HPAI Outbreak Confirmed in Iowa Commercial Turkey Flock

Approximately 42,000 birds were affected in the outbreak, officials said.

CALHOUN COUNTY, Iowa (RFD-TV) — State agriculture officials confirm that about 42,000 turkeys have been culled after a new detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI, H5N1) in a commercial turkey flock in Calhoun County, Iowa.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says this marks the eighth HPAI detection in domestic birds in the state this year. The flock was depopulated to prevent further spread. Approximately 42,000 birds were affected in the outbreak, officials said.

Officials continue to urge poultry producers and backyard flock owners to strengthen biosecurity measures, such as limiting exposure to wild birds and closely monitoring for signs of illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that the threat to public health remains low, and poultry and eggs remain safe to eat when properly cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

HPAI has had a significant impact on other states, such as South Dakota, this year, particularly within the turkey industry, which has seen a 3 percent decline in production.

Related Stories
Tyson’s Nebraska plant closure and falling Cattle on Feed numbers send cattle markets tumbling. Analysts warn of tighter supplies, weak margins, and rising global competition.
A regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture, prepared by RFD-TV Markets Specialist Tony St. James, for the week of Monday, November 24, 2025.
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller warns horse owners after EHV-1 cases linked to the Waco WPRA Finals. Horses linked to recent Waco events should be isolated and closely monitored, as early action is critical to stopping the spread of EHV-1.
Farmers with unpaid Hansen-Mueller grain should verify delivery records immediately and file indemnity claims quickly, as coverage rules differ sharply by state.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen reviews the history of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and outlines how shifting definitions across multiple administrations have created regulatory confusion for landowners.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Michelle Perez shares more about the American Farmland Trust’s resource to help farmers and producers plan soil health improvements.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer outlines the key difference between previous ECAP payments and the Farm Bridge Assistance Program.
Jeff Johnston with CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange explains the growing role of Rural America in supporting the nation’s digital infrastructure.
FFA Central Region Vice President Claire Woeppel joins FFA Today to share her story and excitement to connect with FFA members nationwide.
NRECA CEO Jim Matheson reacts to the U.S. House’s passage of the SPEED Act, which aims to streamline federal permitting for energy and infrastructure projects, and discusses its potential impact on rural communities.
Cattle markets are watching the Cattle-on-Feed Report for signs of tighter supplies, while USMEF warns limited China access is cutting producer profits.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.