Item 1 of 5 Dairy farmer Brent Pollard stands for a portrait inside of a cow pen at his farm in Rockford, Illinois, U.S., April 9, 2024. REUTERS/Jim VondruskaDairy farmer Brent Pollard stands for a portrait inside of a cow pen at his farm in Rockford, Illinois, U.S., April 9, 2024. REUTERS/Jim Vondruska
Reuters spoke to seven dairy farmers in five states who said they are reinforcing safety and cleaning procedures, with three producers exceeding government recommendations. U.S. milk production grew to nearly $60 billion in 2022. Dairy farmers now fear a drop in demand for milk and cheese, after the USDA reportedFutures prices for milk dropped as infections expanded last week, before the market rebounded. Beef cattle futures also plunged on fears of reduced demand, although there have been no confirmed cases of the virus in cattle raised for meat.
"We cannot rule out other possible modes of HPAI transmission, including equipment," the USDA said in an email. Nebraska, the second-biggest U.S. cattle producer after Texas, on April 1 began requiring producers to obtain permits to bring breeding dairy cows into the state so officials can better track animal movement.
Obert, who is also executive director of the industry group Indiana Dairy Producers, said bigger farms face increased risks, in part because they maintain large stocks of feed that attract wild birds that could be carrying the virus.