By Andi Anderson
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified the first case of avian flu on a commercial poultry farm since April. The outbreak has occurred in a flock of 47,300 turkeys, raising concerns about the potential impact on poultry meat and egg supplies.
Infected flocks are typically culled to prevent the spread of the virus, which could have implications for the poultry meat and egg supply if additional cases are detected. Avian flu, officially known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has been responsible for significant losses in the U.S. poultry industry.
Since 2022, the United States has witnessed the culling of approximately 58.8 million chickens, turkeys, and other birds due to avian flu outbreaks, resulting in record-high prices for turkey meat and eggs last year. These elevated costs had an impact on consumers dealing with inflation.
The effects of avian flu have reverberated across the poultry industry. Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg producer in the U.S., reported a 48% drop in the average price of conventional eggs compared to the previous year, falling to $1.24 per dozen during the quarter ending on September 2. The company's total net sales for the same quarter fell by 30% to $459.3 million.
The outbreak is raising concerns within the poultry industry and among consumers, given the potential impact on poultry meat and egg supplies. This situation underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and measures to prevent the spread of avian flu.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-wikoski
Categories: Illinois, Livestock, Poultry