Needful Provision, Inc. Tel. 1-918-868-5710
P.O. Box 1595 Fax 1-918-868-5709
Tahlequah, OK 74465 USA Email: npiinc2000@aol.com
EIN: 85-0433956 DUNS: 07-853-9710
30 May 2006
USDA/ RMA Risk Management Research Partnerships (CFDA No. 10.456)
Application Due: 08 June 2006 for Non-Insurance Risk Management
Tools
Project Title: “Bird Repelling to Protect Poultry from
Bird Flu” (6-month project)
Summary: As presented on Form RD-1 (the first page). Budget:
$77,000.00
Focus: Disease Management Research Location: Oklahoma
I. Objective(s): To work with USDA/ RMA in the development of
non-insurance risk management tools for use by agricultural
producers in mitigating risks inherent in any type of agricultural
production. More specifically, the objective for subject project
is to achieve this result for poultry producers confronted with
the real possibility of major economic losses, if not financial
destruction, from a bird flu pandemic.
II. Specific Risk Addressed: The H5N1 flu virus (bird flu)
is the worst flu virus ever known to man, according to Dr. Robert
G. Webster, a virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Infected wild birds are spreading
this virus to domestic poultry flocks, worldwide, from early
outbreaks in Asia. So far, the human cases of bird flu have
been linked to direct contact with infected poultry or other
birds. It is know that H5N1 is mutating, and Webster estimates
that it will take about 10 more mutations before bird flu begins
spreading from human to human. There are few if any effective
vaccines to provide bird or human protection from bird flu.
According to the “2006 U.S. Poultry Industry Outlook,”
by Dr. John C. McKissick, University of Georgia, U.S. poultry
products (for 2006) should total: 1) 36,325,000,000 lbs. of
broilers, 5,535,000,000 lbs. of turkeys, and 7,635,000,000 doz.
eggs. Thus, a bird flu pandemic could result in billions of
dollars in losses for U.S. producers due to the death of birds,
and the resulting public fear of poultry/ poultry products.
III. Non-Insurance Risk Management Tool Proposed: The repelling of wild birds away from poultry, poultry houses, and poultry producing areas is believed to be one of the best non-insurance risk management tools in the case of bird flu. By keeping infected wild birds far away from poultry, the spread of bird flu would be effectively reduced. U.S. Patent No. 4,656,770 entitled “Bird Repelling Means,” by David A. Nuttle, inventor (owned by applicant organization, Needful Provision, Inc.) was proven to be very effective in long-term repelling of birds away from large areas. The subject invention was developed (in 1985-87) for NASA, to repel wild birds away from their landing strips. At the time, the bird-repelling device produced was considered too expensive for agricultural markets. This invention is now economically feasible due to the threat from bird flu. The purpose of this research effort is to perfect an affordable, commercial version of subject invention (shown in the patent attached hereto) ---- and thereby make this non-insurance risk management tool, for poultry farmers, available in the next 6-months. (Since this invention was patented, new materials and manufacturing techniques have been developed that will help reduce costs for the resulting product.)
IV. Applicant Organization: Needful Provision, Inc. (NPI), a
distinguished 501(c)(3) charity (founded in 1995), is skilled
in research, development, demonstration, teaching, and commercialization
of innovative self-help technologies designed to assist the
poor as well as agricultural producers. NPI’s founder
and President, David A. Nuttle, has donated 63 of his self-help
inventions to NPI ---and this includes the subject invention.
Nuttle will be the Project Director (PD) for subject effort.
At the present time, NPI is in the process of commercializing
several of its self-help inventions using affiliated social
enterprises. In the case of subject innovation, commercial licensee(s)
will assist with the commercial development, while planning
to manufacture, market, and service this very unique and effective
bird-repelling device. (Commercial licensees are as shown in
the attachments hereto.)
V. Applicant Activities: NPI/ NPI’s PD will be responsible
for the following:
a) In cooperation with RMA, finalize a partnership agreement
---
b) Develop plans (in cooperation w/ RMA & commercial licensees)
to manufacture, market, administer, maintain or service, and
update subject non-insurance risk management tool. (See Exhibit
A for a summary of said risk management tool.)
c) Describe the non-financial benefits such as national public
health and safety along with expansion of NPI’s non-insurance
risk management tools for agricultural producers, worldwide.
(RMA will have a substantial involvement in helping to create
these benefits.)
d) Implement, coordinate, manage, and document the timely completion
of approved research and development activities described in
a Work Plan shown hereinafter.
e) Abide by the plans and provisions contained in the partnership
agreement to be developed with RMA cooperation.
f) Report on program performance in accordance with said partnership
agreement.
g) As required, make a presentation to the FCIC Board of Directors.
h) Adhere to RMA guidelines for systems and information technology
development.
