About the disease


industry in Minnesota, the nation’s largest turkey producer. As of mid-May, economic loss due to avian flu was estimated at $310 million of turkey and egg production. Langmo said the disease “has laid waste to the Upper


Midwest poultry industry,” including turkeys and egg-lay- ing hens. In his area 70 miles west of Minneapolis, “virtu- ally every flock in every farm has been affected somehow” he said, estimating that it affects 100 farm sites. Broilers, or chickens raised for meat, have not been


affected, possibly because of their relatively short 45-day growing cycle.


Ripple effect Te staggering loss of birds has created a ripple effect that cuts into the heart of small-town economies, touch- ing nearly everyone. Erik Rundquist, pastor of Svea (Minn.) Lutheran said 90 percent of the congregation is directly or indirectly impacted. Svea is in Kandiyohi County, the state’s largest turkey producer. Local produc- tion losses were about $8 million as of mid-June, he said. It’s estimated that for every dollar of direct impact to bird production, another 80 cents is lost in the economic ripple effect. “Turkeys and chickens eat a lot of corn,” Langmo said. Corn prices in the


It’s estimated that for every dollar of direct impact to bird production,


another 80 cents is


lost in the economic ripple effect.


Upper Midwest are drop- ping, affecting local farm- ers. Feed mills are feeling the pinch as sales are down significantly. Truck-


ers, who deliver feed and transport birds, are down to 20 hours per week of work and are looking for eco- nomic alternatives. Nearly 10 percent of the projected economic loss will be in the trucking industry. Hun- dreds of processing plant employees are working fewer hours. Some are now working second jobs, leaving less time to care for children and aging parents. “Most people can’t get by very long without a regular


paycheck,” Langmo said. Equipment dealers sell less equipment. Growers get-


ting back into business may delay equipment purchases for up to a year. Empty barns don’t use electricity, straining the local electric co-op. Schools, hospitals and churches struggle to maintain normal operations. As far east as Pennsylvania, supermarket egg prices


have increased 60 to 80 percent, with eggs selling for $3.70 per dozen in some areas. Eggs are essential for


Government agencies studying the avian flu aren’t completely sure how it spreads, complicating containment strategies. It’s impos- sible to tell when or where the disease might strike next. The flu is almost always fatal to domestic birds, but doesn’t affect humans and is not a threat to the food supply.


If a bird tests positive, all flocks in the barn are euthanized. Barns are then cleaned at the owner’s expense, a process that takes about two months to complete.


The current theory is that avian flu is spread by migrating wild birds through their droppings and through the air. Wild birds have better resistance and can carry the virus without being affected. Containment practices include washing vehicle tires when entering and leaving an area with domestic birds. People coming on- and off-premises have their shoes or boots washed also. It’s possible that small rodents can bring the virus into barns.


The virus appears be moving east from the Pacific Northwest, but its impact has been strongest in the Upper Midwest, with Southwest Minnesota and Northwest Iowa being hit hardest. In Iowa more than 32 million turkeys and egg-laying hens have been euthanized. In Minnesota more than 9 million birds have been affected in more than 100 cases.


The governors of Minnesota and Iowa have declared states of emergency. More than 2,400 government employees and contrac- tors have assisted in the disaster response in Iowa alone.


baked goods and pizza dough, so costs are rising signifi- cantly for bakeries and restaurants. Poultry shows at many county and state fairs are


suspended for 2015, including the Minnesota, Kansas, Ohio and New York state fairs.


Moving forward Te disease comes full circle when growers are ready to restart production. Langmo said,“Tere’s a dramatic shortage of poults,” the growers’ term for hatchlings. As a result, farmers like Langmo spend a lot of time


thinking about the future. “Our equity is eroding every day. We’re not allowed


to vaccinate. We have no insurance, public or private. Given the low margins …,” his voice trailed off. He said growers nearing retirement age, like him, are


seriously thinking of selling out to preserve the equity. “You wonder if you’re making the right decision to go back in,” he added. Langmo’s advice


to other growers who haven’t been directly affected is: “Sit in a front pew and just pray.” 


Author bio: Brewer is a freelance writer in Elizabeth, Ill.


August 2015 13


PHOTO BY JENNIFER SIMONSON, MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO NEWS. © 2015 MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO. USED BY PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


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