The devastating impact high path avian influenza has had on farmers across the Midwest was highlighted during Tuesday’s Senate Ag Committee Hearing. Iowa turkey farmer Brad Moline of Moline Farms in Manson testified that clearer communication between APHIS and poultry operators may have slowed the spread of the disease.

He also suggested they could have done the depopulation themselves more effectively.
Chairman of the Board of United Egg Producers and Iowa farmer James Dean of Sioux Center says they hope to repopulate by November, but it will be 12 to 16 months before they’ll be back at full production. In the meantime, they’re upping their biosecurity to prevent future cases but they first need USDA to determine how the virus is spread.

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who called for the hearing, says lawmakers are talking about a catastrophic insurance program so producers have the confidence to stay in production.

The bird flu is estimated to have cost poultry producers over $1.57 billion. To date 48 million turkeys and layers have been affected and $190 million has been paid in indemnities.