Ohio State supports poultry producers navigating avian influenza

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to impact Ohio’s poultry industry, experts from The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and Ohio State University Extension are providing critical support to poultry producers.

From biosecurity guidance and economic impact assessments to mental health resources, CFAES is leveraging its expertise to help farmers navigate the impacts.

“This is a rapidly evolving situation, and our Extension team members have been working tirelessly to support those most affected,” said David Civittolo, interim associate dean and director of OSU Extension, the outreach arm of CFAES. “Our faculty and staff are providing crucial resources ranging from biosecurity guidance to economic impact assessments, while also addressing the stress that producers are experiencing.”

“We recognize the significant challenges poultry producers are facing,” Civittolo added. “Our Extension educators, specialists, and faculty are on the ground, offering science-based information, economic guidance, and mental health resources to ensure farmers have the support they need.”

Collaborative response

CFAES and OSU Extension are working closely with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), the Ohio Poultry Association (OPA), and industry partners to monitor the situation, provide guidance, and coordinate response efforts.

“OSU Extension has maintained ongoing communication with ODA and OPA, worked with farmers and community leaders in impacted areas, and provided education for backyard poultry owners to help them protect their birds,” said Chris Zoller, interim assistant director for agriculture and natural resources at OSU Extension.

The Ohio Poultry Association is grateful for the support from CFAES and OSU Extension as Ohio’s egg and poultry farming community has navigated HPAI, said Jim Chakeres, executive vice president of the Ohio Poultry Association.

“This is a devastating time for our farmers, and the fight against HPAI requires close collaboration between the agriculture community and our academia and government partners, including The Ohio State University, Ohio Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture, and elected officials and agencies,” he said. “Ohio’s poultry farming community is resilient, and we will continue using our collective knowledge and resources to combat HPAI.”

Zoller emphasized that this collaborative approach reflects CFAES’s land-grant mission.

“This response is yet another example of how our team is fulfilling CFAES’ and OSU Extension’s land-grant mission—mobilizing people and resources to address critical challenges facing Ohio’s producers,” Zoller said.

Local County Impacts

HPAI has particularly affected commercial poultry farms in Mercer and Darke counties—two of the state’s top poultry-producing regions. Ryan McMichael, an OSU Extension agriculture and natural resources educator in Mercer County, has seen the effects firsthand.

“Producers are following strict protocols, including depopulating infected flocks, conducting testing in infected and buffer zones, and reinforcing biosecurity measures,” McMichael said. “While these efforts are crucial for containment, they come at a heavy cost for many in the industry.”

In neighboring Darke County, OSU Extension educator Caden Buschur shared similar issues.

“Poultry and egg production is a vital part of Darke County’s economy, and this outbreak has had ripple effects throughout the entire agricultural sector,” Buschur said. “Many of the producers impacted are looking for answers, and our role is to provide them with the best available information and connect them to critical resources.”

Beyond the immediate loss of flocks, HPAI is causing economic disruptions. Poultry producers are dealing with lost revenue, while businesses that rely on the industry—such as grain suppliers, feed transporters, and processing facilities—are also feeling the strain.

“The economic losses we’re seeing don’t just impact poultry farms—they extend to grain producers, transportation services, and even unrelated industries that rely on consumer spending from those affected,” McMichael said

To better understand the full economic impact, McMichael and Buschur are working with OSU Extension’s Community Development program to collect data for an Impact Report. The report will help quantify losses and provide valuable insights for policymakers and industry leaders.

“We’re using a combination of HPAI tracking numbers and official market values to assess the broader effects of this outbreak,” Buschur said. “By compiling this data, we hope to provide a clearer picture of what’s happening and help guide decisions that will support farmers and the industry as a whole.”

At the same time, CFAES is emphasizing mental health support for affected farmers.

“Farmers are resilient, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel the weight of this crisis,” said Sarah Noggle, an OSU Extension educator specializing in farm stress and mental health resources. “The stress of losing a flock, the financial strain, and the uncertainty of what comes next can take a real emotional toll.”

OSU Extension is partnering with local behavioral health organizations and mental health boards to provide targeted support. Efforts include county-specific mental health resources, stress management workshops, and access to helplines like 988 and the Iowa Concern Hotline, which offer 24/7 support for agricultural producers.

“We’re also looking at ways to support producers whose barns will be empty for a period of time, whether that’s through temporary employment resources or community assistance programs,” Noggle added. “It’s about making sure farmers and their families know they’re not alone in this.”

Looking ahead

While the situation remains fluid, CFAES is committed to helping producers through both short and long-term recovery. Educators like McMichael and Buschur are ensuring that local agencies and industry professionals have the latest science-based information, while Extension specialists are leading efforts to strengthen biosecurity protocols and mitigate future risks.

“Even as we respond to this situation, we’re looking ahead to what comes next,” Buschur said. “From economic recovery efforts to continued biosecurity education, our goal is to help producers rebuild stronger and more resilient than before.”

Civittolo echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that CFAES and OSU Extension will continue their work long after the immediate need has passed.

“Our role is to be a trusted resource for Ohio’s agricultural community—not just in times of crisis, but every day,” he said. “By providing science-backed solutions, economic insights, and mental health support, we’re supporting Ohio’s poultry industry.”