Soybeans drop, is China’s bird flu to blame?

Apr 05, 2013

China’s bird flu sparks concern over human poultry contact

It’s only the tip of the iceberg - soybeans fell for a second day in Chicago over the growing concern of China’s newest bird-flu strain, which some fear will curb poultry consumption, reducing the demand for oilseed use in animal feed. The outbreak has one Paris-based farm advisor Agritel warning that this could drop poultry consumption. Bloomberg reports that soybeans for delivery in May slipped 0.1% to $13.7875 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade.

The newest bird flu strain (H7N9) that has emerged in China recently has sickened at least 14 people, resulting in six reported deaths as of [April 5]. The cases were first announced on Sunday [March 31]. Health officials believe that people are contracting the virus through direct contact with infected fowl. The Agriculture Ministry says that the virus had been found in live pigeons which were on sale in a market in Shanghai. Officials believe that the infected pigeons are unlikely to be the only species of poultry carrying the virus.

It’s unknown if the virus is spreading easily between people. Scientists are monitoring closely to see if the flu could evolve into a global pandemic. In 2003 H5N1 spread across predominantly Asian countries that killed 360 people worldwide after close contact with infected birds.

Video: EP 72 Connection People to Place – Stories of Regeneration Part 5

2023 was a challenging year for Canadian farmers and ranchers and for humanity in general. We had droughts, wildfires, floods, an affordability crisis and a number of armed conflicts. According to scientists working with the European Union, 2023 smashed temperature records globally.

And yet, someone like Nova Scotia agricultural producer Rachel Lightfoot still finds ways of being optimistic even after her farm got hit by a polar vortex, a dry spring and a very rainy summer all in the same year.

Welcome to Stories of Regeneration, a podcast series brought to you by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Regeneration Canada. Join me, your host Derek Leahy, as we delve into the importance of supporting an agricultural system that not only prioritizes the health of our land and ecosystems but also ensures the sustainability of our farmers and ranchers. Get ready to explore the transformative power of regenerative agriculture.