Our team recently had the chance to attend the PA Poultry Sales and Service Conference, a win-win that combined an energizing day-and-a-half of learning with an excuse to stop at Wawa (if you know, you know). It was great being back in my home state, where Jake presented on “The Utility of Shotgun Metagenomics for Pathogen Biosurveillance,” highlighting how advanced genomic tools can strengthen disease monitoring in poultry operations. Just as valuable was the chance to connect with producers and researchers who are pushing poultry health and innovation forward.
Some of our biggest takeaways were:
Emerging Respiratory Diseases Require Multi-Pathogen Surveillance Approaches. Both ILT and avian metapneumovirus are spreading across the region, with most cases showing co-infections, particularly with E. coli. This suggests respiratory challenges rarely occur in isolation and require comprehensive biosurveillance approaches.
Biosecurity Is Getting More Wildlife-Focused. USDA's proactive Wildlife Biosecurity Assessment program shows that even 1-inch holes in barns can compromise facilities. Sparrows, starlings, and pigeons are the most common threats, with nearby standing water creating critical transmission points between wild and domestic birds.
Vaccination Strategy Challenges Require Tailored Approaches. Vaccine uptake in poultry is a real challenge. Different vaccines demand different application methods or even custom formulations, and the way they are applied is just as important. Dr. Eric Shepard from Zoetis highlighted the challenges of ensuring birds are evenly covered while constantly moving, noting how factors like spray distribution and temperature control directly impact effectiveness.
As emphasized by Dr. Linnea Tracy at Ceva, there is no “one size fits all” approach to vaccine schedules or application, and this applies to barn health in general. Ongoing monitoring of vaccine uptake, paired with understanding flock-level trends, is essential for designing programs that deliver consistent protection and truly safeguard bird health.
These evolving challenges underscore the critical need for comprehensive, genomic-based surveillance solutions that can detect multiple pathogens simultaneously - exactly what Barnwell Bio aims to deliver!
