ANDY ANDREWS
Lancaster Farming Staff
MANHEIM (Lancaster Co.)
Building a better mousetrap is one
thing, but long-term poultry
research at the University erf Dela
ware could ultimately build a bet
ter bird one that could be free
from developing a disease such as
March's.
Marie Martin, doctorate student
from the University of Delaware,
told 40 broiler and layer industry
representatives on Monday that in
a few years, genetic selection for
birds resistant to March’s disease
could be available commercially if
breeders make use of Delaware
University research.
Martin brought the results of
three yean of Delmarva poultry
research into the nature, spread,
study, and control of March's Dis
ease to the Poultry Management
and Health Seminar at Kreider’s
Restaurant.
A team of six scientists and
researchers are looking into the
nature of the herpesvirus that
causes March’s Disease, how it is
spread, the effect of vaccinations
and combinations thereof, and
genetic research into how, in the
future, breeders could leant to
breed it out of flocks.
In 1991 alone, losses from
Marek’s Diease totalled $l2 mil
lion in the U.S., according to Mar
tin. As the broiler and layer indus
tries continue to bring on mote
birds, the amount of losses will
continue to increase.
Hie disease is spread through
the air in houses on feather folli
cles,'dander, and dust in the build
ing. Incubadon of the virus varies
by breed and other factors,
although certain breeds are more
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Marek’s-Resistapt Poultry Possible In Future
susceptible to it
Though predominately a disease
of young birds, Marek’s Disease
has been noted on older birds,
according to Martin. Clinical signs
include leg paralysis. Acute dis
ease symptoms include severe
depression, gross lesions, and
tumors in die heart, liver, spleen,
skin, etc.
Vaccines ate available to treat
the disease, but must be used early.
Recovery is rare if treatment is
begun too late.
On birds inoculated with the vir
us in tests, usually severe depress
ion sets in about 2-3 weeks Utter. In
many cases, there is a dormancy
period, where the birds appear
unaffected. However, soon after,
mote acute symptoms develop.
The virus is carried throughout
the body by T-cells. The virus
invades Mood cells and replicates
itself, destroying the cell in the
process.
Combinations of different vac
cinations studied their effective
ness. The conclusions vary,
depending on type of breed, the,
disease challenge, and factors such
as stress and vaccine handling.
Studies were undertaken on
farms in the Delmarva Peninsula.
In particular, Sussex County,
Delaware has the highest concent
ration of poultry of any county in
the country.
Part of the study involved
recording the history of the disease
in the flocks from 1980-1994.
While the incidehce of the disease
in the flocks dipped from
1987-1988, in 1992-1993, inci
dences were on the rise.
One reason for the rise in inci
dences could be the increasing
doses being administered.
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This high-quality variety was NIRS selected for high
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Researchers are finding that the
vaccine really won’t work any bet
ter beyond the recommended dose.
Other research delves into cer
tain virus isolates and their effect
cm the flock. Monitoring the flocks
for how fast Marek’s Disease
becomes evident is crucial. Also,
samples of the virus are being
picked up by examining the dust
and dander through the house to
see the effects on broilers.
Ultimately, research is studying
the “major histocompatibility
complex’’ in other words, how
the map of the bird’s genes and the
genetic makeup of the virus inter
act What they found is that in die
birds susceptible to the virus, not
one, but several genes are
involved. It may be possible, once
the genes responsible for suscepti
bility to Marek’s Disease are
indentilled, to simply breed out
those genes from birds.
Once the genetic selection is
complete, the potential is there,
said Martin, for breeders to use it
Maryland
(Continued from Pago A 1)
110 -Holsteins producing about
5,600 pounds of milk a day. They
have about SO dry or bred heifers,
and SO young heifers as well as a
few young calves. They have be
gun feeding a total mixed ration,
mixing their own com silage, al
falfa silage, oat and grain mix and
a Purina dry feed.
When asked if they were sur
prised by the award, Brenda re
plied. “We pretty much knew we
were getting it before we went to
Hagerstown.” Then she smiled.
Mark Martin, doctorate student from the University of
Delaware, told 40 broiler and layer industry representatives
on Monday that in a few years, genetic selection for birds
resistant to Marek’s disease could be available commercial
ly If breeders make use of Delaware University research.
Research is studying the “major histocompatibility com
plex" —in other words, how the map of the bird’s genes and
the genetic makeup of the virus Interact. It may be possible,
once the genes responsible for susceptibility to Marek’s
Disease are indentlfled, to simply breed out those genes
from birds.
Grange Young Couple
“We were the only couple to run!”
Tom and Brenda Ripley are the
first Maryland State Grange
Young Couple this state has had in
two years, due to a shortage of
candidates.
Tom and Brenda met years ago
through youth groups within their
church, Linganore United
Methodist Church. They have
been married 10 years and have
three children. Their oldest daugh
ter, Nicole is 8 years old. Monica
is S and Matthew is 2 years old.
Tom Ripley looks over his farm
with affection. “I’ve lived here all
of my life," he said.
“I grew up on a farm, too,”
Brenda revealed. Her parents,
Raymond and Mary Katherine
Mathews operated a dairy farm in
Unionville, Frederick County. “I
helped my dad milk 2SO cows for
several years,” she recalled with a
smile.
MIIK.IT DOES
A BODY GOOD.
ADC Is the Place To Be
Member education and youth programs - the outstanding
benefits that George and Theresa Inhof refer to - are among the
strengths of the premier dairy cooperative in the region.
Atlantic Dairy Cooperative has a 78-year history of excellent
service to its members. Financially strong, ADC guarantees a market
for all member milk and excels in maximizing returns. ADC is a
leader in providing equity payments, quality bonuses and over-order
premiums to members.
Nearly 4,000 dairy farmers agree that "ADC is the Place to Be."
For free information on how you can secure the future of your
dairy farm operation, write or call;
Atlantic Dairy Cooperative
.1225 Industrial Highway I
Southampton, PA 18966 ' lijWPvJ
1 -800-645-MILK
Lancaster mining, Saturday, February 18,1915-A35
As part of their Grange duties.
Brenda and Tom Ripley arc keep
ing a scrapbook of their farming
progress. “We arc supposed to
keep a scrapbook and bring them
to meetings to share,” Mrs. Ripley
said. “It is a lot of fun looking at
the books and seeing (other) mem
bers when they were young. A lot
of people in our Grange (Linga
nore $410), have been Maryland
State Young Couple,” Mrs. Ripley
said, “and Tommy’s parents were
Maryland Young Couple once!
“Basically, we’ll try to go to
everything we can,” said Brenda
of upcoming Grange functions. In
November, at the close of their
reign as Maryland State Grange
Young Couple, the pair hopes to
attend the National Grange Ses
sion in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
“That is.” Brenda added with a
smile, “if we can get someone to
milk our cows!”
“Atlantic Dairy Cooperatives youth
programs provided us with a
beneficial learning experience. We
learned more about co-ops,
developed our leadership skills and
made new friends."
—George Inhof
and sister, Theresa
Spring City, PA