Second case of avian influenza confirmed in Tennessee

Mar 13, 2017

First case resulted in depopulation of more than 70,000 chickens

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

On March 9, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) confirmed the second case of avian influenza on a farm in the state.

Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) was discovered at a poultry breeding facility in Giles County.

The infected flock was depopulated and buried, according to the TDA. The facility in Giles County is not associated with the facility in Lincoln County, where more than 70,000 birds were depopulated after high pathogenic avian influenza was discovered.

“This is why we test and monitor for avian influenza,” Dr. Charles Hatcher, State Veterinarian, said in a release. “When routine testing showed a problem at this facility, the operators immediately took action and notified our lab. That fast response is critical to stopping the spread of this virus.”

The premises is currently under quarantine, as are sites with domestic poultry within a 6.2 mile radius. TDA says testing is ongoing and completed tests have come back negative.

Still, surrounding states are keeping a close eye on the situation in Tennessee.

”We are staying in constant communication with appropriate state and federal agencies as well as poultry industry stakeholders to keep a watchful eye on the situation currently unfolding,” John McMillan, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, said in a release.

“Iowa saw firsthand the devastating impact of avian influenza in 2015 and in response our poultry farmers have made significant investments and an ongoing commitment to increase biosecurity efforts to keep their birds healthy,” Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, said in a release. “We have also worked to learn from the 2015 outbreak to improve the response from both the state and federal governments.”

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.