Despite political uncertainty, dairy producers across the Midwest are feeling positive and optimistic as we begin 2025, largely due to higher milk prices, improved profitability and a strong beef market.

Bird flu or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5NI was a wildcard for the dairy industry in 2024, as the first diagnosis in dairy cattle happened in Texas in late March. Progressive Dairy interviewed state veterinarians and animal health officials in the five states with the most cases of bird flu on dairy farms – Texas, Idaho, Michigan, Colorado and California – to learn more about their approach to managing and minimizing the disease.

In coordination with state health departments in Michigan and Colorado, the CDC tested blood from people who were exposed to dairy cows with H5N1 bird flu infection, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Eight of the 115 people tested (7% of participants) showed evidence of recent H5N1 virus infection.

While uncertainty still surrounds how humans can get the H5N1 bird flu virus from cattle, dairy producers, supervisors and workers continue their vital agricultural production in the frontline of these unfolding events.

Here a few news items summarized for you to start the third week of May.

In recently released news, the USDA offers funding for producers affected by influenza A (H5N1), dairies that dissolved in early 2024 are eligible for Dairy Margin Coverage enrollment, farmer sentiment declines, and announcements from dairy processors and cooperatives.

The progression of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) requires heightened biosecurity measures at the farm, in addition to those already undertaken through the proAction biosecurity module. 

North Carolina and South Dakota were added to the list of states where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in dairy cattle, with the USDA confirming one case in each state.