LAKE LILLIAN, Minn.: Concern about the spread of bird flu is spilling over into the dairy industry.
Earlier this spring, the H5N1 virus was detected in three dairy cow herds in Minnesota. The virus has not been fatal to cows, but it has caused state officials to take unprecedented measures to stop the spread.
“I had it last year. These particular barns had bird flu. And it was a disaster,” Jake Vlaminck said.
It’s been a year since Vlaminck’s farm in Lake Lillian was hit by bird flu. As his poultry production increases, he has made a visible change.
“Since we installed these lasers we haven’t had any problems,” Vlaminck said.
The laser keeps away ducks, geese and other migratory birds, the main carriers of H5N1. Vlaminck believes other turkey farmers will do the same. That’s because lawmakers recently approved funding for wild bird deterrents such as coyote and owl decoys, noisemakers and lasers, which Vlaminck considers the most effective.
“You can see it up there. But it moves and the best thing is it moves so much that the birds don’t get used to it,” said Vlaminck, who is also president of the Minnesota Turkey Producers Association. .
As poultry farmers take action, dairy farmers face new requirements after some cows in central and southern Minnesota tested positive.
Starting Tuesday, all lactating dairy cows in Minnesota must have a negative H5N1 test result to attend shows, county fairs and even the State Fair.
A veterinarian must collect test results within seven days of a dairy cow attending an event. A positive test means a lactating cow would be under 30-day quarantine.
“I’ve had this running non-stop the entire time it’s been installed. And it hasn’t missed a beat,” Vlaminck said.
Vlaminck is encouraged by his new tool and the steps the state is taking to protect livestock.
“The more testing and the more information we can share between different sectors of agriculture, the better it will be for everyone to try to keep this H5N1 away from our livestock,” Vlaminck said.
Dairy cows that test negative can circulate in Minnesota for 10 days. Cows that tested positive have been removed from the milk and feed supply and the USDA says the milk is safe to drink due to pasteurization.
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John Lauritsen
Keynote USA
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