The pennsylvania department of agriculture will qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the use of commercially available nitrogen (N2) foam technology to depopulate commercial duck flocks during…

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture received a $240,060 cooperative agreement awarded November 1, 2025, by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). The agreement funds a comprehensive evaluation of nitrogen (N2) foam technology for depopulating commercial duck flocks during foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreaks through July 31, 2027. Key deliverables include qualitative and quantitative assessment of the N2 foam depopulation technology across different duck production facilities, training for a rapid response team and industry partners on technology setup and application, evaluation of existing depopulation plans and resource requirements, and demonstrations of N2 foam deployment in two distinct duck production systems.

The project delivers immediate operational value to emergency responders and duck producers by reducing disease containment timelines and supporting business continuity during FAD events. Simultaneously, the agreement provides state and federal regulatory officials with evidence-based policy guidance for implementing depopulation procedures that balance producer livelihoods with food supply safety and rural economic protection. Products generated through this cooperative effort will establish protocols and training frameworks applicable to emergency response operations while documenting resource needs and operational best practices for commercial duck production facilities.

The pennsylvania department of agriculture will qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the use of commercially available nitrogen (N2) foam technology to depopulate commercial duck flocks during a foreign animal disease (FAD) outbreak. The project includes training a rapid response team and industry partners in the setup and application of N2 foam for livestock depopulation across different types of production facilities. The project will also evaluate depopulation plans, resources, and needs for commercial duck production depopulation with N2 foam technologies. A demonstration of N2 foam depopulation technology and deployment will be provided for two different duck production systems. This project benefits producers by providing experience and support to emergency responders, resulting in rapid containment of disease and allowing producers to return to business as quickly as possible during a FAD. The project also provides valuable information to state and federal regulatory officials for making decisions to confirm that the best policy can be implemented for farmers and ranchers to maintain business continuity in a disease outbreak. The project will ensure a safe food supply and protect the livelihoods and economic opportunities of farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.