The avian flu has impacted the USA economy.

July 9, 2015
By Catherine Hawley

BALTIMORE - The avian flu (click here) has killed more than 48-million turkeys and chickens, mainly from an outbreak on farms in the Midwest.

But locally, there's other fallout from the flu.  Custard sales at Rita’s Italian Ice locations nationwide are being halted because the company can’t get enough eggs.  They’re a main ingredient in the frozen treat.  Until egg numbers are back up, the custard machines will churn out soft-serve ice cream instead.

"We love Rita's, we love the custard,” said Dina Wientge.  “But we'll probably still give the soft-serve a try and see how it is."...

See, local economies rock. I just love those words, "I told you so." You can tell you have the correct eggs in your refrigerator if they all aren't white. I remember the first eggs in the house with green shells. I think it was Ted Cruz that read Green Eggs and Ham. I never knew he was a big organic food guy. 

July 9, 2015
By Forum News Service

ST. PAUL -- Nearly one-fourth (click here) of the farms struck by the highly pathogenic avian influenza now have agreements in place to restock, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

It reported Thursday that 25 farms have restocking agreements in place. They include two farms in Kandiyohi County, seven in Stearns, five in Meeker and one in Lac qui Parle.

There has no new infected flocks in Minnesota since June 5, the board reported Thursday....

Free range chicken eggs.

Reports (click here) have been mixed on health benefits of free-range chicken. But some smaller studies indicate that pastured chickens may be healthier. A 2003 study by Penn State University researchers found that eggs from pastured hens have higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids and vitamins A and E (see References 3). For the greatest health benefits, purchase poultry and eggs from a trusted source so you know the chickens ranged freely on pesticide-free grass.

July 9, 2015

MADISON, NE (KTIV/US92) - (click here for video) Because of the avian flu outbreak, you won't find chickens at many county or state fairs in Siouxland. That list includes Madison County, Nebraska's Fair.
But, that didn't stop the fair from having poultry-related events for it's 4-H kids. Kids could compete for awards in "showmanship". Using either a stuffed animal, or video of a live chicken, they could do a personal project display, or an educational display. 4-H officials say one of those options was clearly the most popular. "The personal project display because it was giving them the opportunity to their love for what they had at home," said Polocek.
Turnout was down slightly this year, but the poultry events still had strong turnout from the 4-H kids. Many of the projects have already been completed, and some are already displayed at the fair through Saturday.

Iowa farmers not happy with President Obama. Was there something in the Farm Bill that was overlooked by Governor Branstad?

July 10, 2015
By Olivia Mancino

Iowa lawmakers and farmers (click here) are upset after President Obama has denied Governor Branstad's disaster declaration for avian influenza.
Branstad sent a letter to the Obama Administration asking for unemployment assistance, disaster case management, and crisis counseling for the counties affected heavily by the avian flu.
He also asked for a tonnage waiver on federal roadways so poultry carcasses can be disposed quicker.
But again, Obama has denied all  those requests.
In a conference call Thursday, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst said she was deeply disappointed by the administration's decision. 
Iowa farmers echoed her statement.
In a hearing Tuesday, turkey farmer Brad Moline spoke about the hit his farm took.
"I have over 40 hours o paper work that needs to be done, that time could have been better spent cleaning buildings and disinfecting," said Moline.

There is still some meetings and the like going on with the USDA. I would expect Congress to take this up in a separate bill. They did with Hurricane Sandy. This might have the same trajectory because infrastructure has to be addressed for the future, too. 

This isn't something FEMA is responding to. Senator Ernst should bring a bill to the floor of the Senate.

June 15, 2015
...Based on an analysis by APHIS, (click here) environmental factors may also play a part in transmitting HPAI. APHIS found that air samples collected outside of infected poultry houses contain virus particles, indicating that the virus could be transmitted by air.  In addition, preliminary analysis of wind data shows a relationship between sustained high winds and an increase in the number of infected farms approximately 5 days later.  APHIS is conducting additional analyses to better characterize environmental factors that may contribute to virus spread.

While USDA has always worked with States and industry to promote biosecurity, it has continued to step up this collaboration throughout the outbreak, including meeting with industry representatives, producers, and federal, state and local government officials on to discuss the importance of biosecurity.  Moving forward, APHIS plans to continue sharing what it learns with State and industry partners through regular conversations and meetings, including an Industry/USDA/State Animal Health Meeting in July where the agency will focus specifically on biosecurity.... 

See, the USDA has been handling all this. There is already a lot of federal money in play. The USDA is handling a lot of this.

May 29, 2015 -- As part of its ongoing response (click here) efforts to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) disease outbreak, USDA is seeking the assistance of contractors in several areas.  In order to be eligible to receive a federal award, contractors need to register with the System for Award Management website.
Areas where assistance is being sought include: landfills, carbon sources (compost, wood chips, etc.), transportation, heavy equipment, and environmental disposal/hazardous materials handling.  USDA’s contracting office is seeking quotes from contractors in these areas through the request for quote process.  Contractors may be contacted directly based on their type of business (NAICS code).  Opportunities are also posted online at www.fbo.gov .  Interested firms can search “agency” using “Animal Plant Health Inspection Service” to see a list of current opportunities....

Oh, forget it. This is a multi-state emergency. There has to be a comprehensive approach. That is why the USDA is coordinating all this. The pathogen is throughout the Midwest; Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan and Kentucky.

A state of emergency in one state isn't going to solve the problem. There has to be identical outcomes to insure there won't be reinfection into new stock. I have a hard time believing Iowa has a problem meeting the unemployment needs. It isn't as though thousands upon thousands are effected. 

This is one large emergency. It is a matter of a comprehensive effort. These states don't have emergency counseling for these folks? The communities have had to know what is going on. There might be some underlying trauma that government wants to address. But, everyone knew there were problems. There area all kinds of APHIS announcements during this time. I saw them.

There has been significant federal help with these states. They weren't going it alone.