BIRD FLU

Cost of Eggs Soaring Across the Region

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A lingering bird flu combined with higher labor prices have driven up the price of eggs. Consumers across the country have seen a spike in egg prices. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the average price of a dozen eggs has skyrocketed to over $4.25 in December. More than twice the year before. Fargo-Moorhead…

Poultry exhibition ban ends in Minnesota

(KVRR/KFGO) — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is ending a temporary poultry exhibition ban. Animal health officials first enacted the ban in April. The ban included all poultry swaps, fairs, exhibitions, and other events where live poultry and susceptible birds were brought together and then dispersed.  Dr. Dale Lauer with the University of Minnesota Poultry Testing Lab in Willmar…

Fargo restaurant describes how rising egg prices impact its bottom line

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – A chicken and an egg problem and a perfect storm involving Easter, inflation and bird flu are forcing farmers to kill some of their egg-laying hens, reducing the country’s egg supply and raising prices. Consumers across the country are finding no eggs on the shelves or they’re paying nearly three dollars a dozen. That’s three times…

Minnesota Legislature approves emergency $1 million for bird flu

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Legislature has rushed through $1 million in emergency funding to bolster the fight against bird flu. The highly contagious disease has cost the state’s turkey farmers more than 1 million birds so far. Senate Agriculture Chairman Torrey Westrom pointed out before the unanimous vote in the Senate and the 129-1 vote in the House…

Bird Flu Found In Commercial Mixed Species Flock in S.D.

CHARLES MIX CO., S.D. (AP) — Federal inspectors confirm the presence of bird flu in a commercial mixed species flock in southeastern South Dakota. Samples from the flock in Charles Mix County, which borders Nebraska, were tested at a national laboratory at South Dakota State University. The property was quarantined and the birds will be killed to prevent spread of…

Minnesota poultry producers concerned about return of bird flu

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota’s poultry producers are monitoring cases of bird flu found in wild birds in other parts of the United States and Canada. A state veterinarian says it’s an early warning for producers in Minnesota ahead of the spring waterfowl migration. Minnesota Board of Animal Health senior veterinarian Shauna Voss says it’s just a matter of time before…

Local Farmers Urged to Take Precautions Against Bird Flu

The bird flu virus has now been detected in five states

FARGO, N.D. — The North Dakota Department of Health is urging local farmers to take precautions as the list of states with the bird flu grows. Georgia has just been added to the list which already includes Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Alabama. Avian Influenza, otherwise known as the bird flu, can be transmitted by both direct contact and through air. “The…

Bird Flu Hits Supplier of Nation’s Largest Chicken Producer

31 farms are under quarantine in an effort to keep the virus from spreading

  NATIONAL — Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Jai Templeton has confirmed at least 74,000 chickens have been destroyed on one farm and 30 other farms are also under quarantine after health officials detected the H7 strain of bird flu outside of Chattanooga. The 30 other farms being tested are within a 60 mile radius of the infected farm. Templeton said lab…