Minnesota has confirmed at least 19 outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in commercial poultry flocks since mid-September. That’s a sharp rise that’s largely attributed to the fall wild bird migration season. Nearly 600,000 birds had been affected statewide as of late October.
Minnesota Turkey Growers Association executive director Ashley Kohls says Minnesota is the country’s largest turkey producing state, and Minnesota’s producers are resilient…
“We have the best in the business here, so there’s been some challenges with the government shutdown and supporting some of our growers. But disease response has kind of gone on as business as usual, it’s just looking at some of the other support like indemnity funds for our growers that have been lagging.”
But Kohls says the Minnesota Turkey Growers continues to work with the USDA to provide growers assistance. The organization is headquartered in Buffalo.
(content: courtesy MNN)
