Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern US
(HealthDay News) — Mass cullings have been implemented as a highly contagious form of avian flu has swept across the eastern half of the United States in recent weeks, killing both farmed poultry and wild birds.
“It’s very concerning, given how quickly this thing is accelerating,” Henry Niman, a biochemist in Pittsburgh who studies the genetic evolution of viruses, told The New York Times.
“I think we could see historic levels of infections,” added Niman, who has been tracking the outbreak’s spread across the United States.
It’s likely the virus is being spread by wild birds returning from winter feeding grounds, according to experts, and many fear the worst will come when spring migration peaks in a few weeks, the Times reported.
Poultry growers are being urged by federal officials to report sick or dying birds and to take preventive measures such as preventing contact between their farmed flocks and wild birds.
“It’s important to note that avian influenza is not considered to be a risk to public health and it’s not a food-safety risk,” Mike Stepien, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, told the Times.
HealthDay
The virus, called Eurasian H5N1, has not jumped to humans but is being closely watched by scientists because it’s closely related to an Asian strain that has infected hundreds of people since 2003.
That strain doesn’t spread efficiently among humans, but when it does it has a death rate of 60%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And it can decimate a country’s poultry industry.
Right now, turkey farmers in Indiana and Kentucky are the most worried. Several farms in those states have been shuttered in the past two weeks after officials discovered the virus among birds that spend their entire lives crammed into massive containment sheds. Farmers say they have been stunned by how efficiently the virus kills, with animals dying hours after the initial infection, the Times reported.
“Everyone is on super-high alert and trying to be as prepared as possible because we all remember the devastation of 2014 and 2015,” Dr. Denise Heard, a veterinarian with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, told the Times.
The 2014-15 outbreak sent poultry and egg prices soaring and cost the industry more than $3 billion — though the federal government compensated farmers for lost flocks. In the end, nearly 50 million birds were killed by the virus or destroyed to prevent its spread, a vast majority of them in Iowa and Minnesota.
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: veeterzy / Shutterstock
As the force that feeds and nourishes the population, agriculture is one of the most vital industries in the U.S. economy. To accommodate the country’s growth over the years, agricultural practices have evolved to become more efficient, capable of reliably meeting the population’s daily needs. But these efficient practices also come with environmental costs, and many farmers and consumers are increasingly seeking out more sustainable alternatives.
Organic farming is an approach to agriculture that attempts to mimic nature and natural processes when raising crops and livestock. Rather than using techniques of larger-scale industrial agriculture, like genetic modifications, monoculture farming, and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, organic farmers seek to conserve biodiversity and natural resources on their farmland.
Organic products have seen a boom in demand in recent years, and there are a number of reasons why consumers might be seeking out organic products. Organic techniques appeal to environmentalist consumers who value a more sustainable approach to agriculture that promotes biodiversity, limits pollution, and increases carbon capture. For meat and dairy consumers, livestock production on organic farms is considered to be a more ethical and humane way to raise animals because they are given more access to the outdoors, better feed, and fewer hormones and antibiotics. Health-conscious consumers can point to evidence that organic products have health benefits like greater nutrient density and lower levels of toxic metals and pesticide residue than conventional agricultural products.
Whatever the reasons, organic farming has increased substantially over the last decade or so. In 2008, the U.S. had 10,903 organic farms covering around 4 million acres of farmland. In 2019, there were nearly 16,500 organic farms on 5.5 million acres. And these farms have grown alongside consumer demand: the sales of organic products have more than tripled over the same span, rising from $3.1 billion to $9.9 billion.
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: veeterzy / Shutterstock
As the force that feeds and nourishes the population, agriculture is one of the most vital industries in the U.S. economy. To accommodate the country’s growth over the years, agricultural practices have evolved to become more efficient, capable of reliably meeting the population’s daily needs. But these efficient practices also come with environmental costs, and many farmers and consumers are increasingly seeking out more sustainable alternatives.
Organic farming is an approach to agriculture that attempts to mimic nature and natural processes when raising crops and livestock. Rather than using techniques of larger-scale industrial agriculture, like genetic modifications, monoculture farming, and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, organic farmers seek to conserve biodiversity and natural resources on their farmland.
