Farm Progress America, June 19, 2024

Mike Pearson takes a look at HPAI as it continues to show up across the country in both dairy and poultry farmers.

Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan have announced some new regulations in response.

One new regulation is mandatory testing for lactating cows before they can be exhibited. Rules are being handed down by both fairs, dairy shows and state departments of agriculture.

The goal is to minimize the spread at these events.

The testing is limited to lactating cattle. The reason is that milk and udders appears to be the hot spot for the HPAI virus in infected cattle.

The concern over lactating cows isn't limited to the states as the federal government has had an order in place for the past two months that says lactating cattle can't be moved over state lines without testing.

In Michigan, the exhibition of lactating cattle is prohibited until there are no HPAI cases for 60 consecutive days in the state.

If you are planning on showing lactating cattle, contact the organization behind the exhibitor to see what tests are required or guidelines are in place.

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 .