Avian Influenza Update

Our GMP E-News has started with an avian influenza update for just about one month now, and this week’s edition will be no exception. A few fast facts for our readers: (1) There are 33 confirmed herds with cases of avian influenza in 8 separate states (Kansas, Idaho, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas). (2) There are no cases of avian influenza in dairy cattle in Georgia. (3) Federal officials with the USDA, FDA, and CDC maintain that the risk to public health is minimal and the dairy food supply is safe and wholesome. (4) Our friends at the federal agencies have been very busy over the past 24 hours, and this week’s E-News comes with some updates from USDA and FDA. We also anticipate a follow up newsletter may be necessary as USDA issues additional guidance this week. 

For our dairy producers reading this newsletter, we continue to encourage you to adopt sound biosecurity practices on your farm to protect your herd and employees. If you notice any unusual or persistent illness, contact your veterinarian. If you have any questions about avian influenza in dairy cattle, we encourage you to reach out to GMP or the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division. 

For those of you who are tired of avian influenza news, we have some tidbits and information for you as well in this week’s E-News. Scroll down for more.

-BT

In this Issue:

• Headlines
• Avian Influenza Update
• FDA Statement on HPAI in Milk
• USDA Order on Interstate Movement of Dairy Cows
• USDA Allows Chocolate Milk to Stay in Schools
• Last Call for DMC - April 29
• New Streaming Series features SNL Alum and Dairy Farms
• Upcoming Events

Headlines

articles and press releases of interest this week

• Farmer Focus: Larson Dairy Underscores Southeast’s Need for FMMO Modernization
• DFA teams with Pizza Hut on Sustainability Initiative
• Takeaway Message From U.S. Milk Production Report: Road to Less Milk
• DMC Enrollment Lags, Dairy Supply Safe, and Dairy Seeks Trade Deals (Audio)
• Dairy Farmers Have Fewer Stomach Bugs
• TV’s Vanessa Bayer Stars in Dairy Diaries on Roku Channel
• AJC: Here is What the Latest Bird Flu Developments Mean

FDA Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Milk

On Tuesday, April 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a long press release on the agency’s ongoing activities related to the current avian influenza situation in some dairy cattle herds. FDA stated that the agency has been testing commercial milk samples (pasteurized product bound for the grocery store) for H5N1 (high path avian influenza). Per FDA’s statement, the agency expected to find inactive virus particles in milk as pasteurization is a process to kill or inactivate pathogens but it does not necessarily remove all of those virus particles from the milk. The process where all of the inactivated virus particles are removed completely is called sterilization which is not necessary to guarantee the safety of the milk but instead helps to extend shelf life.

Early results from that study do indicate that there are possibly traces of dead virus in some samples of pasteurized milk collected by FDA. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, the agency said tests backed up the expectation that pasteurization would not remove the inactive virus from milk. FDA is currently conducting additional tests called Embryonated Egg Viability Studies that are considered the “gold standard” for detecting active, infectious virus. The results of these tests will confirm that the virus found in samples has been deactivated and is incapable of replicating. Those results from those tests could take some time as the process can regularly take 7-14 days.

What do we do in the meantime? Obviously the announcement was met with mixed reactions and headlines in the media. FDA reiterated in its press release that it still believes pasteurization is effective in eliminating the virus and that there is no concern for the safety of the dairy food supply. This merely confirms what we already knew, pasteurization inactivates pathogens but does not remove the particles from milk entirely. 

The International Dairy Foods Association and National Milk Producers Federation issued a joint statement stating “The U.S. [FDA] confirmed again today that pasteurization of milk consistent with the federal Grade “A” Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) destroys harmful pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and other viruses...Viral fragments detected after pasteurization are nothing more than evidence that the virus is dead; they have zero impact on human health.”

It is important to keep in mind that nothing in FDA’s release indicates there is any potential hazard or problem with pasteurized milk. The agency was prompted to conduct these studies due to the revelation in March that dairy cattle are susceptible to avian influenza and the lack of established research on the effects of avian influenza in dairy products. Farm Journal has an article on its AgWeb site detailing the pasteurized milk study based on information from Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Further Reading

• Press Release by FDA
• Joint Statement by IDFA and NMPF

Resources for Dairy Producers

• Updated HPAI FAQs
• HPAI FAQS (Spanish)
• Updated HPAI Recommendations for Producers
• National Milk Producers Federation Webinar (4-16-24)
• F.A.R.M. Program Biosecurity Resources
• Secure Milk Supply Plan
• EPA Registered Products to Kill Avian Influenza

USDA Issues Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle

Earlier today, the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service issued an order requiring all lactating dairy cattle to be tested for avian influenza (H5N1) prior to movement across state lines. The order will take effect Monday, April 29. USDA APHIS will provide reimbursement for testing at National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) labs. In Georgia, there are NAHLN labs located in Tifton, Athens, and Gainesville. We expect further guidance from USDA in the coming days to specify testing protocol, any exceptions that may be in place for certain animals, and the duration of this order. 

Georgia Milk Producers, Inc. will share that information as it is made available to us. We are also working closely with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the State Veterinarian’s office to provide additional information to producers. 

According to the press release from USDA, this order will provide animal health officials with the necessary information to track any spread of avian influenza within the US dairy herd and limit the spread of avian influenza. USDA will also reimburse testing done for suspected cases of avian influenza, producers interested in the disease status of asymptomatic animals, and samples taken from other animals on dairies associated with avian influenza events. 

