One less thing to crow about at the Canfield Fair

June 3, 2015 at 12:12a.m.

CANFIELD

The icon of the Canfield Fair is not invited to attend this year.

Fairgoers will not see roosters or any other kind of poultry or waterfowl at the 169th Canfield Fair because of an avian-flu concern.

“It is sad,” said Tony Parks, director in charge of poultry, rabbits, sheep and goats.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that it was barring displays of live birds, including youngsters’ poultry projects, at county fairs as part of efforts to prevent the spread of avian flu.

The prohibition covers all live exhibitions or locations where groups of birds could be displayed, including livestock auctions and the state fair.

“This was a difficult decision because it means young people can’t show their birds at fairs, but it’s in the best interest of an industry that literally thousands of Ohio families and businesses depend on and which provides billions of dollars to our state’s economy,” David Daniels, state agriculture director, said in a released statement. “The right move isn’t always the easy move, but this is the right move, especially when you see just how devastating the virus has been to other big poultry states, like Iowa and Minnesota.”

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was first confirmed in the U.S. last year. The highly contagious virus primarily affects domestic poultry, but is believed to be spread by wild migrating birds.

More than 44 million U.S. birds have been affected to date. No cases have been confirmed in Ohio.

With 28 million laying chickens, Ohio is the country’s second-largest egg producer. The state’s poultry industry employs more than 14,600 people and pumps $2.3 billion into the state’s economy, according to the agriculture department.

Numerous other states already have canceled bird showings at fairs, including all of the states surrounding Ohio.

“One of the ways avian influenza spreads is by direct contact with contaminated materials coming from other infected birds,” state veterinarian Tony Forshey said in a released statement. “This means that exhibitions, auctions and swap meets where birds are commingling pose a high risk of unintentionally spreading this disease. ... We need to do all we can to minimize the exposure for our domestic birds.”

State officials are urging local fair boards to extend deadlines or make other accommodations to assist youngsters who have already started poultry projects. Options could include allowing props or photos in place of live birds.

The head of the state’s 4-H program is supporting the decision.

“Our members who have chosen poultry projects this year have a fantastic learning opportunity in front of them,” Tom Archer, Ohio State University Extension, said in a released statement. “Yes, they won’t be showing a live animal, but they will be learning about how a disease can affect an animal and an industry.”

The Ohio Farm Bureau, the Ohio Poultry Association and other groups also are backing the decision.

The rooster has been the staple at the Canfield Fair since the inception of the rooster-crowing contest in 1962. A year later, the promotional slogan “Something to Crow About” was developed to get fairgoers interested in the contest.

Now, the rooster-crowing contest will not happen this year. “There are families who have competed in this for decades,” Parks said.

The impact of the department’s decision will affect the 20 to 25 exhibitors who bring in about 900 poultry exhibits every year.

“In fairness to them, we have to make sure every bird is virus-free,” Parks said.

And that just isn’t a possibility.

“We are going to alert everyone and get a hold of our exhibitors,” Parks said. “This is where we have to come up with a plan. We are going to see what we are going to do.”

The Canfield Fair runs Sept. 2-7.

Contributor: Kalea Hall, staff reporter