Animal Bytes

March 9, 2012

Authorized Poultry Testing Agent Course

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health will be conducting a training course for Authorized Poultry Testing Agents on Friday, April 13, 2012 in Mankato. The objective of this course is to identify, train and certify individuals (non-veterinarians) as authorized poultry testing agents for the Board with the ability to collect samples and conduct certain tests in the field.

Some of the topics to be covered include:

  • Explanation of the laws and rules that apply to the sale or exhibition of domestic poultry in Minnesota,
  • National Poultry Improvement Plan,
  • Collection of samples from poultry operations,
  • Rapid Whole Blood Test details,
  • Poultry biosecurity, and
  • Hatchery sanitation basics.
After completing the one-day course and examination, candidates participate in a field training session conducted by Board staff which is the final step in the authorization process. For more information, please see the registration form.

Electron Microscopy Lab Passes Prestigious Quality Assurance Test

Submitted by the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

We are very happy to report that the Electron Microscopy (EM) section of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Minnesota has passed a prestigious EM virus identification proficiency test.

The test panel was provided, under Quality Assurance Scheme in EM Virus Diagnostics, by the Center for Biological Security 4 (ZBS 4), Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany. The Robert Koch Institute is a Federal Institute within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health.

A total of 103 international laboratories in 29 countries participated in the test. Our results were 100% accurate. This puts our EM lab in a class with national and international reference EM labs.

Foreign Animal Disease Workshops

Final two workshops scheduled for March

In the last year, county officials in Minnesota have been hosting workshops geared towards agricultural emergency preparedness. Veterinarians and farmers have learned more about how Minnesota would respond to a devastating livestock disease, such as foot-and-mouth disease.

The final two workshops are planned for Clay and Wadena Counties. The workshops are free and include lunch. Please be sure to register with the contact person for the workshop you wish to attend.

  • Tuesday, March 27 - Clay County
    Location: TBD
    Contact: Bryan Green - (218) 299-7357
  • Thursday, March 29 - Wadena County
    Location: TBD
    Contact: Scott McKellep - (218) 631-7795

Need a Presentation? Give Us a Call!

The Board of Animal Health is dedicated to protecting the health of Minnesota's domestic animals. This includes being available to veterinarians, farmers and the general public.

  • Carcass disposal and composting
  • Biosecurity
  • Rabies
  • Chronic Wasting Disease
  • Foreign animal disease awareness
  • Regulatory veterinary medicine
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Board of Animal Health and its mission
  • Other livestock disease control programs

Keep us in mind for your upcoming events! For more information or to schedule a presentation, please call 651.201.6830.