The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have finalized the new federal standards to reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter in ground chicken and turkey products, as well as in raw chicken breasts, legs, and wings. This implementation is estimated to lead to an average of 50,000 prevented illnesses annually. “Over the past seven years, USDA has … Read More
The 'First Bird' Takes Flight
The National Thanksgiving Turkey took off on a United Airlines flight designated “Turkey One” yesterday, flying from San Francisco International Airport to Washington, D.C. President Obama will pardon the bird tomorrow at the annual Presidential Turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House. In partnership with the National Turkey Federation, this year’s Nicholas White turkeys have been raised for the past … Read More
USDA Reports Lower Turkey Costs for Thanksgiving
The National Turkey Federation reports the USDA’s latest weekly survey of advertised retail prices for the consumers’ choice of frozen turkey hens dropped 18 cents per pound from the previous week and remained just a penny cheaper per pound than last year in the week before Thanksgiving. The official USDA report is the most current authoritative assessment of retail turkey … Read More
Moline Farm Restocks Turkeys After Avian Outbreak
The Moline farm, located near Manson, Iowa was the first turkey farm to restock after the worst animal disease outbreak in U.S. history regardless of species. To learn more about how Moline and his family handled the avian flu outbreak, I spoke with Brad Moline who is a fourth generation producer whose family has been producers turkeys for 91 years. … Read More
National Turkey Federation Responds to Avian Flu
The National Turkey Federation has updated its resources for members responding to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Their comprehensive response manual now contains advise and a checklist for members needing to respond to the infection. “These tools will help NTF members to deal with an HPAI outbreak as well as reassure our key stakeholders that the poultry industry is working … Read More
Vilsack Addresses Avian Flu Conference
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack discussed future avian influenza preparations for the fall season at the Avian Influenza Outbreak…Lessons Learned Conference in Des Moines this week. The secretary’s speech focused on the incident command structure, vaccination and indemnification process, and better communications in collaboration with the poultry industry. “I suspect and anticipate that we will learn from this particular conference a … Read More
HPAI Cases Slowing as Economic Impact Grows
It’s a good day when the Iowa Department of Agriculture has no new cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) to report and there were two such days last week. However, Iowa still far outpaces any other state in the number of birds impacted at over 30 million, including close to half the laying hens in the state according to … Read More
Avian Flu Hits Keep Coming
Actual confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) now stand at 133 nationwide, impacting nearly 26 million birds in 13 states according to the latest update from USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Another 11 cases were added to the growing list on Wednesday, most in the hardest hit states of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, but also a … Read More
Iowa Finds Four More Probably HPAI Cases
The number of farms in Iowa with confirmed or probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) rose to 25 on Monday with another four announced. Three of the new cases are turkey farms and one is a 2.8 million bird laying operation. State officials have quarantined the premises and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds … Read More
One Quarter of Iowa Layers Hit with HPAI
*UPDATE* Iowa Governor declares state of emergency late Friday as four more probable cases of HPAI announced. New audio added below. Another five probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) were reported Thursday in Iowa commercial poultry operations, including an estimated 5.5 million on one farm. “A week ago our announcement was 3.8 million layers, I believe we’re north … Read More