Farm Progress America, October 3, 2024

Mike Pearson gives an update on the H5N1 virus and the impact on animal health in dairy cattle and poultry.

California is now the epicenter of the Avian influenza outbreak. There have been 41 dairies impacted in past 30 days.

It's been spreading rapidly since August.

Less lethal but still causing major problems for dairy producers. Infected cattle experience a drop in milk production, digestion issues and lethargy resulting in costly losses.

Strict biosecurity measures restricting visitors, protective equipment and disinfecting livestock trailers.

Poultry producers are preparing for the fall migration and the impacts on their flocks.

Over 100 million birds have been lost since 2022.

This included 60,000 birds lost in one flock last month in California.

The fall migration is especially a problem because of the wild birds spreading the virus to flocks.

The egg laying flocks are particularly hit hard and a problem because of the loss of eggs to the market.

Bird flu tends to spike during fall migration and is a major problem for producers.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness .