361. IBOAH’s Dr. Kelli Werling on animal disease pressure, biosecurity risks + farmers innovating to combat the spread

The USDA calls biosecurity the cornerstone of animal livestock production and it’s one that’s taken center stage of late as farmers have battled disease. Dr. Kelli Werling, Director of Animal Health Programs at the Indiana Board of Animal Health, joins to talk biosecurity, how farmers are protecting the farm and how the spread of disease among animal production is ultimately impacting consumers. We get into:  

• The current state of biosecurity across the Midwest, avian flu’s impact three years into its reign and how farmers are working to attempt further spread on their operations 
• Consumer pressure being felt by avian flu and how egg prices are being impacted 
• The migration of the disease from birds to other species – from cattle to cats – and why it’s happening 
• As a regulatory body, IBOAH balancing the heightened state of alert, practicality of science and emotion 
• Where Kelli sees new innovations emerging on farms to combat the spread of disease 
• The best defense to avian flu – is a good offense 
• What IBOAH sees ahead with disease pressure and their call to action for farmers and industry alike