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days, though positive test results must be confirmed by another USDA lab in Ames, Iowa. The department estimated the turn- around for confirmation at one to two days. During the AFBF conference call with USDA, several state Farm Bureaus ex- pressed concerns about testing logistics and potential bottlenecks at USDA labs. Braden Jensen of Idaho Farm Bureau said his state doesn’t have an approved lab. USDA’s Watson said he realizes “every state won’t have all the resources to do ev- erything we’re asking them to do” but that he expects USDA labs “would be able to handle the influx” of test requests. He said the department stands ready to “help fill some of those gaps” if any state “can’t meet the request that we’re making.” Watson emphasized that even though the federal order focuses specifically on lactating dairy cows, it can be amended as USDA finds additional information. He said USDA has not determined when the federal order will end but noted previous orders have lasted one to two years. The testing mandate does not apply to beef cattle, and so far, there have been no reports of beef herds affected by the virus. Dairy cows account for nearly 7% of the nation’s total beef supply, according to the Meat Institute, a trade group in Arlington, Virginia, representing meat packers and processors. The organization has called on USDA and CDC to issue additional, specific guidelines for beef processing facilities “to
ensure USDA inspectors and meat compa- ny workers are protected from infection.” “It is important to ensure the free flow of healthy animals to slaughter,” Julie Anna Potts, the institute’s president and CEO, said in a statement. She said federal officials should “an- ticipate international trade concerns.” However, USDA said the federal order “should not affect U.S. trade,” noting that it has seen “minimal impacts on markets.” Since 2022, H5N1 has led to the deaths of millions of wild birds and commercial poultry, including in California. The virus has been detected in more than a dozen different wild mammals in the U.S. and was first confirmed in a Texas dairy herd in late March, with the most recent confirmation on April 19 in an Idaho milking herd. Federal researchers say they believe wild migratory birds are the original source of the virus and that dairy cows be- came infected after they consumed feed or water contaminated by infected birds. Researchers have since determined the virus has been spreading between cows and between herds as cattle are moved. However, they said they have yet to find significant concentration of virus in respiratory-related samples, indicating “respiratory transmission is not a primary means of transmission.” They said there’s also evidence the virus has spread from in- fected dairy herds to nearby poultry farms “through an unknown route.”
In addition, researchers found H5N1 in a lung tissue sample from an asymptom- atic culled dairy cow, which did not enter the food supply. USDA said the finding in- dicates cows can test positive for the virus even though they show no signs of illness. In affected herds, about 10% to 20% of cows become sick. Symptoms include decreased milk production and feed in- take; thick, discolored milk; loose or tacky manure; and nasal discharge, dehydration and fever. Most dairy cows recover after about seven to 10 days, USDA said. Because the virus is shed in milk at high concentrations, USDA warned that any- thing that comes in contact with unpas- teurized milk may spread the virus. They stressed the importance of biosecurity on farms to prevent transmission. Federal researchers maintain they have not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans and between people. “There’s a lot of effort being made right now to work closely with our federal col- leagues at the CDC, FDA in terms of food supply, in terms of worker safety,” Watson said, adding USDA wants to take an ap- proach that minimizes disease risks with- out being overbearing to industry while giving federal researchers “as much infor- mation as we possibly can as soon as we possibly can.” (Ching Lee is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at clee@cfbf.com.)
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, said during a conference call last week with the American Farm Bureau Federation and other state Farm Bureaus. He said information and data collected from the tests “are key to helping us deter- mine how best to bolster farm and facility biosecurity and to protect farmers, the farm and plant workers, as well as farm animals.” Under the rule, lactating cows must be tested within seven days prior to interstate transport. A certificate of veterinary inspec- tion must also accompany the shipment. Sick cows are ineligible for interstate movement and may not enter the food supply. Cows from herds that test positive are not allowed to be moved out of state for 30 days and will need to test negative before they can be shipped. Testing is done through milk samples, which must be submitted to a USDA- approved lab. USDA said it will pay for the cost of testing but not for associated expens- es such as veterinary services, supplies, and the collecting and shipping of samples. The order requires laboratories and state veterinarians to report positive test results to USDA, which will then conduct an epidemiological investigation, includ- ing animal movement tracing. USDA said it is preparing for a surge in testing, noting that samples submitted to its labs are usually returned within one to three
2024 CE Series
2024 Health & Safety on the Farm and Ranch
Members: Free Non-Members: $400
California Farm Bureau is pleased to offer this year-long program of training sessions presented by Nationwide. Select topics will be presented in both English and Spanish. Members, enjoy access to free classes! Register for the upcoming training webinars. Trainings will be presented via Zoom. The Hazardous Agricultural Materials (HAM) training must be attended in person at a participating County Farm Bureau office or at the California Farm Bureau office in Sacramento. For a detailed list of classes and to register, visit cfbf.com/FBE or call (800) 698-FARM for assistance. You will receive a Zoom link and details prior to your selected webinar date.
REGISTER NOW AND ENJOY FREE PESTICIDE CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS Let your Farm Bureau membership more than pay for itself! Join us throughout the year for webinars that meet your pesticide continuing education (CE) requirements. Subject matter experts will share information applicable to your business operations and advance your professional development. Earn 1 Hour L/R or Other DPR • 1 Hour CCA Per Class Class Dates and Topics are Subject to Change. Next Class (all classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.) Thursday, May 9.....................Pyrethroid & Neonicotinoid Use in Vegetable Crops
Upcoming Classes Thursday, June 13..................Integrated Pest Management
May 7 June 4 June 18
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Thursday, July 11 ...................Vertebrate Pest Control
Lockout/Tag Out Safety Hazard Communication OSHA Top 10 Violations
July 2
Thursday, August 8 ................Personal Protective Equipment
July 16
August 6
Fleet Management
Thursday, September 12........Application Inspection
September 3 September 24
Fall Protection
Thursday, October 10 ............Choosing the Right Pesticide
Basic Inspection of Terminals (BIT) Training Hazardous Ag Materials (HAM) Training
October 1
Thursday, November 14 ........Preventing Common Violations
November 5 November 19
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16 Ag Alert May 1, 2024
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