The worst avian influenza epidemic ever to hit the U.S. poultry industry is losing its punch, says Agri-Pulse, with fewer outbreaks being reported on a weekly basis and “leading industry and government officials to discuss steps to prevent a similar outbreak in the fall.” An official from the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association told Agri-Pulse that the spread of the virus, which can kill a flock in 48 hours, was “slowing down very significantly.” At its worst, in the three-week stretch from April 19 to May 9, 30 cases, or more, were recorded each week. The USDA says there were 28 cases in the final two weeks of May.
The National Association of Egg Farmers is pursuing an indemnity plan that would pay egg farmers more than $7 per hen that died from bird flu just as it was starting to lay eggs. The indemnity would be 20 cents for hens at the end of their productive career, said Agri-Pulse.
The USDA’s running tally lists 212 confirmed poultry outbreaks that affected 46.2 million fowl, mostly chickens and turkeys. In Iowa, the No. 1 egg state, there are 71 confirmed cases with losses of 30 million fowl. “There are no new probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza today,” said the Iowa Agriculture Department. “Depopulation and disposal of birds from previously announced sites is ongoing.” Iowa says 24 million egg-laying hens were lost to the virus, about 7 percent of the U.S. laying flock.
The wholesale price of consumer-grade eggs more than doubled since May 4 and was a record $2.62 a dozen according to the commodity research company Urner Barry, said Bloomberg. The price of “breaker” eggs, used by foodmakers, has quadrupled.