Building new barns comes with several major decisions. Not the least of which is heating, cooling and ventilation.  Government financial support, coupled with cost-offsetting benefits, has proven Pondeuses JL Inc. was right to include heat exchangers for its six barns built in 2021 under the Lebco umbrella of agriculture companies. It was a $12 million investment to build the barns.  While initial costs for the heat exchangers were higher than conventional HVAC systems and cost recovery had not yet been demonstrated in Canada, the resulting increase in production has made it all but ..read more

Cutting edge technology from Agrimesh offers producers a new way to maintain poultry house conditions by automatically and proactively adjusting lighting, fans, ventilation and heating, as needed. The Agrimesh system uses artificial intelligence to analyse sensor data and weather forecasts to make real-time decisions that ensure poultry house conditions remain within pre-set parameters. Benefits include improved poultry performance, lower energy costs, and peace of mind.  Agrimesh markets itself as the only smart controller available in North America today. That’s because there are no oth ..read more

Researchers at the University of Georgia have evaluated a new diagnostic tool for the detection of Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILTV), a virus causing respiratory disease in chickens globally. The study, funded by USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation with support from Pilgrim’s, marks a critical advancement in poultry disease management. The research, spearheaded by Dr. Maricarmen Garcia and her team at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Population Health, University of Georgia, focused on enhancing the diagnostic capabilities for ILTV. Their findings offer a promising soluti ..read more

The Canadian government is expanding its surveillance program for a form of avian flu amid a growing outbreak in U.S. dairy cattle. Fragments of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been detected in pasteurized milk sold in the U.S. and a statement from Canada’s health agencies says lactating dairy cattle being imported from the United States will now require negative tests. The statement says officials will be conducting enhanced testing of milk at the retail level to look for viral fragments. It says voluntary testing will also be available for cows that are not presenting with clinical si ..read more

In response to the recent detection of Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype B in two turkey flocks within Ontario, the Feather Board Command Centre (FBCC) has issued a biosecurity advisory for the province. The announcement comes following an advisory shared by the Ontario Animal Health Network on April 26th, highlighting the emergence of this highly contagious avian disease. Avian metapneumovirus, commonly referred to as Turkey Viral Rhinotracheitis in turkeys and Swollen Head Syndrome in chickens, primarily affects the respiratory tract of poultry. The disease poses a significant threat, wit ..read more

Location: Grande Prairie, Alta. Sector: Layers and pullets The businessGrandview Colony, a Hutterite community based in Alberta, has been deeply rooted in egg production for generations. Jonty Hofer, who oversees the operation with help from his son Corey, notes, “Egg production has been a cornerstone for us across four generations.” The needOperating on 14,000 acres, they recognized the need for change to sustain profitability. Leasing out part of their egg quota for years, Hofer felt it would be more profitable if they used the quota themselves. Hofer explains, “We realized we weren’t maximi ..read more

In all regions, no matter if it’s extremely cold and or hot and humid, house design is critical to ensure optimal air flow for bird cooling and comfort. When designing a modern broiler house, the first factor to consider is the optimum floor area for the best return on investment.  New longer and wider houses challenge the ventilation system’s ability to produce uniform conditions across the house. Secondly, providing the correct air exchange and speed to keep the birds comfortable is important, but also consider the impact of rising energy on costs.  Ventilation supports a good star ..read more

Aviagen recently announced that Yingxin Zhao, a graduate student from the University of Alberta, is the recipient of the 2023 Poultry Science Scholarship. This scholarship, part of Aviagen’s annual support for the Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC), highlights the company’s dedication to advancing research and nurturing future leaders in the industry. Zhao, pursuing doctoral studies in Animal Science at the University of Alberta, stands out for her exceptional academic background. With a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Product Processing and Storage Engineering and a Bachelor of ..read more

Poultry producers will be required to bring salmonella bacteria in certain chicken products to very low levels to help prevent food poisoning under a final rule issued Friday by U.S. agriculture officials. When the regulation takes effect in 2025, salmonella will be considered an adulterant — a contaminant that can cause foodborne illness — when it is detected above certain levels in frozen breaded and stuffed raw chicken products. That would include things like frozen chicken cordon bleu and chicken Kiev dishes that appear to be fully cooked but are only heat-treated to set the batter or coat ..read more

H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of dairy farms in the United States and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on the north side of the border. “We should be actively looking for it,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious diseases specialist at Toronto’s University Health Network. Bogoch says the number and diversity of mammals that have been affected by H5N1 this year has jumped dramatically. For the full story, click here ..read more