State Representative Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) has been appointed to serve as chair of the state House Agriculture Committee. Michigan is faced with the challenge of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
The current outbreak began in 2022 and Neyer said there was an uptick this past year.
"Overall, poultry industry has seen a loss of roughly six-point-five million, really closing in on six-point-seven million birds that we've lost since the beginning of 2024,” Neyer said.
The current strain is also being transmitted to cattle and is affecting the dairy industry as well. Neyer, himself a dairy farmer, said the virus has caused a slowdown in milk production.
"A minimum of 10%, sometimes as much as 40% when it moves through the herd, difference being with cattle or dairy, the animals do recover. It's not fatal to cattle but is fatal to birds because it moves through them very quickly. Within a day, you could lose a whole flock," Neyer said.
Federal and state aid programs are in place for poultry farmers who have suffered losses. Neyer said the state may consider assistance for dairy farmers if the virus persists.
