Viral diseases are the most deadly and costly to the poultry industry. Antibiotics are ineffective in treating or preventing viral poultry diseases such as Runting-Stunting Synrome (RSS), Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) and Avian Influenza such as the H5N1 virus (Bird Flu).

Outbreaks of viral avian diseases almost always result in immediate quarantine, destruction of the infected birds, and trade restrictions to eliminate contiguity.

Last month, for example, an outbreak of Newcastle Disease Virus in Bulgria resulted in the immediate restriction of poutry exports to other states in the European Union while infected birds were destroyed. The trade restrictions continued until the quarantine was lifted, and resulted in significant economic losses to Bulgaria's agricultural community.

Control of viral diseases is dependent upon prevention through sanitation and biosecurity, and by vaccination. Strict sanitation and biosecurity are essential for successful poultry production and is not always practiced, especially on smaller farms.

Vaccination is no substitute for effective management. It must be understood that vaccines may be effective in reducing clinical disease, but exposed birds, in most cases, still become infected and shed disease organisms. While vaccines have been developed for many avian viruses, they are ineffective once infection occurs.

Vaccines are virus specific, which means that birds must be innoculated with a different vaccine for each of a number of viral diseases. This practice is expensive and management intensive.

AGRASTIM®, Beta glucan derived from yeast cell walls, is a non-specific immuno-modulator. When poultry are fed AGRASTIM® , the immune system's macrophages are stimulated, and foreign invaders, including viruses, are sought out, identified, and destroyed.

AGRASTIM® is economical, producing additional benefits such as increased feed conversion, reduced management expense, and reduced losses due to mortality and condemnation.

It is only a matter of time, in my opinion, before the European Union, and countries such as China, India and Russia, will be looking to an all-natural product such as AGRASTIM® , to reduce viral poultry infections and improve production. As feed grain costs continue to climb, the feed conversion advantages of AGRASTIM® make it, in my opinion, a bargain at $200 a kilo.