A26-Lancttter Fanning, Saturday, March 4, 1995 (Continued from Pago Al) Dunn told nearly 200 poultry producers and agri-industry rep resentatives at the meeting that the University of Pennsylvania at New Bolton Center has been looking at 26 suspected IBV cases in the fall and winter of 1994-1995. Of the 26 cases, 20 involve broiler flocks with a mortality ranging from 6-23 percent. Of the 26 cases, 11 have tested positive for positive IBV isolation. Three cases are suspect, three cases are negative, and nine cases are in progress. But what worries veterinarians looking at the disease is that six cases make up an “untypable” field strain. The cases involve strains that are not the typical Mas sachusetts, Connecticut, or Arkan sas. but “a variant that has no name.” said Dunn. In other words, the untypable field strain is diffe rent from the rest and veterinarians are puzzled as to how to treat it. IBV onset in flocks brings about a host of health problems that lead to substantial decreases in market weight and increases in condemna tion. The disease attacks the upper respiratory tracts of birds, which paves the way for lethal bacterial infections such as pneumonia to occur. When the birds are exa mined. they exhibit lungs filled with fluid. The lungs and heart arc covered with a mucus-like exudate. There are a total of IS known U.S. and 24 known worldwide strains of the “corona virus” that is IBV. Vaccinations are applied against specific strains and woik well to boost immunity in the birds, but there is only a limited benefit of using vaccines against other types of strains that the vac cine was not meant for. In Pennsylvania, the most com mon strains are the Mass, and Conn, types, and vaccines have been developed for both. Other REFORM Nothing happens if you don’t sign up. Nothing A lot of good things won’t happen this year if you don’t sign up for the new crop insurance coverage. * No matter how severe the disaster, there will not be another disaster assistance program for you. * You won’t be eligible for most USDA programs, including price supports, production adjustment programs, USDA farm credit loan programs, and the Conservation Reserve Program. On the other hand, if you do sign up, you are protected even if the disaster is only local. Protection that is guaranteed without having to wonder if disaster aid will be enacted. Call a crop insurance agent or your local Consolidated Farm Service Agency office today to learn what you need to do to be protected under the new legislation. In Pennsylvania, the sales closing date is March 15th for all 1995 crops CROP INSURANCE Putting Farmers In Control Paid for by the Pennsylvania CFSA. An Equal opportunity program Protecting Flock Health Focus Of Poultry Progress Day common ones are the Arkansas, JMK, Florida, and Del. 072. Producers should immunize at one day old and put a field booster in the water at about day 10. The important thing to remember, according to Dunn, is to get the vaccine from the bottle to all birds in the flock on the premise as soon as possible. What worries veterinarians is the potential for the virus to change with the repeated passing of a cer tain strain from chicken to chick en. Of those six untypable strains, Dunn said it is unknown if the new strain is a result of a virus mutation. Dunn said that Penn State has looked at three cases of IBV isola tation, with one case in progress. A sentinel bird study is looking at the effects of the virus from selected pathogen-free birds placed in a flock to measure the effects of the virus in the house. Perhaps in the future a vaccine will be available with multiple ser otype protection, according to Dunn. Another potential disease threat identified on some Pennslyvania flocks is reticuloendotheliosis (RE), according to Dr. Sherrill Davison, assistant professor. Uni versity of Pennsylvania, who mod erated a panel on making decisions regarding flock health. What makes isolating RE difficult is that it mimics Marek’s disease or lym phoid leukosis. Typical symptoms on birds include renting, tumors on organs, and general immuno suppression. To further identify lhe.problem and study ways to effectively treat RE, the state diagnostic laborato ries (a consortium composed of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn State, and Summerdale) require producers to provide more blood samples from their flocks, accord ing to Davison. The laboratories A potential disease threat identified on some Pennslyvania flocks Is reticuloendo theliosls (RE), according to Dr. Sherrill Davison, assistant professor, University of Pennsylvania, second from right. Davison moderated a panel on making decisions regarding flock health. From left, Nelson Groff, Heritage Poultry Management Service; Phil Nuss, Esbenshade Mills; Davison; and Rick Meek, Wenger Feeds. age Poultry Management Service, cial ventilation is to flock health The best tool to apply for diagnos- and productivity, ing flock health is the serology But the winter of last year tests, according to Rick Meek, proved especially challenging to Wenger Feeds. managers of curtain-sided houses But it’s important that vetcrina- *l® had to deal with what Thomas rians and flock managers get out Pantano, broiler dept of Pennfield and look at the birds and see what Farms, called “ice machines.” kind of conditions may contribute Condensation created walls of ice to diseases before making any kind ™ curtain-sided houses that was of treatment recommendations, <WBcult for managersitoi remove according to Phil Nuss. Esbcn- As a resu,t - ““V tn f d aU sorts of shade Mills. He told the represen- wa y s to cover ovcr ******* tatives to listen closely to flock a* B * 6 environmental houses and managers, “because one statement to . Wp birds from last could provide the answer to a dis- wu | t f r * ‘ >,tter co ~'. .... ease problem.” Also, managers had to deal with A videotape from Arbor Acres flooding as the record snowfalls emphasized the importance of began to melt last year. As a result, ensuring proper ventilation in new techniques were put in place broiler and layer houses. Many of by many house managers to ensure those who spoke at the poultry harsh winters don 1 crcate 88 meeting reemphasized how cm- i Turn to p, °* need to find exactly what the extent of the RE problem is in the state. Twenty blood samples per flock are required, according to Davison. Other problems facing layer houses include mostly egg yolk peritonitis caused by E. coli. Sal monella, and staph bacteria. Also, common problems facing the diag nostic laboratories from flocks include oral ulcers, fatty liver, and Marek’s disease. Also, enteritis problems. LT, MG, and other infectious challenges are diag nosed by the state laboratories. For house managers who require assistance with flock health challenges, there is a wealth of information available from breeders, feed suppliers, and the three state diagnostic laboratories, according to Nelson Groff, Herit- “THERE’S MORE TO IT THAN JUST NPK” For over 47 years, farmers throughout the Mid-Atlantic Area from New York to Virginia have produced millions of dollars of crops using Lebanon Extra fertilizer. Lebanon Extra is an ammoniated, homogenous, granular NPK fertilizer. With the increased emphasis on using less and precise applications of plant food, Lebanon Extra provides the nutrient sources that you can depend on, and not just NPK but also secondary and six micro-nutrients. The nutrient integrity of Lebanon Extra is superior to bulk blend fertilizer products. When using row applications or banding accurate amounts of plant food it can be important to use a safe, quality, uniform grade product. If you are using a blend with MAP compare the value of Lebanon Extra. LEBANON EXTRA PLANT FOOD Ammoniated Granular Fertilizer Homogenous Secondary and Micros Uniform Analysis Low Chlorine for Sensitive Crops Safer to use in row applications Economical to use on all Crops Get the Starter Effect by staying 2x2 Excellent for No-till Com Lebanon Chemical Corporation Baltimore, MD 800-343-9085 EXTRA Granulated Starter Fertilizer For more information on Lebanon Extra Fertilizers
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers