HPAI strikes turkey producers in South Dakota, Utah

The fall emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is taking a particular toll on turkey meat producers.

HPAI was confirmed on Wednesday at commercial turkey facilities in Beadle, S.D., and Sanpete, Utah, affecting 71,400 and 47,200 birds respectively, according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

The agency’s 2022 tally of confirmed detections on Thursday stood at 528 commercial and backyard flocks in 42 states, impacting 47.39 million birds.

“This is the time of year that people start importing poultry to their farms and backyard flocks, so it is also the perfect time for poultry growers to review their biosecurity plans,” Alaska’s state veterinarian said this week.

The first case of HPAI in the state was confirmed in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks in April, with additional cases in domestic flocks announced on Tuesday, the official said. 
The American Farm Bureau recently cautioned Americans to expect record turkey prices as Thanksgiving approaches, citing the impact of bird flu and inflation.