Animal Health and Biosecurity Plans Being Addressed

EAST LANSING, Mich.- County fair board members, show superintendents, veterinarians, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educators and others who work with county fairs can learn how to develop and implement animal health and biosecurity plans for local livestock exhibitions by attending an educational workshop set for seven Michigan locations during January and February.

The program dates and locations are Jan. 23 in Escanaba, Jan. 24 in Gaylord, Jan. 30 in Lawrence, Jan. 31 in Grand Rapids, Feb. 5 in Frankenmuth, Feb. 6 in Saline and Feb. 7 in East Lansing. All programs will run from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The educational program will offer an interactive approach to plans for events of all sizes and all species of livestock, from horses to domesticated poultry and rabbits. Considerable time will also be spent in providing information on dealing with potential disease outbreaks and possible animal quarantine situations. Michigan Department of Agriculture officials will discuss regulatory policies and requirements.

During the 2006 and 2007 fair seasons, several animal disease outbreaks at Michigan fairs prompted quarantine situations. Proper planning and management can minimize the likelihood of disease incidence to individual animals or groups in exhibit or show situations.

These regional workshops are a joint effort between MSU Extension, the MSU Department of Animal Science, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, and Michigan Farm Bureau.

There is no charge to attend the workshop, but reservations are requested. Additional information and reservation forms are available at any MSU Extension county office or from Kenneth Geuns, MSU Department of Animal Science, 1287 Anthony Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824. Phone 517/353-2924 or e-mail geuns@msu.edu.

An abridged version of the workshop will also be held at the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (MAFE) Annual Convention in Grand Rapids Jan. 11. For information on this convention, contact E.J. Brown, executive director of MAFE, at 517/371-2000 or e-mail mifairs@yahoo.com.

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MSU Extension is an Affirmative-Action Equal-Opportunity Institution. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status.

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