Mr Baxter, who farms near Stranraer and is also the chairman of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA), has been confirmed as one of the keynote speakers at Europe’s largest free range egg show, taking place on Wednesday 15th November at the Telford International Centre.

His honest and open talk will cover his avian influenza journey, from losing an entire flock, to how he sees his business recovering, as well as the lessons learnt.

Mr Baxter’s talk will be just one of several discussions throughout the day, including a panel on AI vaccination, hosted by BFREPA CEO Robert Gooch with APHA’s Gordon Hickman, Dave Hodson from Rosehill Poultry, and Crowshall’s vet Ian Lowery joining as panellists.

A debate will also be held on whether there should be a Great Britain-wide vaccination programme, the pros and cons of having one, and how it might work if it became a reality.

The afternoon programme includes a series of technical presentations, with AD Harvey’s Oliver Harvey giving practical advice on preparing for end of lay, alongside Premier Nutrition’s Ralph Bishop talking about nutritional strategies for extending the laying cycle.

The day will conclude with a talk by Nick Bailey from Joice & Hill, covering the latest in genetics and breeding developments, as well as the benefits of breeding white hens.

Kate Dickinson, BFREPA events manager, said: “BFREPA Live’s speakers will offer an insight from all aspects of the free range egg sector, from the producer in the shed, to the officials making decisions on behalf of the whole industry.

“We believe that we’ve struck a great balance between the two, and that those in attendance will learn something valuable to take back to their farms.”

BFREPA Live 23 has been reformatted into a one-day show featuring a sold-out exhibition and the Free Range Awards dinner taking place on the same evening.

The awards dinner, which will be hosted by comedian Al Murray, will have a record number of attendees, with over 600 people already booked to attend the evening.

Tickets are on sale at www.bfrepa.co.uk and are open to anyone with an interest in egg production.

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Image: Google maps

The facility, which will be the UK’s largest state-of-the-art feed mill, is set to be built on land owned by British Sugar Plc, off Compiegne Way on the A143 at the edge of Bury St Edmunds.

Proposals for the site include ancillary offices, silos, a warehouse, improved access route and parking. It will produce feed for pigs and poultry, predominantly made from wheat, barley, pulses and rapeseed.

The new facility will replace the existing AB Agri feed mill on Eastern Way in Bury St Edmunds and will create 70 new jobs, according to AB Agri and British Sugar.

Making the case for the new building in the planning application, it was noted that by 2050, forecasts suggest the UK population will reach 77 million, increasing the demand for protein. Pig and poultry feed manufacturing is at capacity and already struggling to keep pace with this growing demand.

The facility will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, producing up to 950,000 net tonnes of pig and poultry feed per annum.

Despite concerns raised by the local planning authority that the mill could have a significant adverse impact on the wider landscape, councillors unanimously approved the planning application, according to East Anglian Daily Times.

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A new study from researchers in China and Nottingham has discovered that a subtype of avian flu virus, endemic in poultry farms in China, is undergoing adaptive changes making it transmissible by the airborne route between animals.

Researchers also say the findings raise concerns of a potential epidemic or pandemic in the making and that coordinated research is necessary to closely monitor such viruses in poultry and humans.

The study, which has been published in the scientific journal Cell, reports on the characterisation of a human isolate – from a human patient – of the H3N8 avian influenza virus (AIV). Using laboratory mice and ferrets as models for human infection, the results show the virus has undergone several mutational changes to cause severe animal infections.

In humans, avian H3N8 virus infection has been found to cause acute respiratory distress syndrome and can even be fatal. The virus is widespread in chicken flocks; however, until now, the features of how it might be transmitted from animals to humans have been poorly understood.

“We demonstrate that an avian H3N8 virus isolated from a patient with severe pneumonia replicated efficiently in human bronchial and lung epithelial cells, was extremely harmful in its effects in laboratory mammalian hosts and could be passed on through respiratory droplets,” explained Professor Kin-Chow Chang from the University of Nottingham.