Organic products have seen a boom in demand in recent years, and there are a number of reasons why consumers might be seeking out organic products. Organic techniques appeal to environmentalist consumers who value a more sustainable approach to agriculture that promotes biodiversity, limits pollution, and increases carbon capture. For meat and dairy consumers, livestock production on organic farms is considered to be a more ethical and humane way to raise animals because they are given more access to the outdoors, better feed, and fewer hormones and antibiotics. Health-conscious consumers can point to evidence that organic products have health benefits like greater nutrient density and lower levels of toxic metals and pesticide residue than conventional agricultural products.
Whatever the reasons, organic farming has increased substantially over the last decade or so. In 2008, the U.S. had 10,903 organic farms covering around 4 million acres of farmland. In 2019, there were nearly 16,500 organic farms on 5.5 million acres. And these farms have grown alongside consumer demand: the sales of organic products have more than tripled over the same span, rising from $3.1 billion to $9.9 billion.
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern US
Within the nearly $10 billion organic food market, milk, chicken, and eggs are the top-selling products. Organic milk leads all products with sales of more than $1.5 billion per year, while chicken sees $1.1 billion in sales annually and eggs generate $887 million. Apples are the top-selling form of organic produce, with $475 million in annual sales.
Within the nearly $10 billion organic food market, milk, chicken, and eggs are the top-selling products. Organic milk leads all products with sales of more than $1.5 billion per year, while chicken sees $1.1 billion in sales annually and eggs generate $887 million. Apples are the top-selling form of organic produce, with $475 million in annual sales.
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern US
While the organic farming industry has seen tremendous growth, not all farmers are adopting organic practices. Many large-scale agricultural operations in the Midwest and South have relatively low numbers of organic farms and acreage devoted to such operations. But one location where organic agriculture has taken hold deeply is California. California is home to more than 3,000 organic farms—more than twice the next-highest state—and the total acreage of organic farms in the state totals nearly 1 million acres.
While the organic farming industry has seen tremendous growth, not all farmers are adopting organic practices. Many large-scale agricultural operations in the Midwest and South have relatively low numbers of organic farms and acreage devoted to such operations. But one location where organic agriculture has taken hold deeply is California. California is home to more than 3,000 organic farms—more than twice the next-highest state—and the total acreage of organic farms in the state totals nearly 1 million acres.
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern US
California is the nation’s top state for agricultural sales overall, so it is unsurprising that the state is also the leader in organic production. In relative terms, several other states devote a greater share of their farmland to organic farming than California, where organic farms represent only about 4% of the state’s agricultural acreage. Instead, the list of top states for organic farms on a relative basis is led by northeastern states including Maine, New York, and Vermont—the runaway leader, where organic acreage accounts for nearly 17% of its total.
The data used in this analysis is from the USDA. To identify the states with the most organic farms, researchers at Commodity.com calculated the total certified organic acres operated as a percentage of total farmland in each state. In the event of a tie, the state with the greater number of organic farms as a percentage of total farms was ranked higher. Only states with available data from the USDA were included in the analysis.
Here are the states with the most organic farms.
California is the nation’s top state for agricultural sales overall, so it is unsurprising that the state is also the leader in organic production. In relative terms, several other states devote a greater share of their farmland to organic farming than California, where organic farms represent only about 4% of the state’s agricultural acreage. Instead, the list of top states for organic farms on a relative basis is led by northeastern states including Maine, New York, and Vermont—the runaway leader, where organic acreage accounts for nearly 17% of its total.
The data used in this analysis is from the USDA. To identify the states with the most organic farms, researchers at Commodity.com calculated the total certified organic acres operated as a percentage of total farmland in each state. In the event of a tie, the state with the greater number of organic farms as a percentage of total farms was ranked higher. Only states with available data from the USDA were included in the analysis.
Here are the states with the most organic farms.