VI. RMA Activities: During the performance of the funded activity,
RMA shall be substantially involved as described below ---
a) Collaborate on the research plan outlined herein.
b) Assist/ approve selection of subcontractors and project staff
to assist NPI’s PD.
c) Review and approve critical stages of project development
before they start.
d) Provide assistance in management and/or technical performance
of the project.
e) Collaborate on any publications, presentations of results,
and distribution (or any marketing) of the subject non-insurance
risk management tool.
f) Assist in the collection of data and information available
in RMA databases.
g) Collaborate with NPI in the development of a proposal to
administer, maintain, and update subject non-insurance risk
management tool in the future.
h) Other activities as appropriate and in support of subject
effort.
VII. Commercial Licensee(s) Activities: With support from NPI’s PD, licensees will select the best materials and manufacturing procedures (for subject bird repelling device), and then produce 3 (three) units for field testing. At the same time, licensees will write a plan for the commercial manufacturing, marketing, and service of subject innovation.
VIII. Poultry Partners Activities: Poultry Partners, Inc., an
association of nearly 400 poultry farmers in NE Oklahoma, will
nominate three member farms for field-testing of the subject
bird repelling device. The farms selected will have significant
wild bird populations in the immediate area of their poultry
houses. Farm operators will agree to carefully observe the behavior(s)
of these wild birds ---as well as poultry flocks--- before and
after said bird repelling device is field-tested on their farms.
In addition, they will allow and facilitate operations of video
surveillance equipment to record these before and after wild
bird behaviors, with after behaviors being observed over a 3-month
period. These farmers will also make their own individual reports
regarding the observed failures and/or successes for subject
wild bird repelling device. (It will generally be farmers who
convince other farmers that subject device provides effective
risk management.)
IX. Benefits Analysis: Since the H5N1 (bird flu) virus is known to mutate, vaccines are expected to offer little real protection. However, the subject invention can keep many infected wild birds away from poultry populations ---and thereby dramatically reduce rates of bird flu for poultry and human populations in the U.S., as well as overseas. It is therefore estimated that economic benefits, for subject invention, could exceed $9 billion. Even with a 90 percent error in our estimates, the economic benefit would still be nearly $1 billion. In terms of non-financial benefits, over 19 million of the estimated 20 million bird flu victims (during any U.S. bird flu pandemic) could be prevented from dying using the wild bird repelling system herein described. There are also many other non-financial benefits. NPI’s greatest non-financial benefit will be the increased capacity to help reduce production risks for farmers/ producers of priority commodities.
X. Work Plan(s): To accomplish all the above, in a 6-month
period, NPI’s Project Director (PD) will undertake work
as outlined below ------ and explained on Form RD-2 presented
herewith:
1) Collaborate with RMA in the completion of RMA contributions
to subject project (as listed in paragraph VI above).
2) Undertake NPI’s project work as indicated in paragraph V above.
3) Review recent literature, patents, and patents pending to
assure that subject invention offers the very best options for
visual and/or aural devices to create and sustain panic in selected
bird species. Then, if later required, update the subject invention.
4) Assist commercial licensees as regards selection and testing of appropriate materials as well as manufacturing processes to initially produce three of subject bird repelling devices --- and then to prepare for commercial production, marketing, service, and possible later update, of these devices, once they are proven effective.
5) Coordinate with Poultry Partners in the selection of three NE Oklahoma poultry farms where subject bird repelling device may be tested for long-term effectiveness in keeping wild birds away from poultry houses.
6) Collect data, and video surveillance information for analysis in determining the sustained (long-term) effectiveness of subject device.
7) Report research results to RMA, and make recommendations on commercialization of said bird repelling device.
8) Expand and/or improve the current U.S. Patent No. 4,656,770 (dated 14 April 1987), and apply for a new patent by David A. Nuttle ---the original inventor and PD. Said patent work being for the purpose of improving the commercial potential for the subject bird-repelling device. (Technologies held as Trade Secrets, by the inventor, will be added to the new patent application.)
9) Complete a licensing agreement, with commercial licensees, for the commercial use of subject technology in a manner that will make it easily available and very affordable for poultry farmers.
10) Inform poultry farmers, and the public, about the availability and benefits of the bird-repelling system developed to help deter a bird flu pandemic.
XI. Budget & Budget Narrative: Attached hereto showing uses and justification for the $77,000.00 in expenditures for a 6-month project as herein detailed.
XII. Matching Requirement: RME has no requirement for NPI to match or partly match their funds provided. For this reason, NPI has not determined the in-kind value of the technology provided (U.S. Patent No. 4,656,770 and associated Trade Secrets).
XIII. Key Personnel: David A. Nuttle, PD, has a BS degree in agriculture, plus over four decades of agricultural development work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the U.S. Nuttle is the founder and President of NPI. The subject bird repelling innovation, and 62 other unique agriculture related technologies were all invented by Nuttle. During his youth, Nuttle was FFA State Farmer, and National 4-H Field Crop Champion, while farming with his father, Charles A. Nuttle. During the last two years, Nuttle has been assisting 580 Hmong (Asian) poultry farmers in the Ozarks (NE Oklahoma, NW Arkansas, and SW Missouri). Nuttle is a published author, and recently has been updating his “Universal Survival Handbook” used extensively by a number of individuals, military forces, and aid organizations. Due to recent work for NPI, Nuttle has become very familiar with the problems faced by poultry farmers ---to include the problem of greatly increased biosecurity to help protect against a bird flu pandemic. (Subject bird repelling device is considered as a type of biosecurity system.)
