Vol. 11, No. 8, August 2015

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Six simple steps can help keep your birds—and those of your neighbors—free of disease

1. Keep your distance.

Restrict access to your property and your birds. If visitors have birds of their own, do not let them near your birds. Your birds should not have contact with wild birds and migratory waterfowl because they can carry germs and diseases.

2. Keep it clean.

Wash your hands thoroughly before and after working with your birds. Wear clean clothes and scrub your shoes with disinfectant. Clean and disinfect equipment, including cages and tools, that comes in contact with your birds or their droppings.  Remove manure before disinfecting equipment.
Properly dispose of dead birds.

3. Don’t haul disease home.

Buy birds from reputable sources so you know you’re getting healthy birds. Keep new birds separate from the rest of your flock for at least 30 days. If your birds have been to a fair or exhibition, keep them separated from your flock for 2 weeks after the event.

4. Don’t borrow disease from your neighbors.

Do not share garden equipment or poultry supplies with your neighbors or other bird owners. If you do bring these items home, clean and disinfect them before they reach your property.

5. Know the warning signs.

Early detection can help prevent the spread of disease. While it may be hard to tell if your bird has AI, when you check your birds frequently, you may be able to tell if something is wrong.

6. Report sick birds.

Don’t wait. If your birds are sick or dying, call your local cooperative extension office, your veterinarian, or the State Veterinarian or State animal/poultry diagnostic laboratory.  Or call USDA toll free at 1-866-536-7593, and we’ll put you in touch with a local contact who can help you.

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"Fresh From Florida" Products in Record Number of Stores Worldwide

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced last month that the “Fresh From Florida” retail program, which markets Florida agricultural products, has reached a new record of 12,357 retail stores in 26 countries carrying “Fresh From Florida” products.  More than 4,000 of the participating retailers are outside of the United States. In 2014, Florida agricultural exports totaled $4.2 billion.

“Florida's hardworking farmers, growers, ranchers and fishermen produce some of the highest quality products in the world,” Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said.  “Today those products are being promoted through the ‘Fresh From Florida' brand in 12,357 retail locations in 26 countries around the world.”

Top international partners by store count:

  • Canada – 1,824 stores 
  • Scandinavia – 724 stores
  • South Korea – 507 stores 
  • United Kingdom – 320 Stores        
  • Japan – 276 stores      

The 12,357 retail locations promote more than 40 different types of fresh fruits, vegetables, citrus and other products.  From blueberries in Japan to grapefruit in Denmark and dozens of commodities in Canada and the U.S., the program strives to help Florida's more than 47,000 farmers sell their products.  Over the lifetime of the program, now finishing its sixteenth year, this is the highest number of store outlets ever included.

The retail campaign includes three major promotional areas: Florida and the Southeastern U.S., the Northeastern and Midwestern states, and all other areas outside of the continental U.S.

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SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Florida Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration

The U.S. Small Business Administration announced last month that federal economic injury disaster loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes located in Florida as a result of the drought beginning July 7, 2015 and continuing.

The disaster declaration includes the following counties: Broward, Collier, Hendry, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach in Florida.

"When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster," said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA's Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.

Under this declaration, the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.  With the exception of aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers.  However, nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 2.625 percent for private non-profit organizations of all sizes and 4 percent for small businesses, with terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

For more information, visit the SBA’s website at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

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