Professor Jinhua Liu from the China Agricultural University in Beijing added: “Importantly, we discovered that the virus had acquired human receptor binding preference and amino acid substitution PB2-E627K, which are necessary for airborne transmission.

“Human populations, even when vaccinated against human H3N2 virus, appear immunologically naïve to emerging mammalian-adapted H3N8 AIVs and could be vulnerable to infection at epidemic or pandemic proportion.”

The study, titled ‘Airborne transmission of human-isolated avian H3N8 influenza virus between ferrets’ was a collaboration between the University of Nottingham, China Agricultural University in Beijing, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

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According to Elanco’s 2023 interim HTSi report, which collates data from 3,137 post-mortem bird examinations across 175 UK broiler farms, Intestinal Integrity (I²) scores are on the up, rising back to pre-2022 levels.

Explaining the findings, Louise Ashworth, Elanco’s HTSi lead, said: “In 2022, there was a steady decline in I², which was particularly apparent over the summer, in contrast to previous years.

“Producers often consider the summer to be a ‘safe’ time to make changes to their anticoccidial programme or loosen biosecurity protocols. Whereas, over the winter, everyone tends to ‘buckle up’ when it comes to disease prevention,” she noted.

Despite this, the I² data is looking far more stable in 2023, tracking similar to that of 2021.

“The average coccidiosis prevalence for July 2023 is lower than what was seen in 2022, for the three common strains seen, which has helped drive an increase in I²,” she says.

“However, it’s important to note that while an initial reduction in both E. maxima and E. tenella has been seen, the prevalence of these strains hasn’t returned to the levels noted in winter and spring of 2021/22 and is still higher than we’d like to see.”

Ms Ashworth said these results indicate that once intestinal stability has been disrupted, it takes several crops to recuperate.

The report data highlights that last year’s disease levels were particularly high, and although I² is on the rise this year, coccidiosis levels are taking some time to reduce back to pre-2022 levels.

“It’s important to be aware that an increased coccidial population can have long-term impacts,” Ms Ashworth warned.

“If a coccidial challenge becomes out of control, it will take multiple crops to return to a manageable level, and producers will need to undertake additional cleanout and disinfection protocols to achieve good coccidial population control in the winter months.”

Choosing the right plan for your farm

Elanco’s poultry technical consultant, Dr James Bishop, added that ionophore anticoccidials have proven to be a useful tool for fighting this costly disease, acting directly on the coccidia parasite in a bird’s intestines.

However, not all ionophores offer the same benefits, and he recommended choosing wisely when establishing a coccidiosis control plan.

“There are a few main factors to consider when choosing an appropriate ionophore, including the stability of coccidial population control provided and its impact on the bird,” he said.

“There is some variance in the efficacy, potency and consistency of different ionophores.”

For example, the production benefits of using narasin for stabilising coccidial populations has been trusted for over 20 years, and was also reinforced in recent studies.

A field-scale evaluation was conducted on a European farm to compare two anticoccidial programmes. This included comparing a full narasin programme against a full salinomycin programme, under commercial conditions.

“The narasin commercial trial reflected the findings of a recent pen study, with differences of 2.7g average daily gain and 113g final body weight. In addition, a significant improvement in feed efficiency was seen in the narasin group,” added Dr Bishop.

For more information on coccidiosis control, visit https://www.myelanco.co.uk/brand/htsi-coccidiosis-control.

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Poultry gatherings were banned in November 2021 to help curb the spread of avian influenza, but from today (23^rd August), gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds are now permitted.

In order to hold a bird gathering, you must follow the requirements of the poultry gathering general licence and notify the APHA at least seven days before the event.

These changes only apply to gatherings of galliforme poultry and galliforme birds held in England. Galliforme birds from premises located in Wales and Scotland are not permitted to attend galliforme gatherings in England.

