New USDA relief for bird flu-hit dairies

Jul 05, 2024

New USDA policy aids dairy farmers with up to 90% reimbursement

By Farms.com

In response to the ongoing H5N1 bird flu epidemic affecting U.S. dairy herds, the USDA has implemented a new measure to compensate dairy farmers for milk production losses.

Starting July 1, affected farmers can apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), receiving up to 90% of the value of lost milk production.

To qualify, farmers must demonstrate confirmed H5N1 infections in their herds with evidence from the USDA’s APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).

Compensation calculations will account for an expected downtime in milk production, including a complete halt for 21 days followed by a partial recovery phase.

The bird flu has affected 132 dairy herds in 12 states since March, with a sharp increase in cases over the past three weeks. The states most impacted include Colorado, Idaho, and Iowa, showcasing the severity of the outbreak.

Although there is currently no compensation for culled cows, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the government's commitment to supporting the dairy industry through enhanced biosecurity measures and subsidies for veterinary and testing costs.

The disease's impact on the broader dairy market has been minimal, with the affected herds representing only a small portion of the nearly 24,000 U.S. dairy herds.

The USDA is also advancing a pilot program to better monitor herd health and facilitate quicker responses to such outbreaks, further solidifying efforts to maintain stability in the dairy sector amid health challenges.

Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.