Infectious Disease

Weekly Digest: Bird flu back in Idaho dairy

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:52:55 -0400

In dairy-related news the third week of April 2026: Bird flu back in Idaho dairy, Texas facility groundbreaking marks major milestone in NWS preparedness, and Lallemand launches educational platform on the ruminant digestion.

Navigating winter dysentery and the everyday challenges of dairy farming

ryaro@novonesis.com — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Winter dysentery is unpredictable but inevitable; daily use of a proven probiotic supports healthy, productive herds and helps maintain normal GI function.

First case of HPAI confirmed in Nebraska dairy herd

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:12:40 -0400

On Sept. 15, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 in a dairy cattle herd in Nebraska.

Salmonella Dublin flies under radar

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Beware Typhoid Mary in your herd. She may not be showing signs of infection, but could be carrying and shedding Salmonella Dublin, a bacterium that can be transmitted from lactating cows to calves.

Health events in dairy cattle: Prevent them all for optimal repro

axb779@psu.edu — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Health events are undesirable events in dairy farms and, in my opinion, are one of the biggest challenges the dairy industry has been facing. Although the incidence of some specific diseases – such as milk fever or clinical ketosis – has decreased in the last 20 years or so, the overall percentage of animals experiencing one or more diseases in the first 60 days after calving hasn’t changed.

Is salmonella present on your dairy?

angie.rowson@vaxxinova.com — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Cows infected with salmonella can shed organisms in their manure, colostrum, saliva, milk and vaginal and nasal secretions. The disease is commonly spread from one cow to another when she consumes the manure of an animal that is shedding the bacteria. Cows usually ingest this infected manure in their feed or water.

HPAI: Questions multiply, answers remain elusive

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

HPAI has left the dairy industry scrambling for treatment, fast-tracking vaccines, developing containment strategies, implementing biosecurity protocols and reassuring the public that dairy products are not the source of a potential foodborne public health crisis.

Practical treatment of HPAI outbreaks in dairy herds

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or bird flu continues to present challenges in dairy herds, the need for practical treatment strategies arises. This article walks through the critical first steps dairies should take when faced with a positive bulk tank test, common clinical signs to watch for, recommended treatment strategies and equipment to manage sick cows effectively.

2025 State of Dairy: State veterinarian roundtable: Bird flu

kimmi@agproud.com — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Bird flu or highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was a wild card for the dairy industry in 2024, as the first diagnosis in dairy cattle happened in Texas in late March. Progressive Dairy interviewed state veterinarians and animal health officials in the five states with the most cases of bird flu on dairy farms – Texas, Idaho, Michigan, Colorado and California – to learn more about their approach to managing and minimizing the disease.

Nutritional strategies to support health in the face of HPAI

sblez@verizon.net — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

While there are no proven vaccines or products for the control of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), sound immunity is a core component of the cow’s physiology and ability to produce efficiently and economically. A sound nutrition program supports immunity in both the long and short term and certainly will have positive effects on reducing HPAI incidence.

Economic Update: USDA confirms second strain of HPAI found in dairy cattle

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 16:19:20 -0500

In news affecting a dairy farmer's bottom line as we begin February 2025: The USDA confirms second strain of HPAI found in dairy cattle, the GDT index takes a good leap, farmer sentiment remains optimistic despite trade uncertainty and more.

Managing metritis in dairy cows

sleblanc@uoguelph.ca — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Most dairy cows have potentially disease-causing bacteria in their reproductive tract in low abundance. Cows develop uterine infection and disease when the pathogens overgrow and become dominant. Cows need to have a rapid, robust and well-regulated inflammatory response in the uterus during and immediately after calving to detach the placenta, keep bacterial pathogens in check and start uterine repair.

15 states added to National Milk Testing Strategy for H5N1

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:29:19 -0500

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that 15 additional states have enrolled in the National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), bringing the total number of states to 28 in roughly one month since the program launched.

HPAI update: Seven states added for milk testing; California declares state of emergency

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:05:51 -0500

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the second round of states coming on board as part of its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) that was launched Dec. 6.

