By Jamie Martin
One year after bird flu was detected in U.S. dairy herds, dairy farmers have made significant improvements in biosecurity, and researchers are learning more about the H5N1 virus, NMPF leaders shared in a Dairy Defined podcast.
“We’re still learning things about the virus and how it’s being transmitted from farm to farm, and we still need some answers on that, but hang in there, we’re going to get through this,” said Dr. Jamie Jonker, NMPF’s chief science officer. “I do believe we’re going to eliminate the virus from the U.S. dairy cattle population. I think it’s just a matter of when, not if.”
Since March 2024, more than 1,000 dairy herds have reported infections. However, successful eradication efforts in some areas and the limited evolution of the virus within cattle have offered new hope for the future.
Dr. Meggan Hain, NMPF’s chief veterinary officer, emphasized the importance of strict biosecurity practices. She noted that the National Dairy FARM Program offers valuable resources to help farmers contain and eliminate the virus.
Bird flu has also provided important lessons for the dairy industry. “I think there’s a lot of things we can take away from this that we can really make improvements on,” Dr. Hain said.
Farmers are encouraged to access biosecurity information through the FARM Program website at nationaldairyfarm.com. Additional insights are available on the Dairy Defined podcast, accessible on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music.
The industry remains optimistic about removing H5N1 from U.S. dairy herds and building a stronger future for dairy farming.
Photo Credit: national-milk-producers-federation
Categories: National