A possible prelude to a snowy December, this early season snowfall decorated these farms near Upper Tract.
[Photo Caption] The Pendleton County Community Choir shared a full concert of Christmas music during Saturday’s Christmas festivities.
WV Department of Agriculture Issues Alerts on Avian Flu and Disaster Assistance
By Stephen Smoot
Last week, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture sounded an alert on the appearance of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Jackson County “backyard” flock.
According to Beth Southern, spokesperson for the WVDA, “This is only the third detection of HPAI in domestic birds in West Virginia since the global outbreak began in early 2022. A previous outbreak was quarantined and contained in Pocahontas County.”
A different release noted that “the diagnosis was confirmed following a field investigation, sample collection, and testing at WVDA’s Animal Health NAHLN lab in Moorefield. The affected premise has been placed under quarantine to protect nearby flocks and ensure the continued safety of the commercial food supply.”
Backyard flocks have an increased potential for exposure to feral origins of the spread of HPAI. Multiple species of wild birds carry the virus, but have developed strong levels of resistance and immunity. They will come into contact in the wild from time to time. WVDA has specific biological protocols that kick in when an infected bird or flock is discovered.
Respiratory secretions, manure, and surfaces contaminated with virus-carrying substances can transmit the virus. In rare cases, humans have contracted HPAI.
“Unusual death loss, a sudden drop in egg production, or any sick domestic birds” should be reported to the WVDA at (304)-558-2214.
Late last month, the WVDA also circulated a release “for producers affected by the natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.” The Farm Service Agency will distribute approximately $16 billion in assistance “in new congressionally approved assistance.”
This comes on the heels of an earlier program offering a total of about $10 billion from the Emergency Commodity Assistance program and the Emergency Livestock Relief Program.
Stage two applications opened Nov. 24, and all application deadlines are April 20, 2026.
“West Virginia farmers have faced repeated weather challenges,” stated Kent Leonhardt, West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture. He added, “This federal support will help producers rebuild and prepare for the next growing season.”
Producers are urged to check with their local FSA office for more information.
