ST. PAUL – After zero avian influenza detections during the last four straight months of testing raw milk samples, Minnesota’s status has improved to “Unaffected” in the USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy.
As a result, State Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, said the Minnesota Department of Agriculture will reduce how frequently it tests milk samples from once a month to approximately once every two months. Federal restrictions on animal movement between states remain in effect, Anderson indicated.
"Congratulations to Minnesota's dairy producers,” said Anderson, who chairs the House committee on agriculture. “With only one reported positive test, and none in the past four months, it shows that our producers are doing an excellent job in following biosecurity measures as we continue monitoring this situation."
Anderson said the MDA may further reduce testing frequency if results continue to show no detections through the fall, but continued monitoring is required until all 50 states have reached Unaffected status. He said dairy farmers don’t have to do anything to help with sampling or testing, which is done in cooperation with industry laboratories who routinely test for other purposes.
While avian influenza is still an emerging disease in dairy cattle, Anderson indicated most affected herds in the U.S. have fully recovered.
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