Health officials are still working to learn more about High-Path Avian Flu (HPAI) found in dairy cattle in several states, and on Tuesday, the markets reacted sharply to the news.
At first, the cases in Texas and Kansas left farmers and officials baffled, calling it a mystery illness. Some cows had to be culled, but others returned to normal, and it appears to only be affecting older dairy cows.
HPAI devastated the poultry industry over the last few years, with widespread outbreaks in commercial poultry flocks resulting in the death of millions of birds across the United States — specifically devastating egg-layer flocks. Previously, it was only detected in commercial and wild birds, however, scientists recently confirmed the first case affecting livestock, when it was discovered in a baby goat in Minnesota earlier this month.
Health officials say instances of HPAI in dairy cattle pose no threat to humans because of the pasteurization process that occurs before dairy products hit supermarket shelves.
Our friend, markets expert Tommy Grisafi was on the Cow Guy Close and said the outbreak could have a big impact on the markets if it gets any worse.
“What we’re worried about in commerce is that people in foreign countries will take a break on American beef,” Grisafi said, reacting to the news. “They’ll go elsewhere like New Zealand, Mexico, Australia... and if they have to go to England to get beef, that’s not good.”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council published a joint press release regarding the advancement of legislation to delist the Mexican Gray Wolf from the Endangered Species Act.
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Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026.
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USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
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Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Director Ryan Norris talks energy infrastructure, regulatory reform, and the role of critical minerals in supporting rural America.
January 23, 2026 01:54 PM
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Pennsylvania Farm Show scholarship recipient Elizabeth Dice discusses her award, her background in farming, and her path forward in the agriculture industry.
January 23, 2026 01:48 PM
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Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses supply chain challenges facing agriculture as snow, sleet and ice threaten most of the Eastern U.S.
January 23, 2026 01:36 PM
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Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska joined us with the latest on efforts to secure year-round E15 sales.
January 23, 2026 01:12 PM
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Nearly everyone in the South Texas ag community appears extremely worried about the potential of a New World screwworm epidemic, according to a local veterinarian. RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports.
January 23, 2026 11:56 AM
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Large-scale land purchases signal rising competition for ranchland, reinforcing its value while reshaping long-term access and control in rural agriculture.
January 23, 2026 07:00 AM
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