The UK continues to battle its largest avian influenza outbreak to date with 292 confirmed cases of H5N1 since October 2021 and 199 since 1^st October 2022.

The latest case was confirmed in commercial poultry on 20^th July 2023 Elham, Folkestone and Hythe, Kent.

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A report published today (22nd August) by CIWF calls for ‘major reforms’ to farming practices to tackle the spread of avian flu and the risk of a global human pandemic.

The group claims that ‘contrary to popular belief, wild birds are typically victims of the disease rather than the cause, and it is spiralling out of control due to the rise of factory farming’.

CIWF wrote: ‘Until recently, the bird flu that circulated in wild birds generally caused them little harm. But when the virus enters overcrowded factory farm poultry sheds […] it can evolve into dangerous highly pathogenic avian influenza.’

The group called for mass vaccination of flocks, and a move towards smaller flocks, lower stocking densities and more robust breeds, whilst avoiding clusters of poultry farms. The group also demanded changes to the way pigs are farmed as ‘factory farmed’ pigs can act as ‘mixing vessels’ to create new pig, bird and human viruses.

Hitting back at the claims, British Poultry Council chief executive Richard Griffiths said:

“Avian influenza is carried into the UK by migratory birds. As a result, it spreads amongst the domestic wild bird population. No bird has avian influenza when it goes onto farm. All incidents derive from outside the farm through wild bird incursion. When disease is detected, the farm is culled so disease is not spread. Therefore, indoor production methods do not aid in the spread of disease.

“Conflating disease control with your opinion on how we produce food in the UK is an irresponsible way of approaching our primary concern here: ensuring the health of our birds and the sustainability of a world class food system producing nutritious and affordable food. In these times, that matters more than ever.”

Robert Gooch, CEO of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association, added that the CIWF report recommendations “fly in the face of reality on the ground”.

He said: “Calling for less intensive poultry systems in the UK is perverse when approximately 70% of laying hens are free range or organic and these birds have to be locked up in houses most winters to prevent them being infected with bird flu by wild birds. Wild birds are the source of bird flu, not poultry, and are a big threat to extensive, free range production systems.”

There have been 199 confirmed cases of H5N1 since 1^st October 2022 and 292 cases since this outbreak began in October 2021.

A small number of non-avian wild mammals have also tested positive for avian flu in the UK, including foxes, otters and seals. The first human case of H5 avian flu in the UK was reported in January 2022 and two poultry farm workers tested positive as part of surveillance in May.

Vaccination of poultry and most captive birds in England for avian flu is not permitted. Defra says this is because currently available vaccines with UK marketing authorisations could still allow some vaccinated birds to transmit the disease whilst asymptomatic. For this reason, many trading partners prohibit trade from countries that vaccinate poultry.

There are also concerns that without enhanced surveillance, undisclosed disease could be circulating, and vaccination could cause a false sense of security, resulting in a relaxation of biosecurity and vigilance.

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The company says that Pondus offers a camera-based solution for weighing birds using a unique algorithm that eliminates many errors associated with current weighing methods. The Weighestimator can weigh around 5,000 birds per day throughout the life cycle. It also provides a weight profile to show how the weights are distributed, helping to inform management practices.

Another algorithm in the pipeline is Huddling/Clustering, which allows farmers to monitor and address huddling incidents, which often occur when the farmer is off-site and can cause significant losses. The new service will allow farmers to set up their own alerts to mitigate huddling.

A series of other behaviour features are also in development, including feeder and drinker behaviour, mortality and gate analysis.

Alerts and data can be viewed from a mobile app and a web application, and it’s possible to share data wherever you are, with whomever you wish, such as your poultry vet for example. Data can also be exported to an Excel spreadsheet to create your own charts if you prefer.

As well as providing data to inform decision-making, the camera-based system allows farmers to see the birds and zoom in – allowing them to target better when and how often they go into the sheds. With avian influenza continuing to present significant challenges, this is a particular benefit in reducing unnecessary visits to sheds.

