Information Sheet Explaining the Study

Participate in USDA’s Layers 2013 Study

In summer 2013, the USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) will begin the Layers 2013 study. This national study will take an in-depth look at table-egg layer operations in the United States and provide the industry with an update of critical information last collected 13 years ago during the NAHMS Layers ’99 study.

Study focus

Due to the recent increased attention to Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) on table-egg farms, NAHMS was asked to conduct a national study to address this issue. NAHMS worked with an array of stakeholders to define the most critical information needs regarding SE to be addressed in the upcoming study. The following objectives were identified:

1. Update previously collected information on layer farm management practices relevant to SE,

2. Estimate the prevalence of SE on layer farms, and

3. Investigate risk factors for SE on layer farms.

What participation involves

Participants with an inventory of 3,000 or more laying hens in 19 States (see map) will be asked to provide important health and management information to characterize the table-egg layer industry. Data collection will begin June 2013. Representatives from APHIS will interview table-egg layer producers to complete a questionnaire.

Nov. 2012

Benefits from the Layers 2013 study

• In-depth reports and information sheets that will enable study participants to compare their operations—including management decisions and practices—with other farms.

• Statistically valid information on prevalence of and contemporary management practices relevant to the control of SE.

• Disease spread models that can be used to develop appropriate policies and augment the decision-making process.

A scientific approach

NAHMS collects and reports accurate and useful information on animal health and management in the United States. Since 1990, NAHMS has developed national estimates on disease prevalence and other factors related to the health of U.S. beef cattle, sheep, goat, dairy cattle, swine, equine, poultry, and catfish populations. The science-based results produced by NAHMS have proven to be of considerable value to the U.S. livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries.

NAHMS studies are

• National in scope,

• Voluntary and confidential,

• Statistically valid,

• Scientific, and

• Collaborative.

Confidentiality

On March 20, 2012, NAHMS was recognized by OMB as a statistical unit under Title V of the
E-Government Act of 2002, Public Law 107-347, Section 513 (the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 [CIPSEA]). All information acquired under the Layers 2013 study will be used for statistical purposes only and will be treated as confidential in accordance with CIPSEA guidelines. Only summary estimates based upon the inference population will be reported.

For more information, contact:

USDA–APHIS–VS–CEAH

NRRC Building B, M.S. 2E7

2150 Centre Avenue

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

970.494.7000

Or visit NAHMS at

http://nahms.aphis.usda.gov

#666.1112

Issued November 2012

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