Develop an effective biosecurity strategy to protect commercial poultry meat and EGG farms from infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (hpai) by reducing contact with wild birds and…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $695,691 cooperative agreement to Kansas State University on February 2, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025) to develop a biosecurity strategy protecting commercial poultry meat and egg farms from highly pathogenic avian influenza transmission by wild birds.

The project deploys technical monitoring devices to identify and track wild bird species, timing, and frequency near farm facilities, then activates automated deterrent systems emitting sound, light, and motion-based cues to safely repel birds without harming wild species or production poultry. Deterrent devices will be strategically placed near poultry farms, with collected data analyzed to identify optimal timing, locations, and sensory combinations for various bird species.

Deliverables include a method for immediate installation by poultry producers to mitigate the current HPAI outbreak; standard operating procedures for deterrent device use and placement; detailed recommendations for alarm settings by bird type and farm layout; a comprehensive findings report; and educational materials for poultry producers. The project will produce peer-reviewed publications and decision-support tools for farm managers and biosecurity teams.

Expected outcomes include significant reduction in wild bird activity near poultry facilities, validated methods broadly applicable across different farm settings to enhance disease prevention, and reduced farm infection and transmission rates.

Period of performance runs through February 1, 2028. Work is performed in Kansas.

Develop an effective biosecurity strategy to protect commercial poultry meat and EGG farms from infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (hpai) by reducing contact with wild birds and waterfowl that may carry the virus. The project will focus on preventing these wild bird species from approaching farm facilities, ponds, equipment, and animal housing areas where they may transmit hpai to domestic flocks. To achieve this objective, we will deploy technical monitoring devices to identify and track the species, timing, and frequency of wild bird activity near commercial farms. In response to detected threats, automated deterrent systems will be activated to emit targeted sound, light, and/or motion-based cues that safely repel birds without causing harm to either wild species or production poultry. These devices will be strategically placed near poultry farms, and data will be collected and analyzed to determine optimal deterrent strategies-identifying the most effective timing, locations, and sensory combinations for various bird species. Deliverables from this project will include: a method that could immediately be installed by poultry producers to mitigate the current widespread outbreak of hpai, standard operating procedures for the use and placement of deterrent devices; detailed recommendations for alarm settings based on bird type and farm layout; a comprehensive report of findings; and educational materials for poultry producers. The project will produce peer-reviewed publications and decision-support tools for farm managers and biosecurity teams. Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in wild bird activity near poultry facilities, thereby lowering the primary risk pathway for hpai transmission. The project will provide validated methods that can be broadly applied across different farm settings to enhance disease prevention. Fewer farms will be infected by hpai and the spread between infected farms will be reduced, thus reducing the number of unhealthy birds that must be depopulated. Intended beneficiaries include family-owned poultry farms and contract growers whose operations are vulnerable to the economic devastation of hpai outbreaks. Additional beneficiaries include dairy farms in the US which have also suffered hpai infections, veterinarians, consumers and companies that export poultry products from the U.S.