In the third part of our conversation about the avian flu, we talk with Kent Thiesse, farm management analyst for MinnStar Bank and longtime Extension agent, about the official response to avian flu, figuring out where it’s coming from, and whether the outbreak means changes to county fairs and the State Fair later this year.

Avian flu in Minnesota, part 3

And an update from the MN State Fair (www.mnstatefair.org):

Minnesota State Fair Cancels 2015 Open Class and 4-H Poultry Shows

ST. PAUL, MINN. (05/15/2015) — The Minnesota State Fair has canceled its poultry shows for the 2015 Great Minnesota Get-Together. The cancellations are in response to the directive issued by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

For the 2015 State Fair, the Poultry Barn will feature interactive displays and presentations about Minnesota’s poultry industry and its huge contribution to the state’s economy.

Throughout its 160-year history, State Fair livestock shows have been modified, restricted, and even canceled for animal health reasons. The most recent occurrence was in April of 2014 when no regional horses were displayed during the Minnesota Horse Expo due to an equine virus.

The State Fair works closely on animal health issues with a variety of agencies and veterinary experts. For decades, these groups have included the Board of Animal Health, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, Minnesota 4-H and FFA and a variety of animal producers associations.

Further information on the H5N2 highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is available at the Minnesota Board of Animal Health’s website: www.bah.state.mn.us.