Humboldt County Dairy Farms Minimally Affected by Avian Flu Emergency
Source: DairyNews.today
California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Wednesday following the detection of Avian Influenza, commonly known as bird flu, in dairy cows in Southern California.
The declaration comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implements a nationwide milk testing program to monitor the outbreak.
While the emergency declaration has heightened awareness, dairy farmers in Humboldt County say they expect limited impact fr om the measures.
Low Risk for Humboldt Dairy Farms
“We haven’t seen any cases in this region, and we’re navigating the situation cautiously,” said Zach Cahill, a North Coast representative for the Western United Dairies trade association and an organic dairy farmer in Ferndale. “It’s reassuring to see support at the state level for the affected herds.”
The Humboldt County Department of Public Health has reassured residents that the risk to the general public remains low, emphasizing that pasteurized milk is safe for consumption. Raw milk, which carries a higher risk of contamination, is banned for sale in the county, further mitigating potential risks to consumers.
Enhanced Biosecurity Measures
Local dairy farmers are taking proactive steps to protect their herds. Cody Nicolson Stratton, co-owner of The Foggy Bottom Boys, noted that while the USDA’s additional testing requirements are “negligible” for farms that already conduct routine milk testing, new precautions have been implemented.
“We’ve suspended public and school tours to lim it external contact with the farm,” Stratton said. “We’ve also increased the use of foot baths, improved handwashing protocols, and developed treatment plans with our veterinarian to handle potential outbreaks.”
Other measures include quarantining any incoming livestock, a practice supported by USDA and state protocols to prevent the spread of infection. Humboldt County’s predominance of closed herds—cattle with minimal or no exposure to outside livestock—has further reduced the risk of Avian Influenza transmission.
Minimal Impact on Daily Operations
Despite national concerns, local dairy farmers expect limited disruption to their operations. Cahill emphasized that pasteurization ensures the safety of milk products, even if the virus were to affect herds. “Pasteurization kills the virus, and bulk tank testing adds another layer of assurance,” he said.
For farms like Ferreira and Son Dairy, which have open herds and were planning expansions, the outbreak has prompted a cautious halt to livestock trades to protect existing cattle.
Farmers have largely welcomed Newsom’s state of emergency declaration, which aims to streamline agency coordination, increase funding, and enhance flexibility in response efforts.
“This declaration supports a one-health approach, which considers both animal and human health,” Stratton said. “I hope it helps Humboldt County’s family farmers prepare for and mitigate the impacts of Avian Influenza if it’s detected in our herds.”
As of now, the outbreak has been confirmed in 16 states, including 34 human cases in California, all of which have been mild. With enhanced biosecurity measures and strong state-level support, Humboldt County’s dairy sector remains resilient.
While the emergency declaration has heightened awareness, dairy farmers in Humboldt County say they expect limited impact fr om the measures.
Low Risk for Humboldt Dairy Farms
“We haven’t seen any cases in this region, and we’re navigating the situation cautiously,” said Zach Cahill, a North Coast representative for the Western United Dairies trade association and an organic dairy farmer in Ferndale. “It’s reassuring to see support at the state level for the affected herds.”
The Humboldt County Department of Public Health has reassured residents that the risk to the general public remains low, emphasizing that pasteurized milk is safe for consumption. Raw milk, which carries a higher risk of contamination, is banned for sale in the county, further mitigating potential risks to consumers.
Enhanced Biosecurity Measures
Local dairy farmers are taking proactive steps to protect their herds. Cody Nicolson Stratton, co-owner of The Foggy Bottom Boys, noted that while the USDA’s additional testing requirements are “negligible” for farms that already conduct routine milk testing, new precautions have been implemented.
“We’ve suspended public and school tours to lim it external contact with the farm,” Stratton said. “We’ve also increased the use of foot baths, improved handwashing protocols, and developed treatment plans with our veterinarian to handle potential outbreaks.”
Other measures include quarantining any incoming livestock, a practice supported by USDA and state protocols to prevent the spread of infection. Humboldt County’s predominance of closed herds—cattle with minimal or no exposure to outside livestock—has further reduced the risk of Avian Influenza transmission.
Minimal Impact on Daily Operations
Despite national concerns, local dairy farmers expect limited disruption to their operations. Cahill emphasized that pasteurization ensures the safety of milk products, even if the virus were to affect herds. “Pasteurization kills the virus, and bulk tank testing adds another layer of assurance,” he said.
For farms like Ferreira and Son Dairy, which have open herds and were planning expansions, the outbreak has prompted a cautious halt to livestock trades to protect existing cattle.
Farmers have largely welcomed Newsom’s state of emergency declaration, which aims to streamline agency coordination, increase funding, and enhance flexibility in response efforts.
“This declaration supports a one-health approach, which considers both animal and human health,” Stratton said. “I hope it helps Humboldt County’s family farmers prepare for and mitigate the impacts of Avian Influenza if it’s detected in our herds.”
As of now, the outbreak has been confirmed in 16 states, including 34 human cases in California, all of which have been mild. With enhanced biosecurity measures and strong state-level support, Humboldt County’s dairy sector remains resilient.
