Farm Progress America, June 12, 2024

Mike Pearson tells listeners about the status of HPAI or highly pathogenic avian influenza in Iowa.

Iowa is the 10th state to identify HPAI in a dairy cow herd.

** The count is now up to 12 states with confirmation in Minnesota and Wyoming.

The discovery of HPAI in a dairy herd in O'Brien County was the first herd since the end of April.

Officials are asking producers to bolster the biosecurity measures on their farms. Also, limit contact between infected dairy cattle, poultry and workers.

The virus is expected to remain a problem all summer.

The HPAI virus has caused over 100 million birds to be culled since the discovery of the virus in 2022.

USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA is confident they have a good understanding of the virus and how it is transferred.

The USDA is working with producers to isolate infected herds and quarantine the impacted farms.

Culling of the dairy cattle is not necessary but producers are being strongly urged to resist combine impacted cattle with uninfected animals.

Producers are reminded to keep these symptoms in mind when it comes to their livestock:

Lethargy

Lack of appetite

Fever

And an unexpected large drop in milk production.

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 .