The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed the presence of avian flu on a commercial poultry farm in Jerauld County, South Dakota. This marks the first case since April, raising concerns about the potential impact on the poultry meat and egg supply. The infected flock consisted of 47,300 turkeys.
To contain the spread of the virus, infected flocks are culled, which could lead to a tightening of the poultry meat and egg supply if more cases are detected. Since 2022, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, has caused the loss of 58.8 million chickens, turkeys, and other birds in the United States, according to the USDA.
Last year, the significant losses due to avian flu resulted in record-high prices for turkey meat and eggs, putting additional financial strain on consumers already grappling with inflation. However, farmers have been working diligently to rebuild their flocks, leading to increased supplies.
Notably, Cal-Maine Foods, the largest egg producer in the U.S., reported a 48% drop in the average price of conventional eggs compared to last year, with prices now at $1.24 per dozen. The company’s total net sales for the quarter fell by 30% to $459.3 million.
Despite efforts to recover, the threat of avian flu remains. Cal-Maine Foods warned that the virus is still present in the wild bird population, and future outbreaks, particularly during the upcoming fall migration season, cannot be predicted. Wild birds, such as ducks, are known to transmit the virus.
Before the recent outbreak, avian flu infections in the U.S. had been limited to live bird markets and non-poultry birds since April, according to USDA records. The last commercial farms affected in April were located in South Dakota and North Dakota and primarily raised turkeys.
The detection of avian flu on a commercial poultry farm in South Dakota raises concerns about the stability of the poultry meat and egg supply. As the fall migration season approaches, the threat of future outbreaks looms, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in preventing the spread of the virus.
