CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Because of the avian flu, this year’s Butler Farm Show will not include any poultry or any other winged animal.

“There will be no birds on display,” said Ken Metrick, a farm show board member.

The show is Monday through Aug. 15 on Route 68 west of Butler.

In May, the state Department of Agriculture suspended all avian competitions at state-approved farm shows, including the 2016 Pennsylvania Farm Show, due to a national outbreak of the disease. About 50 million birds have had to be killed due to the flu.

Acting Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said, “This is not a decision we made lightly, but it is one that we feel is necessary given the threat.”

The disease has not made it to the state, but Metrick said it is really strong in the Midwest. The disease is spread by migrating birds and spreads quickly among groups of birds.

“It’s just a precaution,” Metrick said of not allowing birds at the farm show.

At the Junior Livestock Auction on Aug. 13, 4-H members still will sell their poultry, but it will not be on display.

Show officials will take the average weight of a youth’s poultry and display that. When the poultry is bought, it will be processed Aug. 17 and the buyer can pick it up that evening.

Metrick said there likely will be pamphlets on display at the show detailing the disease and why birds are not on display.

“Poultry is a big industry in Pennsylvania, and we want to protect it,” Metrick said.

In 2014, the poultry and egg industry was responsible for $13 billion in total economic activity in the state.

Metrick said he has not heard any real complaints from people who display poultry at the show.

“They all understand,” Metrick said.

In 1983 and 1984, the state had an outbreak of the disease and lost 17 million birds worth $65 million.

But no cases have appeared in the state since then.