USDA Press Release on Cattle Movement Restrictions



GMP Classifieds

Special thank you to GMP E-News sponsor Kreeger & Associates LLC. Check out www.kreegerdairy.com or call 517-294-3484 to learn more about current listings and upcoming auction events.

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DMC Signups Open Until April 29

Signups for the Dairy Margin Coverage Program are still open for eligible dairy farmers. The signup period ends on April 29. Contact your local FSA office to sign up today.

You can use the DMC Decision Tool provided by USDA to see early price forecasts and margin projections. While these figures are helpful, they are just projections and could change quickly due to a variety of factors.

Find Your Local FSA Office

DMC Decision Tool



USDA Releases New School Lunch Standards - Chocolate Milk Remains on the Menu

Earlier today, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service released its final rules on updating school meal nutrition standards as part of USDA’s reimbursable school meal program. The rules addressed levels of added sugar in meals, the flavors and fat content of milk provided, sodium content in all meals, whole grains requirements, and increased opportunity to provide food from local producers.

In a request for public comments released last spring, USDA proposed two pathways for milk in school meals. One would have limited the availability of low-fat or fat-free chocolate milk to upper grades while requiring elementary schools to serve unflavored milk. The other option would maintain the current standard of allowing schools to serve low and reduced fat flavored milk. Ultimately, USDA opted to choose the latter and maintain the existing standard for milk in schools. The final rule did limit the amount of added sugar in flavored milk beginning in 2025 to only 10g of added sugar per serving. 

In the summer of 2023, fluid milk processors representing 90% school milk supply in the country joined together to form the Healthy School Milk Commitment. This voluntary agreement would cap the amount of added sugar in school milk to no more than 10g of added sugar. This initiative along with overwhelming support for flavored milk from dairy supporters and school officials likely played a large role in USDA’s determination to leave flavored milk in schools.

This rule also maintains current sodium levels through the 2026-2027 school year. According to IDFA, this delay before moving to a permanent reduction in sodium levels for school meals will ensure that cheese also remains on the menu in school cafeterias. IDFA also notes that the rule “re-emphasized” that lactose free milk and other low-lactose dairy products are suitable alternatives that will be available to all students.

While this rule contains several positives for the dairy industry, it is not without flaw. USDA did set added sugar limits for yogurt. Furthermore, USDA had the opportunity to readdress the issue of 2 percent and whole milk in schools with this ruling. Georgia Milk Producers joined our national partners in submitting comment to USDA in 2023 that urged USDA to take this opportunity to reintroduce the varieties of milk that students most prefer. 

Further Reading

• USDA Updates to School Nutrition Standards
• IDFA Statement on School Nutrition Standards
• ABC News: USDA Announces Changes Coming to School Meals

Vanessa Bayer to Star in Dairy Diaries, Available Now on Roku

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 

Get ready for a fish-out-of-water journey into the world of dairy farming with Emmy-nominated sketch comedian and actress Vanessa Bayer. Brought to you by U.S. dairy farmers, processors, and importers, "Dairy Diaries" premieres on April 22nd exclusively on the Roku Channel in the U.S. and takes viewers behind the scenes at Beck Farms, a fourth-generation dairy farm in upstate New York.

Dairy Diaries follows Bayer as she is thrust into the unfamiliar world of dairy farming at Beck Farms. Through Bayer's experiences, viewers get an up-close look at the realities of modern dairy farming and the innovative sustainability and animal care practices shaping the industry's future. From the journey of milk from farm to fridge to the role of dairy in fostering a healthier, more sustainable world, Dairy Diaries delivers laughs and an enlightening exploration of today's modern dairy farm.

"As someone who consumes more dairy, and specifically cheese, than I'd like to admit, I wanted to learn about how milk gets from the farm to the store,"  shares Vanessa Bayer. "I was particularly interested to hear how the industry is working to become more sustainable because obviously, we all gotta get moo-ving in that department! While I didn't get as much free ice cream as I had hoped, I learned a lot, and I think the audience will as well."

U.S. dairy is committed to leading innovations in new products, technologies, and on-farm practices that will contribute to healthier people, planet, and animals. Farms like Beck Farms have implemented closed-loop circular processes, using their cows' manure to grow their feed on-farm, which reduces carbon emissions and helps ensure a legacy of sustainability for future generations. Thanks to increasingly modern and innovative dairy farming practices, the environmental impact of producing a gallon of milk has shrunk significantly, requiring 30% less water, 21% less land, and a 19% smaller carbon footprint than it did in 2007.

"We loved sharing our farm with Vanessa and are excited to share it with the world," says Tyler Beck, Owner of Beck Farms. "We hope Dairy Diaries shows the great pride we take in our responsibility to nourish families with delicious dairy foods. So while it may seem odd to some, we wouldn't give up the 3:30 a.m. wake-ups for anything."

Throughout Dairy Diaries, viewers will also have an opportunity to meet other experts who contribute to life on the dairy farm, including Dr. Joe McFadden, Associate Professor of Dairy Cattle Biology at Cornell University, and Dr. Laura Brown, Veterinarian. Dr. McFadden explains the innovative research he is shepherding to optimize feed, like including seaweed in cows' diets, which may help reduce their methane emissions by up to 90%, and Dr. Brown details the many ways she helps keep cows and calves healthy with weekly visits to Beck Farms.

Dairy Diaries is brought to you by U.S. dairy farmers, processors, and importers and will be available to stream for free starting April 22, 2024 on a Roku device, the Roku mobile app, therokuchannel.com, plus Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV and Google TV. For more information on the U.S. dairy community's programs and innovations, visit USDairy.com.

Until Next Time,

Bryce Trotter