How Dairy Farmers in the US Are Fighting the Threat of Avian Influenza

Dairy farmers in the United States are on high alert to combat the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Although avian influenza mostly affects poultry, cases in cattle herds have also been reported, prompting farmers to take a series of measures. These include a ban on visitors, cutting down trees to prevent wild birds from landing on farms and disinfecting incoming vehicles.

Background and Current Situation

North Carolina is the seventh state to report an outbreak of avian influenza, following Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, Idaho and New Mexico, where the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed infections. While the initial cases were thought to have been transmitted to flocks by wild birds, the USDA said transmission among cattle was also possible. This prompted agriculture officials in states like Michigan and Ohio to say that infected herds may have purchased cattle from other states.

Precautions Farmers Are Taking

Seven dairy farmers in five states have strengthened security and sanitation procedures, while three have gone beyond government recommendations, according to interviews with Reuters. Karen Jordan, a farm owner in Siler City, North Carolina, described her farm as a “gated community”, saying only essential people were allowed inside. Jordan also said she cut down about 40 small trees on the farm to avoid attracting wild birds during spring migration.

Economic Impacts of the Pandemic

US milk production was valued at around $60 billion in 2022. However, the USDA’s announcement that avian flu was found in unpasteurized milk samples led to a drop in demand for milk and cheese. Milk futures prices fell last week as the infections spread, while beef futures suffered a similar decline.

Safety Measures on Farms

The USDA did not issue a quarantine order for infected dairy herds but recommended minimizing the movement of cattle. It made recommendations such as monitoring animals for disease, isolating newly added cows and keeping wildlife away from farm buildings. He also recommended paying particular attention to “good milking practices such as equipment disinfection”.

Steve Obert, a farm owner in Fort Branch, Indiana, has made it mandatory for drivers entering the farm to disinfect truck tires. Obert also noted that large farms face increased risks because they maintain large feed stocks that attract wild birds.

Expert Opinions and Recommendations

“The dairy farm is like a giant bird feeder,” said Jamie Jonker, chief science officer of the National Milk Producers Federation, summarizing the general situation on farms. Recognizing the challenges of keeping wild birds away from feed sources, farmers are developing various strategies to do so.

Conclusion

Dairy farmers in the US must implement effective strategies to combat the avian influenza pandemic. The effects of the outbreak on flocks and the potential threats to human health are driving farmers to constantly adopt new measures. While the risk to humans is low, the efforts of farmers and agricultural officials to contain the spread of the virus are critical in this challenging time.