Another key benefit of the system is that it is plug-and-play and can be self-installed for convenience and, again, to reduce visitors to the farm. Pondus provides YouTube training videos, manual and remote technical support.

One farmer user commented: “The weight estimations are accurate and the app is very easy to navigate. In the app you can also get an excellent view of the birds as well as keep track of your weight reports anytime anywhere. The beauty of this system is Pondus has the ability to provide more than just weighing and it is bird centric. We have our shed sensor data, this technology provides the other side of the equation – the birds.

“It’s a lot to offer and will bring great value to our poultry farm reducing labour needs whilst actually helping us to identify sooner any arising issues which we can act on to deliver an uptick in performance.”

Pondus was incorporated in February 2020 and prior to its launch in March, the camera system underwent four years
of R&D, which included developing Pondus’ own algorithms and trialling the technology in various different poultry systems, including the company’s own birds. Claire says it is now in use in sheds in the UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia and has had good feedback from poultry farms.

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Stock photo for illustration purposes only.

An industry-first app from biosecurity solutions company Livetec launches today with a promise to help poultry farmers and backyard keepers get ahead of the spread of bird flu amid the UK’s ongoing outbreak.

The Livetec Systems App is a disease management mobile app which helps farmers limit the spread of avian influenza (AI) and provides the tools they need to manage and protect their livestock. It comes amid the worst-ever outbreak of avian influenza in the UK, with tough laws imposed by government to try and curb the devastating spread of disease.

Designed as an easy-to-use tool which can accompany farmers throughout their day-to-day activities, the Livetec Systems App has been created using Livetec’s signature lab-to-farm philosophy, which combines contemporary technology with over a decade’s real-world experience on farm.

Drawing on its extensive knowledge of avian influenza, the Livetec Systems App empowers early detection and quick response to animal health issues with a wealth of intuitive, practical features, including real-time outbreak notifications and reporting:

• Real-time outbreak notifications alert farmers if their business is located within an identified outbreak zone and provide guidance on the measures to be taken immediately to protect their flocks.

• Outbreak reporting is also simplified thanks to the built-in reporting tool. Any poultry keeper identifying suspicious symptoms within their flock can use the app to quickly and compliantly alert the relevant authorities, helping to prevent further spread.

• Disease outbreak monitoring with an in-app interactive map. Giving users visibility to the national outbreak status throughout the UK, so they can easily see the location of their property and the proximity to current outbreaks and the zones around them, allowing farmers and backyard bird owners to proactively remain vigilant.

Gordon Samet, commercial director of Livetec Systems, said: “Preparedness is key to protecting poultry. The Livetec Systems App has been created to help farmers and backyard keepers to avoid unnecessary expenses, prevent disease outbreaks, and protect their birds, revenue streams, and reputation.

“With avian influenza becoming harder to stem, and cases continuing way past the traditional window, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of disease management.

“Downloading the app delivers real-time updates on avian influenza outbreaks directly to the palm of the hand, makes it easy to report suspicious symptoms and simplifies the task of knowing what to do, should bird keepers be caught in a disease zone.”

For more information and to download the Livetec Systems App, visit: https://www.livetecsystems.co.uk/app/

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Organised by the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) and welcoming the Pullet Hatcheries & Breeders Association, the event will take place on 15^th November at the Telford International Centre and is held in partnership with Noble Foods.

The association expects this year’s gala dinner to be the biggest ever and will follow on from the restyled BFREPA Live! show and exhibition which takes place on site during the day. The show provides producers with a platform to come together and celebrate the industry, as well as discuss current challenges affecting producers.

Kate Dickinson, BFREPA’s events manager, said: “We want BFREPA Live! to be a completely fresh, modern show which attracts more producers and industry exhibitors to meet each other and discuss the future of egg production.

“The social and celebratory element of the evening is also being more ambitious, with more guests and a stand-out celebrity host in Al Murray.

