The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has begun testing more dairy products for evidence of the bird flu virus as outbreaks spread among dairy herds across the country.

U..S food safety regulators expand bird flu testing in milk products
Canadian cases at nil as of mid-June according to CFIA testing

Dairy testing for bird flu expanded in Canada
Non-clinical dairy cattle eligible for funded testing
On June 17, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency updated their guidance for private veterinarians on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The update noted the expanded eligibility for testing, and that the CFIA would cover lab test fees at any Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Network (CAHSN) lab that is approved to test samples in domestic animals. The agency will not, however, pay veterinarian fees for sample collection or shipment to the lab.

Bird flu continues to spread in U.S. dairy farms
The number of dairy farms in the United States that have reported bird flu among their livestock increased to 94 in a dozen states, according to reports. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control said the risk to humans remains low. The CDC noted it’s monitoring more than 500 people with 45 tested for bird flu. […] Read more

Cows infected with bird flu have died in five US states
Dairy cows infected with avian flu in five U.S. states have died or been slaughtered by farmers because they did not recover, state officials and academics told Reuters.

U.S. dairy flu strain shows signs of being a different beast
Strain infecting dairy cattle in U.S. behaves erratically, says bird flu specialist
Reading Time: 4 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – Veterinarians and food safety officials have been scrambling since late March to understand the origin and spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in U.S. dairy herds across several states. Many potential vectors have been considered, from migratory birds, direct cow-to-cow transmission and milking equipment. A University of Guelph veterinary professor has one […] Read more

U.S. health officials warn dairy workers are at risk from bird flu
Chicago | Reuters – U.S. health officials on Friday warned that dairy workers remain at risk from the H5N1 bird flu virus that is infecting dairy herds, and urged them to wear protective gear to avoid infection. The U.S. CDC urged farmers, workers, and emergency responders to wear appropriate protective gear when in direct or […] Read more

Batch milking combines dairy parlour with robotic automation
The system can save labour and milk large numbers of cows
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – A new concept in dairy equipment management brings the automation and data of robotic milking to a milking parlour orientation. DeLaval has several installations around the world where cows are herded into a holding area from which they access a group of automated milkers. “It really comes down to you and how […] Read more

Dairy sector set to stabilize in 2024: FCC
Feed prices, butter stocks, retail demand and inflation top trends to watch
The dairy sector seems set to stabilize in 2024 amidst high processor demand and leveling-off input costs, Farm Credit Canada says.

Preventing lameness in dairy cattle
Comfortable cows dodge hoof problems
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia — Cow comfort is king in the battle against lameness. That’s the opinion of Mark Gerber of Zinpro dairy technical sales, and a master hoof trimmer. “If that cow doesn’t have a comfortable bed 12 hours a day, we’re going to have problems,” Gerber said. “We really have to focus on cow comfort. […] Read more

“Animal-free” milk gets green light in Canada
Company touts synthetic dairy as more environmentally friendly, healthy
In a news release today, Israeli startup Remilk, which uses the tagline "Real Dairy. No Milk," announced it had received a 'No Objection Letter' from Health Canada. This will "open the door for use of Remilk's protein in a variety of products with the same taste and texture as milk, ice cream, yogurt, cream cheese, and more," the company said.