Alert - Avian influenza in dairy cattle

Mar 28, 2024

By Farms.com

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been identified in dairy cattle, triggering a unified response from veterinarians, dairy industry representatives, and state and federal authorities. While the extent of the outbreak is still being assessed, collaborative efforts are underway to investigate and manage the situation.

HPAI, typically affecting birds and poultry, has now been confirmed in dairy cattle herds, marking a rare occurrence in U.S. ruminants. Initial reports indicate symptoms such as reduced feed intake and milk production in affected animals, with around 10% of milking cows exhibiting signs of illness. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported, and affected cattle are showing signs of recovery within a few weeks under proper care.

To ensure consumer safety, strict food safety measures are in place for milk and meat products. Pasteurized milk and thoroughly cooked meat remain safe for consumption, adhering to established federal and state regulations.

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) is actively monitoring the situation and disseminating accurate information to its members and the public. Effective collaboration and ongoing vigilance are crucial in addressing and containing the spread of avian influenza in dairy cattle.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.