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Welcome, dairy enthusiasts, to the 181st episode of the Bullvine Podcast.

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I'm Bella, and with me is the ever insightful Douglas.

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Today we're diving into a topic that's been causing quite a stir in the dairy world.

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That's right, Bella.

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We're tackling the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak that's been hitting dairy farms hard.

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It's not just for the birds anymore, folks.

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Oh boy, that sounds serious.

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What can our listeners expect from today's episode, Douglas?

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We'll be covering everything from how this virus is spreading to its financial impact

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on farms.

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We've got vaccine updates, biosecurity measures, and even some government assistance programs

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to discuss.

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It's a comprehensive look at how to keep your herd healthy and your farm running in these

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challenging times.

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Alright, let's dive right in.

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Douglas, can you give us a quick overview of what's happening with this H5N1 outbreak?

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Sure thing, Bella.

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As of February 2025, we're looking at a situation that's costing the dairy industry big time.

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We're talking about $1.2 billion in losses, with 973 herds affected since March 2024.

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This virus isn't just passing through, it's rewriting the rules of dairy farming.

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That's a staggering number.

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How is this virus spreading so quickly?

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Well, it's a bit like a viral road trip.

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The primary culprits are migratory waterfowl, your geese, ducks, and those fancy shorebirds

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wintering in farm ponds.

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They're responsible for about 76% of the initial outbreaks.

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Once it's in a herd, the virus hitches a ride on milking equipment, spreading to other

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cows faster than you can say, post-dip.

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So it's not just about keeping an eye on the cows, but also on the birds around the farm.

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Exactly.

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And here's a kicker.

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This virus, particularly the D1.1 variant, can survive in manure slurry pits for 22 days.

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It's like it's found a five-star hotel in there.

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Oh no, that's a long time.

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What does this mean for milk production and cow health?

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It's not pretty, Bella.

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When HPAI H5N1 hits a herd, you're looking at a 10 to 30% drop in milk production for

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seven to 10 days.

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It's like pouring out every third milk check.

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The good news is that cattle aren't as hard hit as poultry.

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We're seeing about 0.3% mortality in infected herds.

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Well, that's a relief at least, but still, any loss is significant for farmers.

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How long does it take for cows to recover?

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The silver lining is that about 87% of infected cows return to baseline production within

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a month.

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They're resilient creatures.

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But recovery depends a lot on how they're managed during infection.

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Skimp on those electrolytes, and that number can plummet.

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Interesting.

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So proper care during infection is crucial.

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Now let's talk money.

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What kind of financial hit are we looking at for farmers?

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It's a real gut punch, Bella.

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For small herds with less than 500 cows, we're talking daily losses of $100 to $200.

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For large operations with over 1,000 cows, they're bleeding $1,500 to $3,000 per day.

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Those are some hefty numbers.

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Is there any help available for farmers facing these losses?

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There is, but it's not a cure-all.

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The USDA's ELAP Emergency Livestock Assistance Program reimbursement covers 60% of losses

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for 21 days.

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The catch?

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It takes 90 to 120 days to process.

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There's also the Herds Act grants covering 50% of HEPA filter costs up to $15,000.

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That's something at least.

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But it sounds like farmers need to be prepared to weather some financial storms.

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What about prevention?

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Are there effective biosecurity measures farms can implement?

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Absolutely, and this is where farmers need to focus.

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First up, HEPA filters.

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Think of them as bouncers for your milking parlor, sweeping up 85% of airborne viral

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particles.

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They're pricey, $6,000 to $12,000, but remember, the Herds Act can cover half that cost.

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That's a significant investment, but it sounds worth it.

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What else can farmers do?

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Next big thing is maintaining a closed herd.

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It's the no new friends policy of the dairy world.

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This approach can drop infection rates by 73%.

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If you absolutely need to bring in new cows, quarantine them for at least two weeks and

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test, test, test.

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Makes sense.

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Any other high tech solutions?

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Believe it or not, we're talking lasers, Bella.

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Automated laser systems are being used to zap bird droppings off feed bunks with 58%

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efficiency.

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It's like a sci-fi rave for your cows and it's keeping those virus carrying birds at

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bay.

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Lasers on a dairy farm?

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Now I've heard everything, but jokes aside, that sounds pretty effective.

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Let's switch gears a bit.

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What's the latest on vaccines for this virus?

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Good question.

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We've got two main contenders in the race.

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First up is the Zoetis mRNA vaccine currently in field trials.

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It's showing about 89% efficacy, which is pretty impressive.

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They're aiming for a Q3 2025 release pending FDA approval.

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That's coming up soon.

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Any other options?

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The USDA is also in the game with their H5N1-CVX vaccine.

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It's still in challenge studies, but early results show 92% efficacy.

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The downside, we're looking at a Q1 2026 release.

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Bureaucracy moves at tractor speed, as they say.

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So farmers have some choices coming up.

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What should they consider when deciding between these vaccines?

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It really depends on your risk tolerance.

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The Zoetis option might be available sooner, but it's new tech.

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Some farmers might prefer to wait for the USDA option, which uses a more traditional

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approach.

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My advice, keep an eye on both and be ready to jump when they're available.

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Solid advice.

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Now let's talk about something that's on everyone's mind, milk safety.

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How does this virus affect the safety of our dairy products?

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Good news here, Bella.

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Pasteurization is our hero.

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It's like dunking the virus into a volcano.

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The FDA tested 8,912 retail samples in January 2025, and not a single viable virus was found

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in pasteurized milk.

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That's reassuring.

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What about raw milk?

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Raw milk is a different story.

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About 9% of raw samples showed viral RNA, and we're seeing a 1.2% recall rate.

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It's turning into a game of hot potato for raw milk producers.

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Yikes.

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Sounds like pasteurization is the way to go.

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Let's talk about the human side of this.

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How is this affecting dairy workers?

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It's a serious concern, Bella.

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The CDC reported in November 2024 that 7% of dairy workers in Michigan and Colorado

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already have H5N1 antibodies.

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That means they've been exposed.

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What's more alarming is that only 40% of workers are using proper PPE during high-risk

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tasks.

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That's worrying.

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What can farm owners do to protect their workers?

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It's crucial to enforce strict PPE policies.

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We're talking N95 masks during milking and manure handling.

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No exceptions.

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Farm farms are even using PAPRs, powered air purifying respirators in hot parlors and scheduling

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regular mask breaks.

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It might seem like a hassle, but it's a lot cheaper than dealing with sick workers, or

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worse, fatalities.

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Absolutely.

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Worker safety should be a top priority.

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As we wrap up, Douglas, what's the main takeaway for our listeners?

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The bottom line, Bella, is that HPAI H5N1 is here, and it's not going away anytime

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soon.

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But we've got the tools to fight it.

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Plans are coming, biosecurity measures work, and government assistance is available.

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The key is to act fast and smart.

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Well said.

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Any final words of advice for our dairy farming listeners?

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Yes.

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Enroll in the USDA's herd status program today if you haven't already.

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It's like Netflix for your bulk tank, giving you weekly PCR tests.

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Suit up your crew with proper PPE, and don't be afraid to invest in biosecurity now to

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save millions later.

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Remember, this isn't about avoiding disaster, it's about outsmarting it.

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Thank you, Douglas, for this comprehensive overview.

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To our listeners, we hope this information helps you protect your herds, your workers,

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and your livelihoods.

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Remember, stay informed, stay prepared, and keep those cows happy and healthy.

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Until next time, this is Bella and Douglas signing off from the Bullvine Podcast.

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Stay safe out there, folks.

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And remember, in the dairy world, we don't just survive, we thrive.