Latest News

State Avian Bowl Qualifier for 2026 & Poultry Showmanship at Fresno

      Parents, 4-Hers, and poultry are back on the road, heading to poultry shows.     Some of you may have already enjoyed a post-ban show.    Word is that the Gold Coast Poultry Fanciers got the California show circuit off to a great start.

How the California State Avian Bowl Champions became National Champions

     Coach Samantha Downey had her team of Tess Morici and Kaydence Erickson studying and then studying some more.   All the time spent learning the 2025 Study Sections paid off.   The Californians aced the written Avian Bowl test and were seeded #1.

Dear Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibition Organizers and Managers:

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has closely monitored the status of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in both poultry and dairy cattle throughout California. Since the implementation of the statewide exhibition ban, CDFA has conducted ongoing surveillance, reviewed viral trend data, and consulted with epidemiologists and animal health partners at both the state and federal levels.

Avian Science Notes - December 2025, Vol 1

California Retains National Avian Bowl Championship Title

     Our California State Champions took the National Title.   Congratulations!!   More details and photos in the next volume of Avian Science Notes.

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                       2026 National Avian Bowl Study Sections 

Avian Science Notes May 2025

Contents:

·       New California Avian Bowl State Champions

·       Lassen County 4-H hosting Avian Bowl in Susanville

·       Once again, Avian Bowl is back at the OC (Orange County) Fair

·       California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS) announces fee increase

·       CALENDAR

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Have you and your team members registered for the State Qualifier?

How: all the links are on Avian Science Notes, March, Vol. 1 issue

Why:  you will increase your knowledge in Avian Sciences.   You will learn the skills to be part of a successful team.  Such skills will help you throughout life, including as your interact with others in your personal life and eventually in your work life.

     I am happy to report that registration for Avian Bowl State Qualifier is now live on the UC ANR California 4-H State Field Day site:   4-H State Field Day.  Follow the Registration link: REGISTRATION LINK.

I am pleased to announce that for 2025, California Avian Bowl State Qualifier will be held at UC Davis, during the 4-H State Field Day on May 17, 2025.    As usual, there will be both Junior and Senior Avian Bowl competitions.    Registration details to follow in the coming weeks.

                       -Dr. Bradley

On January 8th, our State Veterinarian, Dr. Annette Jones, issued the following:

“Due to the continued spread of H5N1 Bird Flu in California, the State Veterinarian has implemented a ban on all California Poultry and Dairy Cattle Exhibitions at Fairs and Shows immediately until further notice. This action is required to minimize the danger of exposing people and non-infected cows and birds to the disease.”

In this volume, I am continuing the series of contributions from our 2024 National Avian Bowl Champions.

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Important message as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to spread across our nation and state

There are no United States-approved HPAI tests,  for use with poultry, available to backyard poultry keepers.  Please do NOT buy such tests, nor think using a test made for cattle, is appropriate for your flock.

As always, if you have unexplained illness in your flock, contact:

Avian Science Notes, December 2024, Volume 2

     In the upcoming December volumes of Avian Science Notes, I will include contributions from the 2024 National Avian Bowl Champions.    That would be members of our hard-working, California Avian Bowl Champs who won it all in Louisville.

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Avian Science Notes December 2024, Vol. 1

Table of Contents

        . Let the Studying Begin 

        . 2025 National Avian Bowl Study Sections

        . How to order the Avian Bowl Manual

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Let the Studying Begin

Table of Contents:

• Youth Activities at the 2024 Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers (GCSPF) Show
• Emergency Regulatory Disease found in California
• CALENDAR

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Youth Activities at the 2024 Greater California Society of Poultry Fanciers (GCSPF) Show

In this issue:

• Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to attack in California
• Passing of Susie Reichel
• 2024 State Avian Bowl Qualifier

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Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) continues to attack in California