It is almost county fair time in Nebraska but something will be missing this year. Due to the avian flu outbreak there is a ban on poultry. Brad Bennett is the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension Educator for the Youth Livestock Program and says banning poultry is one way to prevent the illness from spreading.
Bennett says they typically have upwards of 60 poultry exhibits at the Nebraska State Fair and many children use poultry as starter projects before moving on to other livestock.
Bennett says some of their alternatives to poultry include using a toy chicken for showmanship to having poster or binder projects for others. Many other states have banned poultry at fairs, auctions and swap meets due to the devastating outbreak of avian flu.
