Avian influenza found on western Kentucky poultry farm
FRANKFORT, Ky. — State and federal authorities are investigating a finding of suspected nonpathogenic or low-pathogenic avian influenza in a single broiler/breeder poultry farm in western Kentucky.

According to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), the strain poses minimal risk to human health and is not the high-pathogenic strain associated with human and poultry deaths in other countries. State Veterinarian Dr. Robert C. Stout has quarantined the farm, which produces hatching eggs for Perdue Farms, Inc. KDA stated that Perdue plans to depopulate 20,000 chickens in two houses on the farm.

“The state and federal government and Perdue are acting aggressively to contain and eliminate the disease,” Stout said. “There is no evidence that any infected poultry are in the human food supply as a result of this infection. We will do what is necessary to minimize the disruption to overseas trade.”

“I have been in constant contact with state, federal and industry officials since this came to light,” Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. “The people of Kentucky and our trading partners should rest assured that we are doing everything possible to address the situation.”

The KDA is conducting surveillance on backyard flocks within a two-mile radius of the farm.

The KDA added a minimal drop in egg production at the farm was noticed in mid-March. Perdue’s veterinary services laboratory took samples from chickens at the farm and found antibodies for avian influenza.

Testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, resulted in a presumptive positive finding for the H7 strain. Subsequent testing by NVSL and the Breathitt Veterinary Center in Hopkinsville, Ky., confirmed the finding. The KDA added no virus has been isolated and no poultry deaths have been found in connection with the infection.

VeraSun closes sale of 5 ethanol plants to Valero

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — VeraSun Energy Corp. says it has closed on the sale of five ethanol plants and one development site to traditional refiner Valero Energy Corp.

VeraSun, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October, auctioned off its assets and Valero submitted a successful bid of $477 million for plants in Aurora, S.D.; Charles City, Fort Dodge and Hartley, Iowa; Welcome, Minn.; a development site in Reynolds, Ind., and two additional plants.

VeraSun said April 1 the closing on the Albert City, Iowa, and Albion, Neb., plants is expected in the coming weeks. Valero is grouping the plants under a subsidiary, Valero Renewable Fuels.

600 hogs die in fire
in central Iowa
GILMAN, Iowa (AP) — An investigation is under way into a fire at a hog confinement near Gilman in central Iowa that killed at least 600 hogs.

The fire broke out around noon on April 1 at Tamco Pork. Eight fire departments spent more than four hours fighting the flames, which were fanned by high winds. The fire raced through the large building, which was surrounded by smaller buildings and propane tanks.

Vilsack announces $2 million lamb buy through USDA

DENVER, Colo. — The U.S. sheep industry applauded the purchase of up to $2 million of lamb to be donated to federal food and nutrition programs.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the purchase as part of his March 31 testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies.

“Today’s announcement will help mitigate further downward prices, stabilize market conditions, stimulate the economy and provide high quality, nutritious food to recipients of our nutrition programs,” said Vilsack.

“The timing of the secretary’s announcement is excellent, as the sheep industry addresses the post-Easter/Passover marketing season,” commented Glen Fisher, president of the American Sheep Industry Assoc. (ASI).

Section 32 is a permanent appropriation the USDA uses to support non-farm program commodities while enhancing nutrition programs. ASI is a national trade organization supported by 45 state sheep associations, benefiting the interests of more than 82,000 sheep producers.

USDA extending sign-up date for DCP and ACRE

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Don Hunton, acting executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Indiana, announced the USDA has extended the signup deadline from June 1 to Aug. 14 for both the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) and the forthcoming Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program. This action extends the deadline by 10 weeks to give producers ample time to decide whether to participate in ACRE or remain in DCP.

“Extending the signup deadline for both these programs ensure that America’s farmers have enough information and time needed to determine if ACRE is the right program for their operational needs,” said Hunton.

“The DCP and ACRE programs play a critical role in the farm safety net and it is vital that we act to support the hard work of the farmers we depend on.”

Signup for ACRE is expected to start in late April. The original June 1 deadline may have forced producers to rush their decision, which is why this extension gives producers more time to make an informed decision about staying with DCP for 2009 or participating in ACRE for crop year 2009 and beyond, through 2012.

For more information about ACRE, DCP and other price support programs, visit your local USDA Service Center or your local FSA county office.  You can also obtain information online at www.fsa.usda.gov