avian flu

The USDA faces criticism for cuts and delays affecting farmers, including staff reductions and frozen funds. The bird flu crisis also raises concerns over vaccination plans for poultry.

USDA reports show a decline in farm numbers, especially in beef and sheep sectors. Equipment dealers face challenges due to tariffs, while bird flu impacts poultry farming.

A Cornell University researcher shares about the avian flu virus: where it comes from, and how it’s spreading from domestic animals and livestock to wildlife.

H5N1 bird flu continues to be in the headlines, a local Weed Management Workshop will help farmers and landowners deal with undesirable plants, the U.S. Interior Department to install solar panels above irrigation canals in California, Oregon, and Utah, and U.S. cheese remains the least expensive in the world.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza continues to cause problems with dairy cattle in the U.S. as the virus spreads, a virus is attacking cacao trees in the West African countries of Ghana and the Ivory Coast, the world has added 398 million harvested acres of feed grains, food grains, and oil seeds during the 21st century, and the EPA reports that while U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased from 2021 to 2022 by 1.3%, agricultural emissions dropped 1.8%.

The research into how Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is being spread to dairy cows shows a link to cats, the House Agriculture Committee Chair indicates that committee members might be close to finalizing a new farm bill, and some online gardening tips for spring planting.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to the cross-species outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza that is now infecting cattle as well as poultry, the CSU Montezuma County Extension has announced their 2024 Land Management Workshop series, and a look at how irrigation water is valued in the Midwest versus the West.

Agriculture in Indian Country generated almost $6.5 billion in 2022, avian influenza has led to infections and depopulation of more than 115 million chickens and turkeys, the collapse of the Baltimore Key Bridge and shut down the Port of Baltimore impacts farm machinery and agricultural exports, low water levels in the Mississippi River continue to affect agricultural transport, and U.S. farm income is falling as low commodity prices, trade headwinds, and higher costs squeeze profits.

Farm economists note that farm profits weakened in 2023, farmland prices remain strong, Avian Influenza continues to impact both domestic poultry and wild bird populations, and an alternative way to dispose of your live Christmas tree that serves local birds.

How the Israel–Hamas conflict is affecting agriculture in the area, highly pathogenic avian influenza could cause an increase in turkey prices for Thanksgiving, butter prices hit a record high, and why converting farm equipment to electric power may not work.