CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Pork Industry Council and pork producers are closely following African swine fever developments.

Bird flu epidemics in recent years taught producers and county emergency management personnel how to handle a foreign animal disease.

With other foreign animal diseases on the prowl, such as African swine fever, Marshall County Emergency Management’s Kim Elder and comrades are excited Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa Pork Industry Center, both in Ames, is sponsoring “Is Your Farm Ready for a Foreign Animal Disease?” workshops.

Elder said it is important first responders — as well as farmers — know what to do in the event disease should strike.

African swine fever has not occurred in the United States, and only hogs can contract the disease.

“With the bird flu, chickens, turkeys and other fowl had to be culled,” Elder said. “Also, numerous roads in several counties had to be closed to keep the disease contained.

When those situations arose, county first responders were in the trenches with federal and state workers helping contain the disease.”

Should another foreign animal disease occur, Elder said first responders could be assigned to help with decontamination, disposing of animals or fowl, or assigned to security.

“Regardless of the job, it can be challenging,” Elder said. “When the bird flu broke out, first responders had to deal with farmers, and the public who were upset about various restrictions … for example, some farms were quarantined. Residents who did not farm were also quarantined because they lived in the quarantine zone.”

IPIC and ISU extension swine specialists will be available to help producers and first responders understand state and federal responses to a foreign animal disease outbreak, what steps can be taken now to prepare, and how resources in the Secure Pork Supply (SPS) plan can help.

The interactive workshops will cover:

• What is the risk of foreign animal disease to the U.S. swine industry?

• What is being done to keep foreign animal diseases out of the U.S?

• How would the U.S. respond to a FAD outbreak?

• What happens if your farm is infected with a foreign animal disease?

• What happens if your farm is in a quarantine zone?

• How does Secure Pork Supply help your business continue during a foreign animal disease outbreak?

• What can you do on your farm today to prepare?

• Workshop is from 1-4 p.m. with an optional help session from 4-5 p.m.

Dates and locations:

Dec. 2 – Dike Library

Dec. 3 – Orange City-Sioux County Extension Office

Dec. 4 – Oskaloosa-Mahaska Co. Extension Office

Dec. 9 – Ames-Hansen Ag Learning Center

Dec. 10 – Audubon-Recreation Center

Dec. 11 – Tipton-Cedar Co. Extension Office

Sign up at: https://forms.gle/m8LdwVrHGQi3pMxh7 or by visiting: www.ipic.iastate.edu/secureporksupply.html

ISU Extension and Outreach and IPIC will also offer individual and small group assistance with foreign animal disease preparedness, enhancing biosecurity, and developing an SPS

plan for your operation. If someone is interested in scheduling a workshop, webinar or individual or small group plan assistance, please contact the ISU Extension swine specialist in the region, or email Amanda Chipman at chipmana@iastate.edu.

For more information, contact IPIC at 515-294-4103.