Poultry shows are back
PONTIAC – Poultry barns at county fairs across the state are no longer silent as poultry shows have resumed at county fairs this summer.
Earlier this year, the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced the return of the shows for the 2023 fair season. An influx of highly pathogenic avian influenza cases forced the cancellation of in-person junior and open poultry shows at Illinois county fairs in 2022.
IDOA State Veterinarian Dr. Mark Ernst previously noted a decline in highly pathogenic avian influenza cases over the last several months prompting the department to lift the ban on poultry shows. He still reminds exhibitors to practice good biosecurity on their farm and to monitor flocks for signs of disease for 14 days prior to the show.
Two members of the Cornell Classic Clovers 4-H Club were happy to be back with poultry at this week’s Livingston County Ag Fair in Pontiac. Abby Armstrong of Flanagan was preparing to show her rooster and hen while Brooklyn Delheimer of Cornell had chicken and beef cattle at the fair. She likes beef the best though.
“You have more of a bond with them,” she said.
Armstrong also had photography and clay projects entered at the fair.
The new Livingston County Ag Fair rabbit and poultry building was finished just in time for this year’s fair as Bank of Pontiac made a building donation toward the Livingston County Agricultural Fair Association for it.
This new structure received several compliments from fairgoers strolling by the livestock barns toward the midway.
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