The Fraser Valley poultry industry is unique in many ways. Most farms are family farms, the concentration of farms in the valley is very high and urban encroachment is increasing. Finally, there have been several well publicized outbreaks of Avian Flu over the past 12 years. This panel explores how the industry has evolved in its response to this disease and the wider scale impacts of disease outbreaks on producers, their families, and farming communities. Join faculty host Dr. Renee Prasad and guest panelists at an evening open to students, alumni, faculty and the public.

Monday, October 24th
5:00-7 pm
CEP, Aboriginal Gathering Space (1457)

About Dr. Renee Prasad

Dr. Prasad is an assistant Professor in the UFV Agriculture program.

Guest Panelists:

Dr. Victoria Bowes, Diagnostic Avian Pathologist, BC Ministry of Agriculture

Dr Bowes has spent the last 28 years employed at the Provincial Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Abbotsford, BC as a specialist pathologist with expertise in Avian Pathology. The diagnostic caseload involves disease investigations in all species of birds (wild, pet, zoological and poultry).  Dr. Bowes has been directly involved in the detection, outbreak management and industry recovery efforts for 4 outbreaks of notifiable Avian Influenza in the last 10 years. Dr Bowes graduated in 1987 with a DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph, Ontario, followed by an MSc in Avian Pathology in 1988. She has been board certified with the American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV) since 1992 and has recently finished her tenure as is the Western Director of the American Association of Avian Pathologists.

Sarah Loehndorf, BC Broiler Hatching Egg Commission

Sarah Loehndorf is the On Farm Program Coordinator at the BC Broiler Hatching Egg Commission. Sarah works directly with Hatching Egg Producers on biosecurity, food safety, and animal welfare. During the last Avian Influenza event Sarah worked with Canadian Food Inspection Agency staff in the Permitting Department as an Industry Representative. Sarah graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley in 2012 with her Livestock Production Certificate, Horticulture Crop Production & Protection Certificate, and Agriculture Technology Diploma. Sarah is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Biology through Thompson Rivers University.

Allan Cross, Hatching Egg Producer and Broiler Grower in Aldergrove and Abbotsford, industry leader in emergency disease response

Allan Cross was born in San Diego California and immigrated to Canada in 1992 where he has been involved in the poultry industry ever since. Allan and his wife Shelly have been married over 30 years and have four grown children as well as five grandchildren. Allan is the Past President and current Vice-Chair of the BC Broiler Hatching Egg Commission. He brings a valued perspective not only from being an egg producer but also as the Co-Lead (industry) of the 2014/15 avian influenza response.