Ag Briefs: USDA confirms cow-to-cow transmission a factor in bird flu spread

CHICAGO, IL

USDA confirms cow-to-cow transmission a factor in bird flu spread

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said this week that cow-to-cow transmission is a factor in the spread of bird flu in dairy herds, but it still does not know exactly how the virus is being moved around, Reuters reported.

Farmers and veterinarians have been waiting for confirmation on how the virus is transmitted to better control its spread. Dairy herds in eight states tested positive over the past month, along with one dairy worker in Texas.

Wild migratory birds are believed to be the original source of the virus. But the USDA said its investigation into cow infections "includes some cases where the virus spread was associated with cattle movements between herds." There is also evidence the virus spread from dairy cattle premises "back into nearby poultry premises through an unknown route," the department said.

The USDA said cows shed the virus in milk at high concentrations, so anything that comes in contact with unpasteurized milk may spread the disease. Respiratory transmission is not considered a primary way for the virus to spread in cattle, the department added.

LANSING, MI

Bird flu id'd in three more Michigan dairy herds

The Michigan Departmetn of Agriculture and Rural Development announced late last week that highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in dairy herds in three more Michigan counties, including Ottawa.

A release from MDARD on April 12 stated dairy herds in Ottawa, Ionia and Isabella counties had tested positive for HPAI. This is in addition to an HPAI-positive dairy herd in Montcalm County announced March 29. 

The positive tests were confirmed by the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory. 

SUN PRAIRIE, WI

Compeer Financial Awards $85K in Farmers Market Grants

Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America, the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, has awarded Farmers Market Grants, totaling $85,088. This is the sixth year Compeer Financial has offered these grants.

The grants support 72 farmers market organizations, with funding up to $1,000 for marketing, technology or educational efforts. According to a press release, 27 of those awards will go to farmers markets in Wisconsin. Other states receiving assistance include Illinois and Minnesota.

MILWAUKEE, WI

Palermo's expanding in west Milwaukee

The maker of Palermo's frozen pizzas plans to expand through a new West Milwaukee production facility with 50 jobs.

Palermo Villa Inc.'s new operation will be at 3900 W. Lincoln Ave. That was the longtime site of Froedtert Malt Corp.'s complex before it was demolished in 2023. That 200,000-square-foot production facility site is 3 miles from Palermo's headquarters at 3301 W. Canal St., in Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley Industrial Center.

Palermo has more than 1,200 employees, including 800 in Milwaukee.