USDA Launches H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program to Boost Biosecurity and Cattle Mobility
Source: The DairyNews
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the launch of the USDA's new H5N1 Dairy Herd Status Pilot Program, designed to incentivize dairy farms to participate in a comprehensive testing regime.
This program aims to facilitate the freer movement of dairy cattle across state lines, offering significant benefits to many producers who are currently unaffected by the virus.
"There are numerous factors to consider in understanding how Influenza A spreads, beyond just livestock transfer," Vilsack emphasized. "One key element is the number of people visiting farms and whether proper biosecurity measures are implemented both when entering and exiting. Additionally, equipment shared between farms poses a risk."
As H5N1 continues to spread, the USDA is focused on educating dairy producers about the critical importance of biosecurity, not just for their own operations but for the broader farming community. Thousands of H5N1 tests have been conducted on both cattle and milk, with the goal of containing the virus and eventually achieving virus-free herds and states.
Enrollment for the H5N1 pilot program is set to begin this week, and the USDA advises producers to contact their state veterinarians for further details.
"There are numerous factors to consider in understanding how Influenza A spreads, beyond just livestock transfer," Vilsack emphasized. "One key element is the number of people visiting farms and whether proper biosecurity measures are implemented both when entering and exiting. Additionally, equipment shared between farms poses a risk."
As H5N1 continues to spread, the USDA is focused on educating dairy producers about the critical importance of biosecurity, not just for their own operations but for the broader farming community. Thousands of H5N1 tests have been conducted on both cattle and milk, with the goal of containing the virus and eventually achieving virus-free herds and states.
Enrollment for the H5N1 pilot program is set to begin this week, and the USDA advises producers to contact their state veterinarians for further details.
