The bird flu may not be present in the Northern Rivers, but its impacts are being felt by the region.

Local producers in the industry are very aware of what is happening, and precautions are being taken to protect the area. The ability to buy eggs in Lismore shops varies, and the hospitality industry is making adjustments to their offerings to accommodate a lack in supply.

Allegedly Lismore McDonalds have even limited their breakfast menu to 10.30am due to this shortage.

In retail shops, eggs are quickly moving off the shelves in the larger shopping centres, but you can still find good local supply at smaller produce stores.

(Eggs in Lismore shops, Farmer Charlies vs Woolworths)

Simon Clark from Organigrow produces 6000 organic eggs a day, in Monaltrie just south of Lismore and used to supply to a far reaching market. However that has recently changed, and now their focus is on the local market. In fact, they don't sell anywhere else, anymore.

“We have stopped selling to markets in Sydney and Melbourne. Selling locally has become an increasing trend that has been going on for several months, and It's good for egg growers.

“It’s a much better method of keeping Greenhouse gases in check - rather than sending stuff off Melbourne and then local supply coming up from Victoria, it's crazy the way eggs get shipped around the country.”

Although the temptation is there for egg producers to expand to meet the demand, this can take months. And birds are harder to come by at the moment. 

Simon spoke of the measures he needs to take on the property to prevent the spread of disease, “It’s about controlling who comes onto the farm and trying to avoid contact with wild birds. 

“We don't have any contacts with other farms. That's the way it's been transmitted is through the farms sharing things like egg trays. Most large producers have multiple farms.

“I’ve had increased biosecurity at my operation now for a number of years, I'm not terribly worried about the consequences of this outbreak. I have maremmas that look after my bird population, and keep wild birds away from the chickens.”

(A young maremma meets his new charges)

Simon explains that larger producers are much more susceptible as there can be around 33,000 birds to a shed, several sheds to a farm, and several farms using the same equipment.  

If you get a fairly benign strain of bird flu, it can easily mutate into a pathogenic strain because it can circulate easily in very large flocks. "So it's always the larger flocks that get it. Most farms have between half a million and a million birds."

Jeff Thompson, one of Lismore’s legendary poultry breeders and is known for his judging prowess. He speaks of his knowledge and experience with bird flu in his matter of fact style. 

“There's no threat of the bird flu to this area. I can tell you that now”

Jeff has a lot of contacts in the industry and he keeps well informed. He is not a fan when "scare mongering tactics" are used to put fear into people regarding bird flu. Jeff works extensively in NSW and Qld and is a big advocate of the work the DPI has done to keep disease under control.

“Everyone's got to follow the protocols from the DPI. The DPI’s got more control than anyone else, and they know more than anyone else.”

The threat of bird flu has not stopped him showing and travelling to shows. “When the chickens go to a show they come home, they're sprayed and they get isolated for two weeks.”

Jeff takes the health of his flock very seriously and recommends that others do the same.

If poultry is your passion, consider looking up the Lismore Poultry Club (one of the oldest clubs in Australia, Jeff says) of which Jeff is an active member.

You can also learn more about Simon's farm Organigrow, here.