Weekly Digest: Federal committee upholds dairy dietary guidelines

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 15:08:01 -0500

In the news as we approach the middle of December, a federal committee upholds dairy dietary guidelines, dairy farmers are invited to apply for financial incentives to implement climate-smart practices, farm income falls $41 billion in two years, and the first HPAI-positive dairy case is found in Nevada.

A persistent culprit: Mycoplasma bovis

jason.anderson@vaxxinova.com — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Among the more problematic pathogens affecting cattle, Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) stands out for its involvement in chronic infections. The interaction between the outer makeup of the microorganism and the animal’s immune response contributes to its insidious nature, making treatment as well as prevention difficult.

Weekly Digest: USDA to begin bulk milk testing for H5N1

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 16:26:48 -0400

Here’s an update on news impacting your dairy as October 2024 comes to an end.

Cattle entries stable as World Dairy Expo prepares for show amid bird flu concerns

jenn@agproud.com — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 09:59:10 -0400

Cattle entries confirmed that while the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is spreading throughout the dairy industry, it’s doing little to deter those who participate in the big dance, and World Dairy Expo is preparing with heightened safety measures.

Weekly Digest: Colorado mandates statewide HPAI testing of dairy herds

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In the news this week, Colorado is mandating weekly bulk tank testing for HPAI in milk for all commercial dairy herds. More than 500 organizations call for action on the new farm bill and reports are released for dairy markets and beef-on-dairy.

Weekly Digest: HPAI financial assistance and testing updates for dairies

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:09:02 -0400

As we flip to a new month, here's a recap of the news announced last week regarding financial assistance for dairy producers facing HPAI, as well as testing and research updates. The news also highlights new versions of the FARM Program just released, grant funding for dairy initiatives, and corn and soybean planing reports.

Iowa, Minnesota and Wyoming report cases of HPAI in dairy cattle

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 15:08:11 -0400

Three new states have detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a dairy cattle. Last week, state departments in Iowa, Minnesota and Wyoming reported cases of the disease, bringing the total of affected states to 12 and number of cases nationwide to just over 90.

Protecting dairy workers from H5N1 bird flu: What employers and supervisors can do

solberg@ncfh.org — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 15:06:30 -0400

While uncertainty still surrounds how humans can get the H5N1 bird flu virus from cattle, dairy producers, supervisors and workers continue their vital agricultural production in the frontline of these unfolding events.

Third dairy farmworker diagnosed with H5N1; more herd status testing options available

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 16:19:12 -0400

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed a third human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infection. The USDA is adding an additional $824 million in emergency funding to continue to provide critical rapid response activities and is launching a pilot program to give dairy producers more testing options prior to interstate movement of dairy cattle.

Dairy herd in Colorado tests positive for HPAI

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:45:48 -0400

A dairy in Colorado has recently tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) H5N1 virus. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 34 across nine states, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

USDA mandates influenza A testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle

karen@agproud.com — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:12:16 -0400

In response to the threat posed by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, the USDA has announced proactive measures aimed at safeguarding the nation's livestock industry. The actions of mandated testing and reporting are designed to curb the spread of the disease.

Implementing an autogenous vaccine for pinkeye: It’s so easy, even an academic vet can do it

jmcart@cornell.edu — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

A vet shares her experiences creating and implementing an autogenous vaccine for pinkeye, along with tips for treatment and prevention.

HPAI confirmed in dairy cattle in eight states, some states restricting cattle movement

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 12:50:41 -0400

North Carolina and South Dakota were added to the list of states where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected in dairy cattle, with the USDA confirming one case in each state.

Avian influenza cases confirmed on Idaho, New Mexico, Ohio dairies and one human

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 17:13:09 -0400

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy herds in Idaho, New Mexico (two cases) and Ohio this week.

Avian influenza best practices for dairy farms

audrey@agproud.com — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 15:39:13 -0400

The USDA, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) jointly released a statement on March 25 confirming the identification of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in dairy cattle. Here are several preventive measures for farms to protect their animals and best practices for herds affected by the avian influenza.

Avian influenza identified as illness affecting dairy cows in the Southwest

karen@agproud.com — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:32:52 -0400

On March 25, the USDA released that unpasteurized, clinical samples of milk from sick cattle collected from two dairy farms in Kansas and one in Texas, as well as an oropharyngeal swab from another dairy in Texas, have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).