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US undercounts bird flu in cattle as farmers shun testing

Farmers fear economic losses from positive tests, leading to under-reporting; USDA offers partial compensation

The U.S. bird-flu outbreak in dairy cattle is much larger than official figures suggest due to farmers' reluctance to test their animals and risk the economic consequences of a positive result, according to Reuters interviews with dairy experts, veterinarians, and farmers in six states with known cases.






Federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers met in Whitehorse, Yukon from July 17 to 19. Photo: Supplied

Ag ministers discuss BRM changes 

Canada’s agriculture ministers wrapped up their annual meeting in Whitehorse Friday saying they continue to look at changes to business risk management programs to make them more responsive.