under the direction of Dr. John K. Rosenber ger, chair of the department of ani mal science and agricultural biotechnology. An active surveil lance program also has been under way at the Poultry Disease Diag nostic Laboratory at the universi- TRIPLE H EQUIPMENT Peach Bottom, PA 17563 (717) 548-3775 CTF SALES & SERVICE, INC. Comly's Turf Farm, Inc Forest Grove Rd Wycombe, PA 18980 (215) 598-7157 M.M. WEAVER & SON N Groffdale Rd Leola, PA 17540 (717) 656-2321 N.H. FLICKER & SONS, INC. Maxatawny, PA 19538 (215) 683-7252 ty’s Research and Education Cen ter in Georgetown, Under the direction of Dr, Ed Odor, poultry pathologist, the diagnostic laboratory assists fed eral and state veterinarians in col lecting blood samples from flocks. These samples are analyzed for indications of AI. Odor says the laboratory in Georgetown has tested nearly 40 flocks. So far, AI has not been detected. “Flocks are tested if birds have been bought or sold at the live poultry markets where avian influenza was discovered,” he said. “We’ve continued an extern Northumberland Sets Conservation Banquet SUNBURY (Northumberland Co.) The Northumberland County Conservation District’s annual awards banquet is sche duled for Thursday, March 25, at the Sunbury Social Club at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment will be “Ameri ca, 1 Still Hear Your Song” pre sented by Ron Reedy, profession al photographer of Three R Pro ductions. The multi-image visual journey throughout America reflects the rich and varied herit age of our country and accentuates its natural beauty. Environmental awards will be S BELT BUSTERS" saveon Flat Belts for Your Farm / Machinery! We Will Make the y Belt You Need and Ship Same Day by U.P.S. - We're Fast! ★ Bale Thrower Belts ★ Round Baler ★ Harvesting Machines Like Bean, Cherry, Grape, Etc. ★ Forage Box Belts for Gehl, Grove Fasten, New Idea, Etc. j] Quality Belts at Farmer Prices SORRY, NO V-BELTS Agricultural Belt Service 10632 Rt. 75 Eden, New York 14057 PHONE 716-337 BELT Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 20 1993-E3 sivc surveillance of commercial flocks around Goldsboro, where AI was confirmed. All results have been negative. An extensive survey of backyard and commer cial nocks near Laurel is now complete. All of these flocks also turned up negative.” During the month of February, DPI called a halt to educational seminars and meetings where large numbers of growers would interact and possibly spread AI. Only by the cooperation of all par lies involved in the poultry indus try can Dclmarva’s poultry be kept disease-free. presented in the following catego ries; Conservation Farmer of the Year, Swank awards for youth and adult conservation organizations, J. Robert Hoffman Milton Kiwa nis Club Scholarship Award, Con servation Teacher of the Year, Environmental Communications, Wildlife Conservation Award, and conservation district scouting awards. A roast beef dinner will precede the award presentations and enter tainment. Tickets for the event arc $7 and can be purchased by call ing the Northumberland County Conservation District office at (717) 988-4224.
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