It's the third year of avian influenza's influence on poultry producers.

Mike Pearson tells listeners how the roots of HPAI or avian influenza began to infect flocks in January 2022.

Millions of birds have been culled from flocks across the country.

Between Feb. 8 2021 and Jan. 25, 2024, 81.72 million birds have been lost either by the disease itself or from culling entire flocks due to the illness.

Poultry farms have improved biosecurity and made head way on farm to farm spread.

However, the avian influenza can't be stopped entirely due to wild birds infecting domestic poultry and fowl.

However, all producers are urged to practice good sanitation practices and reduce contact with water fowl-- an example is those that fly into ag fields to use a watering spot or a pond.

The most recently flock decimated was a commercial flock in Indiana where the birds had to be culled after the illness was found.

A vaccine is expected to be available in the summer of 2024.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, a farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.