LITCHFIELD, Minn. – A fatal bird flu, highly contagious among birds, showed up in a commercial flock of 140,000 turkeys in south-central Minnesota last week. To block spread to other turkey farms, the entire flock was intentionally destroyed, the state Agriculture Department confirmed. The outbreak, in Meeker County, was the first in the state since spring. Six other states, including South Dakota, have had outbreaks this fall. Exerts had expected the new flu with the southward migration of millions of wild birds carrying the infection. The infection doesn’t affect humans if the meat is cooked thoroughly. The danger is catastrophic among birds. Most turkey-growers have installed biosecurity systems to isolate their birds — and even to keep out pets whose paws might track wild-bird feces into turkey barns.
Minnesota turkeys
Minnesota is the nation’s largest turkey supplier. Six-hundred farms comprise a $1 billion industry with 26,000 jobs. Minnesota turkey production: 40 million a year. A 2022 epidemic claimed 58 million trukeys and chickens nationwide. The 2022 outbreak sent the price of chicken eggs soaring nationally.
Thanksgiving prices
The bird flu is not expected to affect the U.S. turkey prices for Thanksgiving, when demand traditionally peaks, said Abby Schuft, University of Minnesota farm educator.