The Kansas Livestock Associaton announced the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has recently extended the exemption from hours-of-service requirements for livestock haulers through May 31.

Livestock feed haulers are also included in the extension, but only those transporting finished feed. Truckers hauling feed ingredients are ineligible for the waiver. For more information, visit kla.org.

Motor carriers who voluntarily operate under the terms of this extension are to report within five days after the end of each month their reliance on the declaration through the FMCSA portal, portal.fmcsa.dot.gov/login.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza detected

The Kansas Department of Agriculture and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild waterfowl in central Kansas. This is the state's first confirmed case of HPAI since 2015.

“Confirmed HPAI in wild birds in central Kansas is an indication that Kansas birds are at risk of exposure from the wild migratory bird population,” says Justin Smith, animal health commissioner. “We’ve encouraged Kansas poultry owners to be aware of this possibility, but now the reality is, all poultry owners need to be vigilant in taking steps to protect their flocks from avian influenza. If you haven’t implemented biosecurity practices yet, the time to do it is now.”

HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease that can infect chickens, turkeys and other birds, and can cause severe illness and/or sudden death. HPAI has been identified in backyard flocks as well as commercial operations in neighboring states; at this time, it has not been detected in domestic birds in Kansas.

Monitor your birds attentively for symptoms of HPAI, which include: coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and other signs of respiratory distress; lack of energy and appetite; decreased water consumption; decreased egg production and/or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; incoordination; and diarrhea. Avian influenza can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing other symptoms.

If these symptoms are observed in your birds, contact your veterinarian immediately. If you don’t have a regular veterinarian, contact KDA’s Division of Animal Health office toll-free at 833-765-2006. For more information about HPAI, including the current status of confirmed cases in other states as well as more information about biosecurity for your flock, visit KDA’s avian influenza webpage at agriculture.ks.gov/avianinfluenza or call KDA at 833-765-2006.

New Kansas Sorghum hire

Kansas Sorghum has hired Madeline Meier as its director of programs.

Meier, from Goessel, Kan., is a senior at Kansas State University with a double major in agricultural communications and journalism, and global food systems leadership. She will join the team following graduation in May.

Along with delivering messages on behalf of Kansas Sorghum, Meier will also assist in advocacy efforts at the state and national level, maintain relationships with sorghum producers and oversee the fellowship program.

“Maddy will be instrumental to the success of our organization[s], helping advance the programmatic and communications operations for growers,” says Jesse McCurry, Kansas Sorghum executive director. “We look forward to the insight and contributions she makes to improve the sorghum industry.” Learn more at ksgrainsorghum.org.

Wildfire assistance

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on March 8 directed the state’s executive branch agencies to assist Kansans who were affected by the wildfires that spread through Reno and Harvey counties on March 5.

The Kansas Department of Revenue and Kansas Department of Health and Environment will waive fees for replacement of birth and marriage certificates, and penalties for late vehicle registrations for those affected.

KDOR will also waive fees for reprinting or replacing vehicle registration documentation, printed vehicle titles, driver’s licenses and other identification cards. It can also issue a temporary driver’s license to applicants who cannot provide valid documentation due to the fire.

For more information about recovery resources for wildfire victims, visit the KDA Wildfire Resources Page.