Alberta’s poultry industry is facing a severe avian flu season, with poultry producers working diligently to combat outbreaks. Scott Olson, a turkey farmer in the Wetaskiwin area, is experiencing his third outbreak and cull after losing his 10,000-bird flock to wild geese migrations in both the spring and fall of 2022. He is now disinfecting his barns and preparing to restart operations post-Christmas with new hatchlings.
Currently, there are 11 commercial poultry farms in Alberta under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s quarantine and containment directives. The province has witnessed a significant increase in avian influenza cases this fall compared to previous years, with a total of 2.5 million bird deaths attributed to the disease in Alberta since 2022.
Farmers are implementing strict biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus, such as flock isolation, restricted visitor access, and thorough equipment disinfection. However, challenges persist in maintaining high bio-safety standards, especially in facilities located near bird migration routes.
The impact of avian flu outbreaks goes beyond financial losses for farmers, as it involves months of work, lost profits, and additional costs. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency compensates farmers for culled animals, but the payouts may not fully cover the expected earnings. Additionally, the farms undergo thorough cleaning, disinfection, and monitoring before resuming operations.
Alberta’s Ministry of Agriculture reported 24 avian flu outbreaks in poultry flocks as of late November. Despite the devastating effects on individual farmers, the outbreaks represent a small portion of Alberta’s poultry production. Market observers believe that the outbreaks are unlikely to lead to increased consumer prices, although individual producers face significant challenges in recovering from the losses.
The strategy of depopulating farms and establishing containment zones has been crucial in eradicating avian flu at specific sites, albeit facing controversy. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s response to outbreaks remains a subject of discussion among farmers like Olson, who expressed frustration with the recurring cycle of infections on his farm caused by migrating geese.