“We have worked really hard to make the whole day and night both attractive and affordable for egg producers, who we appreciate will need to take time away from the farm to attend.”

The event is open to both members and non-members of the association and will be held at a new, larger venue – the Telford International Centre. Reflecting the financial challenges of the past year, tickets to members cost £45 + VAT and include attendance to both BFREPA Live! and the gala dinner, with non-member tickets costing £100 + VAT.

Whereas, tickets for the show only are £15 + VAT, with members receiving a refund from BFREPA at their next renewal.

Guests of the awards dinner will enjoy a welcome drink, three-course meal, and wine, along with entertainment from Al Murray. Nominations for the Free Range Egg Awards are now open and can be made for a total of nine categories, including producer of the year, national food business of the year, free range champion, and lifetime achievement.

Celebrity pub landlord Al Murray has won umerous awards and accolades, including the Edinburgh Comedy Award and secured Olivier Award nominations for both of his sell-out West End runs.

He has hosted countless TV series, including the acclaimed entertainment chat show Al Murray’s Happy Hour, and Time Gentlemen Please. Al has made multiple appearances on The Royal Variety Performance and hosted Liveat the Apollo and Live at the Palladium.

As a writer, Al has also enjoyed great success with his books including Book of British Common Sense, Think Yourself British, Great British Pub Quiz Book, Watching War Films with My Dad and, most recently, Command, which was released in autumn 2022.

More information on ticket sales and awards nominations are available at www.bfrepa.co.uk.

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Two workers who recently worked on an infected poultry premises in England tested positive for influenza A (H5).

Neither experienced any symptoms of avian influenza and both have since tested negative.

There has been no evidence of human-to-human transmission and the risk to human health remains very low for the general population, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Avian influenza can be detected in poultry workers after contamination of the nose and throat, from breathing in material on the infected farm – or it can be true infection. In those with no symptoms, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.

One of the two poultry workers is likely to have had contamination of the nose and/or throat from material inhaled on the farm, UKHSA said. It was more difficult to determine whether the second worker had a true infection.

Further investigation is underway and contact tracing for the second worker has been undertaken as a precaution.

“No evidence” of person-to-person spread

There has previously been only one human case of H5 avian flu in the UK, detected in January 2022 in the south west of England in a person with very close, regular contact with a large number of infected birds which were kept in and around their home over a prolonged time.

Earlier this year it was revealed that H5N1 has spilled over from the bird population into other species, having been confirmed in five red foxes and four Eurasian otters in the UK between 2021 and 2023.

UKHSA chief medical officer Professor Susan Hopkins said: “Current evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses we’re seeing circulating in birds around the world do not spread easily to people.

“However, we know already that the virus can spread to people following close contact with infected birds and this is why, through screening programmes like this one, we are monitoring people who have been exposed to learn more about this risk.”

She added: “Globally there is no evidence of spread of this strain from person to person, but we know that viruses evolve all the time and we remain vigilant for any evidence of changing risk to the population.”

It is critical for people to avoid touching sick or dead birds, and follow Defra advice on reporting, UKHSA advised.

Routine surveillance

Poultry workers taking part in the asymptomatic surveillance programme are asked to take swabs or their nose and throat, which are tested for the presence of influenza virus in the 10 days after exposure.

In some cases finger prick blood tests are taken to test for antibodies against avian influenza, suggesting an immune response in the blood.

As part of its public health response, UKHSA follows up all individuals who have been in contact with a confirmed human case of avian influenza.

For those with the highest risk exposures, it may offer testing and antivirals, to help protect them from infection as well as to reduce the risk of passing infection to others.

There have been 183 confirmed cases of highly pathogenic H5N1 in birds since 1^st October 2022. Since the outbreak started in October 2021, there have been 286 total confirmed cases.

The compulsory bird housing measure lifted in England and Wales on 18^th April, having been in place since November last year.

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