Emergency Assistance Program Supports Milk Producers Amidst Production Losses
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant initiative to assist dairy farmers grappling with production losses due to the H5N1 virus outbreak. Through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), the USDA will compensate affected farmers for 90% of the value of milk production lost during the crisis.
This assistance is structured to cover the period when cows are removed from milking herds due to the virus. Payments will be based on an estimated 21-day period without milk production, followed by seven days when cows return to milking but produce only 50% of their normal output. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that this compensation aligns with the typical duration of significant milk loss experienced by producers.
In addition to financial aid, the USDA is enhancing support through measures such as biosecurity planning resources, assistance for veterinary services, funding for disease testing, and provision of personal protective equipment for farmers and dairy workers. Vilsack underscored the USDA’s commitment to responding effectively to the impacts of H5N1, which has affected 132 herds across 12 states, with 65 cases confirmed in the last 30 days.
The USDA’s efforts also include the initiation of a voluntary herd status pilot program in six states — North Carolina, Ohio, New Mexico, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas. This program aims to provide dairy producers with enhanced monitoring options for herd health and expedited movement of cows, while advancing disease testing and research.
Looking ahead, Vilsack highlighted ongoing efforts towards developing vaccines for both dairy cows and poultry. The USDA’s recent Request for Information received approximately 20 responses from companies interested in producing a vaccine for dairy cows, signaling significant commercial interest in combating the virus.
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