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HPAI outbreak surpasses 2015 record

This year’s surge of highly pathogenic avian influenza is the largest foreign animal disease outbreak in US history.

Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says it could get worse heading into the winter months. “Previously, we would have thought if we could get through the spring and into the summer when it warms up that high path would go away,” Naig said. “Unfortunately, at the beginning of November, we were once again dealing with high path reoccurring. It’s a reminder to us that this is now a constant threat.”

A protein analysis with Rabobank says the cases could push some poultry prices higher in 2023.

Christine McCracken tells Brownfield turkey production has been hit the hardest. “That turkey impact will likely last through the end of the year and into the next holiday season as we think about when a lot of birds are produced for those holidays being now. Those inventories are low and that will affect prices for the 2023 season.

She says the broiler industry isn’t as affected due to a shorter lifespan and doesn’t have as much exposure to HPAI. “We’re seeing very strong returns maybe record returns for the egg producers that are still around or not effected. We think that will be relatively short lived and you’ll see a more normalized marketplace by Easter.”

State departments of agriculture have recently reported a small increase in HPAI cases in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Indiana.

The USDA says the 2022 HPAI outbreak has surpassed the previous record of 50 million birds affected in 2015.