What's Happening?
Astral Foods, South Africa's largest broiler producer, is expanding its bird flu vaccination program to two additional breeder farms in Mpumalanga. The company began vaccinating breeder chickens against
avian influenza at a Gauteng farm earlier this year, covering about 5% of its breeder flock. The expansion follows approval from the Department of Agriculture, with plans to vaccinate birds on the new farms by next year. The vaccination targets the H5N1 strain, which has been responsible for recent outbreaks in several regions. Astral aims to protect 30% of its breeder flock, enhancing biosecurity measures to prevent losses.
Why It's Important?
The expansion of the vaccination program is a proactive measure to safeguard Astral's breeder flock against bird flu, which poses significant risks to poultry production. Bird flu outbreaks can lead to substantial economic losses for producers and disrupt supply chains. By increasing the vaccinated portion of its flock, Astral is taking steps to mitigate these risks and ensure continuity in production. The move also highlights the importance of biosecurity and vaccination in managing disease outbreaks in the poultry industry.
What's Next?
Astral plans to start vaccinating birds on the approved farms next year, aiming for immunity by the end of summer. The company is also exploring export opportunities for cooked chicken meat, contingent on reaching agreements with international markets. Continued monitoring and surveillance of vaccinated flocks will be essential to ensure the effectiveness of the program and prevent the spread of bird flu.
