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Recommended Curriculum
Recommended Curriculum
Animal Welfare Proficiencies in 4-H
Biosecurity in 4-H Animal Science
Pre-harvest food safety in 4-H Animal Science
Health & Biosecurity
Health & Biosecurity
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
UPDATE
UPDATE
CDFA lifted the statewide ban on California poultry and dairy cattle exhibition at fairs and shows as of December 19, 2025.
Current CDFA Updates: Avian Influenza
Current CDFA Updates: Avian Influenza
go to CDFA website: Avian Influenza
Background Information
Background Information
H5N1 Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) is a highly contagious viral disease that can spread from wild bird species to domestic poultry (commercial and backyard flocks) and dairy cattle. On January 7, 2025, the California State Veterinarian announced a statewide ban on all poultry and dairy cattle exhibition at fairs and shows. This ban was implemented to mitigate the risk of disease transmission to uninfected dairy cattle and poultry.
California - Poultry & Dairy Cattle Exhibition Ban LIFTED (Dec 19, 2025) (PDF, 229.6 KB)
California - Poultry & Dairy Cattle Exhibition Ban (Jan 7, 2025) (PDF, 286.4 KB)
Statewide Ban - Poultry & Dairy Cattle Exhibition FAQ (PDF, 339.4 KB)
Resources from CDFA
Resources from CDFA
Avian Biosecurity Poster (PDF, 1.5 MB)
Tips to keep your birds healthy (PDF, 134.6 KB)
Biosecurity for All informational brochure (PDF, 427.4 KB)
Avian Influenza FAQ (2023) (PDF, 386.7 KB)
Visual Guide Common Clinic Signs - HPAI and Virulent Newcastle Disease (2023) (PDF, 2.7 MB)
Disease Prevention Guide - Backyard Poultry (2021) (PDF, 848 KB)
CDFA Recommended Biosecurity Practices for Poultry Exhibition (2021) (PDF, 1.3 MB)
Current CDFA Updates: H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Livestock
Current CDFA Updates: H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Livestock
Go to CDFA website: H5N1 Bird Flu Virus in Livestock
Highly Pathogenic H5N1 in Livestock FAQ (2024) (PDF, 179 KB)
Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy
Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy
Current CDFA Updates: Equine Herpes Virus
Current CDFA Updates: Equine Herpes Virus
Go to CDFA website: Equine Herpes Virus
Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy - Information Sheet (2021) (PDF, 286 KB)
Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy - FAQ (2021) (PDF, 179.7 KB)
Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program
Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program
In California, effective January 1, 2018, over-the-counter injectable and medically-important antimicrobials must be administered with a prescription or veterinary feed directive (VFD) ordered by a California-licensed veterinarian under a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
Note that these changes are separate from the federal regulations regarding antimicrobials in feed and water that became effective on January 1, 2017 (see below). Regulation of the sale of dewormers, vaccines, and vitamins will not change.
Frequently Asked Questions - PDF on CDFA website
Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program Updates - CDFA website
This video provides an overview of the requirements in the VFD regulation.
Veterinary Feeding Directives
Veterinary Feeding Directives
As of January 1, 2017, medically important antibiotics for use in or on feed and in water are veterinary feed directive (VFD) drugs. The VFD feed must be authorized by a licensed veterinarian and used in compliance with the VFD regulation. Also, these VFD feeds cannot be used for growth promotion or feed efficiency.
This requirement affects many livestock producers, including 4-H members. Additional information and resources:
CDFA: Safe Animal Education Program
To find a Veterinarian in California:
Under License Type, scroll down to Veterinary Medical Board and select Veterinarian or Veterinary Premise (clinic with several doctors).
Questions?
Questions?
Please contact Erica Pettey at eapettey@ucanr.edu.
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