Avian influenza is still on the prowl across prairie farms, with outbreaks being reported in multiple areas.

As the number of reported birds with the sickness has continued to rise, poultry producers will be feeling a bit more stress.

That can come from the missed revenue that would otherwise be available, with farmers needing another source of cash in that event.

Farm Credit Canada's District Director for Yorkton Kimberly Rowan says that they're focusing on getting the cash flow of those producers back to a steady level.

"What we see around our customers is that the biggest impact is around their cash flow. That's where we can really help support customers because we have programs available to look at all those things. What we would look at considering is short-term credit options, deferral of principal payments, we can also look at other payment schedule amendments just to adjust the time of payment needs versus actual revenue that's coming in."

They'd also look at helping farmers improve their biosecurity to prepare for avian influenza.

Rowan says that so far the outbreak hasn't been too bad compared to her last time dealing with a similar situation.

"I've actually been through FCC a number of years and worked through an avian influenza outbreak back in Abbotsford many moons ago now. This one so far, we haven't seen a lot of it but I guess it will depend on how long it lasts within the areas, and then how many flocks are concentrated in that area too."

Saskatchewan has extended its animal health control order dealing with avian influenza to June 14, likely extending how long some producers will be affected.

FCC will continue to give support to the people looking for some relief from the ongoing outbreak and subsequent disrupted cash flow.

"If the producers are impacted for a longer period of time they're going to look at what alternatives they need to determine as well. What we try and do is look at that whether it's a loan restructure," said Rowan, "That we have to do to stretch things out to make payments easier or smaller in that time period."

"If anyone's experiencing beyond what the anticipated timeline is, just come in and talk to us. We understand it's all part of the risk of ag and these are cycles that poultry producers and any producers for that matter have to deal with. We know that it doesn't always cleanly end on that date."

Rowan says she appreciates everything producers are doing to ensure proper biosecurity.