Avian Flu Detected in Northern Nevada Dairy Cattle

Feb 03, 2025

By Kat Fulwider

On Jan. 24, the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced they detected Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle in Churchill County. The first case in the state was detected in Nye County in December.

The NDA said the sites affected have been quarantined and mandatory testing will occur until the herds are virus-free.

Nevada state veterinarian, Peter Rolfe, said the risk to humans remains very low and meat and dairy products are safe to consume, as long as they are pasteurized. He also reminds people to follow food safety guidelines and cook meat to a minimum internal temperature.

“The pasteurization process does eliminate the virus from those products. So it's really important to remember that all dairy products should be pasteurized before consumption,” Rolfe said.

According to the NDA, raw milk is illegal in Nevada.

Rolfe said they will continue to monitor herds for symptoms of the virus, which include decreased milk production and lower feed consumption.

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Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.