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MSU Extension Provides Information and Guidance to Michigan's Agriculture Industry During Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Disease Outbreak

  • $104.7 billion annual impact of food and agriculture on Michigan's economy
  • 900 dairy farms in Michigan (MDARD, 2023) 
  • $2.9 billion economic impact of the turkey industry (MDARD, 2023) 

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Michigan State University (MSU) Extension’s readiness and rapid response to disease outbreaks safeguarded Michigan’s livestock industry by equipping farmers with vital biosecurity knowledge and resources. This collaborative effort not only mitigated the immediate threat but also strengthened the state’s agricultural resilience and preparedness for future challenges. MSU Extension’s collaborative response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak helped safeguard Michigan’s agricultural and community events while minimizing disease spread. Its work protected animal health and ensured that youth in 4-H programs had the opportunity to engage in valuable learning experiences despite many challenges.

MSU Extension's Swift Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak

Livestock health management is a critical yet challenging aspect of farming. When HPAI was confirmed in cattle for the first time in Michigan in 2024, the agricultural community faced a never-before-seen threat. Previously affecting poultry, HPAI’s emergence in dairy cattle highlighted the need for rapid dissemination of accurate information and actionable biosecurity guidance. Farmers required clear, science-based resources to protect their herds and flocks from this unexpected outbreak.

Source : msu.edu

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Sheep Farming Life | Difficulties & Fun Discoveries!

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Sheep farming life includes difficulties and, in today's episode at Ewetopia Farms, it also includes some fun discoveries and interactions with our young lambs and adult rams. Lambing season is almost done on our sheep farm in Ontario, Canada, but today, we had two more ewes deliver lambs. The Suffolk ewe was rejecting her lamb due to mis-mothering with the Dorset ewe who had lambs at the same time. The Dorset ewe gave birth to twins, with one being extremely small. See how we approach these two problems in the hopes of getting one mother to bond and the other not to mistakenly harm her lamb. We also make a discovery when looking at our two favorite Suffolk lambs, which was a surprising coincidence! Then we catch up with some of our more popular Suffolk and Dorset rams.