New Influenza Testing Rule for Dairy Cows Going to Minnesota Fairs

Jun 17, 2024

By Dan Gunderson

Dairy cows headed to a county fair this summer will need at an influenza test.

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health now requires a negative test for the H5N1 virus before a lactating dairy cow can attend any exhibition for “display or judging.”

The H5N1 virus is common in wild birds and infections have led to the deaths of millions of chickens and turkeys in the past two years.

The virus recently has been found in dairy cattle in several states, including a Minnesota farm earlier this month.

“While H5N1 influenza in dairy cases are still being studied across the country, initial insights show milk and the udders are a hotspot for influenza virus on infected cows, which makes showing lactating dairy at events a higher risk,” said Katie Cornille, senior veterinarian of Cattle Programs at the Board of Animal Health.

Requiring a negative test before an exhibition will reduce the risk, Cornille said.

Any cows that test positive will be quarantined for 30 days. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also has dairy cattle testing requirements in place.

Click here to see more...

Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Precision livestock farming data can support producers, veterinarians, certifiers, and consumers by enabling improved monitoring, prediction, and decision-making across the entire production system.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.