Poultry show is back on in time for 2022 SCFF
It initially didn’t look good for poultry exhibitors for this year’s fair, but the poultry show will go on as usual. That brings good news to 4-Hers like Evan Melby of the Ellendale Hustlers who showed a champion animal at last year’s fair. Staff photo by Rick Bussler
There are some good things about being a “late” county fair, and this year proves it.
In an optimistic sign that last spring’s avian influenza plague has run its course, the Minnesota Board of Animal Health ended its temporary ban on poultry exhibits at county fairs on July 1.
That’s good news for 4-H poultry exhibitors at the Steele County Free Fair.
When the state’s poultry industry was struck by a severe outbreak of avian flu that killed more than 3 million turkeys and chickens, poultry shows at county fairs across the state were canceled. That also meant no trips to the Minnesota State Fair for kids who would normally have qualified at their county fair.
The flu affected 80 poultry flocks in 28 different Minnesota counties; no cases were reported in Steele County.
Experts with the state’s board of animal health say it’s too early to say if the virus will resurface.
It’s possible, they said, in the late summer or into fall, as birds start migrating – hopefully, after Sept. 5, the final day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.