USDA Announces Blueprint for Fighting HPAI

Nelson: So, highly pathogenic influenza has affected about 166 million birds since the outbreak began in 2022. Most of these have been egg layers, while avian influenza has also affected 975 dairy herds since the first detection in March of ’24. Avian influenza in poultry has dramatically reduced the egg supply and driven up prices to record levels.

Nelson: USDA will dedicate up to $500 million to help U.S. poultry producers implement the gold-standard of biosecurity measures. The next step, USDA will make up to $400 million available of increased financial relief to farmers. The third prong, USDA is exploring the use of vaccines and therapeutics for laying chickens. The fourth prong, USDA will take other actions to help lower the cost of eggs and remove unnecessary regulatory burdens on egg producers. The fifth prong, USDA will consider temporary import options to reduce egg cost in the short term.

Nelson: That comes out that kind of tell us tells us where the flock is at for its rebuilding. We can always take a look at egg prices. Those are kind of a reflection of where we're at as the egg supply. USDA also has their avian influenza dashboard.