A34Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, December 20 2003 Bronchitis , Bacteria Linked To Poultry Deaths DAVE LEFEVER Lancaster Farming Staff MANHEIM (Lancaster Co.) Penn State researchers are study ing the link between variant strains of infectious bronchitis and an increase in pullet deaths from E. coli infections on several large layer operations. At a recent poultry manage ment and health seminar at Kreider’s Restaurant, Dr. Eva Wallner-Pendleton outlined the findings her colleague, Huaguang Lu. has made since the investiga tion began in September at Penn State’s Animal Diagnostic Labo ratory in University Park. Included in the study are sev eral out-of-state, multiple-age layer premises that were hit by the E. coli infection, which causes a “sharp increase in mortality” at 19-20 weeks of age right around the time the birds start laying. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) strains were isolated from most of the layer houses that sub mitted samples for testing. Al though the flocks had been vacci nated for IBV as pullets, the vaccines were apparently no longer helpful in these cases. In order to help isolate IBV from the layer houses, the re searchers used “sentinel birds” (6-week-old pullets not vaccinat ed for IBV). To identify the IBV strains, Penn State used gene se quencing technology, which has recently become available for the first time in Pennsylvania. The results point to continuously changing IBV strains as the cul prit on larger multiple-age farms. Funds Available To Farmers For Grazing CARLISLE (Cumberland Co.) The South Central Chapter of Project Grass re ceived a Growing Greener Cirant in 2003 to assist produc ers in Cumberland County and surrounding counties. These funds may.be used for any best management practice that implements or complements a rotation grazing system. A few of the practices that are eligible for cost share include, but are not limited to, interior and exterior fencing, watering system, crossing, alleyway sta bilization, and many more. The funding is 75 percent cost share with a 25 percent landowner match. All livestock producers are eligible to apply for this cost share pro gram (equine, beef, exotic, sheep, etc.) re gardless ot operation size. Project Grass is a cooperative effort by local farmers and county conservation districts, with assist ance from the United State Department of Agriculture agencies to improve agriculture productivity through out Pennsylvania counties. especially in layers, according to Wallner-Pendleton. She said that IBV causes dam age to the trachea, which allows the E. coli bacteria to invade and eventually weaken and/or kill the poultry. Infected birds suffer from sep ticemia, a poisonous invasion of their system by the bacteria. The E. coli strain discovered in the dead birds is not E. coli type Eva Wallner-Pendleton describes her research on the link between E. coli in fections and the occurence of infectious bronchitis strains on layer operations. 0157:H7, the strain that has caused a number of foodborne ill nesses in recent years, Wallner- Pendleton said. Many treatments were used to try and control the infections with declining success, Pendleton Project Grasss Objectives are as follows; • Enhance Pennsylvania ag ricultural through better utiliz ation of grasslands. • Improve the economic po sition of Pennsylvania farmers, particularly farmers working small farms. • Increase the amount of livestock production in the Commonwealth to increase en ergy efficiency and develop im- Avltrol For The Control Of • Starlings • Pigeons • Sparrows • Crows 5 lbs. for $ 295 00 +6 00 S&H These Pesticides have restricted use. MUST HAVE Current Applicator’s License. 2240 Shermans Valley Road, P.O. 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DHvm Tracking Powder* Kills Rats & Mice 6 lb Bucket f V^ $ 39.95.5e0055H \ Bait Available Blai RBI, Box 8: 717*536*386 said After being housed at 16 weeks of age. affected flocks experi enced a growing mortality rate, often with bird losses of 1 percent or more per week for a period of several weeks. The result is the loss of peak egg production, plus the cost of raising pullets to laying age only to have them die. Wallner-Pendleton said that studying the problem is “time consuming, thoroughly laborious, and expensive,” but that she and her colleagues are making pro- gress. “This is the first time we've taken a case like this into the de tail we have,” she said. “We’ve got some work to do, but this is more than we’ve ever done be fore.” The study indicates that IBV strains are mixing and causing new strains through mutations. In order to fight the problem, poultry producers may have to update their vaccination pro grams more frequently, Pendle ton said. The research is still in progress, and final results will not be known until updated vac cines are tried on farms. Dr. Greg Martin, Penn State poultry agent, urged producers who notice increased mortality or any sign of disease to sub- ___ mit birds to one of three laboratories in the state for testing. Labs are located in Harrisburg, State College, and at New Bolton Center, Kennett Square. “The sooner you get on it, the better,” Martin said Starlicide For the Control of Startings & Blackbirds Less Diseases Saves Feed 33 Lb. Pail ™ *89.00 in Supply 137, Blain, PA 17006 1 or 717*536*3933 Japanese guests joining a recent Penn State poultry seminar are, from left, Dr. Hisaya Tobioka, Toshiaki Sumi moto, M. Niidome, Natsuki Niidome, and T. Iwanaga. of heading off losses caused by health problems. Call Penn State poultry exten sion at (814) 865-5573 for more information on poultry health is sues. 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