Biosecurity Practices Critical in Protecting Against Avian Influenza

Mar 04, 2026

By Jake Galbreath and Mary Keena et.al

While it may seem as though wild bird migration has just ended, spring migration will be starting soon. As wild bird movement increases, the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) across the U.S. will rise.

North Dakota State University Extension experts are urging poultry and dairy owners to review and strengthen their biosecurity plans to reduce the risk of disease transmission on farms and rural properties.

HPAI is a strain of influenza A primarily carried by wild birds. The virus can spread to domestic poultry flocks and, in some cases, dairy cattle. It is shed in feces and respiratory secretions and can survive for extended periods in cool, damp conditions — making spring and fall migration especially high-risk times for animal owners.

“Creating and consistently following a strong biosecurity plan is the best defense poultry and dairy owners have against HPAI,” says Dr. Jake Galbreath, NDSU Extension veterinarian. “Now is the time to evaluate potential risk points on your operation and make improvements before exposure occurs.”

Recent detections of HPAI in poultry and dairy operations across the country highlight the importance of preparedness and early identification.

Source : ndsu.edu

Video: Reducing Nursery Feed Costs Without Losing Performance - Dr. Julian Arroyave

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Julian Arroyave, a research swine nutritionist at Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions, discusses nursery feed budget strategies designed to reduce costs without compromising pig performance. He explains trials comparing high, medium, and low phase 1 and phase 2 feed budgets, including commercial validation data showing improved income over feed cost when lower-budget programs were applied under healthy herd conditions. Listen now on all major platforms!

Click here to read the full research article: https://academic.oup.com/tas/article/...

"Results showed that the low-budget program increased income over feed cost by $1.48 per pig."

Meet the guest: Dr. Julian Arroyave / julian-arroyave-jaramillo-638740129 is a research swine nutritionist at Carthage Innovative Swine Solutions, with experience in nursery nutrition, diet formulation, and commercial research trials. He completed his PhD at Kansas State University and previously worked as a nutrition supervisor at Kekén in Mexico. His work focuses on nutritional strategies that improve production efficiency while controlling feed costs. Learn more from Dr. Julian Arroyave Jaramillo on The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.