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: Ronald E Grafe / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 0.82%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.01%
- Total organic acreage: 111,920
- Total organic farms: 785
- Total value of organic products sold: $116,999,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: Ronald E Grafe / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 0.82%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.01%
- Total organic acreage: 111,920
- Total organic farms: 785
- Total value of organic products sold: $116,999,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: kallen1979 / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 0.86%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 0.97%
- Total organic acreage: 17,196
- Total organic farms: 120
- Total value of organic products sold: $50,080,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: kallen1979 / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 0.86%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 0.97%
- Total organic acreage: 17,196
- Total organic farms: 120
- Total value of organic products sold: $50,080,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: Dmitry Pichugin / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 0.88%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 0.27%
- Total organic acreage: 94,591
- Total organic farms: 48
- Total value of organic products sold: $26,903,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: Dmitry Pichugin / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 0.88%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 0.27%
- Total organic acreage: 94,591
- Total organic farms: 48
- Total value of organic products sold: $26,903,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: Joshua Rainey Photography / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.24%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.22%
- Total organic acreage: 196,045
- Total organic farms: 455
- Total value of organic products sold: $454,406,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: Joshua Rainey Photography / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.24%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.22%
- Total organic acreage: 196,045
- Total organic farms: 455
- Total value of organic products sold: $454,406,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: Luis-Fernandez / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.25%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.15%
- Total organic acreage: 122,253
- Total organic farms: 541
- Total value of organic products sold: $230,955,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: Luis-Fernandez / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.25%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.15%
- Total organic acreage: 122,253
- Total organic farms: 541
- Total value of organic products sold: $230,955,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: Jon Bilous / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.47%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.79%
- Total organic acreage: 107,550
- Total organic farms: 944
- Total value of organic products sold: $741,764,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: Jon Bilous / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.47%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.79%
- Total organic acreage: 107,550
- Total organic farms: 944
- Total value of organic products sold: $741,764,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: B Brown / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.57%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 0.98%
- Total organic acreage: 180,732
- Total organic farms: 240
- Total value of organic products sold: $205,968,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: B Brown / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.57%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 0.98%
- Total organic acreage: 180,732
- Total organic farms: 240
- Total value of organic products sold: $205,968,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: SNEHIT PHOTO / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.60%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.19%
- Total organic acreage: 97,868
- Total organic farms: 40
- Total value of organic products sold: $66,803,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: SNEHIT PHOTO / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.60%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.19%
- Total organic acreage: 97,868
- Total organic farms: 40
- Total value of organic products sold: $66,803,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: Christian Delbert / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.63%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.85%
- Total organic acreage: 8,170
- Total organic farms: 133
- Total value of organic products sold: $32,895,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: Christian Delbert / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.63%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.85%
- Total organic acreage: 8,170
- Total organic farms: 133
- Total value of organic products sold: $32,895,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: James.Pintar / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.75%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 2.10%
- Total organic acreage: 250,940
- Total organic farms: 1,364
- Total value of organic products sold: $268,921,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: James.Pintar / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 1.75%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 2.10%
- Total organic acreage: 250,940
- Total organic farms: 1,364
- Total value of organic products sold: $268,921,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: RaulCano / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 2.72%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.95%
- Total organic acreage: 11,708
- Total organic farms: 80
- Total value of organic products sold: $11,274,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: RaulCano / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 2.72%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 1.95%
- Total organic acreage: 11,708
- Total organic farms: 80
- Total value of organic products sold: $11,274,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: veeterzy / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 3.97%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 4.31%
- Total organic acreage: 965,257
- Total organic farms: 3,012
- Total value of organic products sold: $3,596,923,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: veeterzy / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 3.97%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 4.31%
- Total organic acreage: 965,257
- Total organic farms: 3,012
- Total value of organic products sold: $3,596,923,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: KWJPHOTOART / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 4.25%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 6.00%
- Total organic acreage: 55,261
- Total organic farms: 456
- Total value of organic products sold: $63,820,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: KWJPHOTOART / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 4.25%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 6.00%
- Total organic acreage: 55,261
- Total organic farms: 456
- Total value of organic products sold: $63,820,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: redtbird02 / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 4.68%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 3.96%
- Total organic acreage: 323,081
- Total organic farms: 1,321
- Total value of organic products sold: $298,420,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: redtbird02 / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 4.68%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 3.96%
- Total organic acreage: 323,081
- Total organic farms: 1,321
- Total value of organic products sold: $298,420,000
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Bird flu sweeps through poultry in eastern USShutterstock
Photo Credit: haveseen / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 16.92%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 9.63%
- Total organic acreage: 203,002
- Total organic farms: 655
- Total value of organic products sold: $159,742,000
ShutterstockPhoto Credit: haveseen / Shutterstock
- Organic acreage as a percentage of total: 16.92%
- Organic farms as a percentage of total: 9.63%
- Total organic acreage: 203,002
- Total organic farms: 655
- Total value of organic products sold: $159,742,000
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