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Harris County Cattlemen’s Association
Monthly Meeting
Where: Harris County Agri-Center
When: April 30, 2024
7:30 pm for the Steak Dinner
Reservations:
1. Call or email Erica Tracy at 706-628-4824 or email
2. Online Reservations: https://www.hccaonline.com/events
3. PLEASE DO NOT CALL FARM BUREAU.
4. Cut off for reservations is the April 26th at noon
5. We will only have steaks for those who have called in.
VERY IMPORTANT
If you have made a reservation for the meeting, we have a steak reserved for you. However, if you fail to show up, we will end up with extra steaks that we will have to sell below market price. Therefore, we kindly request you to make every effort to attend the meeting. This will help us control costs for everyone. In case you cannot attend, please call and cancel your reservation.
Meal Costs:
Members -- $20.00
Non-Members -- $25.00
Online Resources:
Highly Pathogenetic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
Good afternoon, everyone; I wanted to provide you with a brief update on the Highly
Pathogenetic Avian Influenza (HPAI) situation as it continues to evolve.
Unfortunately, HPAI is moving closer to home. Yesterday, the North Carolina
Department of Agriculture announced a presumptive positive case of HPAI on a NC
dairy. These cattle are currently asymptomatic and quarantined. For further information
on this case, please read their announcement. This brings the total affected states to
seven with cases in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas and North
Carolina. Over 15 states have suspended or restricted importation of cattle from
affected states.
Though there are no presumptive positive or confirmed positive cases currently in
Georgia, we must all remain aware of how we can protect our farmers, our cows, and
our consumers. What can you do?
Inform cattle producers, both beef and dairy, of symptoms to look for. The key
symptoms are decreased feed intake, decreased rumination, manure
inconsistencies (tacky/dry to loose), decreased milk production with milk often
becoming thick and discolored (colostrum like), and a persistent fever.
Make sure that producers are aware to report any symptomatic animals to their
veterinarian as well as the GDA Animal Health team at (404) 656-3667.
Emphasize with producers that biosecurity on farms is of utmost importance
always but especially now. Biosecurity measures to encourage include:
o emphasizing cleanliness
When possible, disinfecting items used on or coming onto the farm
o protecting feed and water resources and clean containers regularly
o limiting access to farms and implementing boot wash or boot covers
protocols for farm entry
o restricting the movement of equipment and materials from other farms to
designated areas on the farm
When possible and especially when restriction is not possible (i.e.
milk trucks), implement tire washes as part of farm entry protocol
o minimizing contact with cattle from other farms and avoiding the
introduction of novel animals, at least for the time being.
Communicate with the consumer that pasteurized dairy products are protected
by the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and still safe to consume.
I will work to keep you informed and am happy to answer questions with regards to
status updates as I know them and principles of biosecurity, but yield to your veterinarian
and the GDA Animal Health team on all animal health-related questions.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (706)628-4824.
Double-check your membership
Don’t let it expire!!!
Something to think about:
Often, we complain about high gas prices. As we consider this and the dilemma
of other countries controlling much of our oil supply ….. just wait until they
control our food supply as well !!!!
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