State Offers Funds to Dairy Farms for Participating in Bird Flu Research

Jun 20, 2024

By Dee Morrison

Tuesday Michigan’s agriculture department announced financial assistance to dairy farms impacted by avian influenza that help with research

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, MDARD, is offering immediate financial aid through its Emergency Response programing for dairy farmers impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Funding is available for up to 20 farms of up to $28,000 per farm, which is in addition to federal funding already available to impacted dairy farms in Michigan.

Eligible farms must work with MDARD and federal veterinary services to complete epidemiological investigations on the farm, participate in real-time herd research with Michigan State University teams, and engage in programs related to human infection with the state health department if necessary.

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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.