Researchers from Cornell University have determined how cows infected with H5N1 bird flu were able to spread the virus to other cows and mammals. In the study published in the journal Nature on July 24, scientists used genomic data, computer modeling, and data about the virus’s spread to show how infected cows from Texas spread bird flu […] Read more
Light shed on bird flu spread in mammals
Federal government pledges $8.6 million to Dairy Farmers of Canada
Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) will receive up to $5 million over five years to “advance sustainability and public trust, leveraging the proAction quality assurance program,” a federal news release said, and up to $3.57 million over five years to strengthen its DairyTrace cattle traceability system.
Semi-finalists announced in cattle methane reduction challenge
Thirteen semi-finalists were announced today in a federal challenge to come up with economically viable and scalable methane-reduction practices for beef and dairy cattle.
Chicken culling, disposal raise concern as bird flu spreads in U.S.
The spread of bird flu among poultry and dairy farms has heightened some health experts' concerns that the process of killing and disposing of poultry infected with the virus may pose a risk to humans and livestock.
Colorado workers with bird flu toiled in high heat, without sufficient protective gear
Colorado workers who contracted bird flu were working during extreme heat and under large fans, factors that made wearing protective equipment difficult and potentially contributed to their infections, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday.
US CDC sends field team to aid Colorado’s bird flu response
The CDC, in a statement dated July 14, said its team of epidemiologists, veterinarians, clinicians and an industrial hygienist was working to support Colorado's assessment of the outbreak and the human cases.
Bird flu virus detected in Oklahoma dairy herd
Oklahoma has detected bird flu in a herd of dairy cattle, the state's agriculture department said on Friday, making it the 13th U.S. state to find the virus.
Bird flu sparking COVID memories on U.S. farms
U.S. dairy farmers say Michigan's response to bird flu is heavy-handed
Some dairy farmers are resisting Michigan’s nation-leading efforts to stop the spread of bird flu for fear their incomes will suffer from added costs and hurt rural America.
Precision livestock farming could fine-tune feed efficiency ‘equation’
A Belgian researcher says precision technology can help farmers fine-tune animal feed consumption, which would increase profits, improve animal welfare and lower environmental effects.
Explainer: How U.S. states are testing for bird flu
States in the U.S. are playing a key role in the nation's response to a growing outbreak of avian flu among dairy cattle that has also infected a small number of humans.
The states are chiefly responsible for testing cows and people for the virus, but they take different approaches. Scientists tracking bird flu are increasingly concerned that current surveillance efforts are not sufficient.