HPAI Hits Commercial Poultry Flocks Across the Midwest

Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu (HPAI) cases are rising. In the last week, seven commercial turkey, duck, and egg layer flocks were culled across five Midwest states and California.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — The bird migration season is driving an increase in detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) across the Midwest, with confirmed cases in commercial duck and commercial turkey flocks in Indiana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Michigan, as reported by APHIS between Friday, Oct. 31, and Monday, Nov. 3.

In Michigan, more than 60,000 commercial turkeys were culled after an outbreak last week. Then, in Indiana, more than 46,000 layers and commercial ducks across multiple outbreaks in Elkhart County were put down after a detection there. State officials there are working with the federal government to put up more surveillance and testing near that site.

In the Upper Midwest, North Dakota experienced an outbreak of commercial turkey disease affecting 24,700 birds. Also, in South Dakota, outbreaks in two turkey flocks in Lamoure and Spink Counties affected 120,100 birds.

APHIS also confirmed two recent cases in Sonoma County, California – a table egg layer flock of 231,000 and a commercial duck breeder with a flock of 567,300.

Related Stories
The Pet and Livestock Protection Act now moves to the Senate for consideration.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln ag educator Matt Kreifels discusses his recent FFA Alumni award and the future of ag education.
Plans are underway for the 27th annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, a June event celebrating farm heritage, tractor history, and rural traditions. Event manager Matt Kenney joins us to highlight the importance of commemorating farm heritage.
Farm Legal Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joins us to share more about the North Dakota court decision and the its larger impact on agriculture.
Frigid winter weather and rapid temperature swings have cattle markets watching closely for livestock stress, as analysts say fluctuations pose the greatest risk.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum highlights modest price support from tighter supplies across cotton, grains, dairy, livestock, and sugar into 2026.
Farm Bureau Economist Faith Parum discusses the latest Farm Bill proposal and the path ahead for Congress and U.S. agriculture.
The Ranger Road Fire spreads from the Oklahoma Panhandle into Kansas as high winds and red flag conditions persist
Small Business Administration Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs joined us with an update on how the SBA is working to support rural communities and small businesses across the country.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week to accelerate domestic production of phosphorus and glyphosate, signaling that farm input availability is now treated as a national security risk.
Fred Nichols, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Huma, joined us with a sneak peek at Commodity Classic next week in San Antonio, Texas.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.