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Farmers Must Kill 4.2 Million Chickens After Bird Flu Hits Iowa Egg Farm

More than 4 million chickens in Iowa will have to be killed after a case of the highly pathogenic bird flu was detected at a large egg farm, the state announced Tuesday.

Crews are in the process of killing 4.2 million chickens after the disease was found at a farm in Sioux County, Iowa, making it the latest in a yearslong outbreak that now is affecting dairy cattle as well. Last week, the virus was confirmed at an egg farm west of Minneapolis, leading to the slaughter of nearly 1.4 million chickens.

Overall, 92.34 million birds have been killed since the outbreak began in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Although bird flu has become somewhat common among poultry, its spread to cattle has added to worries about the disease. In May, a second dairy farmworker was diagnosed with bird flu, and the virus was detected in both beef and milk. It has been confirmed on dairy cattle farms in nine states.

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Locks, Boats & Visiting Sheep Farmers!

Video: Locks, Boats & Visiting Sheep Farmers!

In today’s episode of our sheep farming vlog at Ewetopia Farms, we blend farm life with a bit of local sightseeing as we welcome fellow sheep farmers visiting from Alberta! After completing the morning chores, we take a scenic trip to Washburn Locks on the historic Rideau Canal—just minutes from our farm. With perfect timing, we watch several pleasure boats and even the Kawartha Voyageur cruise ship navigate the locks, a rare treat for visitors and locals alike.