The avian influenza outbreak in the Midwest has continued to escalate, but the demand for soybean meal hasn’t dropped significantly yet. American Soybean Association Vice President Richard Wilkinson says in fact, they don’t anticipate a major market hit unless the virus become more widespread… or it moves into the major poultry production areas on the East Coast.

United Soybean Board CEO John Becherer says while they’re concerned about the 27 million plus birds that have been infected so far, at least the poultry industry is one that can bounce back quickly.

He says they’re hopeful that with some heat the cases will subside for the summer and give poultry producers time to revamp the biosecurity on their farms in case the virus returns in the fall.