Fall brings flocks of migratory birds flying south for the winter, and along that flight path is an increased risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), according to the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Although Kansas has not confirmed a case of HPAI in a domestic or commercial flock since April, the virus was detected in wild birds across the state in the first weeks of November. Therefore, the risk of exposure to susceptible birds in Kansas is high.

Small backyard chicken owners and large commercial producers alike should review their biosecurity measures to ensure the health of their flocks, the KDA warns. The KDA Division of Animal Health has guidance at www.agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza.

KDA warns that HPAI is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause severe illness up to sudden death in infected birds. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, signs of respiratory distress, lack of energy and appetite, decreased water consumption, decreased egg production, soft-shelled or misshapen eggs, incoordination and diarrhea. HPAI also can cause sudden death in birds, even if they aren’t showing symptoms, according to the KDA.

If you see these symptoms in your flock, immediately call your veterinarian or call the KDA Division of Animal Health at 833-765-2006.

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K-State brings home national livestock-judging championship

The Kansas State University Livestock Judging Team won its 16th national championship at the 2024 North American International Livestock Exposition Judging Contest in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 19.

BRONZE BULL: The Kansas State University Livestock Judging Team won its 16th national championship at the 2024 North American International Livestock Exposition Judging Contest in Louisville, Ky., on Nov. 19. (Courtesy of the Kansas State University Livestock Judging Team)

This caps a historic year, with the K-State team winning national honors in meat animal evaluation in April and meat judging in early November, says Mike Day, head of the KSU Department of Animal Sciences and Industry. Starting in April, the K-State team, which includes students who participate in livestock and/or meat judging, were champions of the all-encompassing and capstone Meat Animal Evaluation Contest, he said. In November, the K-State Meat Judging Team was crowned as national champion.

K-State won swine, sheep and goats, and reasons, and was second in cattle. All five members of the marking team placed in the top 15, with Jacob Klaudt of Beulah, N.D., winning high individual overall.

Earning Livestock Academic All-Americans were Quinna Molden, Middletown, Va.; Kylie Schakel, Atlanta, Ind.; and Bailey Lavender, Branford, Fla. Earning Meat Judging Academic All-Americans in 2024 were Reece Geer, 1st Team; Hailey Wurtz, 2nd Team; and Hayden Lott, 2nd Team.

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The livestock team is coached by Payton Dahmer and graduate students Brody Nemecek and Jentry Squires. The meat-judging team is coached by Travis O'Quinn and graduate student Steph Witberler. The meat animal evaluation team is coached by Dahmer, O’Quinn and Chris Mullinix.

KSU adds assistant professor in dairy food processing and innovation

With increasing dairy-processing capacity coming online in the state and a growing dairy industry in western Kansas, the Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry has added to its faculty and research staff.

DAIRY INNOVATION: Ahmed Hamman will join K-State as an assistant professor in dairy food processing and innovation. He will lead research into challenges in the dairy-processing industry, with a particular focus on sustainability, process optimization and the development of new value-added products. (Jennifer M. Latzke)

Ahmed Hamman will join KSU ASI as an assistant professor in dairy food processing and innovation. He will lead research into challenges in the dairy-processing industry, with a particular focus on sustainability, process optimization and the development of new value-added products. He’ll start building a teaching and research program that will advance the dairy industry and also equip students with marketable skills. He says his goal will be to help bridge the gap between academia and real-world applications in the dairy industry.

Mike Day, K-State ASI department head, says: “His presence will substantially build our capacity to partner with the sizable and growing dairy product industries in Kansas. Furthermore, the addition of Ahmed to our faculty team is an important component of ASI’s assessment of life cycle production of food for humans with animals.”

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