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.
High beef prices are squeezing South Texas restaurants, but Texas Farm Bureau says consumer demand remains strong despite record costs.
February 25, 2026 11:12 AM
·
For communities that depend on agriculture as their primary economic engine, the recession is not defined by headlines on Wall Street. It is defined by the quiet disappearance of the businesses that once processed, serviced, and supported the crop.
February 25, 2026 05:00 AM
·
Glyphosate and phosphorus are deemed critical to U.S. national defense, ensuring farmers’ access while signaling a shift toward regenerative agriculture. RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney shares insight on the Trump Administration’s move and what it could mean for U.S. farmers moving forward.
February 24, 2026 01:30 PM
·
UNL Extension’s Troy Walz discusses the Nebraska Ranch Practicum, where sessions are held, how producers can get involved, and what ranchers can gain from participating in the program.
February 24, 2026 01:16 PM
·
The Ranger Road Fire in the Oklahoma Panhandle is now 65% contained after burning nearly 300,000 acres over the past week. Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance Agency discusses wildfire recovery, livestock insurance considerations, and the importance of preparedness for producers across the Southern Plains.
February 24, 2026 12:28 PM
·
Cotton jassid, a invasive pest, is raising concerns for Southeast cotton growers as experts work to understand its impact this season.
February 24, 2026 09:00 AM
·
