USA continues to battle avian flu

May 25, 2015

As many as 179 detections have been reported

The United States is currently battling one of, if not the worst outbreak of avian flu the country has ever seen.

The numbers according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are staggering.

From the time the first avian flu detection was reported on December 19, 2014 to the latest detection reported on May 21, 2015, there have been a total of 179 detections reported, affecting 40,721,073 chickens, turkeys and other poultry.

Young turkeys

Due to the outbreak, close to 30 countries have placed some sort of restrictions on American poultry exports. China, South Korea, South Africa and Thailand have flat out banned all American poultry exports for the time being.

The outbreak of avian flu appears to be the worst in Iowa, where more than 25 million birds are affected, causing Governor Terry Branstad to declare a state of emergency in Iowa.

Minnesota is America’s top turkey producer and it’s estimated the impact of this outbreak could be felt at Thanksgiving.

Impacts of the avian flu are being felt right across the board. Farmers are not only dealing with the sick birds, but also the impact its having on egg production.

In May of 2014, it would cost consumers $1.40 for a dozen large white eggs, compared to $2.20 on May 21, 2015.

Tell us your thoughts on the current outbreak of avian flu in the United States. Are you worried about the impacts it could have going forward?

Video: Drought Now, Cold Weather To Come, Grain State Outlook

Colder weather ahead is the call from Eric Hunt with University of Nebraska Extension. We dig into the forecast for the months to come and look back at what happened at the end of the growing season, including the conditions that allowed southern corn rust to thrive. Eric also breaks down the current drought situation, highlighting where it’s driest now and where the conditions are changing. We wrap on the spring outlook and the current La Nina pattern in place and and what’s driving this cold snap. Yes, Eric said polar vortex in this conversation.