Charles A. Gourd, PhD., NPI’s Technology Transfer Specialist, will be working with Nuttle in support of project objectives. In addition, Dr. Gourd shall develop a program to help transfer subject technology to poultry farmers. Dr. Gourd previously worked with the Cherokee Nation, the Organization for American States, and the United Nations on technology transfer programs for rural and tribal populations. This prior experience will be very helpful since many of the local poultry farmers are Native Americans or minorities such as the Hmong. Dr. Gourd will also provide a back-up for NPI’s Project Director (PD).
XIV. Options to Control Bird Flu: A national pandemic flu response
program is now under development. Vaccines are not expected
to be very effective due to known capability of the H5N1 (bird
flu) to mutate. Since spread of this virus occurs via wild bird
populations, the virus cannot be stopped. After 10 mutations,
if the virus spreads from humans to humans as predicted, the
quarantine of infected populations will provide some help in
reducing the numbers of people infected. Tamiflu and/or respirator
masks offer only very limited protection. Infected poultry populations
would need to be destroyed in a safe manner. Biosecure poultry
houses could be used to better isolate poultry populations,
but this would take a considerable investment and several years
to accomplish. In brief, we have not found a better option (for
preventing bird flu) than the herein proposed innovation for
repelling wild birds away from poultry.
XV. Alternative Bird Repelling Means: There are a number of
bird repelling
means that are generally effective for small areas, for brief
periods of time. The real problem, for all these alternative
methods, is that the threat to birds is limited as well as repetitive
---- in a manner that reduces bird panic over time. The herein
proposed bird repelling system uses multiple threats that cover
a wide area, and threats may be easily varied ---as in the case
of flute discs used, used on subject invention, along with a
wind driven flute designed to panic wild birds. (Exhibit A has
a summary of the invention.)
XVI. Possible Negative Factor: Poultry in houses could hear
the noises from subject bird repelling device. Outdoor poultry
would be able to see and hear said device. Part of the evaluation
needs to be determining if there are any negative consequences
as regards poultry exposed to the bird repelling techniques
proposed. (Poultry farmers would not be likely to purchase and
use any device that could dramatically lower poultry production.)
XVII. Evaluation Techniques: Camera surveillance will be the
primary means to determine the before and after behavior of
wild bird populations in the areas/ houses, with poultry, where
subject bird repelling device is employed long-term. Records
on the production and behavior of poultry, exposed to this device,
will also be maintained in order to document any negative consequences
for the poultry.
XVIII. Possible Consequences of Not Conducting the Research: A failure to test, and then employ subject innovation (if proven successful), could result in billion dollar losses to the poultry industry ---and loss of several million Americans due to death from the bird flu. The threat presented is real, and documented by scientific evidence.
XIX. Attachments: As listed in the Table of Contents, presented herewith.
XX. Request for Approval: USDA/ RMA is hereby requested to approve and fund this project to develop a non-insurance risk management tool to mitigate damages from bird flu (the H5N1 virus).
Submitted by: David A. Nuttle
President & PD
EXHIBIT A
SUMMARY OF NON-INSURANCE RISK MANAGEMENT TOOL FOR BIRD FLU
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Patent No. 4,656,770 entitled “Bird Repelling Means,”
by David A. Nuttle,
(dated 14 April 1987) Inventor
(2006 Expanded and Updated Patent Pending, by subject inventor.)
Abstract
This invention is a combination of visual and aural devices
to create panic in selected bird species. This is accomplished
in part through a body simulating a Tiger Cat which is weathervane
mounted. The body includes bright orange stripes and has predatory
eyes. Streamers depicting panicked birds are attached to the
tiger’s tail, and an internal wind driven flute produces
a variety of noises. Additionally, reflectors are used on the
propeller shaft to simulate light reflection from a gun barrel.
Further, random or scheduled explosions, from an automatic acetylene
exploder, and bird warning and distress calls are broadcast
over loud speakers for the species of birds being repelled.
--------------------
N.B. Easily changeable flute discs are used to program the frequency
and types of noises produced by the wind flute. The invention
comes with several discs, each with different types of sound
programs, and these may be used to constantly vary sounds presenting
a threat to birds.
Advantages
The presentation of multiple, variable, and sustained threats ---to selected wild bird species--- provides effective, long-term, repelling of birds over a large area.
Disadvantages
Cost of the device is too high for short-term bird repelling requirements. Noise factors will deter use of this invention in or near urban areas. In some cases, use of this device may have a negative impact on a few species of domestic birds.
Suggested Uses
As indicated above, the suggested primary use is to help keep wild birds, infected with bird flu, away from poultry flocks/ houses. Other uses include keeping wild birds away from airports and large commercial gardens and orchards, as well as repelling birds away from the production areas for priority commodities.