RDAR AND ALBERTA POULTRY BOARDS INVEST $733,000 TO SUPPORT VITAL AVIAN FLU RESEARCH

Aug 08, 2023

Through the spring and fall of 2022, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (HPAI) triggered the on-farm culling of over 1.4 million birds in Alberta. This new research investment aims to reduce the impact of future HPAI outbreaks and is crucial to securing a safe food supply and a stable poultry industry in Alberta.

To support Alberta’s poultry industry, RDAR, Alberta Chicken Producers (ACP), and Egg Farmers of Alberta (EFA) awarded $733,801 to avian virologist Dr. Faizal Careem, University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, to lead a vital HPAI research project. The investment, including $633,801 from RDAR, will help define effective, science-driven biosecurity procedures, and outbreak control measures.

“Last year, we saw the devastating impact HPAI can have on poultry producers, with over a million animals lost for dozens of producers. This research funding will help us understand more about the disease so we can lessen the damage of future outbreaks and strengthen Alberta’s poultry sector,” says RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

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Video: You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

It's time for some honest feedback here at Ewetopia Farms! Today, we’re showing you all eight rams we used for breeding this year. Instead of just presenting them, we thought it would be fun to create a “Ram Report Card” — where we point out both their strengths and areas for improvement.

But here’s the twist: you be the judge! In the comments, let us know what you like about each ram and what you think could be improved. No ram is ever perfect, but every one of them brings something valuable to the flock. By sharing perspectives, we all learn more about what to look for in good breeding stock.

At Ewetopia Farms, we raise registered Suffolk and Polled Dorset sheep, focusing on high-quality genetics, structure, and friendly temperaments. Evaluating breeding rams is part of the bigger picture of building stronger flocks — and we’re excited to share the process with you.

If you enjoy seeing how we evaluate our animals, follow along by subscribing to our channel. We share daily insights into the joys and challenges of sheep farming here in Canada.