USDA sets new testing rules for dairy cattle health

Apr 26, 2024

By Farms.com

The USDA has taken a proactive approach to combat the spread of the H5N1 avian influenza among dairy cattle with new measures set to take effect on April 29, 2024. This action follows detections of the virus adapting to mammals, presenting a significant risk to the livestock industry and necessitating robust response strategies.

Under the new Federal Order by USDA’s APHIS, all dairy cattle destined for interstate movement must be tested and confirmed negative for the Influenza A virus at certified laboratories. This step is part of a broader effort to create a controlled environment that minimizes the risk of the disease spreading across state lines.

Additionally, the detection of positive cases must now be promptly reported to APHIS by both laboratories and state veterinarians. This mandatory reporting is critical for effective disease surveillance and management, allowing for rapid responses to potential outbreaks.

The USDA’s measures also include comprehensive guidance on managing dairy cattle, emphasizing the importance of stringent biosecurity practices to protect livestock from infection. The collaboration with CDC and FDA ensures that public health remains safeguarded and that the food supply, particularly milk, remains safe through effective pasteurization and handling protocols.

With these actions, the USDA aims to fortify the livestock sector against the threat of H5N1, ensuring the health of dairy cattle and the continuity of the dairy industry in the face of emerging infectious diseases.

Video: What Does 20 MILLION Hogs a Year Look Like?

?? The Multi-Plant System Processing 20 Million Hogs Annually in the Midwest JBS USA operates multiple large-scale pork processing facilities across the Midwest, including major plants in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana. Combined, these facilities have the capacity to process approximately 20 million hogs annually.

Each plant operates high-speed automated slaughter systems capable of processing up to 20,000 head per day, followed by fabrication lines that break carcasses into primals, sub-primals, and case-ready retail products.

Hog procurement is coordinated through electronic marketing platforms that connect regional contract finishing operations and independent producers to plant demand schedules. This digital procurement system allows for steady supply flow and scheduling efficiency across multiple facilities.

Processing plants incorporate comprehensive food safety systems, including pathogen intervention technologies, rapid chilling processes, and integrated cold-chain management. USDA inspection is embedded throughout the harvest and fabrication stages to ensure regulatory compliance and product integrity. Finished pork products — from bulk primals to retail-ready packaged cuts — are distributed through coordinated logistics networks serving domestic and export markets.