Reovirus is among the turkey trade’s greatest animal well being considerations, however choices to battle the illness are restricted.
The Nationwide Turkey Federation (NTF) and its basis board hopes to vary that, Lindy Chiaia, NTF vice chairman of scientific and regulatory affairs mentioned on April 17 on the 2024 PEAK conference in Minneapolis.
Chiaia mentioned NTF conducts an trade survey by which its members are requested that ailments are probably the most regarding to them, and for the previous 5-10 years, reovirus has frequently ranked close to the highest.
A 2019 NTF research confirmed that about 2% of turkeys had been impacted by reovirus, and about 5% of the toms produced in 2019 had been affected by it.
Not solely do producers need their birds to keep away from the lameness and swelling that’s related to reovirus, in addition they need to have reovirus-free flocks for monetary causes. That very same 2019 NTF research confirmed that there was about a rise in price per pound of about 5.5 cents for impacted flocks, with some situations exhibiting a couple of 15-cent improve.
Chiaia identified that the associated fee per pound for reovirus-affected flocks is probably going extra in 2024 due to inflation.
Fundraising marketing campaign underneath method
NTF for the previous a number of years has been exploring analysis alternatives and having discussions associated to tackling the reovirus difficulty, and as not too long ago as February, the NTF Basis Board accepted a undertaking that it hopes could make progress in that space.
“The fundraising for pledges is underway to place collectively some funds that might be for a undertaking that gives a reward for the improvement and profitable advertising and marketing of a diagnostic device that’s particular to the turkey trade after which a vaccine that would help in decreasing the influence of reovirus,” she mentioned.
“They’re within the early days of fundraising, however that’s one that we’re enthusiastic about. Hopefully, we’ll get some extra eyes on getting some options for the trade.”
