By Scout Nelson
Two of the United States' foremost states in livestock production, Minnesota and Texas, have joined forces to enhance biosecurity measures across the nation. This collaboration brings together extensive expertise from the University of Minnesota Extension’s livestock team and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, both renowned for their significant contributions to livestock health and disease prevention.
The partnership was sparked by the mutual recognition of the need for improved biosecurity, particularly in light of recent avian influenza outbreaks. Zong Liu, an Extension engineer at Texas A&M AgriLife, praised Minnesota's proactive and effective response to these outbreaks. “Minnesota has dairy, but you also have a lot of poultry, and with the influenza outbreaks you were very well prepared,” remarked Liu. He emphasized that the collaboration could "have a national impact on improving biosecurity."
In response to the recent avian influenza cases in Texas—its first in commercial poultry documented in April 2024, shortly after detections in Texas dairy cattle—Minnesota's experiences have become increasingly relevant. Minnesota had faced its own challenges when avian influenza hit its dairy sector in June 2024.
To address these issues and share best practices, Erin Cortus, an Extension agricultural engineer, teamed up with Liu to produce a comprehensive series of 16 educational videos. These videos cover a range of topics including planning, outbreak prevention strategies, concerns for small-scale farms, and emergency preparedness. The casual yet informative sessions are filmed on a park-like campus, featuring interviews with several University of Minnesota experts.
This educational initiative aims to disseminate knowledge and practical tips for managing biosecurity on farms nationwide. It underscores the importance of being prepared and responsive to the threats posed by infectious diseases in the livestock industry.
The partnership between these two diverse states highlights the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in tackling agricultural challenges and enhancing the safety and sustainability of national livestock production. Through shared expertise and resources, Minnesota and Texas are setting a benchmark for effective disease prevention strategies in the agricultural sector.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: Minnesota, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle