[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]USDA announces that they are facing the largest animal health emergency in this country’s history[/title][fusion_text]Friday, July 10th 2015
The USDA announced Wednesday that they are facing the largest animal health emergency in this country’s history after the chief veterinary officer of the United States stated that the highly contagious bird flu this year was devastating for the future of the poultry industry. The avian flu affected 232 facilities, forcing the killing of 7.5 million turkeys and 42 million chickens which equals around 10% of the egg laying population. The flu also lead to people losing their jobs and poultry growers seeing their livelihoods affected drastically. In Minnesota, 9 million birds were lost on more than 100 farms in 23 counties, with the heaviest in Stearns and Kandiyohi County. Egg prices since the avian virus outbreak has risen by 70% to the American consumer meaning that as a total Americans will be paying 8-billion dollars more to buy eggs this year than in the past. The USDA stated Wednesday they continue to develop a vaccine and work with states and industry on response plans in case another outbreak occurs in the upcoming springs. Many producers continue to repopulate their farms and some are still wary that if they do another avian influenza outbreak could wipe them out again.
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