Ryan Quarles: Commissioner's Corner

Ryan Quarles

Commissioner of Agriculture

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Office of the State Veterinarian is dedicated to protecting the health and welfare of Kentucky's livestock, poultry and agricultural industries. That dedication has been put to the test as of late with a series of animal health emergencies and devastating weather conditions we experienced in the Bluegrass the past few months. State Veterinarian Dr. Katie Flynn and her team have been busy the past four months, working long hours with the back-toback-to-back challenges including chronic wasting disease, which was detected in a Tennessee deer near our state border, avian influenza (AI), which was detected in two commercial poultry operations in our state, and the devastating effects of the December tornadoes on many livestock operations in western Kentucky. I want to extend a huge “thank you” and an acknowledgement of gratitude to those who are protecting our state’s agricultural livestock. If you see somebody from OSV, please give them a pat on the back for the yeoman’s work they’re doing, particularly their work to protect Kentucky poultry during this Avian Influenza outbreak. The KDA continues to work with our neighbors at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and our federal partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture after testing in February confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic AI at commercial operations in Fulton and Webster counties.

In response, the KDA’s Office of Communications set up a webpage with the latest information on AI at www.kyagr. com/statevet/HPAI.html. Two things I want to emphasize: • AI does not present a food safety risk; poultry and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. There is no risk to the food supply because birds

from the flock will not enter the food system. • No human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the U.S., but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns "it can happen."

The CDC recommends "as a general precaution, people should avoid wild birds and observe them only from a distance; avoid contact with domestic birds (poultry) that appear ill or have died; and avoid contact with surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from wild or domestic birds."

*** It was great to see so many friendly faces at the 2022 Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo. I was there to present checks to the 10 cattle breeds represented, as well as the Pen Sale. The Beef Expo is one of my favorite times of the year because it signals spring is just around the corner. And recent warm temperatures and sunshine have got me longing for the end of winter. With spring temperatures comes the start of more than 160 farmers’ markets in 110 Kentucky counties. They’re not only a great place to buy local fruits and vegetables grown by your friends and neighbors, but now many also sell Kentucky beef harvested from the largest herd east of the Mississippi River. Purchasing food from 2,700 Kentucky Proud farmers’ market vendors means your food travels fewer miles from the farm to your plate and keeps the money you spend in your community. According to Forbes magazine article, for every $100 spent at locally-owned businesses, $68 remains in the local community. Plus, visiting your local Kentucky Proud farmers’ market is just good, clean fun for the whole family. It’s a social event in many communities, where you can relax, eat a meal made from local ingredients, and enjoy live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, activities for kids, and many other attractions. Hope to see you soon at a farmers’ market near you!

Middle Tennessee Hereford Association Annual Sale

Saturday April 23, 2022 11:30 am CT KY/TN Livestock Market Cross Plains, TN

Exit 112, I-65 North of Nashville

Selling Registered Horned & Polled Breeding Stock

• Registered Females: Spring and Fall calving pairs, bred and open heifers • Registered Service Age Bulls • Hereford Influenced Commercial

Cattle

For more information or catalogs contact: Dale Stith 918-760-1550 Billy Jackson 615-478-4483