The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) received a $578,048 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care Federal Grant Program (CFDA 10.025). The project aims to validate and demonstrate the utility of Nitrogen Whole House Gassing (NWHG) as a new method of poultry depopulation in Minnesota floor-reared and caged layer facilities. Key activities include evaluating the NWHG system design, monitoring environmental conditions and bird behavior, and developing an operational manual to ensure repeatable NWHG implementation across various poultry housing types. This project will provide evidence that NWHG results in rapid and humane loss of posture and death for 100% of birds, meeting animal welfare standards. The research findings and system demonstrations will increase industry, regulatory, and academic knowledge and acceptance of NWHG for poultry depopulation. The award period is from August 12, 2024 to July 30, 2026.
Generated 1/28/25, 10:25 AM